generix - 17 November 2009 09:03 AM

It kinda really is, I too thought at first that reason was just a toy, like the roland mc-303.

Reason is a fully programmable program. You can route and automate anything in it.

If you know synthesis, you can make any of Reason’s synths sound great…even Subtractor!

The MC303 is a 14 year old rompler with limited programming capabilities…huge difference.

I will say though that Reason didn’t start getting good until 3.5 release and got really good at 4.0.

I’m sure 5.0 will bring some really cool tools to kick it up a notch. Now with Record out the pair are a pretty lethal budget combo if you don’t want to drop thousands of dollars for a music studio. I always recommend Reason to people who want to learn production.

remember, fancier tools don’t necessarily make a better mechanic. It’s all how about how you learn to use the tools to their potential.

Did some reading into Reason.
No audio recording…
No vst/dxi/rtas support…
It’s completely unexpandable. You’re stuck with reason and reason only.

trismegistoz, you’d be better off dropping a bit more cash to buy something like Ableton Live.
The packaged onboard synths and fx are a great start.
And, when you’re ready, you can go out and purchase microphones, external synths, etc to “upgrade”.
You could even buy Reason at some point and rewire it into Live…

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 06:49 AM

Ott - 17 November 2009 05:00 AM

90% of my tunes are written in Reason.

Bollocks. 
Ain’t buyin’ that statement…

Come on! 90% of Ott music comes for reason? It’s a joke?

To only work with reason is okay i guess if you are a beginner, to learn the basis.
Then go with cubase or ableton , and you could use reason in those DAW.
The problem with reason is that your stuck with the vst from reason only.
After a while, you will wants to use other vst, or external hardware.

As for a soundcard, i used a firewire 1814, it worked okay until i bought some external effect processor, synthesizers and a mixer. The firewire then start to give me problem.
I just changes it with a fireface 400, and now everythin is back to normal. If you want to be serious, go right away with the fireface, its a TOP quality audiocard, in fact, you wouldnt even need a mixer anymore, its professional quality, but you pay 1000$ less then other brand top audio interface, and believe me, the soundcard does make a difference. Fireface is your choice

Good computer, good monitors, good audioface, UAD card (1000$ spent on some awesome compressor or filter), as for the vst, everybody agree that Komplete 6 from Native Instruments kicks serious ass, some Waves plug-in, Korg legacy collection, arturia stuff.

Look for tc electronic or eventide for good hardware effetc processor, but they are expensive, pro quality hardware

VA synthesizer:
Acess virus snow: isnt too expensive, and delivers A LOT. Classic
Waldorf blofeld: a beast for its price, as well as all the waldorf anyways
A nord clavia is always good.

Analog,: vintage or new? you’ll see that…
new: Moog voyager, polyevolver, Omega 8, prophe are all good choices for analog synthesizer.

as for the old synth, juno’s, korg ms-20, jupiter’s, THere’s are a LOT

I started out using fruity loops then switched to reason. never really got into a good composing flow until I got ableton though. everythings just so standardized and easy to navigate, and i’m a fan of most of their instruments (not so much tension)

would love to get my hands on NI komplete though but all I can afford is the kontakt player..thats free

murphythecat - 17 November 2009 12:18 PM

To only work with reason is okay i guess if you are a beginner, to learn the basis.
Then go with cubase or ableton , and you could use reason in those DAW.
The problem with reason is that your stuck with the vst from reason only.
After a while, you will wants to use other vst, or external hardware.

As for a soundcard, i used a firewire 1814, it worked okay until i bought some external effect processor, synthesizers and a mixer. The firewire then start to give me problem.
I just changes it with a fireface 400, and now everythin is back to normal. If you want to be serious, go right away with the fireface, its a TOP quality audiocard, in fact, you wouldnt even need a mixer anymore, plus its professional quality, but you pay aty least a 1000$ less, and believe me, the soundcard does make a difference.

Good computer, good monitors, good audioface, UAD card (1000$ spent on some awesome compressor or filter), as for the vst, everybody agree that Komplete from Native Instruments kicks serious ass, some Waves plug-in, Korg legacy collection, arturia stuff.

Look fo tc electronic or eventide for good hardware effetc processor.

VA synthesizer:
Acess virus snow: isnt too expensive, and delivers A LOT. Classic
Waldorf blofeld: a beast for its price, as well as all the waldorf anyways
A nord clavia is always good.

Analog,: vintage or new? you’ll see that…

you’re talking about thousands of dollars here…

if you’re going to begin with something you need best bang for your buck in case you don’t really like it.

How many beginning guitar players buy a $2000 Les Paul? nobody…they get the Fender Squier for $200.

Beginners setup:
Reason+Record or Ableton live($500) + the Yamaha HS50s ($400) + Presonus Firebox ($200)is the perfect beginners setup if you already have a decent computer.

if you don’t like production at least you will have some spiffy speakers to play music on.

and once again, Reason is NOT a newb program. Sorry if that upsets you but you obviously haven’t used it to know any better.

