I only got 13 this week as a free upgrade from 12 so haven't spent enough time with it. But as a lifelong reason user who has tried most other DAWs, nothing compares to the amount of freedom of creativity Reason enables.

I say this as somewhat of a Reason fanboy but I still maintain there are no hard barriers to making music in Reason. A lot of things people wanna see from other DAWs are like, nice/impressive/whatever. But the actual business of composing, recording and editing notes and audio...you can do that, right now. I've made what I consider some of my best music in Reason despite having access to basically every other DAW. That said, I am in the process of moving mostly over to Cubase 13 Pro. 13 Reason versions in and I'm still waiting to be able to hear long notes without having to play the note-on message (note chase). Still waiting for some kind of means to organise my tracks (folders). Still waiting for user definable hotkeys. More colours. A dark mixer. Re-pitch time stretch mode. Audio pitch envelopes. MIDI note feedback on arrow selection + nudging. Punch in. I absolutely do not underestimate the work that goes into software development, but if we've waited literally years to get option/alt+click to collapse/expand all device vendors, I really don't know how much longer I'd have to wait to get these other things, especially if I don't even know if they're a priority to RS. I do hope that what they've done here is lay the groundwork for more significant changes in the future. It wouldn't make sense to implement X, Y and Z only to then change the sequencer layout/workflow and create more work for themselves. And I believe there was some hinting at that in their recent BTS video. And I will end by saying I'm still using Reason to compose. For certain styles of music, it's pretty hard to beat IMO. But for bigger projects where I need those kinds of industry standard QoL features that just aren't being requested by RS's focus groups...makes no sense to wait for em.

I'm confused with the comment at 30:30. The Reason Rack plugin is available inside of other DAWs. You can use the instruments AND effects inside of Ableton just fine. Did I misunderstand the comment?

this should be a free update... embarrassing

Good to see You back, and hear your opinions I dont lime the 12 sequencer I was always getting lost and the resize bar was annoying, so I think the split view in 13 is good and reminds Me of Ableton. The tools I never knew where they was in 12 and never used them either same as You, however I won't be switching DAWs. I want to be able to independently zoom the rack quickly but cant, I also want stem separation.

Bro, a Matt video on Reason? Christmas came early!

It will be very nice if reason implemented into the slice detection feature where if the program noticed a slice on a track that you highlights it will automatically give you the option to John those clips without you having to click click and click one less click will make a world of a difference.

After discovering your channel and being a reason user myself since reason 3, I didn’t know if you had any experience with recycle and spectrasonics. One of your videos posed a transpose conundrum. I figured out away several years ago that allows me to take any recorded sound and turn them into rhythmic fodder that is completely adjustable not just by bpm but also pitch and meter- so, the recording of a vocal or guitar riff or what ever in the key of A for example in 4/4 time ar 122 bpm can be modulated in real time to C in 5/8’at 110 bpm. This can also be automated. I find this flexibility helpful - I compose for modern dance companies 8-20 min pieces of music and this technique allows for really great development

You DO know you can switch between windows by pressing F5,F6, or F7, right? You don’t have to have everything clouding the window.

Thanks for great concise overview of this update. Sounds like a great option (if update is discounted) for people who already own older perpetual license. Still I think the subscription model is something everybody should avoid. I am just against subscription models overall if you are not using (software) Reason all every day and it is your primary tool. With that said I used Reason from 1.0 and early pc days and just can't get over it, like a old nostalgic love :D. Though I use Reaper which is mind-blowing for the price I still have a lots of old Reason projects I would like to revisit with new tools... Thanks again for a great video, keep it up! Cheers

I really feel like they half A things. Take mimic as an example. It had time stretch, chopping, beat sync, but all of these are different t modes. You can’t auto stretch a sample you are chopping to the beat. Most importantly, you can’t affect slices individually. All the technology is in the device to do this, but it affects the whole sample instead of slices. I should be able to reverse, pitch and filter individual slices. I should be able to independently stretch slices. I should be able to tempo match the entire sample to the beat in slice mode. But no, they take the laziest possible implementation of it, which makes a potentially cool device pointless

Upgrading from 11 to 13 worked out good for me. Initially, the $200 price tag had me raising an eyebrow until I compared it to similar plugins from 3rd parties. Most of the stuff on Plugin Boutique can easily cost $99 ea. There is value here, but I think it gets lost in the QoL focus of things that should be free like hi-res (normal) graphics. All that aside, Reason was smart to make the rack a plugin. The rack makes their DAW both unique yet awkward to use. It's an inspiring experience, for sure, and I may try to create something from start to finish, but the rack plugin is becoming a handy companion in almost all of my projects. Between the Reason Rack and Komplete 14 Ultimate + Maschine inside bitwig, I can make anything.

