Reason Studios

Propellerheads comes out with Reason 6 which is basically Reason 5 + Record wrapped into one package with a couple of added units. The crossover from Reason 5 to Reason 6 was easy, installation was a breeze. I did have a little issue using the dongle (was mainly user error) The application is really crowded,I hated this with record and don't feel as if i will ever get use to it in reason 6. So for me personally this is not an easy application to navigate compared to other versions of reason SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE I've been using Reason 6 since beta and it's been a stable application, I've run into no compatibility issues nor performance issues. The app still is CPU friendly, this is the only reason(no pun intended) that I've been a die had fan for as long as I have. It's the core of my production studio and sound designer rig. The application reads external controllers easily and if you can't seem find you controller you can also add it in as a generic controller (like in previous versions) OVERALL OPINION Reason 6 sounds excellent (if you're excellent) see Reason has always been one of those software applications where it's quality is strictly determined by the user. The only thing I like about this new version is the new mixer that has been included (from record) what I had is they screwed up the simplicity of the software making it cluttered (like record is) that really upsets me. I like things to flow easily when I'm creating. What I love most is that I only had to spend $1.00 for my upgrade. I think if I had to come out of pocket $130.00 (considering I already have reason and record) propellerheads would have lost a very valuable customer.

Fast and easy installation, as usual with Reason. PERFORMANCE What's your computer setup? (motherboard/CPU/RAM/HDD/soundcard..) iMac i5 2012 8gb Ram Does the software work correctly with your setup? The software works great. How is the performance? (if measurable) Apart from a couple heavy presets, all projects and samples load really fast. Is the hardware+software configuration stable? It's the most stable software I have ever used. I have never had a crash using Reason. OVERALL OPINION How long have you been using the product? I've been using Reason since version 4, four years ago. Which feature do you like the most / the least? + A superb tool to organize ideas + Ideal to create your own sounds (sound design, patch editing, etc...) + I love the interface with racks - The Midi output + The SSL-type mixer, which spares me from having to use an external sequencer to make the final mix + The EQ's GUI + The extent of the sounds included, which are easy to customize + The well though-out F8 show/hide tool window + The comprehensive and interesting manual - Clip editing still limited during playback - Sampling audio editing ought to apply to all audio clips - There's no way to lower the volume of several tracks at the same time without creating a bus (which is disturbing and a handicap when mixing, especially since this very simple option can be found on any other sequencer) - No MIDI comping like on Reaper or Studio One - The media explorer isn't practical, it would be nicer for it to be fully integrated like in studio one. - No track-by-track midi export. You have to export all tracks. - Color management - No new synths or effects, you need to go for the (paid) rack extension. Did you try any other models before buying this one? I started out with Acid pro, then tested Fruity Loops, Studio One and Reaper, which I still use How would you rate its value for money? I got it for about 250 bucks, upgrading a version I got secondhand. I think it's expensive all the same, but it's unbeatable compared to competing products. Especially with the built-in sound library and instruments. Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ... Yes.

No installation problems. Easy configuration. No incompatibilities. I never read the user's manual. PERFORMANCE I use it mainly on a powerful Imac, I haven't noticed any limitations... Be it with my Quatafire 610 or, nowadays, my MOTU Audio Express. Very stable software, except for some impossibilities or surprises with somewhat long samples. OVERALL OPINION I've used it since it came out, I think. It has practically not evolved, except for its nicer-looking design. It's value for money is not very good, let's just say that given the price of Reason and that this accessory is (almost) indispensable for it, Propellerhead could include it with Reason.

