Reason 11 - BIG CHANGES are coming! (My Thoughts)

No MIDI out for the plugin though, from what I've heard. Oh well...

As a response to setting limitations with the gear you use: How about just coming back to Reason only (and using its subpar sequencer)? 😆

I am one of the guys using reason as it is !!! and i love it, cause it give me way to imagine my music differently, not like everyone is doing, and I hope reason will never be a VST separated instruments, And maybe it's a new way for the company to release a lot of cool stuff and improve drastically the Sequencer and be a competitor to a lot of things out there !!!

I'll probably be using studio one 4 more since its kind of relative to reason

can they please integrate recycle into reason in the form of a button on the Dr Octo Rex so you could create slices or update them at lease for those who already own recycle
and lower recycle Price so more people could get into it, this would make sense to get it

I started with Reason, and still have an older version (6.5), however I never use it these days since I left when they took too long to implement VST support. While Reason's included instruments and effects are great (and I'm sure even better in newer versions), it wasn't worth the hassle of using ReWire for me. Reason as a plug-in is interesting though. Definitely keeping an eye on it, but I'll hold off until others have tried it and can vouch for its stability and performance as a VST...

I like the GAS idea...

I can totally see this release as a pivot point for Propellerhead...I mean, they aren't even trying to hide this transition by changing the name to Reason Studios!


Internally, I think they will commit a smaller percentage of resources to Reason as a DAW and instead shift more to the creative side of the suite. Eventually the DAW itself may die but I think that's years away. Since you've been a user since v.1, I'm sure you can recognize the struggle they seem to have always had to innovate and focus on creative new ways to make music but be forced to improve the DAW-like capacity of the program - even if this was something that wasn't a core passion.


I think it's super smart and a great way to probably lower costs, refine the company's structure with more clear objectives and potentially greatly expand their reach and brand awareness.

I see the props only focusing on this new reason plugin module and future upgrades will have more instruments and effects added for buying the next reason 12 and so forth with some minore improvements to the DAW ... And as I only use reason so .. I dontt think I'll be upgrading from reason 10 for a long time ...and propellerheads was fine as a name .. I really don't get the emotion with an imaginary high expectations now with the change in name .. More like a teaser .. cheers . Enjoy d the video. . subscribed ..

Like you, I’ve been a user since Reason 1. I love Reason as a creative tool and think the instruments and effects are some of the best out there but once I’ve got my basic track going I transfer over to Logic for mixing and mastering. The best thing on Reason is the Combinator and I think they missed a trick by not updating it. Will I update? Probably, but not til the AU version is released.
So gladI found your channel. I hit the subscribe button and look forward to your further thoughts!

Nice, I also use studio one and reason . Now will be awesome

Nice to hear your perspective man. I'll definitely be upgrading to the suite but someone made an interesting comment on one of my videos that I hadn't thought of.. Why are we paying full upgrade price when we already own everything (in the rack), just getting it in another format? Also, I don't know if you've messed around with the beta but there's also no MIDI out on the VST. Which limits the functionality of the players to only being used with Reason instruments inside the rack. Do you use the players much and will this affect you? Or are most of your instruments in Reason regardless?

I'm definitely getting 11, to have access to all the native devices + few hundred EUR of 3rd party Rack Extensions that I purchased in Bitwig 3 and Cubase Pro 10. I'm considering Suite, but since I already have 12 of 16 REs in it this will really depend on how much I want Scenic and at this point we've no idea what it is. I'm looking forward to point updates and inevitable Reason 12, because I'd not be happy if it was reduced to just the Rack.

More like stupid changes are coming the worst one of all getting rid of rewire

Any new instruments?