As a Reason / Ableton user myself I can only say this: Reason has always been always a few steps behind the competition and therefor every update will have a mixed bag of feelings. Especially the new sequencer workflow got me frustrated at first. Now I kind of adapted to the concept (because I am partially a potato and I have no idea what I am doing... so that makes perfect sense for me). The click areas you mentioned, yes... that is spot on. I sometimes scream at my screen like 'wtf man'. Then I grow up again, and start clicking on the proper spot. I am still abit surprised that this wasn't mentioned during the beta test phase (or addressed). But this comes simply because the sequencer of Reason Pre 13 simply didn't have this issue at all. After some weeks I somehow got used to things as they are now. But I guess ReasonStudios already gets a lot of feedback related to this update. So they can address issues with patches / updates for Reason 13 now. At least lets hope. Anyway, awesome constructive critism. I am somewhere on the same lines as you mentioned. I adapted to be handicapped.

I was so disappointed that they still haven't updated a simple thing like color swatches. It still comes with a bare minimum of color swatches.

Absolutely the best video you've produced, sums everything up to a tee.

My Reason Rack is crashing Ableton. 😢

Blue cat has a plugin you get er that allows you to do everything you want the rack to do

I downloaded 13 not expecting to lose 12 which I was getting the hang of as a beginner. Im not happy now as feel totally confused and robbed 12 is no longer available.

I'm not sure about the new browser scheme. Plus, they got rid of favorites for devices which is a deal breaker for me despite using it as a plugin. Plus, they supposedly did a browser update in 11, I think. 2 "update" cycles later, and another browser "update"? Then most of these new tool ideas were taken from the RE store. So if you already own those tools, the new RS Rack Tools are useless. I'm sorry. I have to disagree that this is a good update. I think it's the worst in years since it fundamentally changes how you use the program.

i've been waiting for your opinion. you can say that again. i can't recommend reason13 either, but i still love reason.

Fl studio just released an update with a similar stereo tool, a new synth and more stuff than I care to list, not to mention the 20 other updates in the last few years. There is more stuff in the last update than the last two versions of Reason. Plus they got rid of fav lists for external VSTs and their thumbnails making it way slower for me, I don't search with tags very often. I'll stick with 12 for now lol

Thought I’d look at it, too test it. Now I can’t open my tracks on an older version of Reason. That sucks. Should have a huge warning. I want to go back to Reason 11 stand-alone , cos I don’t like Reason 13. However I can’t open my old projects.🤔 What happened to backward compatible?

👏🏻 I agree. It’s unfortunate as I remember when they started and they were such a great team. But yeah.

The new browser is so frustrating its ALWAYS IN THE WAY! I dunno why they did this and trapped it in the reason window, and they dont let you dock it like it used to be at all anymore. Even in reason standalone you have to constantly manage the browser size and position while you're browsing through patches. Overtime, this becomes absolutely INFURIATING. What a completely baffling decision i dont get it.

Long time Reason user here. This is the weakest update I’ve seen in the last several years. You know what’s insane? You can’t drag and drop a wav file from the browser into a VST. You can do that in almost every other DAW. It’s crazy to me I’m waiting for such a basic feature. They’re lucky I use RE’s otherwise I would’ve let go of them a while back.

I agree with a lot of what you have said, and I'm sure a lot of other people do too.

"I think reason should change their business model: I've been thinking this since reason 5 and it hasn't changed.. I'm genuinely surprised it's still in business

I'd love it if they took Reason in the direction that you proposed here. It would keep me from moving away from Reason, which I've been doing more and more over the last few years. I'm a Reason user since 2005 and I can't believe that I prefer to do my creative work elsewhere at this point after all the time I've spent using Reason, but that's where I'm at personally. I doubt they'll go in this direction, but it would make so much sense and give Reason a whole new lease on life for both new and existing users.

New Sub here! Thanks for the video.

