Using Reason With ProTools

As you may know, Protools has the capability to “rewire” additional software to work within the ProTools environment. It is a very useful feature, that can streamline workflow so you are not constantly switching hosts, use additional effects not normally available in ProTools, or to create an advanced guide track such as a beat created in Reason.

ProTools LE comes bundled with Reason Adapted for Digidesign. A stripped down version of Reason, limiting to only one of each effect or instrument rack. Using Reason with ProTools via Rewire is very easy to do.

In a ProTools session (don’t start Reason), create a stereo aux track (so that a voice is not used up) and in the plugin list select multi-channel plugin; Instrument; Reason Adapted for Digidesign (stereo). Don’t be alarmed by the error messages that will pop up, this is due to conflicts with ProTools and Reason trying to use the same MIDI keyboard control surfaces.

In addition to Reason opening, you will see a rewire plugin that allows you to select which output from Reason will be heard in ProTools. You can have only one Reason session open, but you can have multiple rewire plugins listening to different outputs of the Reason ‘hardware interface’, For example you can have the REDRUM output directly to 1 and 2, and Dr. Rex to 3 and 4 etc., each coming back on a stereo aux track in ProTools allowing you to mix these tracks as you would recorded audio.

I recommend mixing down and recording these tracks from Reason to a stereo audio track, because when bouncing to disk, it will be much safer, and easier on your system this way. I do find that Reason uses less CPU running as a Rewire client than it does as a standalone program.

I can’t teach you how to use Reason other than that, however Matt may be be persuaded to share some tips.

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