Reason 13.1 – New Browser, Rack, and Sequencer Features!

Summary

Reason 13.1 brings a host of exciting features to enhance music production, including a personalized browser experience with favorite and hidden tags, custom device tagging, and improved search capabilities. New rack features, such as 'plus' buttons for device arrangement, streamline workflows. The sequencer sees enhancements like audible feedback for piano roll transpositions and a split clips function for more precise audio editing. Reason 13.1 also adds greater flexibility in organizing devices and patches, offering users faster, more efficient access to their tools and sounds, ensuring a smoother production process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reason 13.1 enhances the music production workflow with new browser features and improved user experience.
• 🎧 You can now personalize your Reason browser with two main tags: 'Favorite' for frequently used devices, and 'Hidden' for devices you don’t want to appear in the list.
• 📝 Custom tags can be created to organize devices based on specific workflows, such as 'Vocals' or project-based tags for easier access to recurring tools.
• 🔍 The new category filters allow you to manually assign devices to categories, making it easier to organize and find devices like *Ripley* in the *Distortion* category.
• 🎶 The search functionality has improved with the ability to filter results by author, sound packs, and specific metadata like length and tempo.
• 🔧 Rack improvements include new
• buttons above and below devices to ensure proper order when adding new devices, such as players above instruments.
• 💻 Reason 13.1 introduces audible feedback for note selection and transposition in the piano roll, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• ✂️ New clip splitting options allow users to split audio and MIDI clips at the song position or into evenly spaced sections based on note values like eighth or quarter notes.
• 🎚️ The piano roll now offers a 'Chop Notes' feature that allows users to slice sustained notes into rhythmic patterns like 16th notes or triplets.
• 🎛️ Reason 13.1 makes searching and organizing sound patches more intuitive with the introduction of 'User Tags' and the ability to filter by various attributes, including rack extensions and refills.

Q & A

What are the major updates introduced in Reason 13.1?

Reason 13.1 brings a variety of improvements, including a personalized browser experience, enhanced workflow features, new custom tagging options, better device categorization, and new functionality in the sequencer, like clip splitting and note chopping.

How can users personalize their device list in Reason 13.1?

Users can now personalize their device list by using the 'Favorite' and 'Hidden' tags. Devices marked as 'Favorites' will appear in the favorites section for quick access, while 'Hidden' devices can be removed from the main list but are still accessible if needed.

Can users create custom tags for devices in Reason 13.1? If so, how?

Yes, users can create custom tags for devices. By right-clicking on a device and selecting 'Tags,' users can create and assign tags based on their specific needs, such as organizing devices for specific tasks or genres, making workflows more efficient.

What is the purpose of the new user tags section in the Reason 13.1 browser?

The new 'User Tags' section allows users to create and assign their own custom tags to devices, patches, and sounds. This section is helpful for quickly categorizing and accessing frequently used devices or specific sound sets, improving the organization of the library.

How does the new search functionality improve finding devices and patches?

The search functionality now includes the ability to search by custom tags, device author names, and specific metadata like sound pack names. Users can filter searches based on categories such as rack extensions, VST plugins, and sound packs, making it easier to find the exact sound or device they need.

What improvements have been made to the browser’s sorting capabilities in Reason 13.1?

Reason 13.1 introduces new sorting columns in the browser for sorting Rex loops by length and tempo. Additionally, when sorting by a primary criterion like length, the browser now sorts secondarily by name, making it easier to organize and find files.

How does the floating browser improve workflow in Reason 13.1?

The floating browser in Reason 13.1 allows users to browse patches while keeping the rack visible and interactive. This means users no longer need to commit their choices before browsing another device, significantly improving workflow efficiency when working with multiple devices.

What is the function of the new plus buttons in the Reason 13.1 rack?

The new plus buttons above and below devices in the rack help users add compatible devices in the correct order. For example, players are limited to placement above instruments, while effects can only be placed below. This ensures logical device placement and better organization.

What are the new features introduced to the sequencer in Reason 13.1?

The sequencer in Reason 13.1 includes new features such as the ability to split clips at the song position with a shortcut (Alt/Option + X) and chop clips into evenly spaced sections based on note values. These updates enhance precision and flexibility during audio and MIDI editing.

How does the note chopping feature work in Reason 13.1, and what are its benefits?

The note chopping feature allows users to split sustained notes in the piano roll into shorter, more rhythmic values, such as 16th notes or triplets. This helps create more dynamic and rhythmic progressions and allows for easier manipulation of existing melodies and chords.