Reason 13 has arrived: Release Notes

[jam-s]

I'd prefer the new browser to be an actual independent window (not constrained to the window where it was opened) so it could be dragged away and minimised as well.

[selig]

OK, right there I'd have to stop you to say no, it's not the same in other DAWs. In other DAWs if you had the plugin splitting out to 10 mixer channels you would automatically see 10 mixer channels in the sequencer. In Reason, Mixer Channels are by default NOT shown in the Sequencer View.
For example, if I create four synths in Reason, I have four tracks in the sequencer. These tracks only contain the MIDI Data for those four devices, not the Mixer Channels.
To work in Reason, you would need Reason to populate the sequencer with ALL Mixer Channels automatically, which would of course instantly double the number of tracks in the sequencer (and these cannot be hidden as of today, making large song projects even less manageable IMO).

THEN, you could consider adding the feature you request – where to put the controls without eating up even more space, etc. But issues would still remain - you would still have two tracks (at the least) in the sequencer for every instrument in the Rack, there would be two sets of mute and solo for each instrument in the Rack and so on.

Other DAWs DO work differently, they typically have a single source for all instruments. Instead of having a separate MIDI and Audio (Mix/Aux) track most other DAWs I'm familiar with have a combo called an "Instrument" (or "software"?) track, which includes both the note data AND the audio channel data. History note: Pro Tools original had MIDI, Aux, and Audio tracks but early on combined the MIDI and Aux into "Instrument" tracks.

So no, it is not the same any any other DAW that I'm aware of.

I don't like selective quoting, and furthermore, DP had midi/audio part of instrument tracks split till the recent update (for one example), but regardless, I am reading what you are saying and I disagree.

As I clearly said, I am talking about single audio tracks and single instrument tracks using one output each, which reason has a fader for in the rack which also corresponds to a fader in the mixer. Not all DAWs expose every output in the sequencer page, as I also explained. So I know *exactly* what you are talking about but I completely disagree, as with many DAWs you have to purposely choose to show those tracks in the arrange page, as I do as I happen to like it.

On that front, until Reason has folders it will be far too messy to do such a thing and show every item that has a corresponding fader on the sequencer page, so on that one front, we do indeed agree, but it's still a valid feature for audio tracks and single output instruments.

It would be a mini representation of the rack or mixer fader, just a shortcut so you don't always have to go back and forth.

Am I the only one who besides drum synths with multi outs, works generally in single mono or stereo channel outputs? i.e. one track per "sound"? So I am suggesting for the tracks that DO get displayed in the sequencer, to have a fader from the mixer in a tab on the plugin browser on the left.

I wasn't expressing an opinion, I was trying to explain why it's not the same thing in Reason as other DAWs. Apologies if I was not clear, I'm not saying it's not a good idea, I'm explaining (hopefully factually) why it's not possible with the current paradigm in Reason. Other things would have to change for this to work, just saying.

[tt_lab]

I agree with the coment that said that the UX is still in beta.
A lot of design flaws, for instance, the lack of visual diferentiation of the horizontal bars that separates the mixer, the rack and the sequencer. I use those bars all the time double clicking on them and now they are slimmer, which I consider a good thing but when they are stacked there is no visual key. Also a lot of half thought workflow changes, like the ones pointed out by Theo and Pepin etc...
For me this update is NO BUENO. I supose they will bring refinement in future point updates.

[PhillipOrdonez]

I'd prefer the new browser to be an actual independent window (not constrained to the window where it was opened) so it could be dragged away and minimised as well.

[AnotherMathias]

Alright, I'll pile on and say that I too really dislike the new browser setup.
One of my least favorite things about other DAWs are the stacks of windows popping up and being in the way. It's a bit like when I was a teenager, and my dad would stand right in front of the TV.
Reason, up til now, ( with a few exceptions) didn't do that, and for my taste, that was a HUGE advantage. And now comes the new browser, which gets in the way with just about anything you do. Get away from the TV, dad!
Presumably this was done to gain more real estate for the tagging system. Well, I'm one of those people who has no use for tagging. Even though I have thousands of patches (primarily sampled instruments), I'm well organized. I know where all my stuff is.

