Reason Operation Manual

User Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese

Anders Nordmark, et al. Synkron Musik & Datorer/Propellerhead Software

Everyone should read the manual and the documentation installed with the software! There’s tons of cools stuff in the manual. RTFM! If you can’t find the answer there, then try the support pages on the Propellerhead Software website.

Discovering Reason

User Level: Reason 2.0/2.5/3.0/4.0: Intermediate, Advanced

Fredrik Hägglund, et al. Propellerhead Software

The Propellerhead Software Website features a series of articles that go deep into the dark side of Reason. There are some really great tips on using the devices. It’s not really for beginners who are learning the basics of sequencing, but if you’re a seasoned Reason user, you will definitely find some new cool techniques on these pages.

Revenge of the Combinator

User Level: Reason 3.0: Beginner, Intermediate

Jim Aikin - musicwords.net - O’Reilly Digital Media.

Jim has a great article online about using the combinator. This is a must read!

Groovebox Music Reason Video Tutorials

User Level: Reason 3.0: Beginner, Intermediate

Doyle, et.al., Groovebox Music - grooveboxmusic.com

Quicktime Video Tutorials of Reason and other applications available by subscription through the groovebox music website.

Reason in der Praxis

User Level: Editions for Reason 1/2/3: Deutsch (German only), Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Thomas Alker. Keys/PPV GmbH, Bergkirchen

Thomas Alker’s Praxis series has the longest history of any Reason Title. It’s unfortunate that it’s in German only. This book is recommended for readers who are familiar with the software, but want to learn more about procedures and shortcuts. It also has a very interesting section on the community of propellerhead software users. This book has the best looking cover!

EditEd4TV’s Reasonable Help

User Level: Reason 3.0/4.0: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Ed Baumann.

EditEd4TV is another resident Reason User who has compiled dozens of cool tricks in this package. Available as a download or delivered CD/DVD media. I have yet to see the actual package, but i have checked out examples of these impressive tricks that Ed has posted to the propellerhead’s message board.

Reason 3 for Windows & Macintosh - Visual Quickstart Guide

User Level: Reason 3.0: Beginner, Intermediate

Joe Lyford - lyfordaudio.com. Peachpit Press

Power Tools for Reason 3.0

User Level: Reason 3.0: Intermediate, Advanced

Kurt Kurasaki. Backbeat Books

Naturally, i have to add my book to this list. It doesn’t explain how to program Matrix Patterns, so if you’re an absolute beginner I recommend one of the other sources. This book is more like a reference about getting deep into Reason. If you like the effects configurations above, then this book might be for you. There are over 100 example projects with directions and schematics.

Reason 4.0 Power!

User Level: Reason 4.0: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Michael Prager. Muska & Lipman

A very comprehensive book that paces well. There’s plenty of material for the new Reason user which leads you towards developing a deep understanding of the Reason Devices. A very extensive section on the Sequencer with plenty of examples and screenshots that guide you through each step. The section on using ReWire hosts with Reason covers several sequencing applications. It also has a good section on making ReFills.

Reason 4.0 Ignite!

User Level: Reason 2.5: Beginner, Intermediate

Chris Hawkins. Muska & Lipman

Very comprehensive guide to Reason that covers the basics in great detail with screenshots that show you each step in the process of using Reason 2.5. Really good for beginners.

Musikprodukion Mit Reason

User Level: Reason 2.5: Deutsch (German only), Intermediate, Advanced

Heiner Kruse. Wizoo

This is another German book that looks very cool. I have yet to see a copy, but the topic list seems to discuss production techniques to achieve different styles of sound.

Users’ Guide to Propellerhead Reason 2

User Level: Reason 2.0: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Debbie Poyser & Derek Johnson. Muska & Lippman

Probably considered the Reason 2.0 Bible. This book is really comprehensive and talks about every feature in Reason 2. Just about everything you want to know about the sound modules, effects devices and sound processors. The sections on Sequencing, Automation, MIDI control, and ReWire are very useful for people new to these subjects. Intermediate and Advanced users will enjoy the various tips throughout the book. Also titled "Fast Guide to Propellerhead Reason." The section on the NN-XT is very indepth.

Reason 2.0 Musikproduktion im virtuellen Studio

User Level: Reason 2.0: Deutsch (German only), Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Dr. Joachim Gartz. MITP-Verlag, Bonn

Another title in German for Reason 2.0. I have not read this book, however the table of contents is laid out in typical manual-esq format with an extensive section on using Reason with MIDI and ReWire. There’s even a (demographically appropriate) section that discusses GEMA and CD production.

Quick Start: Reason 2

User Level: Reason 2.0: Absolute Beginner

Craig Anderton. Wizoo

This book states that it is for the absolute beginner. It runs through the basic procedures of using all of the devices in Reason 2 to start making tracks. Includes CD-rom. Craig Anderton’s book on Mastering is cool if you want to learn the basics of the mastering process and the type of software available to master your own work. Sometimes titled "Quick Start: Propellerhead Software Reason 2"

Producing Music with Reason

User Level: Reason 1.0: Beginner, Intermediate

Kurt Kurasaki. M-Audio/Propellerhead Software

A comprehensive CD-Rom Tutorial that contains quicktime screen tutorials which explain the process of creating a complete song using Reason. From making beats and basslines, arranging a sequence, and mixing and publishing a reason song.

Reason Subtractor

User Level: Reason 1/2/3: Beginner, Intermediate

Psylux.com

This is a cool page that describes the various waveforms of the Reason Subtractor Synthesizer.

ReWire

User Level: Reason 1/2/3: Intermediate, Advanced

Propellerhead Software

If you need help with using a ReWire host application with Reason, this is probably the second place you should look. Sometimes the documentation is helpful, but usually it’s a bit cryptic.