Which do you prefer- FL or Reason?

[slimshdy425]

I now see that independent music producers are pretty split between music programs. Fruity Loops and Reason seem to be the most popular two, so I wanted to know which one most of you prefer. Vote here, and comments are appreciated.

**IMPORTANT- When I say FL, I mean FL 5 XXL, which includes sytrus, dx10, simsynth, drumsynth, wasp, and video player. I also mean Reason 2.5 (which is the latest version last time I checked) when I say Reason. This is because Reason 2.5 and FL XXL are sold for the same amount, $300, making the comparison fair.

[djshox]

Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason Reason

Simply said, Reason is the shit. So much versatility and stuff you can do with it, it's just amazing.

[g0ldenSun11]

I've only gotten the reason demo, and that only lasts for 20 minutes, so I didn't understand it at all. So I guess I'd say FL, and Sytrus is awesome!

[slimshdy425]

That's partially because the Reason demo refuses to provide sound output -_-.

What does Reason do that FL can't anyway? FL effects are good and the synths are incredible as far as I'm concerned.

[Naeguro]

Reason lacks vst support.
Rewire is ridiculous. Why have 2 programs do the job of one?

[djshox]

True, that is a big drawback, but I can learn to live with 2 programs. I like Reason's interface a lot anyways.

EDIT: Haha 808 post.

[slimshdy425]

808=cool

How's Reason set up? FL has a simple and effective interface- patterns are made with a multitude of synths/drums/effects and then put together in the 'playlist' so each pattern triggers when needed. Channels can also be routed into one of 64 slots where sound effects (flange reverb etc.) can be added. FL also has a much higher resolution than Reason, allowing more objects to be viewed at once, which creates a smooth interface. From what I saw in the Reason demo, it is very bulk and a huge scrollbar is needed to see everything (as mentioned before I couldn't hear anything in the demo, but a friend is burning me a full copy of Reason soon so I can see for myself.)

[Naeguro]

I tried out reason once, I didnt like the interface, and lack of vst and dxi support just competely killed it for me.

I have nothing against reason or reason users, use what ever suits you best. Except for the "Reason is the best, everything else sucks shit" users. :twisted:

[jewpinthethird]

Though it isnt an option, I vote Buzz.

[SuperGreenX]

Reason is unique software that isn't trying to be a full sequencer like FL is (vst, audio recording, midi out, etc). Its got a unique interface and every machine is made to interact with all the others in ways that let you be really really creative when routing the wires behind the rack. No other program gives this type of sound creation freedom. Lots of people who look at reason for 10 minutes don't see how awesome it can be. If you're all about getting zillions of plugins, then I guess you probably won't want reason. I personally like using a few quality synths, effects, machines and knowing how to use them really well rather than grabbing random plugins and using them once or twice.

If you can't learn how to use Reason pretty much completely within a few hours, there's gotta be something wrong with you. Reason 2.0 was pretty much my first experience with midi-type music sequencing and producing so I was a total newb coming into it(I had used a lot of Acid music 2.0 before that, which is strictly audio sequencing). I finished Contradistinction 7 days after I opened the Reason box.

Plus, reason uses amazingly low amounts of CPU, comes with an awesome library of sounds for the price, and 3.0 is coming out within a couple months.

oh, and EVERY song I've heard made in Reason by a newb sounds better than any song I've heard by a FL newb, if that means anything to you.

If you gotta have your VST, then prolly don't wanna go with Reason. But Rewire works well, so you could get both sometime down the line and use them together.

PS: if you like some VST's, you may want to check out Cakewalk Project 5. It's pretty much like FL, I think its cheaper by now. Its a pretty sweet program too. No one talks about it. not sure why, cuz its quite good. Comes with good plugins, too.

[djshox]

oh, and EVERY song I've heard made in Reason by a newb sounds better than any song I've heard by a FL newb, if that means anything to you.

Quoted for MEGA EMPHASIS.

SuperGreenX, you still using midi or moved onto firewire?

[SuperGreenX]

...firewire for what?

[djshox]

For any equipment... or are you just using vst plugins?

EDIT: Nevermind, I thought you were talking about MIDI cables, then I noticed you said midi type sequencing.

[slimshdy425]

[quote="SuperGreenX"] Its got a unique interface and every machine is made to interact with all the others in ways that let you be really really creative when routing the wires behind the rack. No other program gives this type of sound creation freedom.

Actually, Fl allows you to do this if I'm understanding you correctly. You can reroute effects to go to each other's slots, making synths interact. Synth A can got to slot 1 then route to slot 2, and Synth B can go to slot 3 then back into slot 2, making the synths interact in the same slot. Is this what you mean?

Oh and screw the newbs they don't count :twisted:

Just kidding- I don't think we should judge audio software on how well newbs use it though.

[Draigun]

I don't think we should judge audio software on how well newbs use it though.
Quoted for laaaaaaaaaaarge emphasis..The main judging should be on how well you can put out a finished product. If you become highly skilled in either one, I say fuck whichever one is better, as long as the song is full of awesomeness. Take DMA's work, for example. DMA is very awesome with FL, and can probably put out much better stuff than most of the Reason people.

[QreepyBORIS]

FL can suck my cock.

Right when you hear the song, you KNOW it's a cheaply made FL production.

[slimshdy425]

I'm not familiar with DMA, but I know Toby Emerson is sick with FL.

http://www.ampcast.com/LST-79377-mus-128-5348836-0-0-0-DLDLZTDLASJOSFQ/Phantoms.m3u (streaming)

Probably the best song I've ever heard, which Toby made on FL. This song showed me the true power of FL. This DOES NOT have a cheesy sound qreepyboris, and good fl songs will sound as good as anything else.

