Synthesizers, samplers, drum machine, REX file loop player, professional mastering tools, mixer, vocoder, world class effects, pattern sequencer and more. As many of each as your computer can handle. Reason is an infinitely expandable all-in-one music production environment, complete with its own realtime sequencer.

Less fuss, more inspiration

For a Reason user, the journey from musical idea to full production is a short one. With an intuitive, self-expaining user interface and quick access to instruments and effects, Reason's learning curve is anything but steep. Reason is so direct you'll learn it in minutes. With Reason, picking up where you left off - be it last night or last month - is as simple as turning the power on. When you save your music, your whole studio setup is stored along with it. You can even include your samples, loops and drum kits in the Reason file, for easy web publishing or email collaboration with other Reason users. Total recall, total freedom.

And then there's the sound. The audio quality is everything you would expect from Propellerhead Software. But pristine sound quality is only half the story; the instruments and effects in Reason are loaded with character and attitude. Although easy to learn and a breeze to use, Reason is an extremely flexible music system - a system that can be just as complex and advanced as you make it. With sophisticated tools such as the MClass mastering suite, the mighty Combinator device, or the all-powerful Thor synth, Reason will not just impress, but inspire you.

• Thor - A multi-synthesis synthesizer with six oscillator types, four different filters, a step sequencer and a modulation matrix. Fully routable. Fully automatable. Fully everything.
• RPG-8 - A monophonic arpeggiator with multiple play modes, an insert function and a pattern section. And then some.
• Reason Sequencer - Your Reason rack just got bigger. All new Reason version 4 comes equipped with a brand new sequencer, a revolutionary groove tool, a stunning arpeggiator and a synth to end all synths. Welcome to Reason version 4 - the bigger rack.
• Regroove Mixer - A realtime, 32-channel timing and groove handling mixer. Applies non-destructive, freely editable grooves to Reason's sequencer tracks.

Control your controls

Each unit in Reason's virtual rack is edited from its own on-screen front panel. All the sliders, knobs, buttons and functions are right in front of you, ready to be tweaked, turned and twisted in absolute real-time. And all your front panel actions - filter adjustments, pitch bending, gain riding or panning - can be recorded and automated in the Reason sequencer.

Radical routing

A single keypress will turn Reason's rack around, and there you are, in patch cord heaven. Most audio connections are made automatically. When a new device is created, it appears immediately below the currently selected device, and Reason patches it into the system in the most logical way. Repatch by dragging the patch cord plug to the desired connector, or just make a pop-up menu choice. Most devices have one or more parameters controlled by Gate and/or CV. And all instrument devices have several Gate or CV output options. Combine this with easy, transparent patching, and you have connection power approaching that of a fully modular synth.

Need more gear?

No problem. Choose a synth, a drum machine, a loop player or any device from the Create menu, and it will instantly appear in your rack, logically patched into the signal chain. And because Reason is designed to go easy on your computer, you can repeat the process until you're more than happy. If you ever wished you had eleven samplers and ten compressors, Reason is definitely for you. And if you have created more machines than you have mixer channels, just create another mixer. The studio of your dreams is just a few mouse clicks away.

Use Reason the way you want to:

• As a self-contained synth studio system - Everything you need is there, including a fast and flexible sequencer with powerful, dedicated event editors for each type of device.
• As a sub-system synchronized to your audio sequencer - Process Reason's audio output with plug-in effects and mix it with your hard disk tracks. With Reason in ReWire mode, its instruments are automatically patched into the mixer in any other ReWire compatible application. Seamless integration.
• As a Workstation synth - Easily load up complex performance patches - instruments pre-routed through effects - in one single click. Perfect for live gigs and performances.

System requirements

• Windows:
  • Windows XP or Vista
  • Processor: Intel P4 / AMD Athlon XP or better
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended
  • Screen resolution: 1024x768
  • 2 GB free hard disk space
  • DVD reader
  • 16-bit windows compatible audio card, preferably with DirectX or ASIO drivers
  • Recommended: MIDI keyboard with built-in MIDI interface, or MIDI keyboard and MIDI interface
• Mac OS:
  • Mac OS X 10.4
  • Processor: G4 1GHz and up or Intel Mac
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended
  • Screen resolution: 1024x768
  • 2 GB free hard disk space
  • DVD reader
  • Recommended: MIDI keyboard with built-in MIDI interface, or MIDI keyboard and MIDI interface

• Danny Elfman (The Simpsons theme) Discusses Scoring Terminator Salvation with Omnisphere!

  With the fourth installment of the sci-fi series Terminator, composer Danny Elfman weighs in with a gripping film score that features Spectrasonics’ Omnisphere virtual instrument on many of the music cues – Elfman often used two Omnispheres for up to sixteen possible sounds at once.

• Video Games: The top music talents plus how to make Chiptunes with Propellerheads Reason

  The next generation of bigscreen composers may just emerge from the videogame field.

• Turn your laptop into a multi instument keyboard and vocal-processing powerhouse

  Regardless of what instrument you play or what software you use to record and compose, it’s never been easier to access massive libraries of synth and sample sounds, guitar and bass amp emulations, vintage-derived effects and so on

• Music Recording Software - Sequencers, 5 of the Best

  With so many different Sequencers available now we take a took at 5 of the best on the market.

• Teaching Music with Reason

  Download it now - free!

• Artist Profile: Zac Baird

  Zac Baird is the touring keyboard player with the band Korn. Currently on a massive worldwide tour, he is playing his Reason rack in front of huge crowds every night. We caught up with him at the Hultsfred festival in Sweden to talk about how he is using Reason on stage, on the tour bus and in the Studio.

• Reason 4 - Now Available

  Reason 4 is now available, here are the key new features and old favourites we can all now enjoy...