{Subtractor Assignment}

When you are working with the Subtractor (and the other synths in Reason), there are a couple different categories of sounds that you have to work with. Once you know a little bit about what these categories are, you will know how to find the sounds you want more quickly.

The main categories of sounds you have available in the Subtractor are:

• Bass* - These are low sounds you can use to add more thump to the rhythm of the song. You usually will want to press the Octave-down button on your keyboard to get into the low range.
  
• FX - These are weird sounds you can use to add atmosphere or flavor.
  
• MonoSynths* - These are really in your face kinds of sounds, used for playing lead melodies. You can only play one note at a time (i.e. no chords).
  
• Pads* - These are really complex sounds that can add lots of texture. You usually press a few notes at a time and hold them, rather than playing full melodies.
  
• Percussion - These are just synthetic versions of percussion songs that you can use to add to your rhythm.
  
• PolySynths* - This is probably the broadest, most general category of synth. Tons of different rich sounds that can be used for different reasons.
  

I would like for you to start getting familiar with what sounds in these categories actually sound like. If you are done with the previous assignment, please do the following:

1. Start a new Reason file.
   
2. Create a Redrum Drum Machine and make a beat.
3. Create two Subtractors.
4. On the first Subtractor, load a sound from the MonoSynths folder.
5. On the second Subtractor, load a sound from the Pads folder.
6. Make a beat that is at least 16 bars long (ends on Bar 17).
7. Add any additional instruments that you want.
8. Save this as: your name_SubtractorAssignment