3 surprising ways to use Bassline Generator 🤯

[@ReasonStudios]

Hey David! Nice video. I had a similar feeling myself when I started using Bassline Generator and was wishing it had an offset dial to shift the start point of the line. When I talked with the developers they had some very purist and well thought through reasons why they didn't add that directly on the device so I accepted it and respected their thinking. That said, while you mention the printing of MIDI to the sequencer and manually shifting the start I have another workflow hack I do which you might want to try. You put a Note Echo device underneath Bass Line generator, set the repeat length to 1/16th note, set the pitch knob to 0, and set the repeats knob to at least the same number of steps away from the front that you'd like your bar downbeat to occur. So if you want the 12 step to be the downbeat you'd set the Repeats knob to 12 and then you turn off ALL of the echo dots, including the original note dot, and leave just that 17th step on. Now the bar line will be shifted to the downbeat. Now, there's some disadvantages of course. For one thing your bassline has 64 steps and your downbeat is on the 50th step so you'd have to chain multiple Note Echo's together to get it shifted all the way. The other downsize is that your Player is always operating on an offset so if you'd have to start it and hear silence for a while before the downbeat kicks in. So yeah, it's a hack, but it's one I've also used on occasion when I wasn't ready to print MIDI using BLG. /ryan

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks Ryan! I'd be very interested to hear their reasoning. It's definitely a very minor issue that I can totally live with. I don't think it really adds any meaningful limitations in terms of how I want to use the device anyway. That's an interesting idea with the note echo. Thanks, I'll give it a try!

[@bobbyrutz9402]

@Professor T-Rex Throw a Scales and Chords on it.

[@matthewstuartnz]

I'm usually one to be very critical of what I think are oversights. In this case, I think some of the 'oversights' are beneficial and make a lot of sense in terms of the design of the player and its differences compared to some of the other generators. I've got a few ideas about how to make the players work better together, but I'm starting to think that might be a cooler approach rather than having every player try and do everything.

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

Oh man - that is funny I had just put together a video to explain that as an option (note echo). Yeah for all the things some people say are lacking in Reason, it sure does have a wicked awesome toolbox that you can use to bend it to your will. I love and will always love it. Hey @Reason Studios (Ryan I am assuming) I have a few suggestions that would add some functionality that might seem incremental, but the kind of thing that a developer could blast out in a couple days and make a LOT of people happy... Can I send them to you?

[@matthewstuartnz]

What are your suggestions? I'm curious to hear how people think things can be improved.

[@Dayta]

slapping the baseline geneerator in front of a mimic in slice mode with some percussive stuff (turning the basline generator to -1 octave to use up the first slot) produces some intresting stuff

[@matthewstuartnz]

Ooh that's a good idea! That would also be a cool thing to use as a layer underneath a standard bass sound.

[@mimikova390]

As I hear your sequence go out of key as you mess around I want to remind you if you put a scales and chords player below it and set it to one voice and your key. It will keep you in key. Also, you can copy your pattern if you want to mess with the beginning. More of a manual thing but it is something to keeping mind.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Good points. yea I hadn't got around to using it with other players but the scale and chord idea is an excellent one to keep in mind. 👌🏻

[@mimikova390]

@@matthewstuartnz I'm loving you this week. I'm sure you will anger me on the next release. As always looking forward to it.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Lol nice to be on your good side! 😅

[@devinsambo8157]

Love your video. Thanks for sharing. Gave me great ideas for my own music projects

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks for checking it out! Glad you found it helpul!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I have never had a problem making bass lines, but this is cool and clean looking and a good a addition to the other controller devices Reason has made. I think there are was however plenty of ways to make basslines already in Reason relatively quickly.

[@matthewstuartnz]

I've never had a problem writing bass lines either but I love how simple this is. I like devices like this for making me hear something that I may have not been inspired to write otherwise.

[@hankstephens5543]

That loop sounds especially good with the plucks… both melodic and percussive. I would definitely build something around that sound. Awesome idea using the drums for triggering.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks! Yea I really liked the pluck loop. I think I might try and actually use that for something later. Definitely going to explore that idea more!

[@atashbeats8055]

This is a great jump-off- idea plugin, and your example of 3 on top is great.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Yea, I think that's the best way to think about the players. Thanks, it's currently my favourite way to use it!

[@normanfearrington1286]

Thanks for the video tips. However, I'm not having any problem at all either using the presets or with manual manipulation, to alter the 1st half of a line...or anywhere else within the sequence for that matter. Strange.

[@matthewstuartnz]

True. Must just be how I was thinking about it

[@mattwoodman3017]

by golly i love this!! but i sure wish they had a Scale setting of some sorts!!!!

[@matthewstuartnz]

You can do essential do that if you also use the scales and chords player!

