Live 4 Or Reason 2.5 Options

[moneytrain]

hi,
i can't decide between live and reason. i'm into hip hop, chill out and elctronica, but i don't know which software is best suited for my needs. any recommendations?
i was also wondering about the compatibility, which file formats are supported?
and which software has the bigger sampler/ loop library?

thanks a lot,

(p)

[draff]

Hey Money,
Live & Reason are different beasts, and each has their strengths. Both do completely different, and very similar, things. The best option, if you can afford it, is to buy both. You can Rewire Reason to Live. Some points to consider:

1-Live is more of a traditional multitrack sequencer, plus some. It has full VST & MIDI support, so you can add software instruments and effects. Plus, Live is great for working with loops to create grooves. It is compatible with WAV files, so you can drop just about anything in there. It also includes a sampler and drum machine to get you going.

2-Reason is a self contained soft synth workstation. You can play any of the many instruments included, and record as MIDI data. You can also take advantage of the included sampler & drum machine as well.

It really comes down to what type of music you want to record. If you need to record any live input at all, such as vocals, instruments, etc., you need Live. Reason doesn't support external input. However if all you want is to record MIDI data and send to internal instruments, Reason may suit your purposes. While Live can handle VSTi instruments, they do not come with the program, you have to purchase them seperately. Reason comes with LOADS of instruments to play. I am very happy with the Grand Piano, Rhodes, Whurlitzer, strings and brass sounds I've implemented in Live.

Give us some more detailed examples of what you want to record, and we'll try to help you further.

Derek