Sonic State Studio / Virtual/Soft synths / PROPELLERHEADS Reason

I'd more be comparing this to Orion and Storm and other such all in one programs ( If there are others)

I'm personally vwery impressed with the interface, sequencers, variety of modules and ability to get it all going in one package (very impressed). I'm not so impressed with the onboard sounds, and the kind of dull quality of some of the sounds. But really when it come to that, there's nothing that couldn't be made near perfect with some multitracking (into logic, sonar, cubase, magix, or any other HD recorder with good parametric EQ's and effects) and some eqalisation and addition of some extra plugins.

Also, being able to load your own sounds into the samplers and drum machins is a blessing, and i'm really glad they added this ability to the Drum machine.

First of all, there really is no competition, not because its 100% god-sent, but because if you like fruity loops, or orion, that your preference. But as far as user support, customer support and quality Reason far outweighs both orion and fruityloops.

One god thing about the P.heads, they always move forward in updating and trying to meet the needs of the users, if its something that alot of users want (ie. midi out) hopefuly they will do it. They did already by giving us a new sampler, synth, detachable sequencer, and are now woorking on akai sample support.

So as far as sounds go, there is no end, as long as you go the space on your computer, load it up, use all you want. And there are many people making refills of synths people love, waldorf, novation, access, etc.

The new maelstrom synth, rules, i have a waldorf microwave 1, and a waldorf q, and this new synth is a wavetable granular synth. It can be warm, mellow, and super aggressive. This is the synth that will help you do experimental, ambient, industrial, idm. Whatever. The new sampler, is amazing, its kinda akai like, dual zones, each sample can have its own settings, unlike the nn-19 sampler could, and now you can throw samples backwards, really cool for some trip-hop atmospheres. 16 outs for effects, and soundfonts, which you can find plentiful on the net.

Also the redrum, and nn-xt can load recycle files, the nn-xt will split them accross the keyboard, but the redrum will go into the recycle file and let you snag individual hits.

With the ability to get all the sounds you want from refills, soundfonts, the net, other users, sample cd's, and soon akai support. a very intuitive interface, flip the rack over, mmm cords. and also a new synth that is unlike anything hardware, reason is really becoming a tool that makes me think maybe ive spent too much into hardware.

And if reason isnt enough for you, rewire up cubase sx, and add the ppg and pro53 plugin. And some absynth. Now can you ask for anything more is a computer setup?

yep, and im sure the P.heads will be working on it. Like rebirth 3 soon.

nathan