One more FL versus Reason ?
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Posted on Feb 18, 2005 09:30 pm
ILLbizzel
ILLbino - one of WA's finest
Member Since: Feb 10, 2004
In Reason, the advanced sample player is great. I can select different samples to play when a different key is played (zones). This is my favorite feature about Reason. I remember when I had the Triton keyboard, I could do this. This feature makes chopping up a beat great.
So can Fruity Loops do this? I thought I knew almost everything about Fruity Loops, but I don't remember anything about creating key zones. Have any you of come across this feature?
I'm thinking I need to use a special plugin to do this. I think I remember seeing a few of them and I know this would work.
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ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 19, 2005 05:21 pm alright, Reason is no longer getting much use from me. I forgot about Native Instruments Battery. So Battery as a VSTi plugin in FL, makes my program of choice be Fruity Loops. There hasn't been one audio feature that Reason can do that Fruity Loops can't do. Reason may have a better graphical userface, but when it comes to power, I believe it lacks compared to FL. Also, Reason may have some decent sounds, but I have various different plugins with many many HQ sounds.
Feb 19, 2005 05:25 pm go with whatever works well with you...
if you're using FL as a host application then yeah FL would be better for ya
i'm not to hip to FL so i donno if it runs as a plugin, but if you're usin' sonar, or cubase ect. i'd go with reason...
then again' i havent even laid my eyes on FL in about 2 years now, i'm sure it's come a long way.
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 19, 2005 07:07 pm Yeah, FL has a plugin now which allows it to be a VSTi in a program like Sonar or Cubase. I might make a switch to Reason in the future if they allowed the following:
a) Realtime recording of line-in .wavs (for vocals, keyboard, etc..)
b) Support for VSTi, DXi, RTAS plugins, etc...
But by the time they probably have these features, it will lack in the newer features that a program like FL would have, lol. Anyhow, Reason is a good program, just not my #1 choice.
Feb 19, 2005 09:24 pm I think of Reason as the biggest most advanced vsti on the planet really it's a great program on it's own but like you said it lacks audio recording and vst support so I say think the oppisite...Rewire then boohyah!now were talking major business all of it's faults become a thing of the past and it's a force to be reckoned with.
regardless IMHO FL dosen't have a thing on Reason even with the features Reason lacks and Fl has still Reason has the upper hand just cause every device in FL is virtualy useless and you need vsti's to get any use out of it at least Reason can stand on its own feet.
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 19, 2005 09:37 pm How is virtually every device useless? lol. Tell me one effect that Reason can do that Fruity can't.
Feb 19, 2005 10:16 pm lol,make a sound pleasing to the ear!
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 19, 2005 10:28 pm lol. well...Fruity Loops makes it possible for the standard musician to not commit suicide! lol.
StoneToneman of musicMember
Since: Dec 12, 2004
Feb 20, 2005 08:19 am ^^^^yea...if they like over-simplicity........i go to alot of websites and there's always this "FL vs Reason" question but the thread always turns out to be "FL users VS Reason users".....FL feeds on most humans need for convenience,they make it seem like everything is right there,pretty soon you'll be able to record vocals in FL just so they can say "we do everything"......i rather do one thing good than half-a$$ a handfull of things....each program is good for different people tho,some prefer FL cuz it's so damn easy to use,just like the mtv generator but i don't see or hear anybody prasing that....me,i sample so stock sounds come secondary to me but FL's library sucks,thas one thing....anutha thing is,to use FL and a midi-controller is the biggest hassle and headache compared to reason....FL makes me feel like i'm cheating the music,it's like when you tell a chick this outlandish lie and now she's all yours(morally wrong but ....hey...w/e works sometimes i guess)..and i don't care about VST compatability cuz i either render or REWIRE to a program that has it....i build the beat w/o VST's (cuz thas what i was doin before steinberg invented it),then go touch it up where needed
Feb 20, 2005 09:11 am Well, technical most every this vs. that thread results in users vs. users defending their choice of product. Sad, but true. Ultimately, like most of us agree, it boils down to what any person is comfortable with. FL would be fine for people that don't use controllers. There really is no cheating in music, if whatever you are doing results in a good musical product, the job is done, the path is of small consequence in my book...it's all about what hits your ears. Most listeners couldn't care less what you used to do it with.
