Reason 13 Announced- Sequencer updated!

[LaLivre]

If they would add only the top 4 most requested featueres (markers, folders and so on), I can guarantee that the update quote values would be reversed.

[jlgrimes11]

I really don't know what ReasonStudios can do at this point to make Reason enticing especially to younger users who they really need to market too. The only thing I can think of for Reason to do is to maybe make something else. Make another product and see if it sticks. It doesn't necessarily have to be a DAW. A unique plugin VST for example. Their DSP engineers are great, they should be able to make a cool sounding instrument or effect they can sell. Try to build mindshare that way while they figure out how to either redesign Reason to be more appealing or work on a completely new software with new ideas.

If they'd just have a reasonably priced update, I wouldn't mind spending money on some things that I want. The current pricing/subscription scheme makes me feel like I'm getting ripped off, and not spend a penny with them.

Ableton Live has a HUGE update in 12 with everything they've done in just the last few months, so that cost feels justified. The update to Reason 13 just feels anemic by comparison.

This.

I think Reason is priced out of alot of users budget.

I don't think the subscription will attract a big user base.


I think a free version of Reason is needed. From that point users could buy REs.

Agree. A cheap, or free, RRP only version with just a set of basic devices to get you going and then have the users fill up the rack from the shop. I think a lot of users would like to get their hands on some of the unique devices in there, like Objekt, without wanting to pay $499 for the full set of mostly 1-2 decade old devices.
Wasn't there a Reason Lite or something earlier?

Used to be a $100 version which included some basic devices.

Have no idea on why they got rid of it. My only guess was to not cannibalize subscription sales. I think this is also about the time they got rid of Suite.

I think someone really need to seriously think about a tiered list of packages at Reason that's competitive and reasonable.


If they want the DAW to be relevant,

A free/cheap version is needed.

I also see no issue with them bringing back a Suite version.

Their subscription model, I just dont see where it benefits anyone but if they were on faster development cycles really implementing requested DAW features and/or quickly making new devices, sample libraries I could probably see it. But the main thing we got was Algorithm, Objeckt, Vocoder, Friktion, and some players. Those are great products but there should be an upgrade solution for people who would just like to get everything. I'm assuming that they were planning on releasing devices at a faster pace initially where a Suite solution might have not made sense but I think that is an area where they need to make it make cents. If they create a reasonable price that's cheaper than buying them individually, people will jump on it. It even doesn't even have to be that much cheaper.

I mean companies like Cherry Audio is doing a few synths a year and Reason synths havn't been coming out at a fast enough rate I think to warrant a subscription. That might also be an area where they should consider outside developers who live and breath synths and effects to develop REs and they could focus on core DAW improvements, RE spec improvements. I think that would also help them with the pace of development.

I think the biggest thing with Reason is it's slow paced development. There are other companies with slow pace schedules but if we are talking about the big contenders like Ableton, FL, Bitwig they all are pretty competitive and have a faster paced schedules.

I can't even argue legacy code because Ableton is about just as old as Reason. FL is older than Reason.

[Valkasman]

If they would add only the top 4 most requested featueres (markers, folders and so on), I can guarantee that the update quote values would be reversed.

I'd love to see them add folders in Reason. Would be so much easier to keep the sequencer/arranger screen organized.

[kmonkey]

Of course it's a disaster, everything they've done has been a disaster since the previous management's disastrous decision to insist they would never support VSTs forced them to sell Propellerheads to hedge fund ghouls who renamed it 'Reason Studios' and hired a suit with zero previous connection to the industry or music in general who's only prior management was running a very well capitalized telecom startup into the ground in six months.

Since the current management took over they simply don't miss a chance to give a big ole middle finger to their existing user base while simultaneously becoming an industry laughing stock in a variety of way. Clueless arrogance and customer-hostility is literally their brand at this point. Expect them to continue to double down on not delivering any of the basic features their userbase has been demanding for 15 years while trying ever more aggressive and sleazy ways of forcing their perpetual license customers to adopt an absurd $20/mo subscription model.

The answer is to stop giving these people money and let them fail as an example and a warning to the rest of the industry until and unless both the current management and ownership have been replaced by people who care about their employees and customers and the product, none of which the current management cares about whatsoever. It would be sad if all the talented people responsible for the original product hadn't been driven out by toxic mismanagement a long time ago...

For whatever reason you were actually right

[zeebot]

For whatever reason you were actually right

I'm agreeing with him too, this is pretty much the shape of things. The Propellerhead's mantra of 'we want to make software that makes great music' changed to the Reason Studios mantra of 'we want to make software that makes us money'.

[LaLivre]

Some repetition - the same request since 15 years: We need just simple markers

But hey, they have fancy VST Rack Plugin now....new synth and effect also is good for their plugin.
Come on, lets support other DAWs and show how good Reason works inside!

[LaLivre]

I had some thoughts and I have to say it was really a bad idea to rename the company this way. Propellerheads was such a good, funny, special name with such an unique history and whoever decited this .... no words. I want "propellerheads" back. I think if "propellerheads" come back this strange journey is over. Come on, why you would name a product the same like the whole company? Is this good, professional branding? I prefer the oldschool way.

Reason Studios "Reason"??? Sorry, but for me this sounds not good.

Bring back "propellerhead"!