Good video. I understand the critic that they did not add new midi tools on the new left side bar, but it is kind of not necessary since all these things you can achieve in Ableton you can do in Reason too by using players. It is just a different concept. And Reason is in a kind of difficult situation. If they add these midi tools then they devalue their player devices or make them redundant. I am Reason user since version 1, tried others Cubase, Ableton and Logic (and Magix Music Maker, haha) and updated every version and I love it. 13 is the first version I will not upgrade anymore. By owning a perpetual license I am now a second class customer for them and they block me from several devices they have. We long time users feel ripped off. So I act also as a second class customer and will not upgrade. just one more positive point, in the 24 years I used reason it never crashed even once, never had any problems of any sorts.

Reason plus is on sale throughout the year for only 99 bucks for a year it’s a good deal

Wasn't the main selling point of Reason 11 that the Browser was fully improved? They're selling that again as a main selling point only 2 versions later? What the...!? Sequencer Upgrade is another selling point on this upgrade...all they did was move the Edit Options from above the Piano Roll to the side of the Piano Roll. What the...!? Another selling point is "It looks good". Looks the same as Reason 12 to me. What the...!? Added Rack Extensions...those have nothing to do with Reason 13 update, hard pass. I'm sure they all can be used in Reason 12. What the...!?

I was more glad to see you Matt .. Good that REason 13 has come out .. i will stick to R 12 for the moment now ... Am looking at other DAWS speciifically LUNA, CUBASE PRO 13 , or maybe Logic pro .. i like the Feel of those DAWs as im more into Live Recording and more of a band production needing sampled instruments ... maybe you could also have a look at LUNA and give your thoughts on it .. Cheers and have a great day

I absolutely agree. Ive contacted Reason about similar issues.

No way I pay 200 for upgrading from 12 to 13, for a delay, a synth I don’t need and a browser update that should be free because it finally became what it was supposed to be in first place in Reason 12. 99$ max

They use to have that with ReWire to be able to open stand alone with a different DAW. But for some magical reason they got rid of it 😂

I love Reason. It was my first. I have a special bond with it. But the workflow in standalone, as a proper DAW with arranger, the workflow just provides too much friction. It's not intuitive, not even after years of use. Workflow in Ableton Live is the opposite. Live is fast, easy, flexible.

There is no DAW that for me feels even close being as creative and fun as Reason. For creating music that is. I mix in UAD Luna and Studio One (depending on the mixing tools I use) since Reason is too cluttered for that. Also I want a classic channels - busses - mixbus setup. But the quality of the instruments and effects in Reason are amazing and they actually had proper mastering tools built in for years, which many daws hasn't had. Anyway, for me Reason is my songwriting tool since I can have full screen view of all instruments and just can unfold the one I'm working on. Also you find creative solutions by connecting cables on the backside.

I subscribe, so I have 13 regardless. If I was doing perpetual, I'd probably skip it. It isn't necessarily bad, it's just not one of those "oh, I HAVE to have this or I'll never be able to breathe" updates.

A good free daw is Universal Audio Luna. 😊

18:12 lmao, that’s so bad it’s actually kinda funny

I used to teach Reason at a college.... but their customer service was horrific. They did not care at all about their customers and were absolutely no help when we had issues. For instance, we had purchased a multi-pack license which contained 10 licenses. The rub is rack extensions did not work with the multi-pack version. And when we asked about an upgrade path so we could get rack extensions their reply was there is none.... so to get access to rack extensions we would have to re-purchase Reason at full price. WTF?! We complained and they did not care.... so we stopped teaching Reason and took it out of our program.... Does Reason still save their audio files into the Reason song file? If so, that is crap. I love Reason but hate.... I detest the people that run the company.

Just too much money for too little REAL functionality being added. Sadly, these days you have to wait out about 3-4 upgrades to justify the cost. 12 was even less being added, so 12 and 13 TOGETHER for $200 is STILL too much. I GET IT that between 12 and 13, they've fixed some WORKFLOW/APPEARANCE stuff: FINALLY being high res (that took TOO LONG), some usability, minor effects and tools... but that just IS NOT ENOUGH for the rest of us that want NEW MUSIC MAKING CAPABILITIES (with a tiny "not worth the cost" nod to Polytone and the new effects).