[Moogy]

That was a horrible song.

[djshox]

As much as FL acts as a music program, I can never take it seriously.

[Naeguro]

Fl is the most largely pirated music production software out there. Hence tons of retards just screwing around with it then going "omg omg i make the leet techno muzac"

[Omeganitros]

..."lolz i hit teh radnom settin gbuton and teh Buzz makes kewl sound"

That's pretty much all I can do with Buzz. I realize it's awesome potential, but I have no idea how to craft it. But I love Buzz anyways.

[djshox]

Hey guys, Reason 3 came out, save up. Buzz is nothing compared to what you can do in Reason.

[Omeganitros]

...And I bet Reason 3 has an easier interface too.


But you see, Buzz still has the incredible advantage of being free for download.

[djshox]

http://www.soundonsound.com/newspix/reason3.jpg

But then again, it's free for everyone, so it doesn't sound that new or fresh anymore.

[Naeguro]

Yay for interface pics.

[sleeplessdragn]

Though it isnt an option, I vote Buzz.

although i myself am an avid FL user, a lot if not most of my samples are created in BuzzzzZzzzZzZz. ive only peeked at Reason and it had me exasperated. also, most FL tunes sounds cheaply made because of lack of compression or bad/unoriginal samples.

o yea ive never messed with FL 5, im still on 4.watever

[jewpinthethird]

But then again, it's free for everyone, so it doesn't sound that new or fresh anymore.

A Machine is an object in Buzz which either creates or modifies sound. A Machine is the equivalent of a single piece of gear in a traditional music studio. It may be a synthesizer, a sampler, a dsp effect, a mixing board, or any other piece of gear that exists in a studio. Every piece has the same parameters and functions you would expect to find in the studio you know and love. Whats better is that all existing machines are free. Because creating your own machines is quite simple (someone with little knowledge of C++ should find his way in the SDK), you'll also find machines in Buzz which aren't really common in studio's. This makes Buzz a very innovative software studio.

[sleeplessdragn]

im really glad that you advocate Buzz as much as you do jewpin. i only looked into it after i saw a thread about it.

[SuperGreenX]

FL can suck my cock.

Right when you hear the song, you KNOW it's a cheaply made FL production.

FL can sound just as good as other more 'pro' sequencers like Cubase, sonar, DP4, Logic, etc. Its a vst and dx host. Just depends on what instruments and plugins you use. Most of the time the FL stuff you hear is shitty because the plugins that come (or came....i'm not up to speed on what is offered now...but the old ones sucked) with it suck balls. PLUS its pirated by a bunch of retarded 14 year olds making their first ever music production, so they just suck also.

[slimshdy425]

That was a horrible song.
O_O

Anyway, FL's plugins are ok if you use them right. VST's do help a lot though.

[Draigun]

http://www.bemania.net/jihnsius/Jihnsius%20-%20Demo%20Album%20(Extortion).zip

Jihnsius's new demo album..All made in FL..now please tell me that all of the music on that album sounds like shit. Else, confess to the fact the FL has the potential to make GREAT music.

Thank you (and Jihnsius..hope you don't mind me releasing this ;-) I didn't think you would..thx)

[g0ldenSun11]

Toby is the best in FL. I wasn't sure he used FL for all his songs until I saw the song "Maybe" come w/ FL5. (The lyrics are really monotanious in that song.) But it doesn't sound completely MIDIish like a lot of FL songs do.

Best Toby songs:

Somnifer
Phantoms
Liquify
Mine
Sleepless
Descent
Angel
Drifter
Elektropolis
Never Again (AWESOME SONG) - http://www.ampcast.com/LST-40030-mus-128-5692279-0-0-0-DLDLZTFQDLGXFQDLDLDL/Never_Again.m3u
Phantasy (Sounds so realisticly realistic)

[tnyhwk900]

Quit posting .m3u links, they all come up with "Invalid Timestamp".

[slimshdy425]

My bad- heres the site anyways- http://www.ampcast.com/music/7618/music.php

[jewpinthethird]

FL can suck my cock.

Right when you hear the song, you KNOW it's a cheaply made FL production.

PLUS its pirated by a bunch of retarded 14 year olds making their first ever music production, so they just suck also.

Hilarious. That's how I got started.

[djshox]

FL can be good if used to the fullest, but I strongly recommend that an artist moves onto other programs and techniques to get their music out there. I'm sure there's a few good people with FL, but I don't know anyone who uses FL professionally in their setup.

[Naeguro]

I've heard timbaland uses it :D
I saw a pic of tommy lee jones with fl on his comp at home.

Thats all i can really think of right off the top of my head.

[djshox]

Yeah but does Timbaland use ONLY FL for his music setup?

[Naeguro]

Of course not.
I cannot think of one professional artist that uses only one program or piece of hardware.

[slimshdy425]

Timbaland probably uses those overpriced 'professional' recording studios, but I agree, most pros probably use several pieces of software and hardware in their work.

[jewpinthethird]

FL can be good if used to the fullest, but I strongly recommend that an artist moves onto other programs and techniques to get their music out there. I'm sure there's a few good people with FL, but I don't know anyone who uses FL professionally in their setup.

Where is Square Bear when you need him?

[Naeguro]

Squarebear had some hot stuff. Most amazing thing was that he uses ts404 to make those phat trance leads.

[sleeplessdragn]

Where is Square Bear when you need him?

quoted because i was thinking the same thing, rite after i heard some of his music.

[deltro300111]

Toby Emerson is quite awesome- Try and find Saxion7, or Saxxonpike's (They're both the same guy) remix of Sleepless (It's happyhardcoreremix- er.. something like that, it's also done in FL, and it's awesome.

[djshox]

Don't bump old topics.