Reason has always been one of my favorite applications to use when it comes to music production. It's the only application that has made me put my akai mpc in the closet. The manual is very detailed and easy to follow. It goes through each instrument and it's function and it comes in more than 1 language (this is important to me at least) like most software music production applications Reason automatically configures finding your sound card. You will have to point it to your midi device and or audio device if your device is an interface of some sort but other than that everything auto configured for you and ready to go. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE Reason is probably one of the most stable application on the market because everything you need to make music is right there in the box. There are no need for VST or AU plugins (which are mixing tools and or more sounds). If you need 3 drum machines then load up 3 if you need different synth sounds then create new synths sounds (or download more free or purchased). I've been using Reason for about 6-7 years. I've never had the program crash on me which is something I wish I could say about other music production applications but sadly I can't. If you need more complex mixing configurations you can create them yourself you can make sure your music sound as dynamic as you need it without the need or use of third party applications. OVERALL OPINION Reason's sound quality is determined by the user. Some people claim reason doesn't sound professional truth is the user doesn't sound professional. Reason only sounds as good as the user makes it, you get out what you put in. What I like most about Reason is the fact that everything I need for a composition is already supplied in the program and I can sound design with this application as well. I love stacking multiple EQs and Compressors together when crafting my sounds and my system doesn't bog down as it does (when i stack) using plugins. One thing I do not like about Reason is the fact that they haven't (and more than likely wont) incorporate Recycle as unit (which they should) it would make sampling and manipulating rex files soo much easier. I've used other software applications but Reason is an app that sits well for me. If I had to minimize my current setup today I would work with a laptop, Reason some headphones and a small midi controller. This would give me the most flexibility when it comes to music production

This Propellerhead Balance USB interface is made for Reason users. It is perfectly geared and ready to be used with Reason right way; they have pretty much already set it all up from the start I just had to load it all up. This interface came with Reason Essentials which I used, but I already had a copy of Reason on my computer. This interface connects to my computer/laptop via USB connection. It is a low latency interface with 2 XLR mic inputs with 48 Volt phantom power and 2 ¼ inch guitar inputs with padding. There are a total of 4 ¼ inputs all balanced and a headphone output. This interface has all of the inputs and outputs that a basic Reason user could ever need. UTILIZATION Setting this interface up is pretty simple because it is perfectly made for Reason Essentials so all I had to do was load up Essentials and load the disk for the interface and when I opened up Reason I could just locate the interface and it was ready to be used. After I registered it with Propellerhead first, you must have an internet connection to register everything or else it could leave you scratching your head trying to figure out why nothing is working. GETTING STARTED If you are on a windows computer with this interface and using Windows XP I do recommend having service pack 3 because when I had service pack 2 I kept getting some kind of errors and no one knew what it was. It also runs great with Vista and Windows 7. I am not sure if they have come out with an update to use Balance with Windows 8 yet, I am anxious to know because I just recently got a Windows 8 computer and would love to use this interface with my new touch screen PC. OVERALL OPINION Overall, this is a great interface and it is a must have if you are a Reason user. Or even if you are not a Reason user, you can purchase this interface and get Reason Essentials and you will fall in love with Reason!

PropellerHead Rebirth has been out for some time now, it is basically the TB 303 Bass , the TR 808 and the 909 Drums machines from Roland all wrapped in to one unit (ReBirth). Over the years they have actually put out a lot of updates and made some changes with this software and now it can even be used on your iPad, it doesn’t just have to be on your Mac anymore. You can download ReBirth from the app store if you want to use it on your iPhone or iPad, otherwise you will just use it on your Mac the way it was originally created. The manual was key for me with this software because it was different to me, I had to refer back to the manual a lot at first. It took me about a week before I didn’t need it anymore, the manual is clear and easy to understand and use. It will really help you understand PropellerHead’s Rebirth pretty fast. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE ReBirth works great and has never had any problems with it, it runs at a high performs on my Mac and now on my iPad (though I like the regular version for Mac better). I am pleased with how easy it was to install and open up, it doesn’t take long at all. OVERALL OPINION The price of ReBirth is very affordable, and you will get a great sound and product when you purchase it. It is pretty much a win win. After using the program all this time , there is no doubt that I would purchase it again if I needed to. You get a great program that is very versatile for a great price with all of Roland's Gems ( TB 303, TR 808, 909 ) in it. You have nothing to lose, especially if you love Roland's products.

