Reason Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reason+?

Reason+ is a subscription service where you get access to all the tools you need to make music and find your own unique sound. Awesome software, professional instruments and effects and inspiring musical building blocks. Please read more about Reason+ here.

What does Reason+ give me?

You get access to Reason (standalone and VST3/AU/AAX Reason Rack Plugin) and its collection of over 70 legendary instruments and effects. This means you'll have access to every synth, sampler, effect and utility that we have ever made—and anything we make in the future, too.

You'll also get access to hundreds of sound packs, available through the Reason+ companion app. Every week, new inspiring packs are added to inspire you to craft and design new sounds and musical ideas. Our sound packs are musical building blocks made up of anything from hard-hitting drums, earth-shattering bass sounds, ethereal synth sounds and thousands of other sounds to inspire your next song. Much like a sample pack – but there is no limit to how you can change them. You get both ease-of-use and full creative control.

How does Reason+ work?

For a monthly or yearly subscription to Reason+, you get access to Reason that you can use either as a VST3/AU/AAX plugin with any other DAW or as a full music production software in itself. If you use it as a plugin it is really the sound design playground – the Reason Rack – that you put inside the DAW you already use, to get fantastic tools to develop your own unique sound.

Either way, plugin or standalone, you'll get new sound packs weekly and all our Rack Extension instruments, effects and Players in the Reason+ companion app.

Can I use Reason+ with my current DAW?

Yup. You can use Reason Rack Plugin (VST3/AU/AAX) as a plugin in any DAW or host or you can use Reason as a standalone music making software.

If I already use Reason, can I keep using my license?

Sure! You bought it, it is yours. And we will keep developing Reason and selling licenses in our shop if you prefer to own instead of subscribe.

Can I buy Reason if I don’t want to subscribe?

Of course. We have no plans to go subscription only. Reason is available in our shop, but you should know it does not include all our Rack Extension devices - nor any of the Sound Packs or major upgrades included in Reason+.

I am a Reason owner already. What are my upgrade options?

You can upgrade from any previous version of Reason to the latest Reason version here.

Which DAWs are compatible with Reason Rack Plugin?

Any DAW that supports VST3. AU or AAX plugins can run Reason Rack Plugin. We have specifically tested Reason Rack Plugin with the latest versions of Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Studio One, Cubase, Pro Tools, Reaper and Bitwig. If you want to ensure compatibility with another host, please download a Trial to evaluate.

Is Reason Rack Plugin available as an AAX plugin?

Yes, with Reason 11.3 and later there is an AAX version of Reason Rack Plugin.

Which versions of Reason feature the Reason Rack Plugin?

Reason 12, Reason 11, Reason 11 Suite (discontinued), and Reason 11 Intro (discontinued) all include Reason Rack Plugin with the same devices included as in the accompanying Reason standalone version.

Can I use Reason on both a Mac and PC?

Yes, both versions are available to download from your account pages and fully cross-platform.

Can you ReWire Reason 12 with other DAW hosts?

No, ReWire has been discontinued since Reason 11. If you have projects that use ReWire, you can keep your older version of Reason installed alongside Reason 12. Otherwise, we suggest that you use Reason Rack Plugin instead.

Reason 12.5 and later supports 64 bit VST3 and VST2 plugins and Rack Extensions.

Can you run VST plugins in Reason Rack Plugin?

No, Reason Rack Plugin is a plugin and not a VST host, but it does run Rack Extensions.

Does Reason 12 have copy protection? How does it work?

Just as for previous versions, Reason 12 can be authorized in a couple of different ways:

- Computer Authorization (for offline use)
- Internet Verification (requires a connection to the internet)

Reason Rack Plugin is authorized with the same license and in the same way as you authorize the stand-alone version of Reason.

Is there a trial version of Reason?

Yes! Please visit the Try Reason+ page.