It's bad enough that I'm using Logic Pro now instead. Sure, Logic also has windows on top of windows, but at least it has TWO docked browsers.
In the past, when there was some shortcoming in Reason, there was always the hope and possibility that they would one day address it. In this case, chances are slim that they will go back to the old awesome system. They are heading in the opposite direction from where I need them to go. And sadly that means that it's likely that I'll phase out Reason altogether.

[Theo.M]

Alright, I'll pile on and say that I too really dislike the new browser setup.
One of my least favorite things about other DAWs are the stacks of windows popping up and being in the way. It's a bit like when I was a teenager, and my dad would stand right in front of the TV.
Reason, up til now, ( with a few exceptions) didn't do that, and for my taste, that was a HUGE advantage. And now comes the new browser, which gets in the way with just about anything you do. Get away from the TV, dad!
Presumably this was done to gain more real estate for the tagging system. Well, I'm one of those people who has no use for tagging. Even though I have thousands of patches (primarily sampled instruments), I'm well organized. I know where all my stuff is.

It's bad enough that I'm using Logic Pro now instead. Sure, Logic also has windows on top of windows, but at least it has TWO docked browsers.
In the past, when there was some shortcoming in Reason, there was always the hope and possibility that they would one day address it. In this case, chances are slim that they will go back to the old awesome system. They are heading in the opposite direction from where I need them to go. And sadly that means that it's likely that I'll phase out Reason altogether.

That's it, you spoke the words in my brain. "Going the opposite direction from where I need them to go, will sadly phase it out".
Rather than try be convinced and argued about all the time, others who like it need to accept that our opinion is different. It drastically changed my workflow when I had an entire workflow completely designed around a docked browser, and that's just the way it is for me, no matter what *anyone* else says.
It's not like it can't be fixed without breaking it for anyone else by the way, they just need to add a simple docked option for current browser and let the user choose which tags to show as there will be less space in that situation, and anyone who wants it floating can keep as is. It's not even a BIG fix for coders with that much experience.
(BTW I also don't need the tagging at *all*, but I doubt that will ever change).

[ambi]

If the guys at Reason Studios don't see any issues with the new browser, I guess they use very large high resolution screens or ultra wide screens and can move the browser away from the rack devices.
I can't do that and I will certainly not change my monitor setup for Reason 13.

I like the tagging system but I doubt that it was necessary to make the browser a floating window to implement it. Bitwig also has a very slim docked browser that can search for tags.
And as someone else noted, it is not even a real window. I think you can't even drag a file from the browser to another window, which is possible in Reason 12.

I wish RS would make an announcement for having plans to give us the option to make the browser dockable again. Otherwise I will stay with Reason 12.

[Theo.M]

Unbelievable, some people should seriously slow down, the blood pressure of some is way too hight, and that is not beneficial for health. Reason is a piece of software, not war, not a weapon, just music software. And there are always different opinions, life is full of colours, it‘s not black and white.

That's normal discussion/debate. No one is personally offended or attacked, we are passionately expressing our opinions. For some of us, music IS our entire life, every single day, and therefore we want to enjoy the process as much as we can, and speak up if we don't like something (or do like it). There's no such thing as "just" music software. Maybe for you, but that doesn't mean it's that way for all of us.

If you think that was a high blood pressure inducing conversation in any way, then I think you are way too sensitive. We can't all be robots and just agree with everything the other says. That wasn't even remotely heated or "bad".

Using the "there's so many more important things in the world, like war" line, is a cheap shot and that can be used every single time some of us privileged westerners complain about something comparatively minor,. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.

You are right about one thing, there are many different opinions, indeed. And that's what a discussion forum is all about, expressing those differing opinions.

Peace.

[TAF]

Hi! This is a bug we caught last minute, Reason 13 changes the shared resources that Reason 12 uses so the last installed version takes precedence. You can re-install Reason 12 at any time and it'll work fine. We're fixing this ASAP in a point update, sorry about that!

Hi! I'd like to reinstall Reason 12, but can't find it available for download anywhere.

[Theo.M]

Hi! This is a bug we caught last minute, Reason 13 changes the shared resources that Reason 12 uses so the last installed version takes precedence. You can re-install Reason 12 at any time and it'll work fine. We're fixing this ASAP in a point update, sorry about that!

Hi! I'd like to reinstall Reason 12, but can't find it available for download anywhere.

I too found it impossible to find, there is a topic here with links, if you can just wait a couple minutes I'll brb with a link for you.

