Reason 2.0

[Paolo]

I'm interested in music composition... is reason a good app to get for that?

If not what is?

Thanks

[nuckinfutz]

Digidesigns Mbox is nice as well.

www.bias-inc.com Deck 3.5 is nice

Reason thought gives you sofware versions of everything you'll need.

[pgwalsh]

Reason is a great program if you want to start jamming right away. If you're looking to write notes and use external instruments then it may not be the best fit. It's an amazing program. I'd download the demo.

I wish they would add VST support! Bastards are trying to push ReWire so they won't add support for VST insturments and effects.

[3rdpath]

if you want to do electronic music...dance, techno, trance...whatever...then reason is an amazing way to start. as a stand alone program it works great but there are some glitches when used with other software:

even though reason 2.0 is X compliant-none of the sequencing programs that you can run in tandem with it are X'able at this time( sure, everyone has announced they will be, but who is actually shipping? no one that i know of).

reason 2.0 can use core audio/midi which bypasses oms...but none of the major software makers are up to speed yet. so once again, you're stuck with oms which just sucks( if you want to run it in tandem ).

reason is outrageous bang for the buck (don't pay more than $250.00) and it sounds great. but the cheesy manual sucks unless you want to print out the humongous "electronic manual".....man i hate it when manufacturers don't include proper manuals...charge 5 more bucks and do it right.....

[Paolo]

I was mainly looking for composition of trance/progressive music. From the sounds of it Reason is the way?

What else is out there that's good for this type of production?

I'm not that interested in using external instruments... maybe in the future but not right now.
Thanks for your help

[rEd Eye]

"even though reason 2.0 is X compliant-none of the sequencing programs that you can run in tandem with it are X'able at this time"

Not quite true,Ableton live is osX ready,and runs beatifully with reason.Not exactly an audio/midi production sequencer,but as the name implies,an excellent live sequencing program.

"if you want to do electronic music...dance, techno, trance...whatever...then reason is an amazing way to start"

Entirely true,but not by any means limited to electronica styles only.I have heard some amazing work from Celtic jigs to very professionaly orchestrated classical styles done within Reason.The samplers are very professional,and extremely versatile,and the synths are very solid.Everything is very intuitive.
The only real weakness in Reason is the selection of built in FX,so you may want to consider buying a VST host sequencer as well.
I would in all confidence recomend buying Reason 2,especially as you are interested in producing trance/progressive music.I have been using Reason since it first came out ,for similar purposes ,and honestly I don't know what I would do without it!
As a master sequencer I use Nuendo,which is rock solid with Reason as well as built native for VST instruments and plugins.You may also consider looking into Cubase Sx,also by Steinberg, when it is made ready for Mac.
Go ahead,make the leap!You will not regret it,or I'll eat my own words!:D

[Paolo]

Well thanks guys,
I've been wanting to get into music production/composition for ages I just didn't know where to start... but from the sounds of it reason seem like a good place?

Thanks for your help... although any more suggestions or advice would be much appreciated
thanks

[daveg5]

I agree reason is the best place to start. I started with logic on the atari st long ago. And before reason I used the same company's rebirth 338 www.propellerhead.com it is much simpler but very limited and also http://www.zygoat.ca/products/doggiebox/ has a great osx drum machine also definately try Abelton Live 1.5 for OSX

[mmmdreg]

i use sibelius at school but I'm assuming that's a totally different app..

[daveg5]

yes it is