Products

Reason Studios Launches Beat Map, An Instrument Designed To Create Beats Using Computer Algorithms

Designed to trigger sounds from any external drum machine or synthesizer.
A partial screenshot of new Beat Map from Reason Studios. A full screenshot is below.

Reason Studios (formerly Propellerhead Software) has announced Beat Map, a new instrument designed to work with algorithms and machine learning techniques to create beats. Designed primarily for drums, Beat Map is intended as an experimental alternative to the workflow of writing beats in common drum sequencers.

Lukas Lyrestam, Beat Map product manager, states, “Creatively, the beat-making process can be quite cumbersome and slow. Our goal with Beat Map has always been about giving music-makers a fast, fun and musical way to get started with drums.”

Beat Map is a Reason Player (also called a MIDI effect) that can trigger sounds from any external drum machine or synthesizer. The interface has four channels – one each for the kick, snare, hi-hat and percussion – as well as a central X-Y pad. To change beats, users drag the crosshairs around the map or turn one of the knobs to adjust the density of individual elements of a drum groove.

Niklas Agevik, CEO of Reason Studios, notes, “With streaming services now mainstream and double-digit growth in recorded music, there are currently some very positive underlying trends for music-makers. Reason has an impressive array of instruments and effects that cater to the needs of modern beatmakers, and we are excited to be leading the charge as the industry continues to move in this direction.”

Beat Map can be demo’d here.

Reason Studios