Audio Production Features:  

Many taking the plunge into Recording Studio software can be dismayed when the analog control equivalents are either lacking or underdeveloped. Fortunately, Reason 4 offers some advanced controls that rival, and in some cases exceed, their analog counterparts and, with the help of features like the Combinator, analog and digital can come together to make something entirely new.

Reason 4 features 3 synthesizers: Thor, a polysonic synthesizer with four filter types and six forms of synthesis; Substractor, which offers the look, feel and sound of analog synthesizers; and Malstrom, a Graintable synthesizer that pre-processes sampled sound into periodic wave-forms that can be manipulated with incredible precision to adjust position and even alter format within the harmonic spectra without altering pitch.

In addition to its comprehensive synthesizer set, Reason provides 2 samplers. The advanced NN-XT provides an array of tools for sound construction and instrument emulation within a facile, easy to use interface with full sound visualization. The NN-19 sampler, on the other hand, provides for quick, on-the-go automation, modulation and manipulation in a simplified interface.

One of the most important aspects of any Recording Studio software suite is its effects rack and sequencers. Reason provides separate tools for drum and percussion sequencing with its Redrum feature, an optimized loop player with Dr. Rex as well as an enhanced Sequencer that provides users an impressive amount of precision to edit, manipulate and modify any given track. In addition to impressive sequencers and percussion and loop tools, Reason boasts the Combinator, which literally combines the unique editing features of an effects unit, the flexibility of a synthesizer and the manipulation and modulation of a sampler to make sounds and music unlike any other, an intuitive customizable mixer, and an advanced monophonic arpeggiator, which helps convert simple chords into dynamic melody lines.

Reason also offers a high-quality digital vocoder that lets users use any two input signals, as opposed to the typical microphone and keyboard combo, enabling them to vocode along with percussions, bass or even rhythm guitar. This feature, couple with its Scream Sound Destruction Unit, lets users incorporate a variety of analog effects like distortion, feedback and decay into their tracks.