Matrix Pattern Sequencer

The Matrix is a pattern-based device. Matrix doesn’t generate sound on its own, but has to be connected to another instrument device. It basically works by sending pattern data in the form of Note CV (pitch) and Gate CV (note on/off plus velocity) or Curve CV (for general CV parameter control) signals to a device or device parameter. The patterns can be up to 32 steps, and there are 32 memory locations for storing pattern data. The Matrix is monophonic and can control one voice in an instrument device.

Unlike most other devices in Reason, the user interface of the Matrix is not modeled on any existing hardware equivalent. The hardware devices that could be said to have similar functionality are analog step sequencers, which usually had rows of knobs that controlled the note pitch and gate values for each step.

#About the three Output types

Note and Gate CV values.

The Matrix can produce three types of output: Curve CV, Note (Key) CV and Gate CV.

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Note CV normally controls note pitch.

When connected to an instrument device Sequencer Control input, the values correspond to semitone steps.

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Gate CV represents a note-on/off value, plus a level value (that could be likened to velocity).

Both of these two outputs are typically connected to the Sequencer Control Gate and CV inputs on a compatible instrument device. For example, if you create a Matrix with either a synthesizer (Subtractor, Malström) or a sampler (NN-19, NN-XT) selected, they will be auto-routed in this way, and will control one voice in the device.

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Curve CV is a separate pattern, programmed separately from the Note/Key and Gate CV.

Curve CV values (upper window).

This is useful for programming CV curves that control other parameters other than note pitch (although you could do this too). This way you could control the note pitch and triggering from the Key and Gate outputs for a device, then add a second independent pattern using the Curve CV output that could control filter cutoff for example.

It should be stressed that all three outputs can be used in any number of ways. For example, you could use the Gate CV to trigger a drum in Redrum, or let the Curve CV control the feedback parameter of a delay, etc.

#Programming patterns

#Pattern basics

Matrix contains a built-in pattern sequencer that repeatedly plays back a pattern of a specified length. The typical example in the “real world” is a drum machine which plays drum patterns, usually one or two bars in length.

Having the same pattern repeat throughout a whole song may be fine in some cases, but most often you want some variations. The solution is to create several different patterns and program pattern changes (automatic switching from one pattern to another) at the desired positions in the song.

#Selecting Patterns

The Matrix has 32 pattern memories, divided into four banks (A, B, C, D).

The Bank and Pattern buttons for the Matrix pattern sequencer.

To select a pattern in the current bank, click on the desired Pattern button (1-8).

To select a pattern in another bank, first click the desired Bank button (A, B, C, D) and then click the Pattern button.

Nothing happens until you click the Pattern button.

The pattern change takes effect on the next downbeat according to the time signature set in the transport panel or on the transport track.

#The Pattern Enable switch

The Pattern Enable switch.

Next to the Bank and Pattern buttons you will find an additional switch, which is normally activated. If you click this to turn it off, the pattern playback will be disabled, starting at the next downbeat - exactly as if you had selected an empty (silent) pattern. For example, this can be used for bringing Matrix patterns in and out of the mix during playback.

#Steps

Matrix patterns consist of a number of discrete steps. For each step, you can enter a note, a CV value and a Curve value. When you run the pattern, each step will be played back in turn and will play a sound or send out the information programmed for this step. If you have ever used a drum machine, this will be obvious to you.

#Clearing a Pattern

To clear (empty) a pattern, select it and use the Clear Pattern command on the Edit menu or device context menu.

Note that clearing a pattern doesn’t affect the pattern length, resolution or shuffle settings!

#Using Cut, Copy and Paste

By using the Cut, Copy and Paste Pattern commands on the Edit menu or device context menu, you can move or duplicate patterns. The following rules apply:

Copy Pattern makes a copy of the currently selected pattern and places the copy on the clipboard.

Cut Pattern moves the currently selected pattern to the clipboard.

This is the same as first performing Copy Pattern and then Clear Pattern.

Paste Pattern copies the pattern on the clipboard to the selected pattern location in the selected device.

This overwrites the selected pattern with the one on the clipboard.

