Midi CC's
In every midi based sequencer you are able to edit the midi cc's (effects like:Filter Cutoff, Resonance, Attack, Release, Sustain, Pan, Volume and so on, and so on.) Without these cc's music would be very dull.
In Reason (internally) this goes a bit different. You can send cc information to Reason from a midi controller like the Phat Boy. This is the most used midi controller but there are other ones to. If money isn't a problem for you i guess you can get about all the cc's on one controller.
Editing and Recording cc (automation) in Reason.
When you are going to record your automation (effect curves) you will have to do the following things.
First make sure that the area you are going to record is marked by the loop pointers in your Reason sequencer (L and R). Then set your transport line (P) at the first point (L). Now press the record button on your transport control bar and start tweaking your filters. If you don't have a midi controller it's better to do one button,knob,fader at a time coss you can only move one knob, fader at a time.
Make sure that you record the full lenght of the marked area coss when you stop recording the level of the button will take the last level you'v recorded.
Editing your automation
After recording you'r automation it's wise to open the screen to take a look at the recorded automation. Go to the button you've recorded and press you'r right mouse button. Now choose - edit automation. You will be taken to the - show controller lane - window which can be accessed also by pressing the - show controller lane - button in the edit mode in your sequencer window.