Understanding ReWire

Propellerhead’s ReWire is a communications protocol for sharing audio between multiple music applications simultaneously. In the past, two separate computers synced by MIDI Time Code were needed. Today, ReWire eliminates these problems by opening a virtual connection between ReWire-compatible applications. In addition to sample-accurate audio synchronization, ReWire unites the transport functions of both applications as well. For example, hitting Stop in one ReWire application will stop the other as well.

After installing ReWire on your computer, it will automatically launch whenever you open any ReWire-compatible application. In order to link two programs via ReWire, first open the application that you wish to be the master (the tempo settings of the master control all other programs) and then open the program you wish to be the slave. Once opened, the two applications automatically become synchronized. To close the applications, you must close the slave first.

Let’s examine the practical use of the ReWire protocol. In this example, Live will be the master application and Reason will be the slave. Start Live and then start Reason. When Reason opens, you will notice that the Reason Hardware Interface indicates that the Audio Out is in ReWire mode, as the two programs are now ReWired together.

Because ReWire opens up to 64 audio streams between applications, there are many options for working with Reason. The entire mix may be recorded on a stereo track in Live, or an individual instrument from Reason can be recorded by itself. Open the View Menu in Live and make sure “In/Out” is checked. These settings need to be visible in order to set up Reason. Choose a track in Live and select Reason as its “In Type.” Notice that the “In Channel” defaults to “01/02:Mix L, Mix R.” Next, click on the microphone icon (it will turn orange) in order to set the track up to monitor the output of ReWire. The track will now play the stereo output of channels 01/02 on the Reason Hardware interface. If the mixer is connected to 01/02, this will take the entire mix. If individual instruments are connected directly to the Reason Hardware Interface, only the instruments connected to the selected outputs will be heard. This allows you to keep individual instruments on their own channels. Input channels may be changed to suit your needs.

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