Still no export to mp3 or ACC :/

they pretty much don't care if you jump ship altogether or move to a more capable DAW and VST the rack in it. Ownership might have changed, or maybe they are planning to sell. I just know several long-time users (and my myself) who only use REason for productions are shocked, saddened and mystified as to why they would do this. Reason meant to MOST to its core users. Other DAW users.......they have access to VSTs or in DAW modules that are years ahead of what Reason offers. Trying to compete with that is kind of odd. Who is going to pay $399 to use stuff that is widely available on VST? The real action was in the RE shop but again, are people going to spend money on VSTs or RE's? Its an odd strategy to pull without giving any kind of love cushion to your long-time user base who has invested a ton of money into the platform.


Pretty much thanks for nothing lol. I've already started looking into Bitwig and a new place to do productions from and just shoehorn my Reason stuff into it. Not the way I like to work but what choice do you really have as a Reason user. They could care less about improving the workflow of the program, been that way for over a decade. This was the slap in the face a lot of Reason users needed lol. Can't sit back and go "oh they will get it right in V12 now' lol. they might (and should really) lose the sequencer and mixer in the next update 😆😆😆


I'll update to 11 after I've picked my new DAW. That will be a bittersweet day. I always knew Propellerhead was doing the bare minimum but REason was sooooo much fun to create in, I just let it slide while my freinds enjoyed maschine, logic, pro tools (ugh), REaper, Studio One, Cubase and the might OMNISHPERE.....


I'm trying to have asense of humor with this transition to a service they are doing now. I'm trying ...... it hurts.........ouch........

I think reason is building themselves more towards like native instruments like the kontakt and Reactor which holds many plug-ins as well and native also has complete control as a DAW and host. This creates an incredible flexibility for all types of musicians and creators DJs And what have you.

11 is a pretty light upgrade from 10. As a Reason user since 2.5 and having 6 other DAWs, I don't really need, or already have the stuff in Suite. So is the Rack VST (with only 1 channel MIDI in, and 0 channels out), curved automation, and note muting enough for the upgrade price? I'm not so sure, I might sit this one out. They STILL, STILL! haven't fixed the dreadful state of their MIDI support. I love Reason as a DAW despite its shortcomings, but this move seems designed to discourage me from using it as a DAW. Are they trying to give up competing in that market? Is this really the right direction? I know Rewire sucked but.....


Also, I wonder if Suite users will have to pay a different (higher) upgrade price for Reason 12....

I noticed that other companies are making their product as a plugin in other DAWs. I recently purchased Reason 10, I at first of 11 said I will not upgrade, I use Studio One as my main DAW. If I see a more significant benefit, I might reconsider upgrading.

I'm in a similar situation to you, and I totally agree. I'm looking forward to the VST Rack. I left Reason around version 5 to Live because of VST's and the DAW features being lacking, and came back in 10 after I missed the rack. ReWire was meh. This method is great, and we get to keep the best part of Reason while working in another DAW. It's like having a retro version of "Komplete" if you get Suite. I think that is the end game for them, being more Native Instruments model of business than a DAW company.

i prefer reason the DAW!

What I always liked about Reason’s sequencer was it’s simplicity, When they started adding other bells and whistles from my perspective it really only made it more difficult to operate. Sure Logic and Cubase probably have the best midi editing of any DAW in my opinion, but Reason helped me to focus on the performance. Sometimes less is more because it really helps you to prioritize what’s most important in your workflow.

I've had Reason since beta, when 11 comes out, I will upgrade to suite and call it a day. I'll get the final flagship before I relax my REASON as a DAW thing. I'm strongly looking into Bitwig as my sequencer. The way is looking, Reason will have video support before they make the sequencer any better. 11 is gonna offer bezier curves? Like they used too you mean? Back in the day you used to draw your own curves, then they made them straight lines... I never understood why they would make that worse, IMHO. Every time I jump on a different DAW, I write better, sort of. Bezier curves are industry standard, this is just too late in the game.

As a VST, Reason won't going anywhere, but as a standalone DAW, it may be nearing a sad demise. Let's hope not!