Hey now, nice to see you back : I quit reason and never upgraded from 11 to 13 and a reason is the f*****g browser driving me absolutely bunkers, among other s**t like pricing REASON may R.I.P. I will use 11 as a plugin and nothing more .... Cheers 🥂

yes, it's always only half-finished and implemented...and it takes an eternity until something is integrated...if at all. I always wonder what they do all the time... not much comes out of it... always just the absolute minimum... we don't need any new effects and synth... there are 1000 and much better ones. I've been using version 2.0 for a while and at the moment I'm still on version 10.0. I won't update either. Maybe it's time to change the DAW

You should start an AA meeting for Reason users. lol!!

0:23. I switched off. Ad at begining, followed by self promotion! This is literally a review? 0/10

I just want Reason Suite back :(

I decided to stop my subscription. Moving on. I'm tired of waiting for basic features. My two other DAWs keep getting fantastic updates so no point in pulling my hair anymore because of Reason Studios' weird focus. New browser? The last thing I wanted and needed. I was fine having my patches in folders, I don't need stupid tags. "Oh, I want something analog, evolving, boomy, lush.." 🙄Do you find this so useful? So much that you even tag your own patches? Which is a stupid cumbersome two-step workflow.

They fvcked up when they thought REs will beat Vsts and concentrated on that…I think they will always stay a small company with a small fan base

In my case, it’s pointless to get the upgrade as I’m still on Mojave haha. Besides, I mostly make AI songs nowadays. Suno AI is taking over.

That shrinking "cursor zone" thing is so annoying.

If they're unable to offer anything new or at least something that is worthy of it being a reason to call it a whole new version then they should have just categorised it an update ie v12.8.0 NOT v13! But of course its a about the money and keeping up with cubase 13 and ableton 13 ... they were simply desperate and didn't really have a choice BUT there is no way they can justify the cost for this apparent new version. FAIL. They simply fell behind and needed to release v13 or risk being left behind.

Maybe Reason Should give it up as a DAW!? Focus on making it a reason rack! I 100% agree! Ive thought this for so long now. You definitely are on the same page as me!

R13 is basically a few plugins they could have sold as extensions and minor changes to the DAW. Absolute bullsh*t, do they think we are stupid? They need to employ some developers to transform the DAW instead of getting that Ryan dude to make annoying videos telling us how "cool" and "rad" it is, when it isn't.

Fl just took the biggest ish ever on Reason 13 biz model

Reason has gone from a second-rate DAW to borderline irrelevant. As a plugin, it's cool but as a DAW it can't compete with the likes of Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One or even Bitwig and Tracktion Waveform. New devices just don't cut it. It's not 2008 anymore. The aforementioned companies seem to add major quality of life improvements with each iteration. Reason adds a Poly synth like we don't have 500 synth plugins already. Reason has lost me because they consistently overprice under deliver. If Bitwig doesn't get their s**t together , and start listening to user feedback, they'll be next.

I have been a Reason user since R5, they have had a boat load of my hard earned money (I have bought a perpetual license for every update since R5. But I am finished with Reason for good now. The only truly good thing, is how Reason's virtual rack wiring can teach newbies and kids how to wire a hardware rack and mostly only big studios use outboard gear these days. Also AI is destroying the music business and will be coming for DAW'S, probably next week at it's current rate of acceleration. RIP Reason 😢

ThirDEEN!!!

Then $199? When logic is $199. They won’t get my money. It’s so disrespectful to me as a Reason 12 user. No special discount for current reason 12 users. I’m out!!!!

2024 and no mpe Support 😤🤦

I hate this update, its downgrade, browser nots new , we had it before, no more favorite devices and edit window gone, i don't use tool window and never did , there's more windows then it should be , it #Resondows now.Dont care about price , but this sn amature work and we don't have a choice to have an old interfaces with new Reason 13 , so ill stay on 12 or go for ableton or whatever

Reason is a very special kind of sports car: made for a particular type of driver and defined by its limitations - celebrated, even. Those who dont understand this are missing the point of the DAW.

All DAWs can pretty much do everything these days … 99.9% of the problems have nothing to do with the DAWs … 🤓 …

Love your videos mate and great to see you publish another. Ive been using Reason since,...well, Rebirth lol. I agree with the overall sentiment in here and dind myself using it as a plugin rather than a standalone DAW - these days I frequent Bitwig as my main. Given your excitement over the new delay machine with guitar, I thought I'd share this gem with you: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gNd5ZcKY2bu4qo0.html

Bitwig ....no more money for reason . Crap company . They will fall