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Reason 2.0 ships
US
Massive demand for top upgrade 26/06/02
Buying Choices
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Shown at Winter NAMM and more recently the Musik Messe, Reason 2.0 has been eagerly awaited. The new product offers two new modules and overall upgrades which greatly enhance the composition power of this standard setting software:
New Features in Reason 2.0 include: Malström Graintable Synthesizer:
A new invention from Propellerheads that
combines granular synthesis with wavetable synthesis. Graintables are
extremely flexible and expressive sound sources, which allow for
comprehensive manipulation. This includes being able to move through a
sound by controlling the movement with real-time controllers, velocity,
modulators and finding exciting new possibilities by controlling the spectral
harmonics of the Graintable.
To that comes the filter and crunch sections. Malström's two filters both have
5 different modes including 12dB/oct low pass, band-pass, subtractive and
additive comb-filters and an AM mode. A shared filter envelope is also
included which can control either or both of the filter sections at the same
time.
As an integrate part of the second filter, the Shaper adds another dimension
to Malström. It basically shapes the input signal with either a sine wave, noise
or can transform the sound using saturation, digital distortion or bit-reduction.
Furthermore the oscillators can be routed in many different ways to the two
filter sections providing a vast amount of sound manipulation options.
Malström also feature 2 modulators/LFO's with a wide variety of curves
available. Used in One-shot mode these can be used to generate interesting
attacks or envelopes and can also be used as tempo sync'ed LFO's.
As you would expect from a Reason device, the most dynamic sound
generating parameters can be controlled using CV and Gate controls from the
Matrix sequencer or other Reason devices. Malström even provides audio
inserts between oscillators and filters with the added benefit of being able to
use both filters as standalone devices. Malström's truly unique and interesting
sound is destined to make it a favorite among Reason users.
NN-XT Advanced Sampler:
A new powerhouse sampler, the NN-XT is
packed with useful features to build stunningly realistic instrument patches.
Where the existing NN-19 is a "fast-track" sampler, the new NN-XT is for more
demanding sampling tasks. Powerful features include automatic pitch
detection and mapping of samples, graphical zone editing, loop editing,
layering plus zone velocity switching, and crossfading.
Each selected zone (or zones, if multiple are selected) can furthermore be
programmed individually using the extensive synthesis facilities. These
include filter with 6 different modes, 2 LFO's, 2 envelopes, micro tuning
capabilities and routing to any of the 16 audio outputs.
The alternate function is another unique NN-XT feature. By randomly
alternating between zones whenever the same key is played repeatedly, the
NN-XT makes sure the same sample is never triggered twice in a row. The
result is added realism.
For all its power, the NN-XT is as intuitive and easy to use as any of the other
Reason devices. The graphical editing display can even be folded in or out
depending on whether advanced editing is required. Macro controls located
on the front panel make editing of the most commonly used parameters a
breeze and keeps patch adjustment simple. The NN-XT also loads SoundFont
2 patches and samples providing access to a huge existing library.
Enhanced sequencer features:
In Reason 2.0, the main sequencer breaks
free from the rack and can expand fully across the screen or be resized and
moved, even to a second monitor. New tools also make this already flexible
sequencer, even more flexible. These include Zoom, Line and Eraser tools
making day to day work straight forward in an uncluttered environment.
And it's not just Malström and the NN-XT that feature tempo-syncable LFO's.
All existing devices in Reason now also have this feature locking LFO's tightly
to the sequencer.
The Orkester NN-XT Sound Library:
Reason 2.0 of course also comes with
plenty of patch and library material for the two new instrument devices. And if
that isn't enough an extensive orchestral ReFill, created exclusively for the
NN-XT, is also included. Recorded in Stockholm, these sample patches
feature live, classically trained musicians and the samples are designed to
blend in with the sounds from Reason's other devices. The Orkester NN-XT
Sound Library spans from single woodwinds to complete string sections, and
covers all essential playing styles.
Due to the overwhelming demand for the new Reason, Propellerheads have warned of slight delays in shipping but have all their best people on it and expect to be back on track within 10 days or so (26/06/02)
Pricing: Reason 2.0 £299 / $399US / Reason Upgrade £65 / $89US