Edit, here you go:
https://www.reasonstudios.com/download/reason1274/

[TAF]

Hi! I'd like to reinstall Reason 12, but can't find it available for download anywhere.

I too found it impossible to find, there is a topic here with links, if you can just wait a couple minutes I'll brb with a link for you.

Edit, here you go:
https://www.reasonstudios.com/download/reason1274/

Excellent, thank you so much!

I'm assuming that there won't be any more versions of 12, so I'd best hang on to this one.

[Globi]

Unbelievable, some people should seriously slow down, the blood pressure of some is way too hight, and that is not beneficial for health. Reason is a piece of software, not war, not a weapon, just music software. And there are always different opinions, life is full of colours, it‘s not black and white.

That's normal discussion/debate. No one is personally offended or attacked, we are passionately expressing our opinions. For some of us, music IS our entire life, every single day, and therefore we want to enjoy the process as much as we can, and speak up if we don't like something (or do like it). There's no such thing as "just" music software. Maybe for you, but that doesn't mean it's that way for all of us.

If you think that was a high blood pressure inducing conversation in any way, then I think you are way too sensitive. We can't all be robots and just agree with everything the other says. That wasn't even remotely heated or "bad".

Using the "there's so many more important things in the world, like war" line, is a cheap shot and that can be used every single time some of us privileged westerners complain about something comparatively minor,. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.

You are right about one thing, there are many different opinions, indeed. And that's what a discussion forum is all about, expressing those differing opinions.

Peace.

[Theo.M]

I too found it impossible to find, there is a topic here with links, if you can just wait a couple minutes I'll brb with a link for you.

Edit, here you go:
https://www.reasonstudios.com/download/reason1274/

Excellent, thank you so much!

I'm assuming that there won't be any more versions of 12, so I'd best hang on to this one.

Right. We will likely never see a Windows 10/11 VST3 fix in R12, so will just have to live with it if we want to use R12 and just use VST2 plugins. There's no reason that makes any business sense for them to continue updating their older version (unfortunately, but financially it makes sense for them to stick to 13 updates now and go only forward from there).
I have downloaded both the Mac and PC versions "just in case" and I recommend anyone else if they have the backup space to do that also, as they can take down that download page any time they want to.
It's also the best version of 12 anyway, the very last release, so is the one to have.
Enjoy!

[Theo.M]

I don't like selective quoting, and furthermore, DP had midi/audio part of instrument tracks split till the recent update (for one example), but regardless, I am reading what you are saying and I disagree.

As I clearly said, I am talking about single audio tracks and single instrument tracks using one output each, which reason has a fader for in the rack which also corresponds to a fader in the mixer. Not all DAWs expose every output in the sequencer page, as I also explained. So I know *exactly* what you are talking about but I completely disagree, as with many DAWs you have to purposely choose to show those tracks in the arrange page, as I do as I happen to like it.

On that front, until Reason has folders it will be far too messy to do such a thing and show every item that has a corresponding fader on the sequencer page, so on that one front, we do indeed agree, but it's still a valid feature for audio tracks and single output instruments.

It would be a mini representation of the rack or mixer fader, just a shortcut so you don't always have to go back and forth.

Am I the only one who besides drum synths with multi outs, works generally in single mono or stereo channel outputs? i.e. one track per "sound"? So I am suggesting for the tracks that DO get displayed in the sequencer, to have a fader from the mixer in a tab on the plugin browser on the left.

I wasn't expressing an opinion, I was trying to explain why it's not the same thing in Reason as other DAWs. Apologies if I was not clear, I'm not saying it's not a good idea, I'm explaining (hopefully factually) why it's not possible with the current paradigm in Reason. Other things would have to change for this to work, just saying.

But for the tracks that ARE on the sequencer page, it *would* be possible. That's all I meant. And since all my tracks are on the sequencer page and even ones that aren't end up there due to automation, I guess I was thinking about it Giles from a personal viewpoint.
I, and I am sure everyone else also, try really hard to put myself in others' shoes when I comment, but ultimately I often fail and think that everyone works the way I do, for example. I think we all do what we think is logical and expect everyone else to follow suit, to a degree, and I admit, that's TOTALLY wrong of me and a bad habit.

So from your comments, I am now of the opinion that many if not most other Reason users do NOT work in my simple style and therefore would have too many tracks that are not shown on the sequencer page for this to work.

