Reason 11 is available now and is not only a DAW but also a plugin with constantly growing content with huge sound design possibilities for every DAW.
The DAW game is simple: normally you work in a digital audio workstation like Ableton, Cubase, Logic Pro, Reason… The latter started to be different from an early age, not just because of its modular approach and engine. With Rewire, Reason Studios has already had a technology at the start with which you can use Reason in other DAWs. Often as an instrument. With Reason 11 now, the developers go on and probably make the biggest step for their baby.
R11 remains on one side a classic DAW with which you can continue to produce music as usual. Nothing mindblowing new. On the other hand, Reason 11 is now also a plugin (currently only VST3 later AU) that can be used in other DAWs. Now it’s getting exciting. So Reason 11 does not just have to been seen as a “DAW”, but also as a sound design monster that grows in content almost weekly.
Not Just A DAW But Also A Modular Sound Design Toolbox
Reason plugin is probably the best development the company released in recent years, to be honest. With this, the user gets an insane sound design toolbox with instruments, effects… for any DAW. Instruments like Thor, NN-XT Advanced Sampler, Subtractor, Grain, Malström… can now be used in any DAW. Many users have dreamed of this. These instruments can even be refined with their own Reason effects. Plus it is also possible to build multi-layer instruments with Combinator and use them in any workstation.
That was not all. Rack Extensions are experiencing a second spring, as they are now reviving in the Reason plugin in Ableton, Cubase …The developers of these will be very happy because now R11 can act as a host and RE run in other DAWs. R11 is much more than another DAW, it is a modular soundbox.
The Adventure Starts At 79€
Anyone who thinks it will be an expensive experience is wrong. Reason 11 starts with 79 € in the intro version, which already includes the new plugin version with many instruments, effects and more. It features 4 synthesizers (Europa, Thor, Montone & Subtractor), 3 drum-oriented plugins (Kong Drum Designer, Rytmik, Redrum), 3 samplers/loopers (Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player, NN19 Sampler & NN-XT Advanced Sampler) and ID-8 instrument device.
Further, it includes several high-quality effects like the Audiomatic Retro Transformer or Scream 4 Distortion and several MIDI & utility add-ons (dual arpeggio, scales & chords, combinator…) So you get a lot for 79€. If you want more, you can opt for the full version or the new Suite version, which have even more content. Remember, it’s still a DAW.
In addition to the new plugin Reason 11 has also gotten a lot of new content
New Reason 11 Devices
- Quartet Chorus Ensemble: Spice up your sound with four flavors of chorus and ensemble effects. From classic vintage chorus to the unique sound of granular ensemble.
- Sweeper Modulation Effect: Add more color with this high quality, multi-talented phaser, flanger, and filter unit with expansive dynamic modulation options.
- Master Bus Compressor: Reason’s trusted ready-for-radio bus compressor can now be applied anywhere in the rack.
- Channel Dynamics: Use the subtle compressor, expander, and gate from Reason’s studio-grade mixer anywhere in your signal chain
- Channel EQ: The legendary modeled EQ unit featured in countless platinum recordings is now its own rack device.
- Scenic Hybrid Instrument: A cinematic dream machine of atmospheric sounds, textures and powerful performance controls.
It is a big step for the Swedish DAW. I like the idea very well. Especially because it opens up so radically for other workstation now, which was not the case in the past. Reason has always been a proprietary ecosystem that has always worked differently from traditional DAWs. The introduction of the Rack Extensions was just one example.
Reason 11 is available now in three versions:
- Reason 11 Intro: 79€ / $99 USD
- Reason 11: 349€ / $399 USD
- Reason 11 Suite: 549€/$599 USD
Scenic Hybrid Instrument is included in Reason Suite and will also be sold separately for 99 USD / EUR on September 25. The AU version is coming before end of the year.
More information here: Reason Studios
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