Propellerhead ReBirth is not only back (again), it is better! The classic RB-338 techno micro composer software has been adapted for the iPad. The ReBirth for iPad app has several new features. Most notable of the improvements is the new standard ReBirth 303, 808, 909 graphic user interface from bitplant and multi touch support!

The YouTube Video is an infomercialistic advertorial, and in the eight minute video, we managed to present a little tutorial on the basics of programming patterns and sequencing pattern automation. Kudos to Ryan Harlin, who did a great job producing this segment! (and thanks for not making me look too goofy)

I’ve received a few inquires about the props in the video. It was shot in the parlor at my house, where the old hammond and rhodes suitcase reside. However, most people have been asking about the iPad stand: the Joule from element case. It’s a great design that complements the iPad extremely well.

The Audio Engineering Society convention returns to San Francisco this week, and Propellerhead and Line6 will be exhibiting Reason 5 and Record 1.5. The exhibits open on Friday, November 5 and run through Sunday, November 7. Gerry Basserman, Ryan Harlin, and Matt Piper will be around so this will be an opportunity for people to get some one-on-one time with the experts! Naturally there’s plenty of other cool stuff to see like microphones, pre-amps, and other sound and studio technology.

The SF Bay Area Reason Users Group has an informal meet up on Saturday at the conference, and we will probably congregate at the Line6 booth. #528.

I’ll be walking the exhibits on Friday and will face|tweet some pics of all the goodies. I’m still on my quest for ribbon mics

Erik Hawkins of Berklee College of Music, has asked me to join the faculty of the Berklee Online Producing Music with Reason course.

We are in the second week of the term, and I’m really enjoying this online education format. The system and course layout is comprehensive and the online environment fosters a lot of interaction between the participants. I especially enjoy the webex conferencing system where there’s real-time interactivity with the class.

The Producing Music with Reason course starts from the very beginning, so it’s perfect for someone who knows absolutely nothing about Propellerhead Reason. Experienced users might find the beginning of the course redundant, however the pace picks up quite quickly and by the end of the 12 week semester, each person is responsible for composing, sequencing, editing, mixing and mastering a final project all in Propellerhead Reason.

For the time being, I’m focusing my efforts towards this class. This means that my other major projects have been placed on an indefinite hold.

The combinator (version 3) in Reason 5 / Record 1.5 has a few notable improvements. Programming is easier with hierarchical destination menus - you no longer need to scroll down long lists of destination parameters. Another welcome improvement is the addition of direct CV inputs. In combinator 2 (Reason 4), a CV source such as an envelope generator, LFO, or step sequencer curve could only be routed through a rotary which subsequently modulated parameters on nested devices. Now in combinator 3, any CV modulation source can be routed directly to a parameter or group of parameters on devices in the combi sub rack.

I put together a bitcrusher patch based around the Scream 4 ‘Digital’ algorithm. In this patch, an MClass compressor not only processes the dynamics, it’s provides a variable cv source from the compressor’s gain reduction value. The gain reduction cv is routed through the combinator CV input which then alters the DAMAGE CONTROL parameter of the Scream 4. As the input signal increases in intensity, the cv routing causes the DAMAGE CONTROL value to increase. The actively changing damage value adds a different character compared to a static setting of the Digital algorithm.

Download peff-bitcrusher_bc3.zip
Combinator TS8450 v3 patch require Reason 5 or Record 1.5+Reason 5 duo

BC3 BitCrusher Controls

wordlength - adjusts the RESOLUTION parameter of the digital algorithm

bitrate - adjusts the RATE parameter of the digital algorithm

gain - adjusts the OUTPUT GAIN amount of the MClass Compressor to drive the signal harder into the Scream 4. This parameter also offsets the gain reduction CV value causing a DAMAGE CONTROL offset.

intermodulation - controls the compression THRESHOLD and RATIO and increases the gain reduction as the rotary is turned clockwise. Increased compression causes the DAMAGE CONTROL to increase in intensity.

response - controls the compressor time constants. The ON state sets long values for the ATTACK and RELEASE parameters.

variable bitrate - When this button is enabled, the gain reduction control voltage is tapped and routed to the bitrate rotary. This causes the bitrate to decrease as the input signal increases. Thor is used as a CV on/off switch.

max - This sets the Scream 4 MASTER level to max. Enabling this button can make the signal very loud, but limits around -4dB FS.

emphasis - toggles the compressor SOFT KNEE value which changes the gain reduction curve. In turn this causes starker DAMAGE CONTROL modulation.

BC3 BitCrusher Modifications

One recommended modification is to tap the gain reduction signal and route it to the Scream 4 parameter 2 CV input to establish a variable wordlength modulation. The following steps describe how to implement this feature:

1. On Thor Mod Bus 3, set the source to CV In1.

2. Set the Amount to 80, and set the Destination to CV Output 3.

3. Tab to the rear view and connect the Thor Modulation Output CV3 to the Scream 4 P1 CV input.

4. On the BC3 panel, set wordlength to zero, bitrate to 101, gain to 56, and intermodulation to 95.

5. Disable response, variable bitrate, and max.

6. Enable the emphasis button.

7. Run a drum loop signal through the BC3 BitCrusher to to hear the distortion created by modulating wordlength.

Another suggested mod is to adjust the variable bitrate switching amount. The modulation signal starts with the MClass Compressor gain reduction CV. This CV out is connected to Thor CV 1 input and distributed via the Thor Modulation Busses. The Mod Bus 2 amount value is determined by the min/max values of combi button 2. The minimum value is set to zero, and maximum is set to -50. Changing these values will alter the dynamic modulation characteristics. The following steps describe how to establish this modification:

1. Click on the BC3 Combi Show Programmer Button.

2. Click on “Thor 1″ in the combi programmer device list.

3. On the Modulation Routing section, locate the “Button 2 | Mod 2 Dest Amount” row and set the Min value to 70 and the Max value to -100.

4. Toggle the ‘variable bitrate’ button. This sends the revised values to the Thor modulation bus.

5. Process a signal through the combi patch and toggle button 2 to hear how the values change the distortion characteristics.

For Record Reason Duo users who have upgraded to version 5/1.5, rest assured that CycleOn still works as designed with the Dr.OctoRex. Even with the new loop run mode, there are still some benefits to using CycleOn. Namely, Loops start and stop at the beginning or end of a measure marker, instead of at the moment the [Run] button is enabled or disabled. The video below describes a modification to the combinator patch which allows you to use all eight loop slots in each Dr.OctoREX.

I will get an update out….eventually…. The new CycleOn has a better crossfader!