Softube/RS relationship - Reason 13.1

[Whoopdee]

I'm still a bit bummed that Softube pulled their plugins from the RE shop. I own all of them except the larger TSAR reverb unit. They have a sonic quality that I can't find in another other plugins. I'm almost tempted to break my own code of not using VSTs in Reason to use their suite of plugins, but then I would need to break my code of never using iLok protected plugins...

Noticed a couple now-pulled Softube plugins were shown in the latest 13.1 video on youtube:

Just thought it was strange they would do this considering Softube abandoned the RE format.

I also find it a bit ironic that when Propellerheads had their falling out with Line6 for the stock guitar amp devices, that they would eventually partner with Softube, whom would end up abandoning the RE format.

There are a handful of alternatives to their plugins in the RE format, for example the blamsoft pultec EQ, but It has a more cold/transparent sound, which can be really useful for sculpting, but I always find myself reaching for the softube to warm things up...

I'm hoping they, and other big-name developers come back. But I'm also happy to see excellent independent developers like Turn2On, Ekssperimental Sounds, Dusty Devices, etc pumping out excellent RE plugins.

[Jackjackdaw]

I wondered about that shout out in the video too.

[cocoazenith]

They have a sonic quality that I can't find in another other plugins.

This is actually what I've always expected Reason Studios to be developing. Top-tier mixing and processing units.
It's also a good way of tapping into a whole new, and might I say hefty, segment of the consumer market for the benefit of the RRP ecosystem.

One explanation for this not happening is probably their lack of know-how in this DSP realm and also the lack of funds to outsource such ideas...

[Steedus]

My admittedly uninformed view is that a few devs back in the day stopped all development keeping their REs up to date in-line with their equivalent VST versions and weren't active during sales events - and then wondered why sales of the REs went in the toilet - eventually abandoning the format.

But I also think (again uninformed) that the RE format SDK took too long to mature. I remember at the beginning REs were imagined to have all functionality of native devices etc, but I don't think that's the case even today. Maybe the limited functionality stunted it's growth before it even got going?

[Loque]

My admittedly uninformed view is that a few devs back in the day stopped all development keeping their REs up to date in-line with their equivalent VST versions and weren't active during sales events - and then wondered why sales of the REs went in the toilet - eventually abandoning the format.

But I also think (again uninformed) that the RE format SDK took too long to mature. I remember at the beginning REs were imagined to have all functionality of native devices etc, but I don't think that's the case even today. Maybe the limited functionality stunted it's growth before it even got going?

From comments like "not possible with REs" from devs, I think your last point is the biggest reason.

[Tinnitus]

Clearly missed any announcement before this RT thread.

It must have been sudden, as they are still listed on the main website.

https://www.reasonstudios.com/devices?cat=Effects

I would have thought that in the interest of promoting the uniqueness of RRP and rack ideal, they would be pursuing developers to support this format.

[joeyluck]

Clearly missed any announcement before this RT thread.

It must have been sudden, as they are still listed on the main website.

https://www.reasonstudios.com/devices?cat=Effects

I would have thought that in the interest of promoting the uniqueness of RRP and rack ideal, they would be pursuing developers to support this format.

The Softube Guitar and Bass amps are built-in and still there.

Although I wouldn't mind if they were replaced by Kuassa devices Those sound much better.

[joeyluck]

Just thought it was strange they would do this considering Softube abandoned the RE format.

If anything, it provides an example to users that REs remain in your account and compatible with future versions of Reason, even when they are discontinued. And if someone is so inspired by a Softube device in the video, the VSTs are still an option.

Aside from the free Saturation Knob, the only Softube RE I had bought was the FET compressor, which I haven't used in forever. I use RE-2A on most everything (another RE collector's item) as well as Fiedler Audio's Gravitas (VST and module inside Dolby Atmos Composer) aside from other creative effects that add coloring and compression.

Their lack of CV implementation and then the release of the Tube-Tech as a single monolith device in a modular environment like Reason, felt to me like they never truly understood the Reason environment. I prefer the Kuassa MP5 over the Tube-Tech (which at least covers the Pulteq EQ portion).

I'm very happy that Reason has a developer like Kuassa on board and people should show these dedicated RE devs some love

[Jackjackdaw]

Kuassa are legends for sticking with Reason. Love their stuff. Use it all the time.

[JaceFace]

Kuassa and IK Amplitube are my go-to amps. I do still miss Line6 tho.

[dioxide]

I like how Softube's stuff sounds but I'm also a Rack Extension fundamentalist and prefer to avoid VSTs. I recently cracked and bought their SH101 and Juno 106 emulations on sale but I just use them for noodling around instead of actual music making. The Softube REs I have are great though and it's a shame they pulled their products, although it must be said they were much more expensive than other REs at the time. From what I've seen their prices are a bit more sane these days, although maybe that's just the sales. Sweden is an expensive place and I guess they have their staff costs but it makes their products expensive to anyone buying elsewhere.

[motuscott]

Totes guitar dilettante here, but I've got a set of Kuassa amps that I would've crawled through glass to achieve as a younger, more handsome man.

[chimp_spanner]

Modern guitarists are utterly spoilt for tone these days. Helix Native, Amplitube 5, Kuassa, Neural DSP. Sometimes I don't even know which one to load up, they're all amazing.