Recently with Nuendo I have had to re enable this and I was going crazy trying to find my busses and master LOL, as they disabled it by default now.

I like you heaps Giles, but the other thing is that anything negative I have said about Reason 13, you really seem to be pushing back against it, a lot actually, and I am sorry if I got a little poopy about it. Even with the first pic which clearly shows a dark contrast on track selection to barely any at all, you had to disagree with. It's everything, and I was just getting a wall up about it.
So I am just asking you as a friend to understand, that regardless of competition on the market, regardless of whether Reason is now more in line, for example, with the typical plugin synth browser, that *I*, Theo, just doesn't like the workflow changes and my brain can't adapt to it. Not without a lot of resistance and not joyfully, anyway, and music should be joyful.

I am GUTTED, you have no idea how much, as I love Reason, but it's going in the exact opposite direction of what I think is right.
I wanted folders by now, I wanted ARA by now, and I wanted visual PDC by now. Plus an option of course to dock the browser. With those 4 things, I could happily make it my main DAW, but without them, Reason at best can be a plugin for me atm in ANOTHER DAW, and now with the browser changes, they have damaged that too for me.
Because as a plugin in Pro Tools, I get access to RE's and Reason native stuff only, so all are tied to the new browser. ALL, i.e. my entire synth browsing workflow.

Does that make sense?
Of course you can disagree and like or even love the browser, and for those who do, I am really happy for them! I just wish there was a solution that could make us ALL happy without breaking it for anyone, and I think the preferences I suggested would do it.

And yes, maybe re the fader feature, I was speaking far too hastily without thinking it through. I agree there and apologise.

BTW, will you please read your PM reply? I sent it immediately lol and it's perpetually in my outbox!

Peace.

[buddard]

I have downloaded both the Mac and PC versions "just in case" and I recommend anyone else if they have the backup space to do that also, as they can take down that download page any time they want to.

You can still download every Reason update ever released (going back all the way to Reason 1.0.1!) on this official page: https://www.reasonstudios.com/en/reason/updates

I don't see any risk of this page being removed anytime soon, so no reason to panic.

[Theo.M]

I have downloaded both the Mac and PC versions "just in case" and I recommend anyone else if they have the backup space to do that also, as they can take down that download page any time they want to.

You can still download every Reason update ever released (going back all the way to Reason 1.0.1!) on this official page: https://www.reasonstudios.com/en/reason/updates

I don't see any risk of this page being removed anytime soon, so no reason to panic.

Good one, had no idea!

[AnotherMathias]

I'm assuming that there won't be any more versions of 12, so I'd best hang on to this one.

The problem is that while you COULD stick with the (superior) v12, that means you can’t update Reason again. Ever!

[NoisiaTHX]

[PhillipOrdonez]

There are at least two issues here that are caused by user error:

On the Sequencer issue, where people who do not know how to switch windows using the F keys and the edit view takes the part of the sequencer, pressing SHIFT + TAB closes the edit view and leaves the sequencer only.

On the browser searching for plucks: if he had clicked on the "Synth" category, the sub category "Plucks" would have appeared, but he did not, that is whyhe could not see the "Pluck" category.

Search on the top bar of the sequencer, not an error but you get used and after a short while you don't really missclick so, not an issue.

and lastly, he seems to not be aware of how an adaptive grid works based on zoom. Weird cause it works the same in Ableton Live which he also uses. Though I do agree with his sentiment that the program should remember how one uses it and remain and adapt to the way one works. Yes please!

[spacepluk]

I have downloaded both the Mac and PC versions "just in case" and I recommend anyone else if they have the backup space to do that also, as they can take down that download page any time they want to.

You can still download every Reason update ever released (going back all the way to Reason 1.0.1!) on this official page: https://www.reasonstudios.com/en/reason/updates

I don't see any risk of this page being removed anytime soon, so no reason to panic.

Nice! this should be a good way to get all the demo songs right?
Unfortunately, I've sold my license a few times and I don't own all the older versions.

[tanni]

Create a ticket.

I did, though I'm sure they're already aware of it.

Comparing memory usage of 24 empty audio tracks with 24 instances of FabFilter Pro Q 3:
Reason 13: 13.5 GB
Cubase: 500 MB

Reason allocates over 500 MB for every VST3 plugin, regardless of their actual requirements. I don't see how they'd miss this. Maybe this "bug" was a quick fix for some other issue that cropped up close to the release of VST3 (just speculation).

