Best Live Workflow For Reason?

[Nos402]

Hey all! I mostly use Reason in my studio but I have a gig where I will be using it live coming up and am just wondering about tips for the best workflow.

Currently, I have a separate track in Reason for each sound/song so that all sounds are already loaded and ready to go. I have assigned the top 2 keys to go next/previous track for ease of switching.

I'm just wondering if there's a better way to do it. This seems to be working so far, but I'm wondering if it might become unfeasible if I had a LOT of sounds/songs I needed for a gig. Like would loading too many at once cause memory/stability issues? For this gig I won't need but probably 10 tracks so it shouldn't be an issue.

I figured I could also save each song as it's own file but then each one would have to load between songs (not that it takes that long) and I also want to keep interacting with my laptop to a minimum by being able to use my midi controller to switch sounds/songs.

Just wondering if there is an "optimal" or "intended" workflow or if it's all kind 6 of 1 and half dozen of another. Thanks!

[Nos402]

All I really need are the sounds so luckily my needs are few!

Reason is not good for live performance, no seperate loopers, no clip launcher, no sequencer mute/solo remote stuff....nothing....

All this is highly requested for many years now ...but still nothing.

Very sad.

[moofi]

Peff´s Directre could come in handy here: https://reasonstudios.com/shop/rack-ext ... io-router/

[zoidkirb]

I'm currently contemplating similar questions.
One thing I've thought of to save CPU is using less FX, and more relying on different tracks sharing the same Send effects.

[crimsonwarlock]

Reason is not good for live performance, no seperate loopers, no clip launcher, no sequencer mute/solo remote stuff....nothing....

There are actually several rack extensions aimed at live performance. Just a few:

https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... at-looper/

https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/brow ... 20Software

[QVprod]

Since all you need are sounds. This is a perfect example where the plug-in is more useful. Most DAWs are not designed for live performance. You can use Mainstage (mac) or Gig Performer https://gigperformer.com/ or anything similar. You’ll have more flexibility that way.

Those programs are designed for live performance.

[devil71]

I've been using Reason with live bands for about 10 years now.

Currently using Nektar Panorama P6 and Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 for controllers.

Each song in my set list is a separate Reason file.

I assign (for example)
Piano patch to MIDI channel 1
Organ patch to ch 2
Strings to ch 3 etc.
The PB Assign buttons on the P6 are used to change channels.

Also:
Combinators are ideal for keyboard splits. When playing the Vortex I use the Octave Up / Down buttons to switch between patches.

I don't use the sequencer / loops etc.
Everything is played live.

[demt]

I've been using Reason with live bands for about 10 years now.

Currently using Nektar Panorama P6 and Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 for controllers.

Each song in my set list is a separate Reason file.

I assign (for example)
Piano patch to MIDI channel 1
Organ patch to ch 2
Strings to ch 3 etc.
The PB Assign buttons on the P6 are used to change channels.

Also:
Combinators are ideal for keyboard splits. When playing the Vortex I use the Octave Up / Down buttons to switch between patches.

I don't use the sequencer / loops etc.
Everything is played live.

Got a vid?

[Nos402]

Nice! With each song being it's own file you don't ever find loading time to be a problem between songs or anything?

I've been using Reason with live bands for about 10 years now.

Currently using Nektar Panorama P6 and Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 for controllers.

Each song in my set list is a separate Reason file.

I assign (for example)
Piano patch to MIDI channel 1
Organ patch to ch 2
Strings to ch 3 etc.
The PB Assign buttons on the P6 are used to change channels.

Also:
Combinators are ideal for keyboard splits. When playing the Vortex I use the Octave Up / Down buttons to switch between patches.

I don't use the sequencer / loops etc.
Everything is played live.

[devil71]

No vids available sorry.
Maybe I should make one !

I can usually load up the first 4 or 5 song files in advance of the show before the laptop complains

After that the band knows to give me just a little extra time between songs just in case...

The biggest problem is if I'm out in the crowd with the keytar, I have to run back to my rig to load up the next song !

[thefixr]

I've used Reason in a live setting for a number of years doing realtime finger drumming. I load sets into Combinator templates that are usually either outfitted with NN-XT + FX or Kongs + FX. I like to setup sets that last from 10 to 30 mins and I play through them contiguously. Here's me doing a 4 song set that is around 12 mins.

Personally I think Reason is great for live sets since it is so much more stable than anything else I have come across.

[Nos402]

Thanks for telling me about Gig Performer! I had never heard of it and I tried it out tonight and ended up buying it! Very cool

Since all you need are sounds. This is a perfect example where the plug-in is more useful. Most DAWs are not designed for live performance. You can use Mainstage (mac) or Gig Performer https://gigperformer.com/ or anything similar. You’ll have more flexibility that way.

Those programs are designed for live performance.

[QVprod]

Thanks for telling me about Gig Performer! I had never heard of it and I tried it out tonight and ended up buying it! Very cool

Since all you need are sounds. This is a perfect example where the plug-in is more useful. Most DAWs are not designed for live performance. You can use Mainstage (mac) or Gig Performer https://gigperformer.com/ or anything similar. You’ll have more flexibility that way.

Those programs are designed for live performance.

You’re welcome. Glad that worked out for you