Dr:rex Rex File Player

[ LiB ]

Rex files are sampled loops that have been prepared with Propellerheads' software application Recycle. The difference between a Rex file loop and a standard audio recording is that Recycle splices the loop into smaller pieces at the beat points, allowing you to change the tempo of a loop without affecting the pitch of the sample. Rex files can be purchased on sample CDs, or you can create your own if you have the Recycle application.

Loading Dr:rex

First you will need to add the Dr:rex device to your rack.

Loading a Rex File

To begin experimenting with the device, you need to load a Rex file into Dr:rex.

Previewing a Loop

With the previous instruments you've seen, you had to play notes from your keyboard to hear the effects of the changes you were making. With Dr:rex, you can use the Preview function to start the loop's continuous playback to audition any changes you make.

Tuning the Loop

As with all instrument devices in Reason, Dr:rex allows you to alter the tuning. The only difference with Dr:rex is that you are altering the tuning of a loop file.

Tuning the Entire Loop

NOTE

All loops in Dr:rex use middle C as their root key. This is indicated on the small red keyboard below the loop's display. As you turn the Transpose knob, the root note indication will move either up or down to reflect the changes.

Tuning an Individual Slice

As mentioned, a Rex loop file is sliced up into various parts . The slice points are where a drum beat takes place, and therefore each slice will be an individual hit of the drum loop. The tuning described above will be applied globallyin other words, to the entire loop; however, you can also alter the tuning of individual slices.

Slice Controls

You can adjust certain parameters to customize the sound of the individual slices.

To control the volume of an individual slice:

The Pan control allows you to place a slice to the left, right, or in the center of the stereo field.

NOTE

All the slice control values are displayed in the LCD window directly above the Pitch, Pan, Level, and Decay knobs .

Filtering

Dr:rex also allows you to filter your loops.

Auto PanningLFO

With previous devices you saw how an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) can create a vibrato (see the section "The SubTractor Analog Synthesizer" in Chapter 3, "Analog Emulated Synthesizers"). Although it is possible to create the same effect with the LFO in Dr:rex, you will now use the LFO to make the loop automatically pan left to right in time with the song's tempo.

NOTE

If you want to increase the speed of the automatic panning, turn the Rate knob to the right; turn it to the left to decrease the speed.

Moving the Loop to a Sequencer Track

To play the loop in a song, you will need to send the loop information to a track.

NOTE

Locators will be covered in Chapter 7, "The Sequencer."

[ LiB ]