Music software developer Propellerhead Software has noted that it’s now shipping Reason 2.0, the latest major release of its “virtual studio rack” software for Mac OS and Windows. Reason 2.0 sports myriad improvements, including Mac OS X support.
Designed for professional musicians, DJs and audio engineers, Reason provides a completely self-contained synthesizer studio system on your computer. The software includes an analog type sequencer, sampler, drum machine, Graintable synthesizer, loop player, analog-style polyphonic synthesizer and more. All of them are provided in a rack-style interface that gives you real-time access to dials, knobs buttons and a variety of other settings to help get the sound you want.
Specific improvements in Reason 2.0 beside Mac OS X support include the NN-XT Advanced Synthesizer, developed for heavy-duty programming; a detachable sequencer that can now be placed anywhere on the screen; the unique Malström Graintable Synthesizer; and the Orkester Sound Library.
System requirements for Reason 2.0 call for any PowerPC 604/166MHz or faster Mac, including G3 and G4 systems, Mac OS 9.0 or later (including Mac OS X 10.1 or later), CD-ROM drive, 800×600 resolution with 256 color support, MIDI interface and MIDI keyboard.
Mac OS 9, Mac OS X and Windows versions of Reason 2.0 all ship on the same CD. The full version costs US$399. The upgrade from Reason 1.0 costs $89. Downloadable demos of Reason 2 are available from the Propellerheads Web site. Separate downloads exist for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.