Reason Essentials - Worth it?

[Flooper]

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

Thanks, i'm getting the feeling that getting Essentials isn't really worth it...oh well...

[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.

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...

Funny, I've run Cubase for over a decade, always found other DAWs convoluted.

I still have LE1.0.7 which, due to no copy protection is the fastest to load a capture an idea when it suits. Cubase take a bit to get used to, but it's worth it just for the MIDI tools alone. I'd go on, but don't want to turn this thread into a DAW war.

What were the issues with Cubase? Maybe I could give some insight.

[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...

Funny, I've run Cubase for over a decade, always found other DAWs convoluted.

I still have LE1.0.7 which, due to no copy protection is the fastest to load a capture an idea when it suits. Cubase take a bit to get used to, but it's worth it just for the MIDI tools alone. I'd go on, but don't want to turn this thread into a DAW war.

What were the issues with Cubase? Maybe I could give some insight.

Don't get me wrong, i love Cubase...sometimes i go back to it from Sonar just because i know how to do stuff better in Cubase...but getting your way around it can be a tedious google quest for knowledge...
Basically, the whole implementation of loops and samples in Cubase feels weird for me...maybe it's lack of knowledge...or perhaps personal preference...

[bustedfist]

C9 came out with a new method of dealing with samples and loops, check out the vids on youtube.

In older versions, using the Loop Browser lets you audition loops at project tempo and drag/drop them into place. You can set up which specific folders it looks for the data, also. Can be done through Mediabay also, youtube vids on that too. I don't use loops, but have played with it to see what it was about. Having the destination track in the right mode, musical or time based, seamlessly fits them to project tempo outside the Browser.

[bustedfist]

Can't say enough about Greg Ondo's youtube vids. A lot of the older version vids apply to the new. Good way to get up to speed.

[Flooper]

C9 came out with a new method of dealing with samples and loops, check out the vids on youtube.

In older versions, using the Loop Browser lets you audition loops at project tempo and drag/drop them into place. You can set up which specific folders it looks for the data, also. Can be done through Mediabay also, youtube vids on that too. I don't use loops, but have played with it to see what it was about. Having the destination track in the right mode, musical or time based, seamlessly fits them to project tempo outside the Browser.

Thanks, i'm currently using C8 LE - is C9 a big differnce? furthermore, if i do upgrade it'll be to C9 Elements...other versions are too expensive/overkill for me to invest in

[bustedfist]

Again, it comes down to that pesky comp chart.

I don't recall whether the Loop Browser is included in LE. It'd be under the Media tab of the title bar along with Mediabay. Even if it just has Mediabay, you can set the filters and locations to only show audio loops. Got LE8 kicking around somewhere, IIRC. I'd have to check specifics.

Lots of changes between 8 and 9, full 64 bit is one. No 32bit plugs unless wrapped 3rd party. That's why I say homework and research before any purchase is critical.

[Flooper]

Again, it comes down to that pesky comp chart.

I don't recall whether the Loop Browser is included in LE. It'd be under the Media tab of the title bar along with Mediabay. Even if it just has Mediabay, you can set the filters and locations to only show audio loops. Got LE8 kicking around somewhere, IIRC. I'd have to check specifics.

Lots of changes between 8 and 9, full 64 bit is one. No 32bit plugs unless wrapped 3rd party. That's why I say homework and research before any purchase is critical.

Yup, that's partially why i'm here...not very experienced in music production

[bustedfist]

Ok, you say Reason's out so lets look at Cubase. Here's a link to the comparison chart for the 9 series. Read through it and anything you don't understand I'll try to explain or link you to a good video explaining a feature. In the mean time I'll find a good vid on loops in Cubase.

https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/c ... rison.html

[bustedfist]

This shows loops with Mediabay.

[Flooper]

Ok, you say Reason's out so lets look at Cubase. Here's a link to the comparison chart for the 9 series. Read through it and anything you don't understand I'll try to explain or link you to a good video explaining a feature. In the mean time I'll find a good vid on loops in Cubase.

https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/c ... rison.html

Thanks, so much to learn on this DAW...quite the learning curve, but i guess that's the case with any DAW...any good one at least...