ReBirth 338 can be used in all Windows platforms as well as for Mac computers. ReBirth claims that it is a mash up of Roland TB 303 and of the TR 808 all in the ReBirth 338 2. Each one of those devices has its own separate pattern picker and it will able you to switch between different sequences fast. The manual was needed for me at first and it was very helpful with getting me started, the only problems I was having was just understand where everything was. The layout and interface of ReBirth 338 was very different to me, there was a small learning curve. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software runs great, and at a high performance. It is very stable and I have experienced zero crashes or any problems for that matter. I have been using it since 2008 and still use it today. I only use this in Cubase though, I have yet to use it in a different software. There is no particular reason why I only use it in Cubase, that is just my personal preference. Also for some reason Cubase works with external plug ins better than Fl Studio and Ableton to me. OVERALL OPINION There are a lot of knobs on the interface of ReBirth which I end up using midi and syncing them up with my knobs on my m Audio or Behringer did controller keyboard. This allows me to access all those knobs and sliders right on my hardware device and I have all of them memorized so I wont have to worry about finding what I need. That has been really good for me. The ReBirth 338 brings the TB 303 , TR 808 and the TR 909 to the digital world and more advanced. ReBirth has figured out how to get the sounds out of those machines and clean them up for the digital world. Its like having all those vintage pieces of gear on your computer and at your finger tips.

Propeller head reason was perfect for me when I was just starting out. I had no direction and didn’t know where to start when it came to software. When I first started using it I was in school and really couldn’t afford much but I saved up and purchased Reason 1.0 and I am so glad that I did. I still use it to this day (well not 1.0 I have upgraded) but reason 1.0 has taught me all of the basics in computer recorded, midi editing, using a mixer and effects and how to track out songs for further use in pro tools. All of my music career so far has branched out from Reason 1.0. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The performance of it is great and you couldn’t ask for much more I havent had a problem with it when I was using it and still don’t today with the most up to date version of reason. You can get all of the basics down pretty quick and if you really take the time and read the manual and watch some tutorials online you will be able to go to the next level as a reason user because there are so many things that you can do with Propeller head Reason. If you think you can master everything right off the bat and with out a manual you are crazy. OVERALL OPINION Take your time when you get this software, Reason 1.0 can be a bit overwhelming to the newbie. Study other peoples process when making music. Learn the ins and the outs of the program and learn how to create a full song in it and you will be amazed on the potential that it has. Its worth every single penny. I am not sure if you can still purchase 1.0 though? They have upgraded since then. You might want to look into that.

After years of testing software, I discovered Reason 1.0. This program made it possible for me to make music with the few things I know. I bought Reason 2.5 in a store and it was about €400. You can combine as many samplers and drummachines as you like. You can put any sound in them and play with it. Every style off music can be made with it. Via Rewire you can caonnect it to your sequencer. It's not so easy to master your song.But this is not the point for Reason, making music is. Wavelab,T-Racks,... are beter for the job. It has a very nice layout and everything is very clear. To be able to use 2 screen is very usefull. You can splitt your sequencer and hardware (it looks like hardware, the NN-19, DrRex, NN-XT,...). Duallhead vgacard is the way to go with Reason. The best music production software I've ever seen. Easy to use. Nice layout. But it misses some things, like a spectrum meter,phase scope. Good value for the money This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

There weren't any compatibility issues when I was installing ReCycle. The setup of ReCycle is confusing at first but it is easier if you understand waveforms and can identify where each beat is in the loop you are working with. The manual gets pretty hairy at times, it's easier to have somebody teach you how to use it. Fortunately that's how I learned how to use it. The basic functions of ReCycle are pretty easy to access. There isn't a lot of backtracking and changing settings involved with using the program. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software is designed to isolate each element in a drum loop. If a drum loop is put into ReCycle, the program isolates each note and allows you to set the tempo to a BPM of your choice. These loops can then be used in programs like Logic and Reason. Overall, the program itself identifies 90% of the notes played in each loop. It is up to the user to isolate each note from there. It actually can get pretty tricky if you are dealing with a complex loop, but overall, it's not too difficult. It allows you to work with an astonishing number of samples and loops that would be difficult, if not impossible, to work with otherwise. There's isn't a whole lot of gear necessary to run this program, so the configuration doesn't really provide any issues that need to be dealt with. I've used this program for about six months. After a few days I was really good at doing loops, which was helpful. OVERALL OPINION I feel as though I would use this program more than I do. Considering I prefer to record live instruments, and I'm more of a ProTools guy anyway, this isn't really as helpful as I would have hoped. That being said, if processing drum loops and using them for your own compositions is your thing, this is a pretty great program. You'd probably having a difficult time without this or a similar program. I did not try any other models; the studio I work at purchased this. I think most software is overpriced, but compared to most audio programs this one isn't too bad. I personally wouldn't unless I needed to use Logic and drum loops more. Currently I have no use for it.

