Reason, automation, and Matrix

I have figured out how to record automation in Reason. It was pretty intuitive how to do it - just a matter of spending a little bit of time fiddling around.

I used a component called Matrix Pattern Sequencer. Matrix itself does not make any sounds. Instead, you use it to define a pattern, which is a sequence of notes to play. Matrix then sends the appropriate note information to another component, such as the Subtractor Synth, which generates the sound.

Matrix has four banks, named A through D. Each bank can contain up to eight distinct patterns, numbered 1 through 8. Thus there can be up to thirty two distinct patterns, from A1 to D8.


For the Painted Smiles intro, I used three patterns, A1, A2 and A3. By recording automation for the pattern selector, I was able to have Matrix play the required pattern at the appropriate position within the song.

While playing around, I had an idea for an alternate chord progression for Verse 1. I don't know which chord progression to use for my demo - my next step will be to make a mini-demo using each one and decide which one I will stick to.