Reason is a digital audio workstation for creating and editing music and audio developed by Swedish software developers Propellerhead Software.[1] It emulates a rack of hardware synthesizers, samplers, signal processors, sequencers, and mixers, all of which can be freely interconnected in an arbitrary manner. Reason can be used either as a complete virtual music studio or as a set of virtual instruments to be used with other sequencing software in a fashion that mimics live performance.
Reason 7 on OS X | |
Developer(s) | Propellerhead Software |
---|---|
Stable release | |
Written in | C++, Objective-C (Mac), Lua |
Operating system | macOS, Windows |
Type | Digital audio workstation |
License | Proprietary |
Website | www.propellerheads.com/reason |
Reason 1.0 was released in 2001. The program's design mimics a studio rack into which users can insert virtual devices such as instruments, effects processors, and mixers. These modules can be controlled from Reason's built-in MIDI sequencer or from other sequencing applications such as Pro Tools, Logic, FL Studio, REAPER, Digital Performer, Cubase, Sonar, and GarageBand via Propellerhead's ReWire protocol in the 32-bit versions of these programs. Since the release of version 6 Reason supports ReWire with 64-bit hosts.
As of version 7.0.1, devices available include:
Sounds from these devices can be routed via either of two mixing devices or simple merging and splitting utilities. Effects include distortion, reverb, chorus, a vocoder, and mastering effects. The Combinator device, introduced in Reason 3.0, allows users to combine multiple modules into one. Another device connects Reason to Propellerhead's (now discontinued) ReBirth RB-338.
Reason's interface includes a Toggle Rack command, which turns the 'rack' around to display the devices from the rear. Here the user can route virtual audio and CV cables from one piece of equipment to another. This cable layout enables the creation of complex effects chains and allows devices to modulate one another. This offers flexibility in the way that is familiar to users of physical electronic music hardware. For example, Redrum's main outputs could be connected to a single channel of the mixing desk, or instead each of its drum sounds could be routed to a separate EQ before sending them to separate channels in the mixer, or rather than audio output the channels of the ReDrum could be used to trigger the gates of an Alligator via CV. The user can always choose where to draw the line between simplicity and precision, allowing the software to remain useful at various levels of knowledge on the user's part.
Reason 6 introduced audio recording (by incorporating Record), turning it into a digital audio workstation.[citation needed] However, it did not support third-party plug-ins, being one of the few software sequencers to lack VST support. Reason 6.5 introduced rack extensions, which are rack instruments and signal processors that may be developed by third parties. In Reason version 9.5, Propellerheads added the long-desired VST support.
A stripped-down version of Reason known as Reason Adapted, which restricts the user to a limited number of devices, is packaged as bonus software with other audio software such as Pro Tools LE and ReCycle.
Version 2.0 added MIDI capability to control the software with external MIDI devices. It added two new sound devices, the Malström Graintable Synthesizer and NN-XT Advanced Sampler. Also included was the 540MB Orkester Sound Library which added Orchestral-based sounds primarily designed for use with the NN-XT.
Released in 2003, Version 2.5 added new effects devices such as the RV7000 Advanced Reverb, BV512 Digital Vocoder, and Scream 4 Sound Destruction Unit. Three smaller devices, the UN16 Unison, and Spider Audio router and Spider CV router added to the 1/2 rack-sized units.
Released in 2005, version 3 added the MClass Mastering Suite which included a four-band parametric & shelving EQ, stereo processor, compressor and maximizer modules. It also added the Combinator, a special device that allowed users to build chains of other Reason devices inside of it to create a more complex instrument that was easier to control and manage.
Released in 2007, version 4 introduced the Thor polysonic modular synth; a device that had discreet sound generating and processing modules that can be swapped out with various types of oscillators and filter combinations. It also released the RPG8 Monophonic Arpeggiator that breaks up chords into various note-triggering patterns. Finally the ReGroove mixer was introduced, a device that added shuffle controls and more human-qualities to sequenced patterns. Also Reason's linear sequencer was improved.