#Transferring patterns between Reason Rack Plugin instances

If you want to copy patterns between different Reason Rack Plugin instances songs, you can use copy and paste:

Select the pattern you want to copy in the first instance.

Select Copy Pattern from the device context menu.

In the other instance select the bank and pattern location to which you want to copy the pattern.

Note that any pattern already stored in that location will be overwritten!

Select Paste Pattern from device context menu.

#Tutorial

The programming procedure of the Matrix is to input note and gate values into the upper and lower fields of the pattern window respectively. You can input values by clicking or dragging in the pattern window. Proceed as follows:

Create a Subtractor synth.

You don’t have to use the Subtractor device to use the Matrix, in fact you don’t have to use an instrument device at all, but for this basic tutorial we will use a “standard” setup.

With the Subtractor selected, create a Matrix Pattern Sequencer.

The Matrix Note and Gate CV outputs will now be auto-routed to Subtractors Sequencer Control Gate and CV inputs, as you can see if you flip the rack around.

Make sure that the switch to the left of the pattern window is set to “Keys” position.

As you can see, there are two rows of red rectangles. The one with horizontal rectangles at the bottom of the upper field in the pattern window represent note pitch, for each step in a pattern. At the moment they are all set to the same note pitch. The row of vertical rectangles in the lower field represent Gate velocity values - currently these are all set to a velocity value of 100 for all steps.

Click inside the upper grid section of the Matrix pattern window.

An orientation line is displayed in the grid to make it easier for you to find the desired note, and the red rectangles are placed according to where you click. You can drag to input continuous note values.

Click and drag in the lower area of the pattern window.

You can create vertical Gate velocity strips of varying heights. The higher the strip, the higher the velocity value.

Press the Play button on the Matrix.

The pattern you “programmed” in the previous steps is now repeated. At the top of the pattern window, a red rectangle indicates every step of the pattern.

If you now click or drag in the upper grid section with the pattern playing, you can hear how the note pitches change.

The note pitch corresponds to the keyboard printed to the left of the pattern window, in a one octave range, and as previously mentioned, an orientation line is visible when clicking or dragging, making it easy to find the note pitch on the keyboard.

If you now click or drag in the lower gate section while the pattern is playing, you can hear how the timbre and volume changes.

If you drag some of the vertical rectangles down so that they disappear from view, the corresponding steps of the pattern are completely silenced.

By using the 5-way switch below the “Keys/Curve” switch you can input notes in other octave ranges (over five octaves).

Note that there can only be one note for each step in the pattern.

By using a combination of the methods described in the above steps, you can program suitable note values for each step, decide which steps should be played and set their velocity with the gate values.

#Using Curve Patterns

Curve patterns are independent patterns that can be applied separately to the note pattern programmed in “Keys” mode. If you switch the Keys/Curve switch to “Curve”, the note, but not the gate steps, disappear from view, and leaves the upper area of the pattern window empty. You can now start programming a curve pattern. Proceed as follows:

Draw a curve, using the same method as for notes or gates.

As you can see, the Curve pattern looks like large vertical gate steps.

If you play the pattern, nothing has changed, i.e. the pattern sounds exactly like it did before the Curve pattern was drawn.

This is because the Curve CV output hasn’t been connected to any parameter yet.

Flip the rack around so you can see the back panel of the Matrix.

Connect the Curve CV output to the Filter Cutoff Modulation Input on the Subtractor.

Now the curve pattern controls the filter frequency of the Subtractor.

If the effect isn’t very noticeable, try raising the filter Q parameter, and lowering the filter frequency.

The Curve CV output can be connected to any device CV or Modulation input.

Actually, Curve CV signals can also produce Gate triggers (used for triggering samples or envelopes for example).

A Gate trigger is produced for each curve pattern step that follows a value of “0”.

If you look at the picture below, steps 2,4 and 6 will produce a trigger, because steps 1, 3 and 5 are set to zero, but the rest of the pattern would not.

#About Unipolar and Bipolar Curves

On the back panel of the Matrix you will find a switch, allowing you to select between “Unipolar” or “Bipolar” Curves. The difference is as follows:

A unipolar curve has values starting from “0” and up.