StoneToneman of musicMember
Since: Dec 12, 2004
Feb 20, 2005 11:27 am well said dB
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Feb 20, 2005 01:32 pm I've heard some people do some amazing things with both reason and fruity. The sound samples that come with reason are indeed much better than the fruity ones, but after a while, you start to hear the limitations with those too. Hmmm, maybe I'll need to upgrade to Audition so I can use Reason with Re:wire, and see how that works out.
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 20, 2005 04:23 pm FL allows MIDI controllers and they have built in MIDI controller presets as well. Almost every function can be assigned to a midi function. Is it harder to do than Reason? I've found them about the same.
I think it all comes down to what program someone first gets comfortable with and uses. I started off using Fruity Loops when it was version 2.5, lol. Now I'm up to the version 5.0 Producers Edition that allows everything. During this time, I've learned of the power that FL has. Maybe if I started off with Reason and mastered every little detail about that program, I'd be a Reason fan. Still, I'm not a Reason hater, just prefer the FL. For my purposes, I've found it easier to use and more powerful.
Feb 20, 2005 07:51 pm yup thats all that matters...the best program is the one that works for you!
BleakA small pie will soon be eatenMember
Since: Aug 26, 2004
Feb 21, 2005 01:50 am I'm an FL users also but still haven't worked out how to properly use my Controller (m-Audio Keystatio Pro 88) with it.
I think i'd rather program the drums than try and play the entire song with the keyboard.
But i'm quite sure i'm missing something! especially with zoning
What do you guys do in terms of controllers?
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 21, 2005 02:35 am You know how to program it right? For example, if you "right click" on a slider or knob in FL, you should see something that says "link to controller". Then, make sure the auto accept is checked and move one of your sliders on your Keystation Pro. It should recognize it. Now whenever you move that slider, it will move the slider in FL. If it doesn't work, then something is wrong in your settings.
So based on that, I made a "starter beat" where I custom programmed knobs and sliders. This way, I wouldn't have to continually program them. Then everytime I start a new project, I'll open the original starter beat and everything will already be setup and ready to go.
Now once its all programmed and you hit the record button and move a slider, it will record the slider's behavior "event". Then when you hit playback, it will remember what you did and playback just like you recorded it. This comes real handy for panning, volume adjustments, fading effects etc... Basically anything that needs transition can be targeted from the keyboard. I'm glad I understand MIDI a whole more now. Saves me a ton of time and is fun to use.
For zoning, such as drums, I use Native Instruments Battery. This is where you can select zones very easy. So a kick will play on keys C1-G1, and a hi-hat will play on keys C2 - G2, and a snare will play on keys C3 - G3. Basically, you can create any zones you want. You can even have 3 drums play on one key if you wanted. N.I. Battery is great for samples. You can have multiple samples targeted to one key or have a different sample to every key. Its kind of fun to take a sample of an instrumental you made, and load it in Battery. Then when you press and let go of the key, it gives a real energetic sound. This is what many hip hop enthusiasts do. They'll obtain or create royalty free samples and put them on specific keys and lay them over a drum beat.
Although Battery is a great tool, it isn't 100% necessary. You can still use the MIDI to trigger drum sounds in FL. Just select the channel and hit a key. I'm sure you know that though. But this way, you have to do each element (kick, hi hat, snare, etc..) manually as opposed to zones where you can record a whole drum line all at once.
You may also want to look into DrumKit SoundFonts. When you open one of these in FL, each key has a new sound. So you can have a kick, snare, cymbal all on different keys. I, on the other hand, don't use sound fonts too much. 99% of the time, I can find a better drum, hi hat, or snare elsewhere. So I manually load each drum into FL.
Good luck. I probably did everything but answer your question, but at least other people will have a better understanding, lol, :)
BleakA small pie will soon be eatenMember
Since: Aug 26, 2004
Feb 21, 2005 05:40 am ILLbizzel,
Thats an extrodinary response!!!
I had NO IDEA any of that was possable! i bought the Keyboard for the Fullsize, Hammer action thing but am in awe as to what is possible.
As a control surface i have not used it at all!
I;ve been trying to get it to be a virtual mixer in Cubase but no joy :)
Thanks again ILLbizzel
Champion!
StoneToneman of musicMember
Since: Dec 12, 2004
Feb 21, 2005 07:37 am don't get me wrong,i made some decent ish with FL, but when a friend of mine put me on to reason,i said yes,this is me
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Feb 21, 2005 02:59 pm That Keystation pro 88 is a very powerful controller. It's definitely my favorite MIDI controller out there.