[@Caelo_music]

Big fan of the player devices and always excited for new Reason releases. However, currently not looking to buy the Generator because it does not fit my music style which anyway has really simple bass lines. Maybe I will get one later but it’s not high on my wishlist right now. Wish they had a better player bundle in the shop. Anyway how is your Ableton workflow with the RRP ?

[@matthewstuartnz]

Fair enought. If you aren't making intricate bass lines I don't see this being really helpful. RRP in Ableton is 80% of where I want it to be. There are definite things they still need to improve, but in general it's pretty solid. Save RRP presets as VST presets in Ableton is one way to immediately make it a faster workflow.

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

Cool Video. I snapped this one up after 15 minutes of trial. It works for me.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks for checking it out! Yea it's a great device. I think it's my favourite player so far!

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

@@matthewstuartnz I got distinct BeatMap vibes from it. A lot of people don't seem to "get" BeatMap, but I was immediately hooked when I got it. This seems to be the same deal. Looking forward to trying it with Pattern Mutator, and maybe some of the other Players I have.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Yea man, BeatMap is fantastic! I actually really like the format they have been using for the players. I think they are really inspiring.

[@MillisecondFalcon]

Hey, we haven't heard from you in a while. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the updated roadmap and regarding what has been and hasn't been fixed in recent updates to Reason 12.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Hey, yea I've been a little MIA on this channel. 🤦🏼‍♂️ I'm probably going to have a look at that soon and maybe make a video. I'm kind of interested in that myself.

[@CouncilofOneElectronic]

It's a very interesting tool. Its absolutely great at giving the authentic bass player rhythm outside of the more predictable arpeggiator sounds. However, I find the editing of note intervals rather difficult and finicky though. I think it could use a piano roll along the y axis of the interface to help you visualize where you are moving the pitch, kind of like the Matrix has. At the moment I just export to midi and edit the notes there.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Yea the interval editing is a little annonying. I guess there's a balance between how detailed to make the tool when you can just move it to the piano roll 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@CouncilofOneElectronic]

@@matthewstuartnz Yeah, every tool has its strengths and weaknesses. Like you said I think it is more of an inspiration tool. It doesn't have much in the way of end product but gets you out of the box of formulaic thinking and boring Daw mistakes everyone makes.

[@matthewstuartnz]

@@CouncilofOneElectronic Yea that's a good point.

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

Hi thanks for the upload looks really good, but please may I ask some one will this work in Cake Walk band Lab ???? thanks 🤨 all i want to buy is just the Bassline Generator .

[@matthewstuartnz]

I'm not sure. Does Cake Walk use VSTs? If so you could run the Reason Rack Plugin and it would work.

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

@@matthewstuartnz hello thanks for your reply, yes i think i have worked out what to do, and it just get to exspenives , had they released this bass plugin as just a vst plugin then i would have paid for it just to try it out, but having to pay for the reason rack as well, then forget it. but thanks again for your reply

[@stalefurset9444]

You can adjust the front part by dragging the green slider in the center diamond.

[@matthewstuartnz]

You can, but that also changes the entire sequence.

[@umanoid1523]

I love the idea of this device. I like Reasons devices like this overall. Im still boycotting Reason until they get their shit together as a company after their latest upgrade. I believe in voting with your dollars.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Fair enough. I don't blame you. I still enjoy using Reason too much so I just tell them my unfiltered opinions.

[@KristianWontroba]

I discovered that I had a $25 voucher saved up with Reason, so this was a no-brainer for me to pick this player up! A lot of fun! I wonder if there is a way to export the midi pattern from the loop directly to the timeline once generated. I see this can be done within the Reason DAW, but not while in another DAW. Maybe I'm missing how to? Of course I can record the midi notes as they are coming out by using the recording function in the DAW itself, but it would be handy to export the loops directly like you can do within the Reason DAW. Also, cannot use it in Logic as a MIDI Fx as it crashes for this purpose. Still, I love this thing! Great video David!

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks for checking out the video! yea at the moment MIDI recording is the only way to extract the MIDI data in another day. I wish they added a drag and drop function like the Komplete drums I used in the video have.

[@KristianWontroba]

@@matthewstuartnz I actually sorted the issue I was having with loading it in as a MIDI Fx in Logic. Turns out, if you don't have a AU instrument loaded on the same track that the MIDI Fx is loaded, it throws out an error message. So yeah, user error I guess. :)

[@matthewstuartnz]

Glad you got it sorted!

[@wrigna1]

Does anyone know how to make Bassline Generator automatically play through the 8 different patterns sequentially?

[@matthewstuartnz]

You could automate it. But I don't think you can make it do it automatically.

[@pdxfun4888]

Dont you have to establish a pattern in order to variate?

[@matthewstuartnz]

Yes?

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

A pattern shift control would be dope.

[@matthewstuartnz]

I haven't tried yet, but I imagine you could set that up with the new combinator? 🤔 That's a great idea though!

