Logic Express Or Reason? Advice Please!, Facing discount deadlines... Options

[dten]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for some advice on a software purchase.

I know that Logic Express is a full DAW and Reason is more of a big synth plug-in, so they're not directly comparable; but hear me out.

I'm somewhat of an audio newbie. Here's my current gear:
* iMac 1.25ghz 512mb RAM
* Boss BR-532 digital 4-track recorder
* GarageBand

I've got an electric guitar and a mic going into the BR-532, which is then plugged into the line-in of my iMac via a cheap RCA-to-1/4" Y-adapter. Maybe not best quality, but it works enough for an amateur like me. And I use GarageBand to record audio into different tracks and clean it up a little bit.

I'd really like a software drum machine and soft synths to play with, ala Reason. I'd rather spend my time learning to make my own mediocre stuff instead of sifting through other people's loops looking for something that will never be quite what I'm looking for.

Unfortunately, since Reason is almost $400, it might be a while before I can afford buying it.

However, as a college student, I can buy Logic Express 6 for $150 -- half off the regular price. But that discount runs out in about 6 weeks as I'm about to graduate.

I'm wondering if you people think I should go ahead and buy LE6 now at the discount price, in case I start to need more DAW capabilities than GarageBand can provide, so I won't be kicking myself in the head for not buying it at the discount. Or, should I save up for Reason instead, and just export it into GarageBand tracks?

Or even any other suggestions for my setup?
Thanks in advance.

[terrywil]

Hi. Definitely go ahead and get the Logic for $150. You'll be glad you did - at least once you learn how to work it. It's not Garageband. It's a fabulous program.

Also, there is a source with an academic package for Reason for $199 - at Florida Music Co. Go to:

http://floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?p...?prod=REASONACA

Audiomidi is another source that has an academic package for a little more ($229), just in case Florida Music is a problem. Go to:

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/produc...ct.cfm?pid=2597

I recommend Spectrasonics Stylus for drum loops. Really great program. They have a new technology coming out for Stylus in September that is supposed to be incredible, and the upgrade is free (Sylus RMX S.A.G.E.). It's currently $279 and no academic pricing that I could find.