Reason (Software)
Reason is a music software the Swedish company Propellerhead, which is on the market since 2000 and now present in version 7.
History
It started with the Swedish company Propellerhead in 1997 with the program ReBirth RB -338, a virtual rebirth of the TB -303, TR -909 and TR -808 Roland. Three years earlier the company had already brought the ReCycle loop editor on the market, then still under the care of Steinberg.
Actually, yes ReBirth should be a complete virtual studio. According to Ernst Nathorst - Böös, one of the three founding fathers of Propellerhead, the computer power at that time was simply not enough. In addition, the company was at the time actually only three people. It took another three years before the first version of Reason hit the market.
In 2002 the program was awarded at the Frankfurt Musikmesse with the MIPA award for best software instrument.
The predecessor ReBirth is now available as freeware (see links).
Concept and construction
The software is designed as a virtual studio rack with integrated sequencer and mixer up and running in the current version 7 from Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.7 up to a sampling frequency of 96 kHz and 24 bit. Since version 6 Reason is merged with the previously separate program record. Since then, Reason can be used for audio recordings.
Reason included with Subtractor, Thor Malström and three synthesizer, sampler two ( NN19 and NN -XT ), a loop player ( Dr Rex ) and with Redrum drum machine as a tone generator. Sound generators and effects can be linked and stored in the Combinator to new devices. In Reason 5, the tone generator Kong have been extended. This Drum Sound Specialist consists of 16 pads and various sound generation modules and effects for this. The loop player Dr. Rex has been also replaced by Dr. Octo Rex. The new Live Sampling function allows all four sampling -capable sound generators ( NN19, NN- XT, Redrum and Kong ) and to use direct sound.
Samplers and drum machines can be used with any samples. In addition, simultaneous audio tracks of the previous generation product, let ReBirth ( Windows only ) and prepared by the predecessor product ReCycle and use it in a special data format loops present within Reason. The selection of effects devices ranging from simple delays, a high-quality reverb unit to a Loudness Maximizer, so that almost the entire production chain is covered.
The rack can be with each other as many device instances produce. These devices are connected on the back of the rack by virtual cables. There are two categories of connections: Audio and CV (Control Voltage). The Voltage Control is a control voltage and is used to transmit control signals to the synthesizer ( note, controller values ) or selected effect devices, as was already the case with the first of Robert Moog synthesizers.
Connection to the outside world provides the Reason hardware interface that supports up to 64 audio and MIDI channels. The software can be synchronized via MIDI clock to external equipment. Within a computer can be transmitted synchronously via ReWire MIDI and audio data to another software.
Sound format ReFill
Reason uses the in-house sound format ReFill. The WAVE / AIFF files are compressed very small, while still making no sound quality is lost. Furthermore, all the required data can be packed into a file that can be shared with other Reason users - so song projects can be more easily exchanged and processed.
An exotic: the Graintable synthesis
The built- in synthesizer Reason Malström Developer Magnus Lidstrom uses a quite unusual shape synthesis: the Graintable synthesis. It is based on a combination of the popular wavetable synthesis, which has been used for example in the Waldorf PPG and granular synthesis.
In a wavetable different waveforms are created in a table as samples, for example sine, sawtooth, square, or even very unusual vibrations. These are looped and then played forward or backward at different speeds. The wavetable forms as it were the oscillator of the synthesizer, with that of a real oscillator, the vibrations are actually generated only and are not available as samples.
Also as part of the Graintable synthesis form of sampled waveforms, the basis for the sound. The main difference for wavetable synthesis lies in the fact that even a single sampled vibration into many small sections called " Grains " is broken. In addition, several loops are set in a vibration and repeated as often. This provides a very flexible sound production. Pitch and playback speed are unabgängig each other. Can also see the individual grains in a table as in the wavetable synthesis are created, which then " pass through " at various speeds, directions and pitches are.
Rack Extensions
With version 6.5, the proprietary plugin interface Rack Extensions ( RE) was introduced. This made it possible for third parties to develop their own extensions for Reason and sell. The distribution of REs is done only through the website of Propellerhead Software. However, these are tested by Propellerhead before publication. In addition, Propellerheads software promises the compatibility of the rack extensions on all future versions of Reason and the supported operating systems.
Was initially advertised with popular brands like Korg or GForce software, the new format was captured very quickly from ambitious users who developed numerous utilities within a few months, which have been enthusiastically received by the Reason users most. Meanwhile, other well-known providers like U -he, Rob Papen, Softube or Synapse Audio have dedicated the new format with partially developed exclusive plugins - and vice versa professional products were some of the original " ambitious users " now thoroughly presented.
Despite all the RE format has its limitations: it is bound to the Reason rack own analogy, ie a RE must be virtual in 's 19 " rack fit In addition, the design possibilities are still very limited and essentially limited to knobs, switches and simple display design freedom such as in the VST interface does not exist to date the other hand, offer REs -. .. Reason is now time a rack - and a back ( with all cabling options ).
MIDI Out
Reason has long been an ' all-in - one heads solution, ie the entire production was done in Reason. After the manufacturer Propellerhead over the years and later plugins ( albeit in its own format ) enabled software first audio recording and editing, so the last option was introduced with Reason 7, which was for years requires users: MIDI out, ie the control of external MIDI devices via Reason.
Benefits of Reason
The main advantage of Reason is in the all-in -one concept of the software. Professional Effects and virtual instruments are included, work smoothly with each other and need not be added until purchased. The modular structure of the program is ideal for experimentation.
The software is also known for its stability, regardless of the operating system used. Many professional musicians they therefore use live on stage.
By virtually replica of a Studio Racks particularly the users find their way around quickly, who previously worked only with hardware. But even newcomers is likely to develop rapidly the concept. Almost all functions can be accessed via a button or knob directly on the user interface, which allows intuitive operation.
The supplied samples, loops and device presets in the two sound banks are numerous and technically and musically high level, so you can immediately start with the song writing.
Reason can be coupled via the ReWire function of audio sequencers like Cubase, Apple Logic, Ableton Live, FL Studio or Renoise.
Disadvantages
The internal resolution is indeed stated with 32 bit, most of the parameters, however, offer only the MIDI grid with up to 128 gradations. Especially for automation of volume or filter gradients finer distinctions would be useful.
Getting used to is the fact that the values of the parameters often have no specific designation, but generally have a range of values from 0 to 127. Important tools such as the compressor have only since version 3.0, a gain knob of dB.
Export formats for audio WAVE and AIFF only available.
Alternatives
Various manufacturers such as Image Line (FL Studio), Arturia ( Storm 3 ), or Synapse Audio ( Orion ) also offer virtual studios, some of which have also audio recording and plug-in support.
It is possible, of course, the combination of any sequencer like Cubase, Apple Logic or Digidesign Pro Tools with the purchase of virtual instruments and effects units; however, this is considerably more expensive than Reason.
Another alternative to Reason 's sequencer Ableton Live, which is also modular linkable together effects and sound generator brings, but also plug-ins from other providers in VST and AU format supports as well as the recording and playback of audio tracks tempo independent.