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Propellerhead Software Reason 4 £299
Reason is still one of the most fun and inspirational pieces of music software on the market.
The MusicRadar Team, Mon 26 Nov 2007, 3:18 pm UTC
Other improvements
The arrangement screen has been totally redesigned, allowing for clearer and more controlled editing and arrangement. Each device in the rack now only ever links to one track, each of which has multiple lanes.
Accompanying these changes is the new floating Tool Window, which combines all of the complicated editing options and other functions (like transpose) that used to clutter up the main interface or be hidden in menus.
Considering the sequencing section was previously the most criticised aspect of Reason, it's good that Propellerhead conceded that there was room for improvement and set about making amends. While it has improved, some small niggles persist. Strict Reason users will appreciate the update, but if you tended to arrange your Reason ideas in another sequencer before, we suspect that won't change.
Some other highlights include true multilingual support, a pre-count function, an updated Factory Sound Bank and a higher sequencer resolution rate, all of which are extremely welcome.
A step forward
Reason 4 is an evolution rather than a revolution. Everything that was great in version 3 is now just as good or better, and the new features take it up a notch in terms of power and potential. Crucially, all of this has not affected the stability one jot.
But for a few ongoing omissions and idiosyncrasies - such as the lack of any audio recording tools - this would be a no-brainer for top marks. Nevertheless, Reason is still one of the most fun and inspirational pieces of music software on the market.
Verdict
Reason is a modern classic for electronic music production, and v4 is a truly essential update. Just a few hangovers from previous versions prevent it from scoring top marks.
MusicRadar rating:
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User comments (7)
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GASP!!!! CAN YOU SEE MY BONER?
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Reason is Magic. I've had it since it was shown to me in a studio in 2001 and I've never looked back. since. With each update and new release,you can trust, with blind faith, that its going to be great, and v4 is no different. I have v4 on my laptop so I am getting to grips with the new features while i'm out and about.
But I am still using v3 in the studio, as I know it like the back of my hand. I know of no other music app that I have managed to keep an old version running along side a new one. As for Audio recording, surely people can rewire there fav sequencer with reason.
Reason is a production & arranging studio. And its rock steady as it is.
Reason+Rewire=Remedy -
I've loved Reason since version 1 and version 4 is too much damn fun. Thor, Regroove, and the updated sequencer are fantastic. My only gripe is the lack of audio recording tools. Otherwise close near perfect.
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Reason makes you work hard at creating sounds you discover how sounds are made, which means yoyu have a better chance of creating somthing original. it can do everything other apps do, but is does it in a modular way. as for pre recorded audio you need to master dr Rex and get yourself recycle. plus it`stability is second to none. i`m a seasoned REASONER i`ve been using it since day one proppellerheads have got it right .i like their philosophy .
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Its a great software!
One minus - no midi out. -
I think this company needs to decide if they're making their software to meet their expectations, or the expectations of their users. The few items in the "con" section are long overdue and, I personally just couldn't take them seriously if they aren't rectified. Reason has the potential to be the "killer app", but for some reason the propellerheads keep it's wings clipped.
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Reason rocks as it is!
No need to mess up a perfect app with audio tracks!
ReWire was invented by them, no ?
I really like what they've done thus far
Let it Be !
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MusicRadar rating
Pros
Thor, RPG-8 and ReGroove are fantastic additions. Remains fun, inspirational and totally rock solid. The sequencer has been improved.
Cons
Sequencer still isn't perfect. Desperately needs audio track support. Needs modifiable key commands. Period. Interface still a bit unwieldy
Verdict
Reason is a modern classic for electronic music production, and v4 is a truly essential update. Just a few hangovers from previous versions prevent it from scoring top marks.
Review Policy
All MusicRadar's reviews are by independent product specialists, who are not aligned to any gear manufacturer or retailer. Our experts also write for renowned magazines such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm. All are part of Future PLC, the biggest publisher of music making magazines in the world.
User rating
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Specification
Reason 4
- Price:
- £299
- OS Requirements:
- Apple Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Microsoft Windows XP or later
- Platform:
- MacOS/Windows
- Processor Type Required:
- Athlon, Pentium 4, Power Mac G4 or higher
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KAYSODOG
Sun 3 Aug 2008, 1:19 am UTC
User rating 5 of 5