Reason 9.5 finally gets VST integration, users’ no.1 request for years
It has taken 9 and a half revisions and some change but finally with Reason 9.5 users can rejoice at the fact that the latest version of Propellerhead’s all-in-one DAW will now integrate with 3rd party VST plugins.
This has been the single biggest new feature request for many years and Propellerhead has always stoically maintained that VST integration would compromise the stability of Reason and also make it less efficient with CPU usage.
The resources issue is a fair one as Reason has always been very efficient but the stability claim always felt like an excuse as every other DAW manages to integrate VST’s without major problems.
Reason 9.5 finally answers our prayers!
Rack Extensions was introduced several versions back and this seemed to be a workable and fair enough answer to the demand for additional plugins. To be fair Logic Pro has audiounit technology, Cubase has VST and Pro Tools uses RTAS. So why not Rack Extensions for Reason?
But here’s the problem; while most plugins are almost all VST, AU and RTAS compatible, many are not made for Rack Extensions, thus leaving Reason users still feeling like they did not have access to the entire smorgasbord of ‘plugins-ville.’
Enter Reason 9.5 and all is atoned.
I suspect Propellerhead have lost significant ground to the likes of Logic Pro X which is a snip at only R 3,000 for the full program and FL Studio which continues to punch above its weight with immense popularity.
About Reason 9.5 VST integration
Propellerhead have anticipated many of the questions that will be asked about Reason 9.5.
There is a full FAQ section on their Reason 9.5 product page but here are a few pointers that grabbed our attention;
How are VSTs used in Reason 9.5? – “Reason will find any VST plugin that you have installed on your computer. The VST plugins can then be found among Reason’s own devices and Rack Extensions in the browser. Drag your desired instrument or effect to the rack and its there! VST plugins live inside the new plugin host device in the rack. This is where you can route audio and CV and open the plugin’s own window.”
Will Reason be less stable now? – “We’ve implemented a limited crash protection system for VSTs that means we attempt to detect crashes in the VST and prevent the plugin from crashing Reason. Since VST plugins are third-party code, it is still possible to experience problems with plugins. Keep in mind that our VST support in Reason in itself doesn’t make the application less stable if you don’t have or use any VST plugins.”
Any VST 2.4 compliant plugin will work with Reason 9.5
Watch the video here:
[youtube_sc url=”mmxrTNgO0rU”]Pricing
Reason 9.5 will be available in South Africa via Tuerk Music Technologies from 29 May 2017.
Reason 9 USD $449 / EUR €405 – Approx. R 6,000 – R 7,000
Reason Essentials 9 USD $129 / EUR €120i – Approx. R 1,700 – R 2,500
Reason 9 Upgrade (from any previous Reason version) USD $129 / EUR €129 – Approx. R 1,700 – R 2,500
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