[D-Fusion]

Reasons survival is reliant on subscription now, they have deliberately overpriced the software to make the subscription look like a better option
Compared to other DAWS I would say Reason should cost no more than £250. They are charging £500 for a non suite version that doesn’t even include the latest instruments and effects….i just can’t see anyone buying that in 2024.

I agree the new price is to high compared to other daws.

Subscription will never be a better option unless it is a rent to own option.
What i find weird are some people saying they got the V.13 upgrade for free because they are subscribed almost like that is a good thing.

The Truth is that You didn't get the upgrade for free since you are still a paying customer and the day you stop subscribing your v.13 will stop working so you have to keep on paying to use it.

The first year you subscribe it will cost you $220,89 since the first month is $1 to lure you in if you pay monthly.
The Second year will cost you $239,89.

If you buy the 1 year subscription plan from retailers instead of monthly it will cost you the same as the upgrade price for your perpetual license so you are paying the upgrade price every year without getting anything in return and your perpetual license upgrade will cost you $199 or cheaper on sale that you can use freely for 3-4 years before a new version is released.

So the Susbcription is actually more expensive if you pay Monthly or with a 1 year plan if you already own a older version and don't need or want the Extra stuff included in the Subscription plan.

[hotmitts]

Agreed, subscriptions are just not a viable option for me...at least Studio 1 has a rent to own

[carambo]

I remember when Adobe move to subscription, all the hardcore Photoshop fan boys were screaming that they would leave and that Adobe was done, because they would never subscribe ! These idiots thought that the real business of Adobe was these few guys spending their time on forums and using Photoshop to correct their week-end shootings Looking backwards, it's hilarious. The real business base of Adobe was the countless creative agencies and pro freelancers worldwide using what is now an incredible ecosystem, Adobe is still the absolute leader and growing fast, there is not a single professional creative studio worldwide not using the Creative Suite, from Photoshop to illustrator, they are making a lot of money and invest in a incredible ecosystem based on AI, and users juste pay their sub every month/year and shut up ! Reason studios in not Adobe, but ALL major software companies will switch to a subscription model by 2030, there is no other possibilities to survive...Only few products like Logic sponsored by Apple will be packed eventually for free with a Mac or for few bucks, although the Ipad version is now as sub, it says it all...More hilarious is that people think that to own a perpetual license give them the confidence they own something, while actually it's just lines of codes with a limited shelf life, not "perpetual" at all...

[carambo]

For whatever reason you were actually right

I'm agreeing with him too, this is pretty much the shape of things. The Propellerhead's mantra of 'we want to make software that makes great music' changed to the Reason Studios mantra of 'we want to make software that makes us money'.

What's wrong to make money ? My aim is also to make money If you cannot make "great music" anymore, may be it's time to switch to another software and shorten your sufferings

[jens]

I remember when Adobe move to subscription, all the hardcore Photoshop fan boys were screaming that they would leave and that Adobe was done, because they would never subscribe ! These idiots thought that the real business of Adobe was these few guys spending their time on forums and using Photoshop to correct their week-end shootings Looking backwards, it's hilarious. The real business base of Adobe was the countless creative agencies and pro freelancers worldwide using what is now an incredible ecosystem, Adobe is still the absolute leader and growing fast, there is not a single professional creative studio worldwide not using the Creative Suite, from Photoshop to illustrator, they are making a lot of money and invest in a incredible ecosystem based on AI, and users juste pay their sub every month/year and shut up ! Reason studios in not Adobe, but ALL major software companies will switch to a subscription model by 2030, there is no other possibilities to survive...Only few products like Logic sponsored by Apple will be packed eventually for free with a Mac or for few bucks, although the Ipad version is now as sub, it says it all...More hilarious is that people think that to own a perpetual license give them the confidence they own something, while actually it's just lines of codes with a limited shelf life, not "perpetual" at all...

Lol... that doesn't make even the slightest bit of sense...
you should try the "thinking before talking" trick once - it can be quite helpful...
unless of course you enjoy making a fool of yourself.

[Resonant- Serpent]

Forget it.

[LaLivre]

I remember when Adobe move to subscription, all the hardcore Photoshop fan boys were screaming that they would leave and that Adobe was done, because they would never subscribe ! These idiots thought that the real business of Adobe was these few guys spending their time on forums and using Photoshop to correct their week-end shootings Looking backwards, it's hilarious. The real business base of Adobe was the countless creative agencies and pro freelancers worldwide using what is now an incredible ecosystem, Adobe is still the absolute leader and growing fast, there is not a single professional creative studio worldwide not using the Creative Suite, from Photoshop to illustrator, they are making a lot of money and invest in a incredible ecosystem based on AI, and users juste pay their sub every month/year and shut up ! Reason studios in not Adobe, but ALL major software companies will switch to a subscription model by 2030, there is no other possibilities to survive...Only few products like Logic sponsored by Apple will be packed eventually for free with a Mac or for few bucks, although the Ipad version is now as sub, it says it all...More hilarious is that people think that to own a perpetual license give them the confidence they own something, while actually it's just lines of codes with a limited shelf life, not "perpetual" at all...


Lol... that doesn't make even the slightest bit of sense...

Jens is totally right, complete nonsense.

But back to topic please.

[mdx4ever]

Good unbiased write up on Reason 13:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/reason-masterclass