This is a bundle of string samples, for use with the Reason application. Reason is a pretty sweet DAW that is more midi-based. Thus, the need for string samples. These are loops, not multi-sampled instruments. They come in the form of REX files, which means that they can be shifted to fit tempo and pitch. The setup of this bundle is really easy, all it takes is having reason installed on your computer first. SOUND QUALITY My setup here is a Macbook Pro with Leopard OSX. I have a 4 gb dualcore processor. I use Reason for tracking/composing and Logic for mixing, on the rare occasion that I use either program. I tend to be more of a Pro Tools guy in general but I do like having another DAW for comparison and for more MIDI-based music. I've never really thought that the Strings bundle didn't work for any of my projects here. There is a ton of variation as far as these loops go. I would say that there is probably a loop that will fit anything you are working on in reason, considering that about 95% of music made in this program is based on hip-hop or techno variations of some sort (to be as broad as I possibly can). To be honest, though, I don't think a prerecorded sample could ever work for me. Even though these will sound better than any MIDI-sampled keyboard, I don't like the fact that it won't be an original score. I would like to score almost all the string parts myself and I don't like the idea of having pre-recorded loops to choose from, even if they do sound great. I can't help but think that this is the same reason that so much music sounds the same. OVERALL OPINION I know I may be biased in my opinion, so that's why I'm going to say that for what it is (a collection of pre-recorded string samples) Propellerhead Strings is a good product. However, I can't recommend that you use them in your original compositions, because frankly, it will no longer be as original. Make your own string samples! It's a good price, though, and if you are just a dabbler in this and don't mind making uninspired music, I would say you're in for a treat. Have fun getting all the creativity done for you.

Where do I start. Well, the unpacking was harmless and it was easy to install. You have a registration card sent with it that is important to keep at all times for the unexpected hard drive failure. Config was fine and it automatically picked up my MM6, Keystation, MPD24 and Firewire Mixer. It was easy as can be to get started. The typical functions are all present, and the settings are extremely simple to adjust, with all settings being in one settings window instead of many different settings scattered around. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE My configuration of a Firewire mixer which could stand in for a card or interface, anything that can be plugged into the computer using a USB or Firewire cord, was seamless into Reason. Any MIDI controller I've used works, and I've yet to have any problems. If it detects a problem with your config, it'll tell you so with a big red X. If it's all good, then it'll display a big green check. Anything that failed during production and plugged back in didn't require a restart of Reason like FL Studio or Cubase. I've been using this configuration with the exception of the Firewire mixer being swapped for an X2u since I got it. OVERALL OPINION What I like most is the quality of the sounds. They sound fantastic, and you can find packs in the Sound Bank that suit any need. Thor is also a great addition, something that wasn't present in Reason 3. I also like the combinators, which provide for easy mixing and easy packaging of otherwise complex setups and instruments. What I don't like about Reason is the lack of VST or VSTi compatibility. This is really annoying, as you have to use stock Reason mixers, delays, reverbs, compressors, and so on. This is a huge limiting factor, but it's understandable that PropellerHead wants people to buy their add-ons, ones which are the only add-ons compatible with Reason, called ReFills. After using it for two years, I would still buy Reason. It's a great, intuitive program, and I wouldn't have it any other way.