“0” is the value produced by all steps when they are “empty” (not visible). Unipolar is the default setting of this switch when a new Matrix is created.

Unipolar curve

A bipolar curve is divided in the “middle”, with the middle representing a value of “0”.

The curve reflects this. If no curve has been drawn and you switch to bipolar mode, all steps go from the bottom up to the middle of the scale printed to the left of the pattern window. Thus, all steps are at “0”, and the curve can be drawn both up and down from the middle.

Bipolar curve

Bipolar curves are essential in some instances. If you want to use the Matrix to CV control the Pan parameter for a mixer channel for example, a unipolar curve would start at zero - which for Pan equals center position. This means that you would only be able to use the curve to pan in one direction from this center position. A bipolar curve however, will have the zero value in the middle, allowing you to draw pan curves in both directions. Bipolar curves can also be used for controlling parameters with positive and negative values.

#Setting Pattern Length

You may want to make settings for Pattern length, i.e. the number of steps the pattern should play before repeating:

The “Steps” spin controls are used to set the number of steps you wish the pattern to play.

The range is 1 to 32. You can always extend the number of steps at a later stage, as this will merely add empty steps at the end of the original pattern. You could also make it shorter, but that would (obviously) mean that the steps you remove won’t play back. The steps you remove aren’t erased though, if you set the step number back again, anything recorded in the previously removed step locations will be played back.

#Using Tied Notes

If you activate “Tie” to the left of the Gate pattern window, you can create longer notes (eighth notes, quarter notes etc.). A quick way to draw tied gates is to hold down [Shift] when you input the gate values.

Entering tied gate values.

Each step that has one tied gate value will be twice the length compared to a normal step.

Tied gate steps are indicated by being twice as wide in the pattern window.

If two or more notes of the same pitch are tied together, the result will be even longer notes.

Tied notes are also essential if you want to create typical TB-303 “Acid”-type lead lines - see “Programming “Acid Style” lead lines”.

#Setting Pattern Resolution

Matrix always follows the tempo setting on the transport panel, but you can also make Matrix play in different tempo “resolutions” in relation to the tempo setting.

#Pattern Shuffle

Shuffle is a rhythmic feature, that gives the music a more or less pronounced swing feel. It works by delaying all sixteenth notes that fall in between the eighth notes.

Example of straight sixteenth note pattern (viewed in the main sequencer).

The same sixteenth note pattern with shuffle applied.

You can activate or deactivate shuffle individually for each pattern in a pattern device. However, the amount of shuffle is set globally with the Shuffle control in the I/O device.

#Pattern Mute

If you deactivate the “Pattern” button above the Pattern select buttons, the pattern playback will be muted, starting at the next downbeat (exactly as if you had selected an empty (silent) pattern). For example, this can be used for bringing different pattern devices in and out of the mix during playback.

#Pattern Functions

When a pattern device is selected, you will find some specific pattern functions on the Edit menu (and on the device context menu).

#Shift Pattern Left/Right

The Shift Pattern functions move the notes and corresponding gate values in a pattern one step to the left or right.

#Shift Pattern Up/Down

This function does not alter the Curve CV. This is because the values produced by the Curve CV do not necessarily correspond to semitone note steps at all.

The Shift Pattern functions will transpose all the notes in a pattern one semitone up or down.

#Randomize Pattern

The Randomize Pattern function create random patterns. These can often be great starting points and help you get new ideas. Both Note, Gate and Curve CV values will be created.

#Alter Pattern

The Alter Pattern function modifies existing patterns. Note that there must be something in the pattern for the function to work on - using an Alter function on an empty pattern will not do anything.

Note that Randomize and Alter affects both the Gate, Note and Curve CV!

#Chaining Patterns

When you have created several patterns that belong together, you will most probably want to make these play back in a certain order. This Pattern selection can be automated in the main sequencer, just like any other parameter automation.

#Copy MIDI Notes to a sequencer track

It’s possible to copy the MIDI Notes of the currently selected Pattern to a track in your DAW’s sequencer:

Click to select the desired Pattern.

