Reason 13.1

Overview

Propellerhead Reason 6.0.1 is a powerful music production software/virtual music workstation that provides all of the instruments, tools, and resources needed to elevate your skills to the next level. With a massive library of sounds, and an intuitive user interface, Reason provides an ideal venue through which to express your musical creativity.

Installation

With a file size of more than 3GB, simply downloading the software can take up to several hours, depending on your connection speed. Fortunately, the installation process is straight forward, and most modern computers can handle the minimum system requirements, which include 1 GB RAM and Windows XP SP3 or above.

Interface

The Reason 6.0.1 interface can be somewhat overwhelming to a novice user, as there are so many modules, instruments and tools to become acquainted with. However, after watching a few tutorial videos and doing a bit of experimenting, most users are able to make basic music using the software in less than hour.

Pros

• Includes a seemingly endless sound bank of instruments that can be expanded even further using plugins and generators

• Authentic music workstation interfaces provide lifelike mixing tools complete with knobs, buttons, faders, and flashing lights

• Create custom instruments/mixer racks that emit fully adjustable custom sounds

• Instrument racks can be flipped over to reveal connectors that let you manually route any sound to any channel/mixer preset in the same fashion as a real mixing rack

• Remote Technology ensures integrated support for all of the major keyboards and MIDI controllers available on the market today

• ReWire feature lets you integrate other music production software products (such as Fruity Loops Studio, ProTools, Logic, or Cubase) within the reason interface

• Step Sequencer provides simplified pattern-based graph that can be used to quickly create complex rhythms, melodies, and drum patterns

• Thor polysonic synthesizer provides six oscillator types that can be ran through four powerful filters, combining the accumulated synthesizer technology of the past four decades in a single interface

• Neptune voice synth and pitch adjuster module allows for easy audio transposing, voice synthesizing, and pitch adjustments

• Digital drum pads provide hundreds of percussion sounds in centralized modules

• Tweak the mood and feeling of every sound and note with filters like Echo Delay, RV700 Reverb, Alligator Filtered Gate, Scream 4 Distortion, and Line 6 Amps,

Cons

• An extensive number of settings, instruments, tools, and sound synthesizers make this software more ideal for determined, advanced users, and less useful for the average aspiring musician.

• May require some intense studying to master, but that is to be expected with tools aimed at advanced users.

Alternatives

There are a number of music production software that could be considered alternatives to Propellerhead Reason 6.0.1, including Orion, Fruity Loops Studio, and Music Creator 6. Although each of these programs differ in their functionality and features, it is important to note that the quality/performance of each software can only be judged subjectively by each individual user, as they are simply workstations to help you express your own creativity. An advanced user is more likely to enjoy using Reason 6.0.1, while a less experienced producer may prefer a software like Fruity Loops Studio, depending on their own preferences and style of production.

Conclusion

If you're ready to graduate to the next stage in your musical career or hobby, Reason 6.0.1 can give you everything needed to do so, as long as you have the willingness and diligence to learn how to use it to its full potential.