Propellerhead is now shipping Reason 2.0, the latest release of its "virtual studio rack" software for Windows and Mac OS, including Mac OS X support.

Reason offers a self-contained synthesizer studio system for the computer. The software includes an analog type sequencer, sampler, drum machine, Malstrom Graintable synthesizer, loop player, analog-style polyphonic synthesizer and more.

Reason’s NN-XT synthesizer

All of them are provided in a rack-style interface with real-time access to dials, knobs, buttons and a variety of other settings. Reason 2.0 also includes a new NN-XT Advanced Synthesizer, for heavy-duty programming, a detachable sequencer that can now be placed anywhere on the screen, the unique Malstrom Graintable Synthesizer, and the Orkester Sound Library.

System requirements for Reason 2.0 are PowerPC 604/166MHz or faster Mac, including G3 and G4 systems, Mac OS 9.0 or later (including Mac OS X 10.1 or later), CD-ROM drive, 800x600 resolution with 256 color support, MIDI interface and MIDI keyboard.

Mac OS 9, Mac OS X and Windows versions of Reason 2.0 all ship on the same CD. Price is $399 (US). The upgrade from Reason 1.0 costs $89. Downloadable demos of Reason 2.0 are available at http://www.propellerheads.se,including separate downloads for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

More about Reason 2.0:

Malstrom Graintable Synthesizer
A new invention from Propellerheads that combines granular synthesis with wavetable synthesis. Graintables are extremely flexible and expressive sound sources, which allow for comprehensive manipulation. This includes being able to move through a sound by controlling the movement with real-time controllers, velocity, modulators and finding exciting new possibilities by controlling the spectral harmonics of the Graintable.

Malstron Graintable synthesizer

Malstrom’s two filters both have five different modes, including 12dB/oct low-pass, band-pass, subtractive and additive comb-filters and an AM mode.

A shared filter envelope is also included which can control either or both of the filter sections at the same time

As an integral part of the second filter, the Shaper adds another dimension to Malstrom. It basically shapes the input signal with either a sine wave, noise or can transform the sound using saturation, digital distortion or bit-reduction. Furthermore the oscillators can be routed in many different ways to the two filter sections providing a vast amount of sound manipulation options.

Malstrom also includes two modulators/LFO’s with a wide variety of curves available. Used in “one-shot” mode these can be used to generate interesting attacks or envelopes and can also be used as tempo sync’ed LFO’s.

The most dynamic sound generating parameters can be controlled using CV and Gate controls from the Matrix sequencer or other Reason devices. Malström also provides audio inserts between oscillators and filters with the added benefit of being able to use both filters as stand-alone devices.

NN-XT Advanced Sampler
A new powerhouse sampler, the NN-XT includes useful features to build realistic instrument patches. Where the existing NN-19 is a ”fast-track” sampler, the new NN-XT is for more demanding sampling tasks. Powerful features include automatic pitch detection and mapping of samples, graphical zone editing, loop editing, layering plus zone velocity switching, and crossfading.

Each selected zone (or zones, if multiple are selected) can furthermore be programmed individually using the extensive synthesis facilities. These include filters with six different modes, two LFO’s, two envelopes, micro-tuning capabilities and routing to any of the 16 audio outputs.

The alternate function is another unique NN-XT feature. By randomly alternating between zones whenever the same key is played repeatedly, the NN-XT makes sure the same sample is never triggered twice in a row. The result is added realism.

The graphical editing display can be folded in or out, depending on whether advanced editing is required. Macro controls, located on the front panel, simplifies editing of commonly used parameters and patch adjustments. The NN-XT also loads SoundFont 2 patches and samples providing access to a huge existing library.

Enhanced sequencer features
In Reason 2.0, the main sequencer breaks free from the rack and can expand fully across the screen or be resized and moved, even to a second monitor. New tools include Zoom, Line and Eraser tools.

All existing devices in Reason now also have feature-locking LFO’s tightly to the sequencer.

The Orkester NN-XT Sound Library
Reason 2.0 comes with plenty of patch and library material for the two new instrument devices. An extensive orchestral ReFIll, created exclusively for the NN-XT, is also included. Recorded in Stockholm, these sample patches feature live, classically trained musicians and the samples are designed to blend in with the sounds from Reason’s other devices. The Orkester NN-XT Sound Library spans from single woodwinds to complete string sections, and covers all essential playing styles.

New OS support
Reason 2.0 fully supports both Windows XP and Mac OS X. Mac OS X support include Core Audio, Aqua GUI and any MIDI interfaces recognized by Mac OS X.