Propellerhead announces Reason 5 and Record 1.5

Propellerhead Software has announced that it has started beta testing for Reason 5 and Record 1.5. This is the company's biggest overhaul to its Record - Reason application family so far, introducing new instruments, effects, sequencing and more for composing, beat making, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting and music production.

The new Kong Drum Designer and Dr.OctoRex loop player extend Reason's instrument arsenal to help you get "phenomenal sounding" rhythms, drums tracks and beats. Reason 5 and Record 1.5 add a whole new take on sequencing: Blocks - build your songs parts like patterns and string them together for super fast arranging. Neptune, a pitch correction tool and voice synthesizer, turns your less than perfect performance into a great one in no time. Simply play your new harmonies on your MIDI keyboard for instant backing vocals. Live sampling into all sample capable devices means you can work with samples in a new and playful manner and re-explore the lost art of creative sampling.

New feature highlights:

• Kong Drum Designer (Reason): Load, sculpt, build and tweak your sounds with your choice of drum synthesis, sampling, REX loops, physical modeling and custom-made effect modules for percussion on Kong's 16 pads. [YouTube].
• Dr.REX octuples into DrOctoRex Loop Player (Reason): Use it as a pattern sequencer for loops, or to completely mangle your REX'ed audio. [YouTube].
• Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record): Flexible high-quality processor to correct and shift pitches, create backing harmonies, formant shift or "take your vocals into outer space". [YouTube].
• Block based pattern sequencing mode makes song creation fast and flexible (Both): Go from pattern-based arrangements to linear - to patterns again. Take your music beyond the eight bar loop. [YouTube].
• Live sampling is back. In the rack. (Reason): Re-explore the lost art (and fun) of sampling. Every sample player becomes a sampler; record with a single click - further tweak with the built-in editor. [YouTube].
• A number of other additions to make your music making more fun: Multi-core optimization, on-screen keyboard and expanded Factory Sound Bank, and more.

More info on the upgrades and individual products themselves can be found at: www.propellerheads.se

Pricing and availability

The release for all programs is targeted for later summer 2010. Upgrades will be handled by local distributors once new version become available. All prices remain the same, except for "Reason for Record Owners", which will increase by €20/$20.

• Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) €149 / $169.
• Reason 5 Upgrade from any version € 99 / $129.
• Record 1.5 Upgrade from any version free download.
• Record Reason Duo €405 / $449.
• Reason €305 / $349.
• Record €279 / $299.

Anyone who purchases Reason, Record, the Duo or Record for Reason Owners today will get an upgrade to the new versions free of charge. For more details, visit www.propellerheads.se/freeupgrade