Many Reason-users have asked me how to trigger a Dr.REX device from within the Combinator-device in Reason. Well, the answer is probably easier than you would think 😉

Please download my example-file first, here: DrREX-trigger.zip.

As you can read in the MIDI Implementation Charts.pdf (should be installed with Reason on your system) a MIDI key 26 (D0) triggers the whole loop. Aha! So therefore the most simple method should be using a Matrix in the Combinator which triggers the same note-value.

In my zip-file you will find the DrREX-trigger.cmb which shows one example of this method. During patching for Reason 3, one of the sound designers, Peff, found the CV value for this key-note.

This works nicely. Please check out the PATTERN parameter also. With this control you can play just a few steps of the loop. If you start hearing flams or phasing, this is caused by a slice who’s triggered just before the loop starts repeating.

As you might understand, this method is a true hands-on approach 😉 It makes ‘playing’ with loops more fun.

I am planning to release some Combinator-sets which show new possibilities using this method.

Good luck experimenting!