Using Reason to hold samples

[Traveshamockery]

Hi I am just getting into making music on the computer. I have always made music on an Ensoniq ASR-10 and I have several sound CDs that I want to take sounds from. I plan to use Chicken Systems Translator software to convert my CDs from ensoniq format to .wav. I would like to know if I will be able to import all my sounds into Reason. If so will it hold and allow instant access to thousands of sounds?

[howie15]

Reason doesn't hold samples itself. You make a folder on your computer to hold the samples then access them from Reason when you need them. You can assign the paths for sounds, samples and songs in the reason preferences so you don't have to hunting for them all the time. So the only thing limiting you is the size of your storage on your computer. If you convert everything to .wav, Reason will have no problem using them. Use the NN-19 or my personal favorite the NN-xt for triggering samples with the keyboard. Reason is so versatile that you can do anything with it.

Howie J

[Traveshamockery]

thanks, So will I be able to scroll through all the sounds instantly, like presets on a keyboard? Would a softsampler be better for this type of application or is Reason good for this?

[nutsadamus]

Are you on a Mac or PC? I ask because Awave STudio (for PC only) by fmjsoft is far superior to Translator. It converts directly to NN-XT file format. I succesfully converted Kurzweil samples, soundfonts, and even some giga files to NN-XT without a problem.
I've tried Translator as well and it just seems bare bones and slow in comparison.

[Traveshamockery]

I'll be using PC thanks a lot, hadn't heard of that program, will it convert to .wav if I decide not to use reason? if it converts directly to NN-XT does that mean it will be stored in Reason? will I be able to roll through sounds like presets?

[howie15]

OK, here's the deal....I'll say it again...Reason itself does not hold any samples..ever...it just links itself to folders on your computer or hard drive. Yes, you can scroll through the sounds just like a synth on all the modules. NN-XT, subtractor, malstrom, etc. You just have to click on the little folder icon to get to the sample selection window, then find the folder you keep them in. I have all my sounds and samples...(or refills) on my external hard drive since it's much bigger than the internal drives of my computer and just have Reason linked to that spot. Go into Reason Preferences and then go to the 4th page and you can select your pathways to your refills.
I would just convert everything to wav anyway. All the samplers can use wav files anyway then you won't have to worry about only being able to use it in one module.

Howie J

[Traveshamockery]

thanks a lot guys

[brightonalex]

Hi - howie15, do you not have to convert all wav files to REX files using Propellerhead Recycle? I'm pretty sure you can't access wav files directly.

[howie15]

The only time you have to convert to REX files is if you are slicing something up to make a loop to use in the Dr. Rex Loop player. You can use regular wav files in the NN-XT and 19...and even redrum. Almost every sound I use in Reason is a .wav file, except for REX.

Howie J

[bluelightofdawn]

Reason does actually hold samples if you want it to. there is an option in the edit menu it is "song self contain settings" after you click that you need to scroll through the pop up of the samples and click on each of the samples that you have imported......that way they are always stored with the song...they are compressed with some proprietary (i think) lossless encoder......and it makes life a lot easier!!!! this option has been there since at least 2.5
enjoy

[Pr@nG!]

Reason does actually hold samples if you want it to. there is an option in the edit menu it is "song self contain settings" after you click that you need to scroll through the pop up of the samples and click on each of the samples that you have imported......that way they are always stored with the song...they are compressed with some proprietary (i think) lossless encoder......and it makes life a lot easier!!!! this option has been there since at least 2.5
enjoy

As said above, twice Reason doesn't hold samples. "Self contained" songs are just Reasons way of zipping, so you can transfer a whole song to someone.

You just have to click on the little folder icon to get to the sample selection window, then find the folder you keep them in. I have all my sounds and samples...
Go into Reason Preferences and then go to the 4th page and you can select your pathways to your refills.


Since ver.3 Reason has got rid of the 4 favourite folder shortcuts and opted for the new file finder. I find this useless as I you make a favourite folder shortcut it wont update if you add new sounds into it.

[dcwave]

Wow - the Necro Thread award goes to bluelightofdawn (welcome BTW) and PR@nG for resurecting a 4 year old thread!!! ;) :)