Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

In this lesson students are introduced to the distortion unit, using the effect to enhance sounds and provide a further stimulus for ideas. They will also work on a short song Sporting Event, using effected sounds to create musical ideas.

Lesson preparation - What you need to know

Teaching this lesson requires some basic familiarity with the use of distortion as an insert (or in line) effect. This involves routing the distortion unit between a selected sound device and the mixer. You can prepare for the lesson by reading the following pages A teacher guide to working with the distortion unit and exploring the provided song file. This information gives a brief overview of the distortion units controls and suggests one way of connecting the device that does not involve dealing with cables at the back of the rack! Some practical working tips are also included in this lesson to help students organize sequencer track order and make the most of the available rack space. This might be useful as they commence their project work in the following lessons. See Sequencer track and device arrangement practical working tips.

! Check out the Student

Worksheet for an immediate overview of the lesson tasks.

About the lesson song files

The song file Lesson 12 is intended for student use in Task 1. It is the material from the previous lesson, with the guitar track now enhanced by distortion. In this song file, the distortion unit is connected between the second NN19 sample player and the mixer. You will notice that mixer channel 7 is named Dist, indicating that the unit is connected in the signal path - see A teacher guide to working with the distortion unit. For Task 2, students can either continue to work with their if time song file from the previous lesson, or they can create a new one using the default song template.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
143

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson preparation and background reading

A teacher guide to working with the distortion unit
It is quite common to use distortion as an insert (or in line) effect. This means that instead of sending a proportion of a signal to the effects unit, the whole signal is diverted to the effects unit, distorted and routed back into the signal path of the mixer channel. On a standard mixing desk, there is usually an insert point (socket) on each channel, from which the signal is diverted to the effects unit, or other processor. After treatment it is then routed back into the signal path again via the insert point. The Reason mixer has no inserts, so the distortion unit is simply connected between a selected device and the mixer. Using distortion as an insert effect in this way means that the unit can only be used with one particular sound device in each song.

! When using insert

effects, turn the power switch to Bypass to hear the original sound. When using send effects (see previous lesson), turn the switch to Off to hear the original sound.

1 2

Changing the power switch (1) to Bypass allows you to hear the original sound without distortion. On the front panel of the distortion unit, the Amount control (2) literally controls the amount of distortion applied to the signal. The Foldback control (3) lets you adjust the character of the distortion. The diagrams show how the signal is cut or clipped to provide different effects representing the three common distortion types:
The lowest setting gives a soft, warm distorted sound. The middle setting gives the standard clipped sound. The highest setting gives a sharper distorted sound.

12

144

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson preparation and background reading

Connecting the distortion unit

In the Lesson 12 song file, the distortion unit is already connected between the NN19 2 sample player and the mixer. However, if your students want to use the distortion unit in their own work, they will probably need to connect it into the signal path themselves. To avoid moving and connecting cables at the back of the rack, the quickest way is via an autoroute. Devices can be moved around in the Reason rack by simply selecting them and dragging to the required position.

1 Click on the distortion unit, hold down the mouse button and drag the unit to sit directly
underneath the sound device to which it will be connected e.g. the second NN19.

2 Click on the distortion unit again to select it. Then choose Auto-route Device from the
Edit menu. The mixer channel that was originally connected to the sound device will now be renamed Dist (or Dist Left).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
145

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson preparation and background reading

Disconnecting the unit

D To undo the automatic connection you just made, select Undo Autoroute Device from the Edit menu. If you change your mind later, decide to disconnect the unit and connect it to another device:

1 Click on the distortion unit to select it and choose Disconnect Device from the Edit
menu.

2 You will then need to reconnect the sound device to the mixer. Click on the sound device to select it and choose Auto-route Device from the Edit menu. This will automatically reconnect it to the mixer. You can now connect the distortion unit to a new sound device as before.

Sequencer track and device arrangement practical working tips

If all the available sound devices are used in a song, you can view the tracks better either by detaching the sequencer window, or by adjusting the track size using the + /- magnifying glass icons. However, if only some of the devices are used, the sequencer track order can be changed so that all the used tracks appear together, which may make things easier when arranging and editing material. D To change the position of a sequencer track, click on the track name, hold down the mouse button, drag the track up or down to the required position and release the mouse button. D To navigate the rack more easily, fold unused devices by clicking on the arrow to the top left of the device. As we have already seen, you can also change the order of devices in the rack.

