The ReGroove mixer in Reason 4

The regroove mixer inside Propellerheads Reason 4 is more then just a device to create a shuffle method. In the old versions of reason, the only way we could create offbeat notes was using the shuffle method that came with the matrix pattern sequencer or the redrum computer. With the latest version of Propellerheads Reason 4 we have the power to create grooves really fast. Thanx to the whole new redesigned sequencer, we also the ability to create multiple grooves on multiple tracklanes.

Shuffle

Lets just take a closer look at what the original shuffle technique did. It is a single knob on top of the matrix pattern sequencer. When we create a Subtractor + Matrix pattern sequencer we can create a single monophonic melody with it. First I will show an example file that has no shuffle attached to it, and the next one uses a shuffle, with a default global shuffle amount inside the matrix and the redrum computer.

Download Reason 4 RNS: No Shuffle

Download Reason 4 RNS: With Shuffle

So here you might notice a kind of 'groove' going on. While the shuffle method that comes with in the Matrix and Redrum are pretty straight forward (they use a 2 by 2 method, eg 2 short notes, then 2 long notes), the regroove mixer makes it more controlable to create a groove. Since there is more control, it might also be hard to just create a groove from it. But, ok... I will just go through some tips and tricks one might keep in mind when using the regroove mixer.

Opening the regroove mixer

First, the location of the regroove mixer should be mentioned. The regroove mixer is located in the transport panel, or transport bar at the bottom of the reason rack or at the bottom of the sequencer. It has this kind of circle symbol above it (which did remind me of Ableton Live though ;)). When clicking on it, we get to see a whole new 'mixing' panel. Which looks like the following:

When we take the no-shuffle song, and start to work with that... we might also notice inside the sequencer itself that it has this minor drop down list next to each instrument.

Well, here's the deal with the regroove mixer. We have 32 patterns to pick from. Starting with A1, then A2 till D8 (eg, that is the same way the redrum and the matrix uses the patterns). However, it does not work like a normal pattern selector as you would use a Matrix pattern sequencer. These are 2 different things. First we start with creating a groove method using A1, connect the A1 groove to a series of sequence lanes. And if we want, we can make more then one groove.

Usually I prefer to stick with just one straight forward groove method using the Regroove mixer, since using more groove methods can also make it totally messy in a way. For instance, try to play 1/64th notes on the sequencer and randomly make them go out of sync... that messy ;) But then again, it isn't a rule or something, if someone wants to use 32 different grooves, be my guest ;)

So, to get things going with the regroove mixer, we first select from the sequence lane which sequence lanes we want to attach to the regroove mixer. As I have mentioned, I will start with A1.

In this case there is no difference in the sound output yet. Since the regroove mixer has no settings yet. And there is another thing that I have to mention: the regroove does not apply to any Pattern lanes! (ok, with the exception of one setting... I will get to that when I dont forget it). So, what we want to do aswell (since I am using the pattern lanes in this example), we want to copy the notes to the sequence lane. To do this, we can right click on the redrum and click on "Copy pattern to track".

And then we clear the pattern by right click on the redrum and select "Clear Pattern". Eventually the sequencer should look like this:

Notice that the lane1 already has A1 selected (since i picked it from the list). Also the pattern A1 is still inside the Pattern select section. Since that one isn't used by now, we can delete the pattern select section aswell.

Ok, by now you might think "Ow my god! Do I always need to do this?!". Actually, nope... As I started with the matrix pattern sequencers, and the redrum pattern sequencer we could be better of just to place the notes directly on the sequence lane, rather then using pattern sequencers. I do know that working with pattern sequencers work really fast (i mean I can create a drum track by clicking 10 times orso), but always remember to use the sequencer lane, and not the pattern lane when creating grooves with the regroove mixer. And the whole copy pattern to track method I often use when I am totally lazy. I just want to relax, click a few buttons and then when I am done, I just copy the pattern to the track.

But anyways, when everything is all in place, we should end up with a file that looks like the following:

Download Reason 4 RNS: The initial setup

Again, there is no regroove or shuffle methods being used yet. I already selected the A1 pattern for the regroove mixer... Since now the fun begins ;)

Channel settings inside the regroove mixer

When we take a close look inside the regroove mixer, we see 8 different sliders, which represent 8 channels (A1 till A8) of the regroove mixer. Since we only use 1 channel for now, I think it would be better just to zoom in on one single channel. Since that makes it easier to explain, and maybe easier to understand aswell.

First there is the slide method. This is what I usually refer as 'the off-beat amount'. And the best way to make this 'offbeat' really noticable is by placing in a high-hat that goes really fast.

Download Reason 4 RNS: Offbeat

Notice how the high-hat plays this really off-beat kind of tune.Even while the bassdrums are playing really tight, the high hat kind of jumps around the bassdrums and snares. This is something that the normal shuffle method couldn't do. Usually when having heavy compressed drums, the offbeat is a real cool feature to use. Since the compressed drums take a really heavy impact on the overal sound (makes the sound drop even). When having an offbeat, it will make the other sounds more noticable.

Download Reason 4 RNS: overcompressed

Compare that with having the slide of the A2 channel to the default setting and you will know what I mean.

Shuffle inside the Regroove mixer

The shuffle inside the regroove mixer, by default, works similar to the shuffle that comes within the matrix. It uses a 2 by 2 method. And when playing a solid 4*4 bassline, you will not notice any effect from the shuffle. But sine I also have a hihat that goes really fast, and the subtractor that plays a little groovey tune... We will definitly notice the impact. When the shuffle amount is 50% we won't notice any effect. When making it higher then 50%, it will become more like a 2 short, 2 long method. When reducing it below 50%, the groove becomes the other way around (2 long, 2 short).

Personally, I prefer my grooves around 57% till 59%... but then again, thats all up to those who want to create something from the regroove mixer.

Download Reason 4 RNS: shuffle-regroove

Groove amount

Well, the groove amount slider basicly tells how much impact the groove has. I think I don't really need to pay much attention to that one ;)

The Tool Window

the Regroove mixer is probably one of the few devices inside Reason that really NEEDS the tool window. At least, when one wants to get everything out of the regroove mixer that is. From my point of view, I think the velocity impact is the most interesting feature from this one. Since personally I use a lot of velocity changes inside my sequences. The more velocity it has, the more impact the groove has. Even while, without the regroove mixer, something can already sound pretty funky just by using velocity changes inside a single instrument (making it louder and softer, or .. changing the filter frequencies when the velocity is tied up to the filter envelope).

Having the velocity impact tied up to the regroove mixer can add something really drastic from time to time.

First we have to select the groove channel. Since I am using A2 as my 'mostly' used regroove channel by now, I will select that one first. After that, we can make some changes inside the velocity impact. Since the subtractor I am using right now has a lot of velocity changes, we will probably notice most of the effects comming from that instrument inside the next example file. The highhat plays a very solid velocity setting, so no changes will come from that. Which is also a nice thing though, since we are kind of 'layering' our groove this way. One has changes, the other one doesn't...

Download Reason 4 RNS: The Velocity impact

Using multiple grooves on one instrument

As I also had some questions about using edit automation inside the regroove mixer, I can just say: no... there is no edit automation feature inside the regroove mixer. The only way one can 'emulate' a changed regroove effect is by using multiple sequence lanes and use multiple regroove channels that are connected to it.

Download Reason 4 RNS: Multiple Grooves

Another method would be using the Edit Remote overdrive method on settings like shuffle or slide. However, when changing them they will not be recorded in the sequencer.

Anyways, this is all I have to say at the moment when it comes to the regroove mixer in propellerheads reason for now.