SonicTransfer

Electronic Music Production Dictionary

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Patch

(a.k.a. program, preset) A synth patch is preprogrammed collection of settings for a synthesizer. It is very important to have a well-organized, excellent set of patches for your synths. You should devote a portion of your time preparing patches before you start writing a song.

Plugins

Plugins are used to add features to an audio application. There are two types:

1. Instruments - Generate new audio
2. Effects - Manipulate existing audio

There are many types of plugins. Sometimes they are built into music software and other times they are installed afterwards. VST plugins are the most popular type of plugins.

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Quantize

Quantizing is used to fix the rhythm of MIDI and audio information. It is a common feature found in almost all audio and MIDI sequencers. Quantizing is an essential tool for electronic music producers.

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Reason

Propellerhead Reason is a music application that closely emulates the look of traditional hardware. It is an extremely powerful song creation and sound design environment. It features synthesizers, samplers, effects units, and a mastering suite. However, it lacks audio recording capabilities.

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Return Tracks

Return tracks are used with additive effects for mixing purposes. Some typical uses for return tracks are:

• Adding delays to tracks
• Adding reverb to tracks
• Adding parallel compression to tracks.
• Performing multi-band effects (when used with filters)

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REX

REX files are audio files that contain markers at rhythmic locations. They are useful for rearranging sampled percussive audio. The REX file specification was created the Propellerhead company.

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Rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern of sound arrangement. It is the foundational element of music. Behind every melody there is a rhythm. To be a master producer, you must master rhythm.