Reason is one rather an atypical software in musical production. Indeed it is about a sequencer MIDI "all-in-one". He does not allow to manage audio tracks and does not support PLUGINS VST. Sounds banks are created in a possessing format: they are Refills.

Reason is a tool which I thought very interesting to start to learn in COMPUTER MUSIC because it has all that is necessary to start a composition: group of sounds banks of any types (orchestral, synth, guitar, drum kit) and all necessary effects (EQ, compression, delay). It is not therefore necessary to construct a library of plugins to begin working, as it is generally case with DAW such as Cubase, pro Tools...

Other interesting point, the interface of Reason is very visual. There are not interminable consequent menus and a number of screens. there are two windows: the sequencer MIDI (introduced in a classical way with tracks and of the automation) and a system stand which represents instruments and effects such as an engineer of the sound would see them physically in its studio. Comparison does not stop there since it is possible to link up manually the elements of the system stand via cables. Entries on the console of sound mixing, effects send are therefore configure ourselves...

Reason offers several types of instruments very close to the functioning of sounds banks available in VST:

• Synthesizers: SubTractor, Thor and Malström (manipulation of one wave and of its envelope).
• Samplers: NN 19 and NNXT (recorded instrument notes by note according to different velocity).
• Readers of loops: Dr Rex (in possessing format REX created with Recycle software).
• Box with rhythm: Redrum (creation of patterns according to different kits of percussions).

Integrated effects remain classical: EQ, compression, reverberation, delay, distortion, vocoder, arpegiator.

Reason was the tool which seemed to me the most accessible to start COMPUTER MUSIC. It is thanks to him that I acquired basic concepts before launching into a more complex tool such as Cubase. This means therefore no that Reason is beginner's tool. In part his sounds banks, he is apparently portrayed for some music types (electronics, hip hop). There are many sounds banks of the even upper very good quality in some VST. However in term of orchestral libraries, Reason is not the most adapted tool.

Concerning the weak points, Reason does not allow to manipulate the audio. Impossible therefore to import a performed recording (unless is by-passed problem by importing recording via a sampler). On the other hand, it is not possible to add effects of better quality (sound mixing, mastering). Some people reproach for the quality defect of a sound mixing performed under Reason and export their tracks generally to perform treatments on another flat form.

Concerning this policy, the editor is clear. Their philosophy does not consist in creating a full station of job. They see Reason rather as "Plugin". It is for it besides that they developed an interface Rewire allowing a chief software such as Cubase, Sonar to use Reason as a plugin. It is so possible to use instruments of Reason while working under another platform. Concept works while requiring slightly more processor.

In the final, Reason is a very good easy software of use, loan in job with limits which it is necessary to keep in mind. In certain cases (only of midi) it is self-sufficient to himself but in other projects (recording), he is not exploitable. Therefore do not hesitate to test the tool to be sure of its functionality and its original interface.