Reason Tip: Simple Multipatch Presets With Combinator

Sep 4, 2009 2:04 PM, Asher Fulero

One of the acts I perform with occasionally is a big Pink Floyd tribute show. Some of these amazing pieces are intensely layered with keyboards and require three or four different synth patches throughout the course of one song (in addition to the pianos, organs and samples I also play). With my laptop system already pushed to the max, I can't rely on loading new patches during a song. But I also don't have time to maneuver the mouse to each correct location or to remember a unique assignment for every patch on every song.

Instead, I solve this problem by loading all of the Propellerhead Reason patches I need for a given piece into a single Combinator. Then, I simply use the Combi Macro Knobs to turn each patch "up" when I need it, right from my MIDI controller. Thanks to Reason's live mapping, the first four knobs on my controller are always immediately assigned to whatever Combinator I currently have chosen, so I never have to reassign, remember or select anything besides the "next" Combi between songs.

Having each piece's batch of tones saved as a single patch also makes things a lot easier when rearranging set lists between shows. It's an elegant yet simple implementation of the technology, right along the lines of Combinator's intended use.

To make this work for you, follow these easy steps:

First, create a new blank Combinator.

Make sure to enable the Show Devices button.

Then, add a Line Mixer inside Combinator's device zone.

Click on the Line Mixer (so that Reason knows where to connect the next device you create) and then begin adding your presets by choosing Create Instrument from the Create menu.

Select the tone you're after. Here, I've chosen a Clarinet.

For the second, I'll choose a DXRhodes.

I usually rename the mixer tracks something simple. Do this by clicking on the device's masking-tape tag.

Then, click on the Show Programmer button on the Combinator.

Select Line Mixer 1.

In the Modulation Routing section on the right, choose Channel 1 Level and Channel 2 Level as Targets for the Rotary 1 and 2 knobs.

You can rename the knobs by double-clicking on the scribble strip beneath each.

Now, you should be ready to go. The Combi Macro knobs can do a lot more than just turning up volumes, obviously. Experiment with what else these powerhouses can do for you!

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