337music - 17 November 2009 12:29 PM

I started out using fruity loops then switched to reason. never really got into a good composing flow until I got ableton though. everythings just so standardized and easy to navigate, and i’m a fan of most of their instruments (not so much tension)

would love to get my hands on NI komplete though but all I can afford is the kontakt player..thats free

did you know Komplete 6 is only $500 new now?

I bought Komplete 5 + Kore 2 for $1000…right before the update came out. *sigh*

$500 is a pretty great price for what they’re giving you.

I know, just a line to follow IMO. For sure a couple of good plug-is (NI, Waves) and a computer, with cubase, and a good audio card is the most important, with that your good to go!

As fot the UAD card, its saves a lot of money. The compressor are AMAZING! while compressor external cost a fortune

yes Reason is not for newb, but you will be really restricted if you ONLY use Reason

trismegistoz, it’s also good to note that you don’t NEED an external soundcard when you first start.
Unless you plan on buying mics and recording live audio right from the begining…
(at which point, Reason would be completely irrelevant)
Your computer’s onboard audio will get the job done for now.

Start small, and upgrade as you go.
Make sure you love it before you invest large quantities of cash. 

OHHHHH, heres some awsome free plugins

TAL-bassline and TAL company really…
Sylenth 1
those 2 are REALLY good, and they are free, those two, i would pay for them actually.

some other freeware really good:
hahaha ds-01
Vicon
sh- 009
psybassyx01
Db_blue

Hell, if you want a GOOD FREE solution for the time being…

Snag a copy of Cuckos Reaper:
http://www.reaper.fm/
(it’s a “trial version” but there’s nothing preventing you from using it past that period,
just a snag screen saying “please purchase”, but it function like normal)*
Crystal VST:
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html
Kjaerhus Classic Series FX
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
and go to town!

*of course, if you use it and love it, you should purchase it.

edit: murphythecat, mentioned some great free plugins too.

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 12:56 PM

Hell, if you want a GOOD FREE solution for the time being…

Snag a copy of Cuckos Reaper:
http://www.reaper.fm/
(it’s a “trial version” but there’s nothing preventing you from using it past that period,
just a snag screen saying “please purchase”, but it function like normal)*
Crystal VST:
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html
Kjaerhus Classic Series FX
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
and go to town!

*of course, if you use it and love it, you should purchase it.

edit: murphythecat, mentioned some great free plugins too.

+1

murphythecat - 17 November 2009 12:41 PM

As fot the UAD card, its saves a lot of money. The compressor are AMAZING! while compressor external cost a fortune

how are the stock plugins that come with the card? i really want to get one of these…I think it’s a matter of time. But it is some decent coin to drop. I’d probably shoot for Duo at least, but would love a Quad.

murphythecat - 17 November 2009 12:41 PM

yes Reason is not for newb, but you will be really restricted if you ONLY use Reason

yes and no. Out of the gate, there is everything you need to get started and making full complete tracks. Synths, Samplers, Drum machines, FX, Compressors and even Mastering Plugs… This is plenty for any beginner or intermediate user. Even as a pro you can utilize only Reason to make full tracks and not hit any restrictions other than recording external stuff - Enter RECORD if you need that. If you hit a restriction in Reason its because you aren’t learning how to use the tool to its potential…which is damn near limitless. It’s only a matter of preference at that point..you either like its sound or you don’t. I can see why a lot of people don’t is because they don’t take the time to learn it or think its a ‘toy.’

Personally, I think Reason is most deadly rewired to another host like Ableton so you can use alternate VST plugins to get a blending of different sounds and fx to expand upon all the stuff Reason can do on it’s own.

just my 2cents. I’m just tired of people bashing programs like Reason as if its only for newbs (it’s great for them too!). I have plenty of nice hardware synths and fx to play with but when it comes to writing and workflow, Reason has been a winner for me. In fact most of my hardware has collected dust because of Reason…

psilogod - 17 November 2009 01:08 PM

In fact most of my hardware has collected dust because of Reason

That’s VERY sad to hear.

I’d kill for some nice hardware right now…
The computer just gets sooo…boring…some days…
*click click* click* click click*
I try to stay as far away from it as possibly, quite honestly…
Need to be near a microphone, or my Micron, or out recording SOMETHING interesting…

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 01:14 PM

psilogod - 17 November 2009 01:08 PM

In fact most of my hardware has collected dust because of Reason

That’s VERY sad to hear.

I’d kill for some nice hardware right now…
The computer just gets sooo…boring…some days…
*click click* click* click click*
I try to stay as far away from it as possibly, quite honestly…
Need to be near a microphone, or my Micron, or out recording SOMETHING interesting…

I know what you’re saying…it is fun to have knobs to tweak and such, but even with the knobs the editing is cumbersome, at least to me. Compared to virtual synth where you can see all parameters and settings when the patch changes…plus no midi cords and timing issues to deal with. I also have mostly rack stuff though which is tedious…I’m thinking of getting rid of all the rack stuff and getting a Dave Smith board or an Access Virus TI.

I think Access has the right idea with the Virus TI line but it’s so f’in expensive that I just can’t justify it at the moment. Possibly the Snow though…

I’m happy with what I have ATM and will always use what fits my workflow the best. Hardware is not really in that equation right now.