12

1 Click on the device you want to move and hold down the mouse button. 2 Move the device to the new location then release the mouse button.

146

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson preparation and background reading

Teaching Plan Lesson 12

Introducing distortion as an insert (in line) effect. Exploring the distortion unit parameters and identifying different distortion types. Continuing to explore effected sounds for use in a short composition. Understanding some basic, practical applications of distortion. Gaining some understanding of the unit parameter settings. Selecting and applying settings appropriate to the style of music. Using effected sounds to create a short composition.

! Lesson Aims:

! Student Skills:

Introduction: About distortion

In the previous lesson we worked with reverb and delay (echo) effects. However in many types of music, you will also hear distortion. Distortion can be very important in shaping some instrumental sounds, such as guitar, or analog synth basses for example. Different styles of music use different kinds of distortion. The distortion unit will be used in a slightly different way from the reverb and delay units. The effect will just be applied to the sounds of one particular device in a song. Adjusting the amount of distortion used is done on the unit itself, rather than using the mixer controls.

Task 1: Exploring distortion

Students can begin by briefly exploring the distortion unit.

Student practical work

a. Open and play the song file Lesson 12. (You have probably heard this music before!) b. Solo the Dist mixer channel.
Which instrument is playing?

! see Student
Worksheet ! This can either be
done as a guided class exercise, or students can work independently using their worksheet guidelines.

c. Find the distortion unit and change the power switch from Bypass to On.
How would you describe the change to the sound?

d. Try out the different Foldback settings. Listen to each setting, first with the channel soloed, then with everything playing. Which setting gives a sharp distorted sound? Which setting gives a warmer distorted sound?

e. Try adding different amounts of distortion to the sound.

Which settings fit the music best and why? Your notes:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
147

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Teaching Plan Lesson 12

Task 2: Sporting Event song

D Using a new song template, start by showing students how to connect the distortion unit to one of the sound devices via an auto-route.
Drag the distortion unit to sit underneath a selected sound device. Click on the distortion unit to select it and choose Auto-route device from the Edit menu. Check the mixer channel belonging to the device it should now be renamed Dist. Using a MIDI keyboard, play a sound from the device. Adjust the settings on the distortion unit to hear the difference in the amount and type of distortion applied to the sound. Use the Bypass switch on the unit to hear the sound with and without distortion.

D Briefly outline the task guidelines (below).

! see Student
Worksheet

Student practical work

You are going to create a short song with the title Sporting Event. Think about the type and style of music that is often played on TV sports programs. The following words might help you create a mood for your music: Speed Excitement Energy

a. Open your song file from the previous lesson, or create a new one (select New from
the File menu).

b. Start by setting up a rhythm track, using either (or both) of the following ideas:
Try out the Redrum patterns that are already provided in the new song template. Select a Dr Rex drum loop that you think fits the mood and copy this to a sequencer track.

12

c. Did you already record a main idea in the previous lesson?

Do the drum patterns and the loop youve chosen fit your recorded idea? Load and preview different loops in the Dr Rex device until you find one that fits!

d. If you havent yet recorded a main idea:

Using your MIDI keyboard, explore sounds from either the Subtractor 1 or NN19 1 devices that fit the mood youre trying to create. Add a delay effect to your chosen sound. Loop the sequencer bars containing your drum material. Start the sequencer and improvise/ record a short idea over the repeating loop. Does the delay effect make it easier or more difficult to create ideas?

e. Now build up one or two more ideas on other tracks. Try adding some distortion to one
of the sounds and see how this influences what you create! When you have a few ideas recorded, decide how to arrange them. What kind of sporting event is your music describing? Aim to record and arrange up to 16 bars altogether. Your notes:

148

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Teaching Plan Lesson 12

If time activity: Working tips

Using the How to... guide, students who have finished their work can try organizing their song file by:

1 Naming their sequencer tracks. 2 Rearranging the order of the tracks so that unused ones are not in the way. 3 Folding unused devices in the rack.
(See Student Worksheet guidelines.) Additional lesson notes and comments:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
149

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Teaching Plan Lesson 12

Student Worksheet Lesson 12

! Use your How to...
guide to help you connect the distortion unit and add different effects to sounds.

In this lesson you are going to explore the distortion unit and use different effects to help you create a short piece of music.

