Reason Essentials - Worth it?

[Flooper]

Hello KVRers,

I tried the Reason demo and really enjoyed it, but the is a little high for me - so i'm considering the Essentials version.
The issue for me is that the same happened to me with Sonar, so i bought the Steam Edition (pretty much the same as the Artist Edition) - but since i tried Sonar Platinum, i was a little annoyed at the amount of features trimmed from the Steam edition...so the demo was a little misleading for me...

My question is, besides what's written in their site about the differences - how does Reason differ from the Essentials version, and is it worth the price?

Thanks

[flugel45]

Keep in mind that you can also purchase some software secondhand (usually with no limitations).

The sell/buy forum here is where you would look. For example, Reason 8 (which has 99% of what Reason 9 offers and IMO is not missing anything crucial) is being sold by someone for 139 euro):

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... &p=6735965

There is even someone selling Reason 9 Essentials for cheap. Point being, the sell/buy forum gives you more options, if you're willing to be a bit patient on the license transfer process (some are instantaneous which others may take a few days).

Of course, buyer beware and all that.... But if the seller shows a bunch of successful transactions (You can search for their name in the feedback/buy-sell forum), it's usually a sign there is nothing to worry about.

[Flooper]

Thanks,
I took this into consideration, but don't have a problem with paying full price full Eseentials - should it be worth it idk, hence the question.

Besides,i'm a little wary of buying products 2nd hand, including digital products...got screwed over once...

[chk071]

It's also worth considering that, when you buy an older version of Reason, like version 7 or 8, you won't have access to newer versions of certain rack extensions, which have been developed against the latest rack extension SDK, which is only available in the latest version of Reason. So, basically, to keep using newer versions of rack extensions, you got to have the latest Reason version too, at least, if the SDK got updated, like is the case now with version 2.5 of the SDK, which only works with Reason 9, or Reason Essentials 9 now.

[Flooper]

It's also worth considering that, when you buy an older version of Reason, like version 7 or 8, you won't have access to newer versions of certain rack extensions, which have been developed against the latest rack extension SDK, which is only available in the latest version of Reason. So, basically, to keep using newer versions of rack extensions, you got to have the latest Reason version too, at least, if the SDK got updated, like is the case now with version 2.5 of the SDK, which only works with Reason 9, or Reason Essentials 9 now.

Thanks, good to know.

[bustedfist]

Best thing to do is find the version comparison chart and see if there are any must have features only included in the higher version/s. Only way to make an informed decision given your individual workflow.

[Trancit]

I would definetely not recommend buying the Essential version...

It lacks the most important effect devices and instruments... and because it´s a closed system you would end in having the need to spend a lot more money in buying rack extensions to have a basic stock of devices...

If you were already disappointed with the stripped down version of Sonar you´ll be 4 times more disappointed of what you get from Reason Essentials... everything which makes fun in Reason is missing ... buy the full one or leave it entirely...

[Flooper]

Best thing to do is find the version comparison chart and see if there are any must have features only included in the higher version/s. Only way to make an informed decision given your individual workflow.

I appreciate that, but i'm not that familiar with Reason, so i guess the comparison is a little incoherent, for me at least.
As i mentioned, i tried and liked the demo - but that's the full version, can't demo the Essentials - if i could, there would be no doubt if it is suitable.

[djrevise5]

I would really buy Reason 9 used instead. You get SO much more bang for your buck, especially considering how low it goes for in the marketplace here sometimes. Just make sure the seller has feedback, and you should be good to go.

[Flooper]

I would definetely not recommend buying the Essential version...

It lacks the most important effect devices and instruments... and because it´s a closed system you would end in having the need to spend a lot more money in buying rack extensions to have a basic stock of devices...

If you were already disappointed with the stripped down version of Sonar you´ll be 4 times more disappointed of what you get from Reason Essentials... everything which makes fun in Reason is missing ... buy the full one or leave it entirely...

That's what i'm afraid of, so i guess it's not worth it...
Thanks

[bustedfist]

Best thing to do is find the version comparison chart and see if there are any must have features only included in the higher version/s. Only way to make an informed decision given your individual workflow.

I appreciate that, but i'm not that familiar with Reason, so i guess the comparison is a little incoherent, for me at least.
As i mentioned, i tried and liked the demo - but that's the full version, can't demo the Essentials - if i could, there would be no doubt if it is suitable.

In that case providing info on what type of music you make, audio, or VSTi based or a combo of both? would help others pointing out possible features you'd miss in the lower version. The more detailed, the better.

[chk071]

Yeah. I looked at Reason Essentials a couple of times, but, there's certainly some things missing for me, like, a phaser, a good synth (Subtractor isn't really the greatest... can use rack extensions of course), a trance gate, an arpeggiator, Vocoder (ok, don't really need that, rather nice to have), a more sophisticated delay (essential for me, the DDL-1 is really slimmed down...), and the unison effect would be nice to have too. Anyway, of course you'll have to compromise a stripped down version, and it's, like, 1/6 of the price of the full version. Still, some important things missing for me. If you don't, or hardly need what i listed, or feel like you can do it with the typical Reason back of the rack routing options, then it won't be so relevant to you. And i won't lie too, the whole appeal of Reason, with all the routing, and wiring, isn't really for me. I mean, frankly, it pretends to be easy, but, for basic things like creating a ping-pong effect with the simple delay, it requires routing, and even then, it won't let you do everything you can do with a dedicated delay plugin. In newer versions, Reason has The Echo though, which probably lets you do most of these things out of the box, to be fair.

P.S.: Check here, scroll a bit down, and click on "Compare these", then you'll see what is available in each version: https://www.propellerheads.se/en/reason

[bustedfist]

I type too slow.

[chk071]

Me too.

[Flooper]

Best thing to do is find the version comparison chart and see if there are any must have features only included in the higher version/s. Only way to make an informed decision given your individual workflow.

I appreciate that, but i'm not that familiar with Reason, so i guess the comparison is a little incoherent, for me at least.
As i mentioned, i tried and liked the demo - but that's the full version, can't demo the Essentials - if i could, there would be no doubt if it is suitable.

In that case providing info on what type of music you make, audio, or VSTi based or a combo of both? would help others pointing out possible features you'd miss in the lower version. The more detailed, the better.

Mostly blues/Rock on my guitar, and electronic once i get a controller.
Planning on using a combo or just VSTi, depends on the track in mind.
My DAW jargon is a little lacking, but i frequently use EQ, compressors, loops, 3rd party effects for guitar (pedals and amp sims, if not recording from my real amp), heavy automation user...this is what i currently do...just don't want to hit a glass wall...for instance i find no issue with my Cubase LE, although it's a stripped down version...but Cubase is not as easy or fun as i had with Reason...