Reason 5 was released on 25 August 2010. For the first time, Reason can directly sample audio[9] with any of its sample-playing instruments such as the Redrum, the NN-19, the NN-XT, and the Kong Drum Designer.
Signature Patches created by well known Reason users have been added, including patches made by Two Lone Swordsmen, Vengeance, and Richard Barbieri.[citation needed]
Finally, a new pattern editing tool called 'Blocks'[12] has been created for easier song arrangement and mixing.
Reason 6 was released on September 30, 2011.[13] It integrates all of the features found in Record 1.5 – such as the ability to record live sound, the mixing desk modeled on the SSL 9000k, and the Neptune pitch corrector – into its setup. The Record name has been phased out altogether.
As well as bringing all of Record's features into the Reason rack, Reason 6 is 64-bit and features three new effects units, as also audio transposing direct on the sequencer, and improved tuning and stretching algorithms:
Reason 6 also requires a USB software protection dongle called the 'Ignition Key' to prevent unauthorized use of the software. Without the dongle, Reason 6 will not open saved files, nor will it dump audio to a sound file, but is otherwise fully functional. If the key is lost, or chosen not to be used, a user must log onto Propellerhead's server for internet verification, requiring the host computer to have an internet connection.
On March 20, 2012, Propellerhead announced the planned release for Reason 6.5 in 2012 Q2 to coincide with the release of Rack Extensions (which allow the use of 3rd party designed instruments and effect modules inside of Reason).[14]
Along with Rack Extensions developed by various third parties, Propellerhead offered three optional devices at launch:
Reason 6 and 6.5 include the features of Record and are now able to record external audio. Reason project file sizes that include audio record takes tend to be larger than for previous versions since there is currently no way to save Reason projects with the record takes as external (non-embedded) audio.
Reason 7 was released on April 30, 2013.[18] New features include a MIDI Output Rack Device, audio quantize, loop slicing with export to Dr. Octo REX, native mix bus routing, and a spectrum EQ.
Propellerhead-developed rack extensions that were released during version 7 include:
Reason 7 no longer requires the use of the Ignition Key USB dongle to fully function, instead, one computer can be licensed to use the software on installation. If a license holder wishes to use the software on other computers, they can purchase an Ignition Key separately for that purpose, or verify their license over the internet.
Reason 8 was released September 30, 2014. This version's newest feature is the improved file browser that accompanies, or optionally fully replaces the rack window. Users can easily audition sound files, loops and instruments patches in the browser then drag the files from the browser right to the rack window or the sequencer allowing improved and faster workflow. This version also comes with two free rack extensions; the Softube Amp, a guitar amplifier emulator and Softube Bass Amp, a bass guitar amplifier emulator designed by the veteran Rack Extension developer Softube. Both rack extensions are also available separately for Reason 6.5 and 7 and do not require the version 8 upgrade. In 2016, the Softube amps are set to fully replace the depreciated Line 6 amplifier rack units that were originally introduced in Propellerhead's Record software and later versions of Reason.
Propellerhead-developed rack extensions that were released during version 8 include:
A later update for Reason 8 also included an improved version of the RV7000 reverb unit. The renamed RV7000 Mk. II was designated an 'Advanced Convolution Reverb' and features a convolution reverb effect section that uses audio sample-based impulse-responses to emulate the reverberation of a physical or virtual space.
Reason 9 was released on June 21, 2016. The main feature of this version is the addition of a new class of rack devices called 'Players' that are listed in the device browser along with the existing instruments, effects and utility devices. Players added to the rack can only be attached to instrument devices and 'sit' between the instrument and the MIDI input whether it be from a keyboard, Reason's sequencer or other rack device. Players can also be combined together.
