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Reason 11 has everything that version 8 has, plus more. That's obvious, and so we do point pout to our review on Reason 8 for an in-depth look into the main features of the DAW. The work-flow, the rack, the mixer, everything is there just like in Reason 8. Let's focus on what's new!

VST SUPPORT

The Dubroom purchased an upgrade and the main reason for that is the fact that Reason opened up to VST plug-in's, both instruments and effects. Before, you had to use Rewire and use another DAW to make Reason work with VST's which was truly quite a hassle. Or you could purchase Rack Extensions that had a better quality than the built-in effects and instruments. 

The VST's work just like everything within Reason. You open them in the rack and connect them to the console just like you would with the built-in effects or Rack Extensions (see picture). From there you can open the interface of the VST, like we did with the Convology Reverb reviewed earlier. Automation works fully on every parameter.

A note must be made here, though. Reason 11 works exclusively with 64-Bit Plug-In's. This should not be a problem when you can upgrade your favorite VST's, but when you look to use your older VST's you cannot use the stand-alone version. There is another way, though, which we'll talk about a little bit further in this review. 

Whether you like your free VST's or want to use the real professional effects and instruments that come with a price, the fact that Reason is open for VST simply means it is possible to get any kind of sound out of the DAW.

BUILT-IN INSTRUMENTS AND EFFECTS

There are several new instruments and effects. We didn't check them all (yet), but there's a multi-fx processor, a chorus, and parts of the console can now also be placed in the rack (see picture).

There are a bunch of new instruments as well. In fact, there are much more new instruments than effects. There's the "Radikal Piano", "Rhytmik Drum Machine" and "Monotone Bass Synthesizer". These three instruments enable you to create your own sounds (and rhythms of course).

Several new synthesizers as well. The "Europa", for example. Those that love their electronic Dub will definitely find some patches to tweak and turn into the skanks or theme.

Some exotic stuff is there also, a synthesizer that you can use to create human voice-like sounds for example. Or an instrument with some very odd sounds like "Traveller Organ" or "Harp Guitar". These can add original vibes to your productions when used strategically.

STAND-ALONE OR PLUG-IN?

For this review we only used the stand-alone version of Reason 11. But there is also a Plug-In version. You can use Reason as a Plug-In in Ableton, for example. This comes in handy when you want to use your 32-Bit VST's together with Reason 11. We haven't tested it, but see no reason to doubt it's functionality as a Plug-In in a different DAW.

CONCLUSION

We're not getting paid, in fact it's the other way around: we paid for the upgrade and it's worth it big-time. If only for the fact you can now use VST's and with that have access to instruments and effects from professional companies that all have much better quality than the built-in effects and instruments. The fact that parts of the console can now also be placed in the rack opens possibilities as well.

Without apology, the Dubroom keeps recommending Reason to every producer and artist in search for a DAW that let's you produce Reggae and especially the Dub versions. Whether you're just starting or maybe you're even a veteran. All the prejudices about making Dub with computers have become archaic as software has the same quality as hardware in most instances.

Reason was the most Dub-friendly DAW out there, and Reason is the most Dub-friendly DAW out there. Price-wise, too. At this moment the comparable version of Ableton has a 599 Euro's price-tag and Steinberg's Cubase 581 Euro's. Reason costs 399 Euro's.

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