I can also confirm the bug because I had memory problems in the current project. EACH vst3 plugin needs around 500 MB, even if I use the same ones several times. Around 500 MB of RAM for each one, which will not be released again if I remove the vst3 plugin. The RAM memory is increasing more and more.
I'm on REASON 12 with Windows10 and only noticed this now on a larger project. This bug is really elementary, it's a miracle that more people don't have problems with it... due to the fact that vst2 plugins have been discontinued by Steinberg and people are therefore relying more and more on vst3, that's a knockout criterion.

[mcatalao]

Create a ticket.

I did, though I'm sure they're already aware of it.

Comparing memory usage of 24 empty audio tracks with 24 instances of FabFilter Pro Q 3:
Reason 13: 13.5 GB
Cubase: 500 MB

Reason allocates over 500 MB for every VST3 plugin, regardless of their actual requirements. I don't see how they'd miss this. Maybe this "bug" was a quick fix for some other issue that cropped up close to the release of VST3 (just speculation).

Did they answer? I think this issue is being taken care, so sit tight.

It's odd that this wasn't noticed before, but i can tell you I didn't use a lot of VST3 until trying out East West opus and updating my Ozone stuff. And i guess people are not looking at ram usage every vst thei add to their projects.

Appart from melodyne 5 (I have it but I either used the standalon or the built-in pitch editor in reason) and Steinberg's instruments, all my plugins had both VST2 and VST3 versions and lot's of them didn't have the VST3 version installed.

[s0ber]

Want to add a message of appreciation for Reason 13 and 12, so only kind words will follow.

First of all, hi-res update of all existing REs was mind-blowing. And with the new dark theme it looks absolutely gorgeous and stunning. Default orange color now doesn't look off and is actually pleasing for eyes. I'm just OK with a single color for all of my tracks now, as there are so many beautiful colours in a rack and just everywhere.

I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect, but it feels like v13 sounds deeper and punchier.

Toolbar is placed exactly where it should be and it takes away so much friction that I had before. I use "Quantize" and "Make legato" buttons all the time, and now they are just there when I need them.

I've noticed a general shift towards simplification and streamlining of many UI elements and it feels like a lot of thought were put in those micro decisions regarding UI. I expect it was not easy to make those decisions and I appreciate this a lot.

Huge thanks for the gain tool and especially for a control over "width" parameter. I believe that you should ever go to "Mixer" view only when your song is finished and you ready to start a mixing phase. And full control over a stereo field was something that I was missing in that regard.

And the new browser... It just pushed me to explore the vast library of the sounds because now they are very accessible. I can only imagine amount of work that was invested into tagging all of the samples and patches. I am just so happy.

I'm not a very professional musician, and maybe I'm just a pretentious nerd who loves beautiful things. But Reason 13 is one of the most satisfying pieces of software there is today. And now I just enjoy every second I spend there. And I feel the love from Reason too. <3

Thank you, Reason Studios

[Pepin]

That has never happened here that way, maybe because I have it load my default template on startup.

For me it works even with templates. It's possible something in your template is causing new songs to immediately be flagged as "changed." This has happened to me when a template contained an older version of a VST plugin than the version I had installed. It might also happen if the template is saved with an older Reason version, though I haven't checked myself.

Just to update since I encountered this again...
It seems certain VSTs will immediately write a "Change Patch" step to the undo history when a song file is loaded. A couple examples I found are Korg Opsix Native and NUGEN Audio SigMod. I noticed this after recently adding SigMod to a template. If your template contains any such VSTs, then the auto-close behavior won't work. You can verify that this is happening by checking whether an Undo step is shown in the Edit menu.

My solution is to simply open an empty song file by default. From there, I either load an existing song or choose my template from the File Menu. This is arguably faster anyway, since I don't have to wait for all the VSTs in my template to load if I just want to open an existing song file.

[selig]

I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect, but it feels like v13 sounds deeper and punchier.

I for one really hope it is placebo, because otherwise that means they accidentally and unknowingly changed something (or are not telling us the whole story). Either way, my vote is strongly in the placebo for the same reason it is every update: because they would be shouting this from the rooftops if they had somehow managed to pull it off!