Customer Reviews

Propellerhead Reason 6

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first thing to note about Reason is that it has a collection of high class instruments and sounds great. For instant gratification, the presets give a taste of the quality and range of sounds here and they make a great starting point for creating new sounds.

I have been a user of other DAWs, recently Ableton Live and Reaper, and was tempted by Reason but apprehensive about the learning curve. Both Reaper and especially Live are excellent in their own way, the latter being unique in approach, excellent for quickly putting down ideas, time stretching and performing..er.. live. I anticipate continuing to use both, especially Live. Both are outclassed by Reason in terms of bundled instruments though.

Reason is self-contained and you can't use external VST or AUs. I anticipate this not being a problem as there's such a treasure of stuff in Reason. The full integration keeps Reason stable and low on the CPU. And of course, you can use Reason 'within' another DAW via ReWire - I have really experimented with this much but it seems straightforward if a bit fiddly.

I had not really looked into Reason thoroughly but v.6 now has integrated audio and this makes it 'complete' (midi / instruments / audio) so making complete tunes is possible within one programme. I would recommend trying the demo from Propellerheads - fully functional and you can save projects. You just can't re-open them until you buy / authorise (clever strategy). I week or two with the demo convinced me. I would also recommend checking out the dozens of tutorials found via Propellerheads and YouTube - I continue to find them really helpful as a new user.

If you have used other software studios many of the concepts are the same. However, shortcuts and interface relationships take a bit of getting used but I found sticking with it paid off. I am also still finding my way around the routing - it feels complex compared to Live's, partly because Live's interface is so minimal and clear, making processes feel simple and transparent.

Regarding the sounds, Thor and Maelstrom synths, for instance, are excellent as is the Kong 'drum designer'. The new Echo, Pulverizer and Alligator effects are interesting, useable and high quality. There's also the Neptune voice synth / Auto-Tune-alike and a classic vocoder. Much has been made of the mixer / compressor and whilst obviously not a magic fix, it does sound classy.

If unsure, check the demo and spend some time playing around with it. It costs nothing to test drive.

I've been with Reason since version 1 and this 64-bit beast is the one that puts it way ahead of its competitors (if it really has any). If you didn't have the now discontinued Record companion program before, prepare to be blown away. The long-awaited audio track recording options are only the start; the real star of the show is the virtual SSL mixing desk. It looks daunting at first, but take the time to learn it and soon you won't want to use anything else. And the results sound incredibly professional.

There's also the Neptune pitch processor. If you really must indulge in all that robot Autotune stuff, it will do it. Far more interesting is using it to create vocal harmonies from the most unpromising audio material.

Joining the already huge racks of synths and effects are three newbies - the sound mangling Pulveriser, the characterful Echo and rhythmic gating specialist that is the Alligator. If you like weird dub and sonic madness, you'll love these.

Not so long ago, you'd have needed weeks of time in an expensive recording studio to get near this quality. Now the whole toy box is yours to play with. Your friends may not see you for days.

The only cons? If you're new to Reason and not grown with it organically as I have, this may all seem overwhelming. But at least it offers easy presets for the befuddled, along with the option to literally rewire anything any way you like for the experts. There's also the usual lack of support for third party plug-ins. But really, the wealth of options here can emulate just about anything and the whole program remains rock solid because of it. Maybe the midi editing could be a little more sophisticated too.

I own Pro Tools and Cubase. In terms of sheer creative possibilities, this blows them out the water. And, of course, you can 'Rewire' Reason to those anyway. If you're a computer musician, Reason 6 is an absolute must.

EDIT: Reason 6.5 has added Rack Extensions - studio effects and instruments you can buy from Propellerheads to customise your set-up. It's still early days but there are already fantastic options available. That takes care of the third party plug-ins problem.

This software can produce just about any style of music you care to wish for - not just the hip-hop, dubstep that it is well known for. It does look daunting, but as a 41 year old how is not a massive tech-head, I find it pretty logical and simple to use and get started with. If I had any wishes for further improvement they would be that it had a score edit function and a video importer.

I knew the product was ace. A Swedish musicprogramme cheaper through Amazon and UK than buying it in Sweden (where I live)...FANTASTIC programme especially if you make dancemusic or other electronic kind of music.
Although I have to say that I would rather have paid more to get recorded mail. The postman left my parcel worth hundreds of pounds outside my door. Well, Thats not the sellers fault or problem.

I regret purchasing this as it was almost immediately superceeded by Sibelius. If Amazon had known of the immenent launch of Sibelius I as purchaser of Reason should have been told. As it is I am left with a programme which has no commercial value.

I love Reason for the features it gives and this version (which offered a free update to 6.5) is excellent.

The only down side (and it is a BIG one for many people) for me is, as ever it was, the inability to use VST plug-ins.

Another inflexibility is the need for an always-on internet connection to get full use from the product. Propellerhead have made some effort to minimize the effects of this but many people do not like having their full use of a product they have purchased restricted when not connected to the internet or if the Propellerhead website goes down (Propellerhead, like most other companies, would say that we have purchased ONLY the right to USE the software and their view is that we never actually own it!).

Lots of people don't like the fact that extensions can be purchased (or free ones downloaded) from the Propellerhead store).

I'm sure that others will have other dislikes and wish lists but they, like me, still love Reason.

Bought for my husband who s a wanna be music producer. Has kept him amused for hours on end. He loves the product and fines it very easy to use.

Top bit of software,easy to use and logical interface ,ideal for all types of dance music, I had a tune up and running within half an hour.b