ReWire

[colortwelve]

So, after reading Cyrricky's bass tutorial, I found myself really wanting to try it out, because obviously the man knows what he's doing, but I also found myself lamenting my use of FL Studio, as the tutorial covers a Reason synth.

But then I started reading into ReWire, which, as I understand it, allows the use of one DAW's features through another's interface/mixer/etc. So I guess I wanted to ask if there were any catches/tricks/anything in general I should know about ReWire, because I do like the idea of using Combinators in my FLS tracks

[Edened]

Hmm, I'm not too familiar with Rewire myself, but here is a really good tutorial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhzlPcHxfs

Sorry I couldn't really be of much help. I was looking into Rewire myself last week or so but I never got around to actually using it. Although I did get it working.

[prettiestPony]

Well, basically think of it as the ability to conveniently send MIDI and audio back and forth between programs, plus the ability for the programs to stay in sync with each other. (Same tempo, start and stop at same time, playback cursor moves to the same place, if you turn on looping in one DAW the other turns it on too, that sort of thing.)

Limitations:
When I last tried to ReWire FLStudio and Reason (quite a few versions and a rather long time ago), there was the limitation that you could only use 16 MIDI channels to control devices in Reason from FLS. You could still use as many devices in Reason as you'd like, but to control more than 16 you'd have to use Reason's own sequencer/timeline instead of FLS's patterns/playlist. I don't know if that's been improved yet.

There's a limit on the number of separate audio channels you can send back to FLS too--might be something like 24, 32, or 64 stereo tracks. I think that's less of a problem for most people than the MIDI control limitation, though.

Keep in mind that, aside from audio, MIDI, and synchronizing data, the programs are still entirely separate. I don't think it will be a problem, but in case you were thinking you could, you won't be able to use Reason Combinators to combine FLS devices (like Sytrus or 3xOsc or VSTs whatever).

Let's see, you also may not be able to send audio data to Reason from FLS. So if you want to use Combinators as effects processors, that may not work so well. I think there may be a way around that if you use Propellerhead Record in conjunction with Reason? But I dunno.

[Seven]

I tried using ReWire to Reason a while ago for the same...reason...hmm...

I couldn't. (That was - FL didn't find Reason, or Reason would load the ReWire plugin) I suppose that has to do with the fact that I only have the demo version of Reason, and Propellerhead's being greedy and forcing me to buy it in order to make any use of the program at all.

I then tried ReWiring FL to itself. Can't really remember how that turned out.

Helping out? What? I was just sharing my own experience...

[prettiestPony]

Hmm,the Reason Essentials demo works for me, ReWired to REAPER. *Shrug*

[Seven]

...Reason claims the ReWire plugin (ReBirth) isn't correctly installed (can't select Reason at ReWire target through FL eather) , and since I can't find the file, I'm going to reinstall Reason.

When I've got time.

[Sugarholik]

Hmmmm... K3WRO said his FL couldn't find Reason and neither does mine (demo, that is). This seems like a common issue. Silly FL! But demo of Reason works perfectly. I've used it along with Reaper for a good while now.

Prettiest, there shouldn't be limitations like that (unless your host says so). There are usually 16 MIDI channels but at least I seem to have 16 channels on 15 buses so that's boat load of more channels. Still I've never managed to use even 10 channels at same time.

Worthy of pointing out about ReWire:
The DAW you work on should be host aka mixer. That means that you should start your host first and other DAW(s) later. Now your host tells slave aka synthesizer DAW(s) what is the tempo, when to start and when to stop etc.
If you want to use Reason's stuff as an effect for a synth from your host, maybe render that track and import to Reason. Of course if you use demo you'll have to do it every time you start Reason again because you can't load projects.

[cyrricky]

...Reason claims the ReWire plugin (ReBirth) isn't correctly installed

No.

ReBirth is a product Propellerhead pushed out before Reason which emulated various Roland devices (the 303, 707, and 808 if I remember correctly). When Reason was released a bunch of people wanted to ReWire ReBirth into Reason, so they made a box for it.

If you want to open Reason as a ReWire slave, open it after opening your main DAW. If it doesn't work, try reinstalling both DAWs and make sure you've got ReWire installed correctly. Reason cannot be used as a ReWire master.

[Seven]

ReBirth is a product Propellerhead pushed out before Reason which emulated various Roland devices.

...

Reason cannot be used as a ReWire master.

And that's why I should read the manuals...no one tells me this kind of stuff! (ok, now I just look stupid, since you did)

Forgive me for jumping into conclusions, but really though; the loaded ReBirth, box if you like, looks deceptively like what I would expect from a ReWire interface. (The first I saw was a ReWire logo)

The fun thing is: I actually read a rather long article about the ReBirth, and its successor Reason - relationship. (Not really the latest news...) But never thought of it until you mentioned it.

As I can't select Reason as ReWire slave from the dropdown list, I can with FL. Still, playing it wouldn't work (repeating the first few milliseconds of the playlist, though that might just be internal conflicts) When I later reinstall Reason, I'll do the same for FL. Hope that works...

[K3WRO]

For some reason, FL can't find reason

well, FL Studio is the full producer edition while Reason is still a demo, is this why it doesn't work?

[Seven]

For some reason, FL can't find reason

well, FL Studio is the full producer edition while Reason is still a demo, is this why it doesn't work?

Can't find, or can't select? Are we in the same situation?

[K3WRO]

For some reason, FL can't find reason

well, FL Studio is the full producer edition while Reason is still a demo, is this why it doesn't work?

Can't find, or can't select? Are we in the same situation?

Yes, apparently,

it won't show up on the little list on rewired, we're in the same situation I bet

[colortwelve]

Welp, I installed Reason this morning, and I am now looking at a nice little Cyrricky bass synth in my FLS mixer. Getting the output right is a bit weird, but beyond that, it's all good.

(So, uh, I could attempt to help anyone that still has issues I guess )

[Seven]

Great. A helpthread that backfired...I'm abroad, so I can't really do anything now. Let us know if you find anything...