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In the latest Reason release, version 4, users are introduced not only to a number of powerful new Reason units, but also to completely new production concepts and ways of making music. We caught up with a selection of hardworking artists and veteran Reason users to find out how Reason version 4 works for them.

Your Reason rack just got bigger. All new Reason version 4 comes equipped with a brand new sequencer, a revolutionary groove tool, a stunning arpeggiator and a synth to end all synths. Welcome to Reason version 4 - the bigger rack.

Four different filter types. Six forms of synthesis. Godlike modulation capabilities. Thunderous sound. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the Thor Polysonic synthesizer. Thor sounds like no synthesizer you`ve ever heard before - and every single one of them. Where other synths use one specific form of synthesis and one single filter, the Thor polysonic synthesizer features six different oscillator types and four unique filters. What does this give you? Simply the most powerful synth ever created; an unstoppable monster of a sound generator that utilises synthesizer technology from the last 40 years.

Six open filter and oscillator slots let you load up three different synth filters and three separate oscillators simultaneously, allowing you to dial in synth sounds that are completely...new. An all-powerful modulation matrix gives you complete control over your signal flow, letting you modulate anything within Thor with anything within Thor. Sound deep enough for you? It gets deeper. At the bottom of this synth sits an analog style step sequencer with more than one twist. Being every bit as modular as the rest of Thor`s components, this step sequencer does more than just play melodies - use it as a modulation tool, trigger phrases from specific keys, create intense arpeggios, generate piercing percussion lines. With its unique selection of oscillator types and synth filters, the Thor polysonic synthesizer is a veritable synth museum. But believe it, there`s nothing dusty about this instrument; Thor may have one foot in history, but its sound is pure future. Take the Thor tour to find out more.

Turn boring chords into fluttering melody lines with the RPG-8, Reason`s new tool for creative arpeggiation. Reason version 4 ships with RPG-8, a brand new unit dedicated to the art of arpeggiation. Some arpeggiators are quite content with simply transforming chords into wandering rhythmic melody lines. The RPG-8 monophonic arpeggiator is not. With a wide range of on-panel controls and mode selectors, a pattern section for muting selected notes in an arpeggio and a large display showing values and positions, this device gives you full creative control over your arpeggios.

Although very hands-on and user friendly, the RPG-8 boasts some very advanced features under the surface. Features that will change how you play Reason`s instruments. The `Single Note Repeat` function engages the arpeggiator only when two or more simultaneous notes are held down - letting you add sudden bursts of arpeggio to your melody lines. The `Manual` mode will arpeggiate notes strictly in the order they were input, for realtime arpeggio control. The RPG-8 monophonic arpeggiator is a creative workhorse that can - and should - be used with all of Reason`s sound sources; try arpeggiating your breakbeats, your orchestra samples, or your ReCycled vocals. Only in Reason version 4.

The Reason sequencer has matured. Fully grown and fully featured, Reason`s music production environment now comes with vector and tempo automation, count-in, multiple lane tracks. With a whole new look, a ton of fresh features and a completely new way of handling sequencer data, the Reason sequencer has matured. Dedicated to turning your ideas into great music, the new sequencer is swifter, stronger and more intuitive than ever. The key word here is workflow. A sequencer device or instrument now gets its own dedicated track, with separate lanes for note, performance and automation data, opting for a better overview and less clutter. All sequencer data - notes, automation, the works - is now housed in clips - musical building blocks that can be opened, sliced or moved. When a clip is moved to a new location, all its internal data follows right along with it, always ending up exactly where you intended it to. For safe, speedy sequencing.

The new features and functions added to the Reason version 4 sequencer all strive toward making your Reason experience smoother and snappier. Like the new Tool window, an ever present floating window that provides lightning fast access to those detailed editing functions you use all the time; quantize, transpose, note velocity, note length and legato. Always in sync with your flow, forever adapting to you and your working methods, Reason`s new sequencer simply gets you there faster.

It`s all about timing for Reason`s new groove management console. Meet ReGroove mixer, the unquantizer. Want your music to sound less rigid, less programmed? Need your drums to move and groove as if played live by actual musicians? If you want your tracks to flow with that loose, yet tight feel, a regular shuffle control just doesn`t cut it. That`s why we created the ReGroove mixer, Reason`s own realtime groove management device.

The ReGroove mixer in Reason 4 gives you more than just a set of sequencer swing parameters - this is a unique device dedicated to one thing: the groove. The ReGroove Mixer applies its timing magic non-destructively and in realtime, giving you freedom to adjust its settings - and fine-tune your groove - as your music is playing.

You can lock all your tracks together into one unified feel. Or you can apply different settings to up to 32 musical elements in your song, for ultimate control. Each of the groove channels feature controls for groove amount, slide and shuffle plus more detailed settings. The Reason soundbank comes with a great selection of groove patches, many of them created from analyzed recordings of real musicians as well as classic groovy tracks.

• As a self-contained synth studio system - Everything you need is there, including a fast and flexible sequencer with powerful, dedicated event editors for each type of device.
• As a sub-system synchronized to your audio sequencer - Process Reason`s audio output with plug-in effects and mix it with your hard disk tracks. With Reason in ReWire mode, its instruments are automatically patched into the mixer in any other ReWire compatible application. Seamless integration.
• As a Workstation synth - Easily load up complex performance patches - instruments pre-routed through effects - in one single click. Perfect for live gigs and performances.

• Windows XP or Vista
• Processor: Intel P4 / AMD Athlon XP or better
• Memory: 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended
• Screen resolution: 1024x768
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• DVD reader
• 16-bit windows compatible audio card, preferably with DirectX or ASIO drivers
• Recommended: MIDI keyboard with built-in MIDI interface, or MIDI keyboard and MIDI interface

• Mac OS:
• Mac OS X 10.4
• Processor: G4 1GHz and up or Intel Mac
• Memory: 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended
• Screen resolution: 1024x768
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• DVD reader
• Recommended: MIDI keyboard with built-in MIDI interface, or MIDI keyboard and MIDI interface