Phrase Key Trigged Sequencer

NEW: version 1.2.0 adds “skip previous” and “skip next” play modes, play mode randomization percentages, step trigger probabilities, generate new patterns and phrases, plus other QOL improvements

Phrase is a player device for the Reason rack which specializes in the creation of musical motifs and phrases. A great tool to inspire new ideas for melodies, bass-lines, chord progressions, even drums and percussion parts. The programming interface does away with the traditional piano roll and offers a less laborious way to get results fast. Thanks to several editing options, it’s easy to create or modify sequences in just a few clicks. No drawing of notes required.

At the core of the device lies a 16 step sequencer which is triggered when you play a note. Like an arpeggiator, you play it with a keyboard or other MIDI device capable of sending notes, but you can also use a note track in Reason. With every new note, the sequence is automatically transposed and adjusted based on the step parameters. If you hold down more than one note at once, you can get different results from the same sequence just by changing the order in which the notes are played.

The step parameters can be set individually or for an entire row at once. Each parameter type has it own edit menu with various options for altering the values. For some parameter types, there are built-in presets which are great starting points for generating new sequences quickly.

Similar editing functions are also available at the sequence level, where all parameters for all steps can be altered at once. A customizable randomization engine can help spark new ideas. To keep things in check, the note correction algorithm will force all outgoing notes to the chosen key and scale. In addition, you can automatically create entire phrases of the desired length in just a mouse click for instant inspiration.

Finally, you can have up to 4 sequence variations per patch, and these can be switched live during play.

Phrase is fast to program, fun to use and it encourages experimentation. Try it out and see for yourself!

• 16 step sequencer with adjustable number of steps, start offset and travel direction
• Each step has the following parameters:
  1. Step On - steps can be turned on or off. When a step is turned off, it acts like a note rest. Each step can be assigned a trigger probability.
  2. Gate Length - there are 4 settings which determine the note length relative to the step duration
  3. Velocity - the velocity of the outgoing note for the given step
  4. Duration - independent for each step, from as short as 1/64 to as long as 1 bar
  5. Transpose - incoming notes can be transposed up or down from the original pitch within a 4 octave range
  6. Play Mode - when more than one note is pressed at the same time, this parameter determines which of the held notes is played
  7. Play Mode Randomization Percentage: if active, the play mode is chosen randomly when the step is triggered
• Various editing menus with parameter presets to quickly create and modify sequences
• Fast edit button which remember the last editing function performed
• Automatic generations of new patterns from the Duration Edit menu
• Note quantization to the selected scale and key
• Hold button
• 4 variations per patch with easy duplication
• Automatic generation of new phrases from the Variation menu
• Play quantization to a selectable time division
• Adjustable swing from light to heavy
• Automation of sequence parameters and step transpositions for each variation
• Comprehensive implementation of Remote control for all step parameters
• 200 factory patches

Version History

• 1.0.3 - Bug fixes and improvements (see user manual for details)
• 1.0.5 - Added new “Tie” step, cycle “Prev” and “Next” play modes, plus bug fixes
• 1.0.6 - optimizations for Reason 12 HD
• 1.0.8 - Added On/Off Automation and Remote plus bug fixes
• 1.0.9 - Added “Insert Step” and “Remove Step” functions in the Seq Edit menu, plus new “Random Walk” direction
• 1.1.0 - Various bug fixes + new patches!
• 1.2.0 - Added “Skip Previous” and “Skip Next” play modes, play mode randomization percentages, step trigger probabilites, generation of patterns from the Duration edit menu, generation of new phrases from the Variation menu, Paste Special in the Step Edit menu which makes it easier to “swap” steps