I tried to move to many others and always find my self back in REASON .... Once you go, rack, you can't go back Cheers

In my opinion Propellerheads/Reason Studios have shot themselves in the foot with the release of the rack plugin, it's like saying, yeah you can choose reason to work with or let's get rid of Reason fully and use another DAW while still having the ability to integrate the rack within that other DAW, to me that was a pointless exercise, why didn't they focus on something completely different other than the plugin feature such as the removal of their old rack effects and intruments and bringing in something new and fresh, that would have been worth the upgrade. However I am still upgrading from 10.4 to 11.

from Reason 9 this update is no brainer, but we are worried about the company itself.

Retro; Electronic Meditation by Tangerine dream: a mixture of Pink floyd and Zapper in its madness, created with hardly any gear, an amazing concept metal prog rock thing, monstrous and visceral, And Zeit which was minimalist but beautiful; when Edgar Froesse did a remix of a part of Zeit he totally ruined it, and that he did using a PPG system, and no that system is retro!!

I love the idea of using reason as a plugin, but I'll wait for .au version. My daw doesn't support vst3

i literally just bought reason 2 years ago smh

i just feel this should be included in the regular version, im really disapointed how theyre getting rid of their other programs too. imo theyre being stupid, its almost like a rebranding too which feels weird, forced, all of a sudden

A very nice and useful review. THX! For me Reason is my DAW number one but note you need at least 20 Gigs for the Studio. I have the beta version of Reason 11 and I really like the new features. I think the plug-in option opens up the possibility to use the wonderful Reason instruments in other DAWs. Reasons weakest point now is the sequencer, and they should really put a work on that.

I think the standalone DAW will still have to be used for meaningful programming of the Rack items - NN-XT , NN19, and Combinator will be easier to setup, edit, and save in the main standalone version. The Rack Plugin version will probably work best when you are opening patches already programmed. That is how I can see me using it in Studio One (I used to Rewire with DP). However, I don't use the sequencer and never have - but I guess its better to have it there for testing things as you have to route the sound somewhere.

When will the AU version come out

wow , amazing news my friend, hope for more videos about this!

Love this video. You're one of the only people who can realise the specialties of Reason and make a good non bullshit video. I think Reason will still be a standalone because of one amazing reason (no pun intended), behind the rack. The cable managing and automation you can do isn't available in any other DAW.

When l went to the home page to upgrade from 10 to 11 the only option l found was to purchase the full version of reason 11 l did not see a $129.00 upgrade option. If you can send me a link to the $129.00 upgrade that would be great.

Really no point in updating. Couple of effects and some workflow improvements. No way I'm paying 250

I still would like to see the option to use the Reason sequencer in the Rack plugin possibly as its own module..like you can just slap on the sequencer in the rack if you need it or want it for some specific things to kind of run I dependent ot the host DAW sequencer. We'll see.

Is it a bridge to eventually phase out the DAW entirely? I'd honestly be surprised if they did that. Lots of people use it as their primary DAW and being that it's one of the least expensive DAWs with its functionality I think Reason will be around for a long time still.

Personally I've advocated they make the modules plugins for years, glad they've done it because now I can use that sweet Scream 4 and RV7000 with my hardware synths in the DAW i use every day!! I'm very happy!

They must have been close to going out o fbusiness. They are advertising their product INSIDE albeton LIVE now. That's pathetic.

Hey Ethan, Dude apologies on rapid fire with the questions just excited I found you and your channel. So I’ve been using Reason for only a couple years now and I love it and I see you love it as well so you are my first pick for my kickball team! My quest is what your thoughts are on Studio One and maybe why you selected it as your main DAW? I would prefer to keep Reason as my one and only DAW but I’m also getting serious about going turbo on getting up to speed on production skills and move beyond hobby mode. I would really appreciate your advice and thoughts on staying with Reason as my main and only DAW or if maybe I should consider getting a second DAW such as Studio One? I’m in full apprentice mode so your advice is of great value to me. Thank you!

The half rack model Unison great for Lofi Hip Hop for the wave and Flutter effect like and old tape or record player. The half Rack Phaser is the exact same sound heard in recent hit songs from Ariana grande and Lady Ga Ga.