Reason 9 ships with three player devices:
Reason 9 adds also an improved monophonic Pitch Editor, designed for vocal and other melodic sources, with similar functionalities to other Pitch editor Software.
Reason 9 also has improved workflow and sequencer features such as bounce Audio-to-MIDI, (which creates a MIDI pattern based on detecting the notes played in a prerecorded piece of music), MIDI-to-Audio, (which allows a quick rendering of an instrument's selected MIDI pattern directly to an audio track), the capability to reverse MIDI patterns, and for the first time the ability to set window themes. It also ships with a new library of over 1000 sound patches. Propellerhead's Audiomatic and Pulsar rack extensions that were once available separately are included as native effects units in Reason 9.
Rack Extensions developed during Reason 9 include:
Propellerhead released Reason 9.1 with Ableton Link support.
Propellerhead released Reason 9.2 which added new SDK tools for rack extensions developers to improve the functionality of their rack extensions and add new features that were unavailable in previous versions of Reason. A new feature in particular allows rack extensions to load audio samples in a variety of formats. Various developers have released entirely new and/or updated versions of their previous devices to take advantage of these new features such as allowing users of their sample-based synths to create and modify their own custom audio wavetables. Unfortunately, version 9.2 updated extensions will not work in older versions of Reason.
On April 28, 2017 Propellerhead announced plans to support VST plugins in Reason 9.5. It was released May 29, 2017 with VST support.
The release of Reason 10 was announced on September 22, 2017 and was released on October 25, 2017. It was advertised as Reason's 'biggest upgrade' ever and features five new devices as well as a new multi-gigabyte library of sounds and device patches. New devices in Reason 10 include:
Reason 10 also includes a collection of three new sample-based 'organic instrument' devices. Each device has a filter and tone controls along with built-in reverb and delay effects.
The Radical Piano and Synchronous rack extensions, once sold separately, are included as standard devices.
Rack Extensions developed by Propellerhead during Reason 10 include:
The Reason 10.1 update was released May 8, 2018 and included new features to the SDK (System Development Kit) that allow Rack Extension developers to create new Player devices introduced in Reason version 9. Prior to this, the only Player devices available were those developed by Propellerhead themselves. The update also included a new Player device by Propellerhead as well as an update to the Europa synth that allows audio samples to be used as wavetables.
Rack Extensions developed by Propellerhead during Reason 10.1 include:
Reason also features numerous simple effect devices.
ReFills compress samples, loops and instrument patches into single files for simple sharing between users, and for selling commercial sample and patch libraries.
Propellerhead Software has released the following ReFills for Reason:
Graintable synthesis is neither granular nor wavetable synthesis but a combination of the best of both methods. ... The basis of a Graintable is a sampled sound, which has been pre-processed ... the result is a perfect set of periodic waveforms that, ... can be manipulated in a variety of ways. The Graintable can be treated as a wavetable: ...
Wavetable oscillator / Wave table synthesis produces a characteristic sound that is rich and crisp. Features 32 selectable wavetables with variable position and x-fade.
The NN-XT device, like its counterpart, Thor, maybe the most advanced…sampler built to date.…It allows multi-sample patches with velocity switching available for nearly…every velocity that MIDI transmits.…The synthesizer engine can be individualized for every single sample in the patch.…While this is an absolutely insane amount of power and control over the…sound recordings, Reason makes it easy to program with tools like Grouping…and Multi-Selection.…
Additional features include Velocity Fade In and Fade Out to smoothly transition…between velocity layers, and External Control Mapping right in the patch to allow…faders in your controller to alter the patch in meaningful ways.…To showcase NN-XT, I'll unfold the Parameter section so we can see more…of what's going on.…Also, instead of browsing the Factory sound bank, I want to browse the included…Orkester sound bank and grab some Strings.…Let's choose Violins and long violins.…
(music playing)…We'll choose a cello section next.…(music playing)…Since we're in the Orkester sound bank, let's check out some percussion.…