Reason Tips
I am a long-time user and fan of the Reason DAW. I've been using it since Reason 1 was released in 2000, and it remains one of my top "creative happy places" to this day. You can read a history of Reason on the Reason Studios website.
This is a list of my "notes to self" about how to use it (on 🍏 MacOS).
Here is the online manual.
Keyboard Shortcuts
🎹 Devices
| What |
How |
| Browse patches |
command + B |
| Create instrument from patch |
command + I |
| Create effect |
command + E |
| Duplicate track/device |
command + D |
| Parameter Automation Shortcut |
option + click control |
| Search devices |
command + shift + F |
🎼 Sequencer
| What |
How |
| Nudge (snap unit) |
command + left/right |
| Nudge (beat) |
command + shift + left/right |
| Nudge (tick) |
command + option + left/right |
| Pencil tool: Edit velocity of selected only |
command + shift + click |
| Merge note lanes on track |
command + R |
| Quantize |
command + K |
| Hand tool |
U |
| Join clips |
command + J |
🎚 Mixer
| What |
How |
| Detach Main Mixer |
command + F5 |
| Route to new output bus |
command + G |
| Sort Rack devices by Mixer channel order |
Edit > Sort Selected Device Groups |
⏯ Transport
| What |
How |
| Set loop to clips and play |
P |
| Set loop to clips |
command + L |
| Set loop start |
option + click in Timeline |
| Set loop end |
command + click in Timeline |
| Go to start of song |
numpad .
shift + return |
| Go to loop start/end |
option + left/right |
🤷♂️ Misc
| What |
How |
| Delete without confirmation |
command + delete |
| Zoom in/out (horizontal) |
H/G |
| Zoom to selection |
Z |
| Zoom to max track height |
shift + Z |
| Select previous/next clip |
left/right |
Some fun facts
- Reason's main mixer is modeled on the SSL 9000 K
- There are lots of fun names for Reason devices. Some of my favorites: