Reason Studios
Reason is a powerful digital audio workstation and plugin that gives you a virtual rack of legendary synthesizers, drum machines, and effects to create professional music and sound designs.
VirtualDJ
VirtualDJ is a versatile DJ software providing advanced mixing tools, real-time stem separation, and comprehensive library management to help you create professional-quality transitions and performances on any hardware.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Reason Studios | VirtualDJ |
|---|---|---|
| Website | reasonstudios.com | virtualdj.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $19.99/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1994 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Stockholm, Sweden | Miami, USA |
Overview
Reason Studios
Reason is a versatile music production platform that functions as both a standalone digital audio workstation and a powerful plugin for other software. You can build your own custom dream studio using a virtual rack filled with iconic synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, and professional-grade audio effects. The unique patch-cord interface lets you route audio and control signals manually, giving you total creative freedom over your sound design process.
Whether you are producing electronic music, scoring films, or recording live instruments, you can manage your entire project from initial sketch to final master. The software adapts to your workflow by letting you use its famous instruments inside other DAWs like Ableton Live or Logic Pro via the Reason Rack Plugin. It serves everyone from bedroom producers to professional sound designers who need a tactile, modular approach to digital music creation.
VirtualDJ
VirtualDJ gives you a professional mixing environment that scales from your laptop to the most advanced club gear. You can mix audio, video, and even karaoke tracks using a highly customizable interface that mimics a traditional DJ setup. The software stands out for its real-time stem separation, allowing you to isolate vocals or instruments from any track instantly during a live set.
You can connect almost any DJ controller on the market with plug-and-play simplicity, or use it with just a keyboard and mouse. It solves the problem of managing massive music libraries by offering smart folders and cloud discovery features. Whether you are practicing at home or performing at a large venue, you get access to professional-grade effects, loops, and automated beat-matching tools.
Overview
Reason Studios Features
- Reason Rack Plugin Bring your favorite Reason instruments and effects into any other DAW you use with full VST3, AU, and AAX support.
- Mimic Creative Sampler Slice, trigger, and manipulate your audio samples quickly with eight different playback modes and built-in granular synthesis tools.
- Combinator 2 Build your own custom instruments by combining multiple devices into a single interface with personalized controls and layout designs.
- Modular Routing Flip the rack around to route cables manually between devices for complex sound design and experimental signal processing.
- Player MIDI FX Generate complex chords, scales, and rhythmic patterns instantly to spark new musical ideas even if you lack advanced theory knowledge.
- Vocal Stretch Correct the timing and pitch of your vocal recordings with high-quality time-stretching that preserves natural audio characteristics.
VirtualDJ Features
- Real-Time Stems. Isolate vocals, drums, or instruments on the fly to create instant acapellas and mashups during your live performances.
- Plug-and-Play Support. Connect over 300 different DJ controllers instantly without manual mapping or complex technical configuration.
- Video Mixing. Mix high-quality music videos and add professional transitions or visualizations to enhance your visual stage presence.
- Sandbox Mode. Prepare your next transition in your headphones while the audience continues to hear the current track playing live.
- Cloud Library. Access millions of tracks directly through integrated streaming services like Tidal, SoundCloud, and Beatport.
- Event Scheduler. Automate your set lists and background music for weddings or corporate events with a built-in powerful scheduler.
Pricing Comparison
Reason Studios Pricing
- Access to Reason 12 DAW
- Reason Rack Plugin included
- All 75+ official Rack Extensions
- Weekly new Sound Packs
- Full library of 30,000+ patches
- Companion app for sound browsing
- One-time purchase ownership
- Reason 12 standalone DAW
- Reason Rack Plugin
- Core library of 30+ devices
- High-resolution graphics
- Vocal pitch editing tools
VirtualDJ Pricing
- Non-commercial use only
- No DJ controller support
- Full software features
- Internal mixer use
- Standard updates
- Everything in Home, plus:
- Professional controller support
- Commercial use license
- Custom interface skins
- Broadcast to radio servers
- Priority technical support
Pros & Cons
Reason Studios
Pros
- Unique modular workflow encourages creative experimentation
- Massive library of high-quality internal instruments
- Extremely stable performance with low CPU usage
- Works seamlessly as a plugin inside other software
- Visual interface is highly engaging and fun
Cons
- Steep learning curve for the modular routing system
- Sequencer workflow feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Subscription model is required for all expansion devices
VirtualDJ
Pros
- Industry-leading real-time stem separation quality
- Extensive hardware compatibility with most controllers
- Free version is fully functional for beginners
- Highly customizable interface with user-made skins
Cons
- Professional licenses are relatively expensive
- Interface can feel cluttered for new users
- Requires powerful hardware for smooth stem processing