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Propellerhead Record Reason Duo
Swedish developers Propellerhead Software (or "The Props" as they are affectionately known by the Reason Community) released Reason version 1.0 in 2000. It was seen as pretty ground-breaking software at the time, featuring a virtual synthesizer rack that could be loaded with various devices which were then triggered from a built-in MIDI sequencer, or played live with a MIDI controller keyboard. Fast-forward 11 years and the software has matured nicely, adding more devices and addressing what some regarded as serious omissions in earlier versions. The biggest change is the release of Record, which introduces (amongst other things) audio recording into Reason. This is a huge addition, and pushes the package close to a full-blown DAW - but one that retains all the advantages of a closed system such as this. Yes, Reason is still a closed system - there is no VST support and no MIDI out, although it can be slaved to other programs using the Rewire technology. It is a completely different beast to Logic, Sonar, Reaper and the like but the reduced flexibility results in a program that is far more intuitive than more traditional DAWs. This means you can get your ideas down with a minimum of hassle, making Reason a very creative tool that is a joy to use. The product reviewed here is Record Reason Duo, which is both Reason and Record in one package. They are installed separately but integrate seamlessly in use; fire up Record and you see that all the Reason devices have automatically been made available. Copy protection is via a USB dongle, which means you can install Record and Reason on multiple computers - a nice touch as many producers like to work on the move. Using the software involves working in one of three screens - the rack, the sequencer and the mixer. Each of these screens is detachable which is great news if you use multiple monitors. The interface is very nicely presented across the board, and being able to re-label the devices in the rack and colourise tracks and clips in the sequencer makes it easy to keep on top of things. In addition, clips can be labelled. The package contains all the devices that Reason started with, plus a lot of others that have been added over the years and a few that are specific to Record. In total you get 3 mixers, 3 synths, 2 samplers, a sample playback device, a drum design module, a REX loop player, a drum machine, a step sequencer, an arpeggiator, a vocoder, an autotune/voice synth device, a mastering suite (comprising equaliser, compressor, stereo imager and maximiser) Line 6 guitar and bass amps and 10 other effect devices. Let's face it, if you can't make music with that lot then maybe you should think about doing something else with your life. In addition there is the Combinator - an incredibly useful device that allows multiple other devices to be combined, either for sound layering or for building complex effect units. Combinator set-ups can be saved as patches for quick recall in multiple songs. This adds a lovely pinch of modularity to Reason that makes it even more convenient to use. As you have probably guessed I am very impressed with the latest incarnation of Reason. It is a great combination of power and usability and represents great value, particularly when the Record Reason Duo is purchased. Link: http://www.tekcr.com/?p=28 Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Courtney Reece is a music and gaming enthusiast with a passion for all things tech! www.tekcr.com aims to provide fair and unbiased reviews on music technology hardware and software and gaming PC components. |
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