Propellerhead Reason 2.0 Released
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June 18, 2002
Propellerhead Software, the
Swedish company behind products such as Reason, Recycle!
and ReBirth, today announced the highly anticipated release of Reason
2.0, an upgrade to its popular flagship music software program.
Reason is a successful software program for both Windows
and Mac platforms that emulates a rack of electronic synthesizers,
samplers, drum machines, FX's and sequencers. Though only released in
December 2000, Reason has already received many prestigious industry
awards.
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 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.
New OS support
Reason 2.0 fully supports both Windows XP and Mac OS
X. Mac OS X support include Core Audio, Aqua GUI and any MIDI
interfaces recognized by Mac OS X.
Pricing and Availability
Reason 2.0 is available worldwide starting
June 18, 2002 for USD $399/ Euro $449. Existing registered owners
can upgrade for USD $89/ Euro $99 thru their local distributor. This
major upgrade comes on 3 CD's and has been tested by 3000 registered
users in a special compatibility testing program.
Reason is distributed in the US by Midiman/M-Audio. For more information, visit their web site at www.propellerheads.se. | 
