Add to ChromeWhen comparing Reason vs Sequel 3, the Slant community recommends Reason for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs? ” Reason is ranked 13th while Sequel 3 is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Reason is:
Reason may look intimidating at first, but it is just as easy to learn as any DAW, if not more so, yet has incredible depth once you delve deeper, with some options that are just not possible in other DAWs.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy to learn
Reason may look intimidating at first, but it is just as easy to learn as any DAW, if not more so, yet has incredible depth once you delve deeper, with some options that are just not possible in other DAWs.
Pro Now supports VST
As of version 9.5, Reason now supports VSTs.
Pro Easy and intuitive while being feature rich
You can go really deep into creating sound and routing. Find possibilities you cant do with any other DAW.
Pro Modular enviroment
Synths, effects, and utilities can be modularly wired via audio and CV.
Pro Offers an easy way to quantize and slice audio
Reason makes it easy to stretch audio or slice it up for glitchy sound effects. When audio is loaded, it is analyzed so slice markers can be placed at the beginning and end of each note. Slice markers appear when the audio sample is double clicked.
Pro Mimics true hardware through a skeuomorphic GUI/UX
Reason's rack and mixer visually emulate real studio hardware through a skeuomorphic GUI/UX, allowing you to route audio cables and CV very intuitively. Hit "tab" on your computer keyboard, and you can see the rear of the rack, making routing very easy to understand.
Pro Can convert audio to REX files
REX files record effects and slices on top of the original file, and will play audio at the tempo of a project. REX files provide many uses and are a great addition to Reason.
Pro Built in Audio Pitch Editor
Reason's Audio Pitch Editor easily can hold its own to Melodyne Essentials. Makes editing vocals and other monophonic sound very easy.
Pro Great built in instruments and effects
Mulitple high quality built in synthesisers, drum loops, samplers and effects with plenty of pre-built patches to explore plus the ability to create your own unique sounds.
Pro Loop, convert and overdub on the fly
Pro Massive free video tutorials content
Professionally produced tutorial videos often released by Propellerhead that show you how to use the software. Reason also has a thriving user base that offers video tutorials showing you how to do almost anything you need.
Pro Amazing automation arrangement
Using clips makes it very easy to automate precisely.
Pro Multi FX presets
The multi fx are very nice. Great for transitions and complete sound management.
Pro Supports MIDI out
MIDI out is a new addition in Reason, allowing feedback to MIDI devices.
Pro Great for live peformances
Pro Designed to be easy to learn
Sequel 3 was made by the folks behind Cubase, and it is meant to be lighter and easier to learn. This program's focus on loops and computer generated drum patterns makes the process easier for people with no music knowledge.
Pro Dedicated beat page
There is a page exclusively meant for generating drum patterns.
Cons
Con Dated low resolution graphics (GUI/UX does not scale for 4K displays or higher)
Rack and mixer are still low resolution, designed for displays in the "pre-4K" era. Even on 1080p HD displays, the rack and mixer can be difficult to see and work with.
Con Still not performing well using VST's
Everything seems to work fine for VSTs now, works like a charm with my akai mpk mini and rstouch reason studios controller on my ipad, which was just updated for reason 11.
Con Mix only by ear
You can not type in a value in the mixer.
Con GUI not for everyone and complicated
Con 32-bit only
While Sequel 3 supports VST3, it oddly (imo) doesn't have a 64-bit installer, meaning you can't load any 64-bit VST3s either. Not sure how it was even possible for that to have ever happened.
Con Outdated
Con Complicated to download
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