With any major left-of-the-decimal update, not to mention to nice round number like 10, you’d expect the news to be big. Reason 10 is here, and you’d be correct. Over the past few years its has gone from it’s own self-contained music production system that the Propellerhead folks were eager to remind you “is not a DAW” to something that performs all the functions of a DAW, such as multi-track audio recording and (as of the recent 9.5 update) VST plug-in support. However, what’s kept its loyalists, well, loyal is that it has retained its streamlined approach as its appearance of a virtual studio rack. Plus, they didn’t name it Reason X and tell us to pronounce it “ten.”
The version 10 update has mainly to do with virtual instruments. These include:
Europa Shapeshifting Synthesizer: Europa is a dynamically generated wavetable (think PPG wave-like textures) with extensive modulation options, surgical spectral processing options, and even the ability for you to draw your own waveforms.
Grain Sample Manipulator: Granular synthesis is the practice of zooming way in on samples, cutting them up into tiny bits, rearranging those bits, and otherwise manipulating them to create new and interesting sounds. Drop any sample into Grain and explore the endless sonic variations you can create with Grain’s selection of algorithms, ultra-flexible modulation, routing and effects.
Klang Tuned Percussion: Made in collaboration with the meticulous sampleware wizards from SoundIron, Klang includes ten high-quality sampled melodic percussion instruments.
Pangea World Instruments: Also from SoundIron, this is a collection of diverse plucked, strummed, and struck instruments from all over the world.
Radical Piano: This began life in Propellerhead’s dedicated Rack Extension format, and established that dwellers in the Reason universe did not have to want for a “serious” virtual piano. It uses a combination of sampling and physical modeling, covering different piano conditions and characters as well as a plethora of virtual microphone positions.
Rounding out the complement of instrument and effects are Humana, a vocal and choir library from SoundIron; over 3GB of new drums and loops; and the effect plug-in Synchronous Modulator, a tempo-synced block of time-based modulation effects that can be driven by a sidechain input.
The final release date is October 25, 2017. Those who purchased Reason 9 after September 1 are eligible for a free upgrade. If you own either Reason 9 or Reason Essentials 9, you may also be able to beta-test 10.
Hit the product page for audio examples of all the instruments discussed here, system requirements, plus more pricing info and the beta test signup.
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