Task 1: Exploring distortion

a. Open and play the song file Lesson 12. (You have probably heard this music before!) b. Solo the Dist mixer channel.
Which instrument is playing?

c. Find the distortion unit and change the power switch from Bypass to On.
How would you describe the change to the sound?

d. Try out the different Foldback settings. Listen to each setting, first with the channel soloed, then with everything playing. Which setting gives a sharp distorted sound? Which setting gives a warmer distorted sound?

e. Try adding different amounts of distortion to the sound.

Which settings fit the music best and why?

Task 2: Sporting Event song

You are going to create a short song with the title Sporting Event. Think about the type and style of music that is often played on TV sports programs. The following words might help you create a mood for your music: Speed Excitement Energy

12

a. Open your song file from the previous lesson, or create a new one (select New from
the File menu).
If you forget how to do this, check out the Lesson 8 How to pages. If you forget how to do this, check out the Lesson 6 How to pages. Check out: How to add effects when playing sounds. How to move devices in the rack. How to automatically connect the distortion unit. How to disconnect the distortion unit.

b. Start by setting up a rhythm track, using either (or both) of the following ideas:
Try out the Redrum patterns that are already provided in the new song template. Select a Dr Rex drum loop that you think fits the mood and copy this to a sequencer track.

c. Did you already record a main idea in the previous lesson?

Do the drum patterns and the loop youve chosen fit your recorded idea? Load and preview different loops in the Dr Rex device until you find one that fits!

d. If you havent yet recorded a main idea:

Using your MIDI keyboard, explore sounds from either the Subtractor 1 or NN19 1 devices that fit the mood youre trying to create. Add a delay effect to your chosen sound. Loop the sequencer bars containing your drum material. Start the sequencer and improvise/ record a short idea over the repeating loop. Does the delay effect make it easier or more difficult to create ideas?

e. Now build up one or two more ideas on other tracks. Try adding some distortion to one
of the sounds and see how this influences what you create! When you have a few ideas recorded, decide how to arrange them. What kind of sporting event is your music describing? Aim to record and arrange up to 16 bars altogether.

150

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Student Worksheet Lesson 12

If you have some time left

Organize your rack and sequencer tracks! If you come back to this song in a later lesson, you may find it easier to remember what youve done if:

1 The sequencer tracks are named to show what is recorded on each track e.g. main idea,
drum loop, or whatever names you prefer.

2 Any sequencer tracks you havent used are dragged to the bottom of the list. 3 Any unused sound devices are folded in the rack.

Check out: How to change the order of sequencer tracks. How to fold devices in the rack.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
151

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Student Worksheet Lesson 12

Lesson 12 How to student guide

How to add effects when playing sounds
Use your MIDI keyboard to choose a sound from one of the devices:

1 Click on the sequencer track belonging to the device. 2 Click the In column on the track to display the MIDI icon. 3 Play your keyboard to hear the sound.
D To add reverb to the sound, adjust the Aux 1 control on the mixer channel connected to the sound device. D To add delay to the sound, adjust the Aux 2 control on the mixer channel connected to the sound device. D To add distortion to the sound, first connect the distortion unit (see below) then use the controls on the unit to add the effect.

How to move devices in the rack 1 Click on the device to select it and hold down the mouse button. 2 Drag the device to the required position in the rack and release the mouse button.

12

How to automatically connect the distortion unit 1 First move the distortion unit to sit underneath the sound device to which it will be connected.

2 Click on the distortion unit again to select it. 3 Now choose Auto-route Device from the Edit menu. 4 Check out the mixer channel that was originally connected to the sound device. If the
connection has been successful this channel will be renamed Dist (or Dist Left).

152

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson 12 How to student guide

How to disconnect the distortion unit

To undo the automatic connection you just made, select Undo Autoroute Device from the Edit menu. If you change your mind later, decide to disconnect the unit and connect it to another device:

1 Click on the distortion unit to select it and choose Disconnect Device from the Edit
menu. You will then need to reconnect the sound device to the mixer.

2 Click on the sound device to select it and choose Auto-route Device from the Edit
menu. This will automatically reconnect it to the mixer.

3 You can now connect the distortion unit to a new sound device as before.

How to change to the order of sequencer tracks 1 Click on the name column of the track to be moved and hold down the mouse button. 2 Drag the track up or down to the required position, then release the mouse button.

How to fold devices in the rack

D Click on the arrow to the top left of the device.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
153

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson 12 How to student guide

12

154

Lesson 12: Exploring effects Creative use of distortion

Lesson 12 How to student guide