Propellerhead
Reason 2.0 ($399) is ready for Mac OS X and offers support for 32-bit samples and dual-processor computers. The upgrade introduces a new synthesizer and sampler as well as enhancements to the program's user interface. The upgrade is free to users who purchased Reason after March 2002; if you bought Reason before March, the upgrade costs $79.
The program fully supports Mac OS X's Core Audio and Core MIDI, so there is no longer any need for OMS or ASIO extensions when using OS X 10.1 or later. Propellerhead claims that latency with Mac OS X is less than a millisecond.
New to version 2 is the Malström Graintable synthesizer, which combines granular, wavetable, waveshaping, and subtractive synthesis. The synth has two oscillators, and you can jump to random positions or sweep through wavetables while altering the sweep speed (without changing pitch). Malström features two filters with five modes: lowpass, bandpass, subtractive or additive comb filter, and AM. The Shaper section provides various facilities for distorting the waveform, including digital clipping and bit reduction, a simulation of analog saturation, and signal reshaping with a sine wave. You can process other Reason devices through the synth engine in real time.
The NN-XT sampler beefs up Reason's sampling capabilities by providing automatic pitch detection when assigning sample zones. It adds layers, Velocity crossfades, the ability to assign randomly alternating sounds for timbral variation, and more. You can route other Reason gadgets through gating inputs.
To get you started, Reason 2.0 includes Orkester, a sound library of orchestral instruments tailored for groove-oriented music. The sampler loads SoundFont 2 — format samples and comes with a conversion utility for Akai-format sounds.
The Sequencer window is detachable from Reason's virtual rack, letting you move the sequencer screen to a second monitor while leaving the rack on the first. The sequencer now offers an expanded toolbar with drawing tools and an eraser. All LFOs in Reason 2.0 sync to tempo. M-Audio (distributor); e-mail info@propellerheads.se; Web www.propellerheads.se.
Steinberg
Version 1.6 of Steinberg's Nuendo (Mac/Win; $1,299; free upgrade) adds support for the company's VST System Link technology, which enables multiple computers to share DSP tasks. (For more information on VST System Link, please see this month's “Tech Page” column on p. 34.)
Nuendo 1.6 supports recording at sample rates as high as 192 kHz and is ready for sample rates as high as 384 kHz if and when compatible hardware appears on the market. A Mac OS X version is due soon. Steinberg North America; tel. (818) 678-5100; email info@steinberg.net; Web www.us.steinberg.net or www.cubase.net.