Reason Studios Reason 12

General

Just like the previous editions, Reason 12 essentially kits you out with two fat and delicious packages. The first is a considerable mountain of virtual instruments and effects neatly laid out in the form of a virtual 19 inch rack where, using virtual patch cables, the signals of your virtual rack modules can be linked to satisfying effect, and - since Reason are team players - your custom rack can be used as a plug-in for any other DAW that supports it - even if it's not a Reason title. The second is your copy of the 12th edition of the Reason DAW; a standalone sequencer that can be used to build and write tracks from scratch. While the sequencer is definitely extensive, clear, complete, easy to use, and nothing to be sniffed at, it's clear that the focus here is that potent virtual rack.

What's New with Reason 12?

Anyone familiar with earlier versions of Reason will immediately notice that this edition benefits from a few renovations as well as a fresh lick of paint. The windows can now be scaled while the rack has been hewn in hi-definition, high-resolution graphics - which is more than welcome these days. A new sampler appropriately dubbed Mimic has been included, complete with pitch-shifting, time-stretching, and synthesis parameters: a full creative stack in other words. The Combinator has also been given an in-depth make-over and can be... made-over in your own image to complete a fully customised layout that suits your workflow. It also now accommodates Combinator sets - so, combinations of combinations. Feeling a bit dizzy? Not to worry, Reason's in-house browser has also been improved so you can navigate the dark and complex forest of media in comfort. Basically, in the scary and confusing world of music software, a little reason is always welcome, and with Reason 12, you're getting the most reason there has ever been! More options than ever and more potential than ever!