How Do I Get Good Metal Guitar in Reason 4.0?

MIDI music with Reason 4.0

Reason 4.0 is one of the most powerful and versatile digital music production programs available. It was designed to function like a real-world hardware studio, complete with compressors, limiters, equalizers, effects processors, samplers and virtual synthesizers. With such a versatile music production system, there are multiple ways to achieve any sound imaginable. But the simplest way to achieve a sound as common as a metal guitar is to use one of Reason's samplers with a distortion effect processor.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Reason 4.0 installed
• MIDI keyboard controller

Instructions

Start a new project

1. Create a new empty rack (File > New) and add the following devices from the "Create" menu in order: Mixer 14:2, NN-XT Advanced Sampler, Scream 4 Distortion.

2. Click on the "Browse Patch" button on the NN-XT and load the following sample: Reason Factory Sound Bank > NN-XT Sampler Patches > Guitar and Plucked > Ac Dark Steel.sxt

3. Select the "EasyFuzz" patch on the Scream 4 Distortion processor (if it is not the default) and set the Damage Type to "Scream."

4. Play your MIDI controller while adjusting the P1, P2 and Damage Control settings to your liking.

5. Save your project so you don't lose the settings you just dialed in.

6. Experiment with different guitar samples on the NN-XT, as well as different patches and settings on the Scream 4 Distortion processor. You will surely find many different combinations that provide a good metal guitar sound.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to start with a metal guitar loop instead of a single note sample, replace the NN-XT sampler with a Dr. Rex Loop Player and load the following sample: Reason Factory Sound Bank > Dr Rex Instrument Loops > Guitar Loops > Telecaster Rhythm 085bpm > ElGt_Rock_A_085.rx2.

References

• Reason Scream 4 Distortion Processor

Resources

• Reason website