[@onaucc9899]

Is there a good VST alternative to this one? I don't have Reason and don't plan to get it because i'm happy with my equip, but this thing looks super nice.

[@bobobenniify]

Sting - acid generator

[@thegoodsherman]

How i geht the Sequenz from the Bassline Generator in my Sequenzer..i think some other Players have a send to track Button..

[@matthewstuartnz]

The send to track button is only there if you are in Reason Standalone. If you are in Ableton (or another DAW), you have to use the MIDI out instrument and then select the Reason Rack Plugin as a MIDI input on a new track. You can do this to have the player control third party instruments or simply to record the MIDI data into the piano roll.

[@ReasonStudios]

@@matthewstuartnz kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4S1kKSHeax7q6s

[@matthewstuartnz]

Yes, this!

[@Tristanrgreene11]

Where’s David garibaldi when it comes to permutations eh? If ya hip to dave know when I’m sayin…. He’d fix this silly thang from the start

[@matthewstuartnz]

I'm not familiar with him!

[@BRIGGS2710]

Day one buy.

[@matthewstuartnz]

You like it?

[@BRIGGS2710]

@@matthewstuartnz Yep, instead of a blank slate, it generates raw material to modify endlessly. It's like buying a bare cake then putting the icing on afterward. Everyone knows, icing a cake is the best part. Quad note generator, and beat map, are very similar ideas.

[@matthewstuartnz]

yea man, that's a great analogy! I think if it's viewed as a tool for generating ideas and then expecting you'll have to make a few minor adjustments people will love it.

[@ReasonStudios]

[@davidRios622]

Europa better than Serum change my mind

[@matthewstuartnz]

Honestly I haven’t really put them back to back

[@KenKthulhu]

I will buy it (not Reason+) if it has 1 a variable start point knob 2 a random start point switch 3 a pattern shifter And in the style of this player these features could be incorporated into a single knob But the horses have bolted and a change would mean backward compatibility (yes even this early) would be needed. No point being a BETA tester when this feature is overlooked on RELEASE day.

[@matthewstuartnz]

Honestly, while I agree these things would be helpful, I don't think they are deal breakers for me. Did you see Ryan's comment about using the note echo to change the start point?

[@chipsiskey5281]

Sounds like you need quad note gen. It does all of those things. now . . . drive QN with Bassline, or vice versa, and see what falls out.

[@KenKthulhu]

@@matthewstuartnz I like mutator at the end of ryans video. that is what i like about Reason.

[@matthewstuartnz]

That's something to try!

[@matthewstuartnz]

Mutator is very cool 👌🏻

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Like you said Dude : somehow they never finish anything : very very true would it cause earth ending event to add time stretching in Umpf Retro Beats ? No, but they wont do it ..... I don't know why ! Cheers :-)

[@matthewstuartnz]

Wait, Umpf doesn’t have time stretching? Does it have pitch adjust? I don’t know if I’ve ever tried that in Umpf but that would seem like a pretty essential feature for a drum sampler…

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Great video : Have you ever tried BLUE ARP and it's free :

[@matthewstuartnz]

I haven’t! Same concept as this? Who makes it?

[@matthewstuartnz]

Thanks for checking out the video! 🙏🏻

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

@@matthewstuartnz some Russian dude : there are plenty videos : Yes very advanced arpeggiator : that's what this RE is in a nutshell but very limited :-)

[@matthewstuartnz]

True. People have recommended a few others to check out so I’ll add it to the list and have a look!

[@dat1boi800]

Has this guy never seen the Roland TB-303 plug-in lol

[@matthewstuartnz]

No... 😳 What does it do?

[@dat1boi800]

@@matthewstuartnz It’s like bassline generator, but it’s an exact replica of the hardware of the Roland Tb-303 which was used in the late 80s to late 90s to make acid house, it is awesome, it isn’t very customisable, but jeeeeez, it is amazing

[@matthewstuartnz]

I’ll check it out!

[@Oper8Music]

Meh. They really should focus on useful stuff and finish/add/improve everything that's still missing in Reason... I always have a feeling that the Props seem to act as if they still were unable (or simply refused) to understand that instead of new devices and podcasts, we need features and bug fixes. I heard they were also releasing a "new" effect soon... Not sure who needs more effects in Reason. R+ subscribers maybe, since they pay all year long ?

[@matthewstuartnz]

I don't mind them releasing new stuff but I do understanding how it's frustrating when it seems to be at the cost of the other improvements.

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

Yeah ... When it comes to adding variations to the BEGINNING of the baseline I simply RECORD the midi into Ableton then JOG the Variations to the BEGINNING of the loop, leaving the 2nd half of the loop as a Static bass groove. Easy Peasy 😎👍🪄🎶

[@matthewstuartnz]

That's a good way of doing it.