Click the “Drag MIDI Notes to track in sequencer” icon and drag to the destination track in the sequencer:

Be sure to disable the Enable Pattern Section function on the Matrix panel afterwards, to avoid “doubled notes” during playback.

Curve patterns cannot be converted to sequencer data! Only the note pattern and the gate values will be converted.

Example usage

As mentioned previously, the Matrix is a very flexible device. Here follows a few examples of how you can use the Matrix Pattern Sequencer.

Using the Matrix for modulation

You can effectively use the Matrix as a modulation source, much like an LFO. Just like the LFOs in Reason’s instrument devices, the Matrix can generate modulation that is synchronized to tempo, which has many advantages. Proceed as follows:

Create a Synthesizer (e.g. a Subtractor or Malström).

Create a Matrix Pattern Sequencer, or if one already exists, set it to an empty pattern.

Flip the rack around and disconnect the Gate and Note CV outputs.

Gate/Note CV is not used in this example

Flip the rack around and connect the Curve CV output on the Matrix back panel to the “Amp Level” Modulation input on the synthesizer.

This parameter is used for modulating the output level (volume) of the synthesizer. Volume modulation is often referred to as Tremolo. You can use a unipolar curve (see “About Unipolar and Bipolar Curves”) for this example.

Flip the rack back again, and switch the Matrix to display the Curve pattern window.

Draw a curve like the one shown in the illustration below.

If you use fewer or more steps than16 (as shown in the picture), just draw the curve so that it roughly matches the shape in the picture.

Activate Click on the Transport Panel.

Select the track that is routed to the synthesizer, so that you can play it from your MIDI keyboard.

Activate Play on the transport panel, and hold a chord down on your keyboard.

You should now hear the volume being modulated by the Curve pattern.

10.

While still in play mode, you can use the Resolution knob to change the modulation “rate” in relation to the tempo.

For each clockwise resolution step the modulation speed is doubled and vice versa, but it will always stay in sync with the tempo.

#Programming “Acid Style” lead lines

By “acid style” lead lines we mean patterns that use a combination of Legato and slide (or portamento) effects to produce the widely used hypnotic “wavy” sound produced by the original Roland TB-303, and recreated in the Propellerhead Software product ReBirth. To approximate this typical sound using Reason, proceed as follows:

Create a Synthesizer (Subtractor or Malström).

Create a Matrix Pattern Sequencer, or if one already exists, set it to an empty pattern.

Make sure that the Note and Gate CV outputs are connected to the synthesizers Sequencer Control CV and Gate inputs, respectively.

For Subtractor, select either a Init Patch, or use the “TB Synth” patch in the Monosynth category of the Reason Factory Sound Bank.

If you use an Init patch, it is important that you make the following settings:

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Set Polyphony to “1”.

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Switch Trigger Mode to “Legato”.

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Set Portamento to a value around “50”.

Create a pattern in Matrix, and keep it playing back.

If “Tie” (see “Using Tied Notes”) now is activated for a step, the note will be tied to the next and the pitch will continuously “glide” to the pitch of the following step.

Please note that Tie should be activated on the note you wish to slide from, and not the note you slide to.

If you have several tied notes, one after the other, they will play as one long legato phrase. This can be used to create “wavy” lead lines with pitch bend effects.

Experiment with different Note, Tie and Gate values.

If you have ever used a TB-303 or ReBirth, you should now begin to get the hang of how you can create patterns in that particular style by using the Matrix together with a synthesizer.

Adding a DDL-1 (delay), and a D-11 (distortion) effect device will make it sound even more “ReBirth”-like, but of course you are also able to get a much wider range of timbres by utilizing Reason’s other sound and modulation capabilities.

#Triggering samples

The Gate CV output can be used to trigger samples, either in Redrum or in the NN-19 or NN-XT Sampler.

Connect the Matrix Gate CV out to the Gate (Sequencer Control) in on the NN-19/NN-XT or to one of the individual Gate Channel inputs of Redrum.

Gate values will now trigger the sample on each step with Gate values above “0”.