As music producers who’ve clocked serious hours in the studio, we know how important it is to have the right DAW.
Somewhere in your research, you’ve come across Reason and/or Ableton Live, among others. All DAWs technically do the same thing, but how they do them does make a difference. This is what can make or break your workflow.
We’ve spent plenty of time with both Ableton and Reason, getting to know their ins and outs, strengths, and quirks.
We’re not here to tell you one is better than the other; instead, we’ll lay out the pros, cons, and straight up facts so you can make the best decision for yourself, even if the answer is purchasing both DAWs.
With that being said, let’s jump into what Ableton Live 12 and Reason 13 are all about.
Ableton Live 12 Workflow
Ableton Live 12 is designed with a focus on speed and efficiency, making it a top choice for music producers who enjoy creating in real time.
A lot of DJs gravitate to the DAW due to its workflow and live music performance capabilities, which cross over into the production workflow for many.
The interface is clean and straightforward, with the Session View being one of its signature features and unique features as it allows you to quickly sketch out ideas, trigger loops, and experiment with different arrangements without committing them to the timeline, resulting in clutter.
But it’s not just about speed. Live 12 also offers deep customization options(coding) using Max for Live to build your own devices/plugins within Ableton Live.
Granted, this might be over the heads of many, but it’s beneficial if you’re into creating your own plugins and devices.
Reason 13 Workflow
Reason 13 takes a more traditional approach, being a linear styled DAW with realistic hardware emulation that sits inside of a rack, closely resembling the workflow of a real recording studio. It’s like working with real gear, such as drum machines, samplers, racked synth units, and effects.
Everything is arranged in the Reason Rack, and just like in a real recording studio, you can manually wire these units together for custom setups. This makes Reason incredibly intuitive for those who love the hands on feel of hardware, but want the flexibility of software.
Looking in the back of Reason can be intimidating at first, the wiring is done automatically, but the option to manually wire devices offers a deeper level of control, allowing you to customize your signal chains however you want.
Reason’s drag-and-drop functionality further simplifies the process, making it quick and easy to get your ideas laid down—whether you’re sketching out beats, building sound layers, or experimenting with custom effects.
Why People Love Using Ableton Live 12
Ableton Live’s popularity in the techno and electronic music community stems from its origins. Founded by Robert Henke and Gerhard Behles of the legendary techno duo Monolake, Ableton was initially designed for live techno performances.
This focus is evident in features like the Session View and clip launching, changing how producers organized and performed live sets.
These features gave techno producers the flexibility to trigger loops, samples, and effects in real time, a feature that has since been widely adopted by other DAWs.
Why People Love Using Reason Studios
In short, Reason Studios’ won over early users in the early 2000s with its Rack styled, hardware inspired workflow. As Reason evolved, the introduction of the Reason Rack VST in recent versions expanded its flexibility, allowing producers to use Reason’s rack within their DAW of choice.
Then there’s the Reason+ subscription giving affordable access to Reason Studios, the latest updates, sound packs, and new devices.
These features helped Reason quickly build a loyal following among electronic music and hip-hop producers.
Top Plugins for Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12
This section will highlight ten essential third-party plugins that integrate seamlessly with both Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12, enhancing their already powerful capabilities.
We’ll focus on a mix of plugins from IK Multimedia, Arturia, and other top developers, ensuring a well-rounded toolkit for any producer.
MixBox: All The FX You Need For Studio and Live Mixing
MixBox offers a comprehensive suite of 70+ mixing processors, all within a single, easy-to-use plugin. This 500-series-style virtual rack includes everything from dynamics and EQs to modulation and reverb, making it perfect for any mixing scenario in both Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/mixbox-by-ik-multimedia/
Master Match: Analyze Your Favorite Song, Match The Curves and GO!
This intelligent mastering tool automatically matches the tonal balance and perceived loudness of your mix to a reference track, making it an excellent choice for achieving professional-sounding masters with minimal effort.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/master-match-by-ik-multimedia/
Syntronik 2: Vintage Synths Galore
Syntronik 2 provides a massive collection of iconic synth sounds, combining deep sampling and modeling to recreate the warmth and character of classic hardware synthesizers. It’s perfect for adding vintage and modern synth tones to your productions.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/syntronik-2-by-ik-multimedia/
Pigments 5: Excellent Synth With Great Rich Sounding Presets
Pigments 5 is a versatile software synthesizer that blends wavetable, virtual analog, granular, and harmonic synthesis into one powerhouse instrument. Its deep modulation capabilities and intuitive interface make it a go-to for complex sound design.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/pigments-by-arturia/
EFX Fragments: One Of The Best Granular Processors Out Today
EFX Fragments is a granular processing plugin that allows you to break down and transform sounds into intricate textures. Whether you’re looking to add glitchy stutters or create lush, ambient soundscapes, this plugin delivers.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/efx-fragments-by-arturia/
Mellotron V: Before Modern Samples, There Was The Tape Loop King
Mellotron V emulates the classic Mellotron keyboard, bringing the nostalgic tape-based sound of orchestral instruments to your DAW with modern enhancements. It’s ideal for adding a lo-fi, vintage vibe to your tracks.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/mellotron-v-by-arturia/
Nave by Waldorf: Classic Synth, Doesn’t Get Better Than This
Nave is a cutting-edge wavetable synthesizer offering deep sound design capabilities with its two independent oscillators and a vast array of presets. It’s great for producers who need modern, edgy sounds.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/nave-vst-au-aax-by-waldorf/
Tape Mello-Fi: Excellent Saturation Options For Drums, Synths and Orchestral Instruments
This plugin captures the warm, saturated sound of vintage tape machines. It’s perfect for adding that analog warmth and character to your digital recordings, making it an essential tool for any producer.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/mellotron-v-by-arturia/
T-RackS EQ 81: Classic British EQ for Warm, Analog Tone
Modeled after a classic British EQ, T-RackS EQ 81 is perfect for adding warmth and precision to your mixes. Its mid-side processing capabilities allow for detailed stereo field adjustments, making it an invaluable tool in both DAWs.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/t-racks-eq-81-by-ik-multimedia/
Augmented Strings: Cinematic Strings Reimagined
Augmented Strings combines real string samples with advanced synthesis to create hybrid sounds that blend traditional and modern elements. It’s perfect for adding cinematic textures or intricate string arrangements to your music.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/augmented-strings-by-arturia/
Arpology X: Arpeggiation Meets Cinematic Motion
Arpology X is a next-level arpeggiator that goes beyond traditional arpeggios, offering dynamic motion and complex patterns for cinematic scoring, EDM, and beyond. With its intuitive design and endless customization options, it’s a go-to for generating intricate rhythmic sequences that add depth and movement to your tracks.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/arpology-x-by-sample-logic/
Drum Fury: Epic Drums and Percussion for Cinematic Power
Drum Fury delivers an extensive collection of epic drum and percussion sounds, perfect for cinematic and high-impact productions. Whether you’re working on film scores or need larger-than-life percussion for electronic music, Drum Fury provides both natural and processed drum hits to give your productions serious punch.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/drum-fury-2-by-sample-logic/
Entropy EQ+: Mixing Your Music Just Got Easier
Entropy EQ+ is a unique equalizer that separates harmonic and inharmonic components of audio, allowing for more precise sound shaping. This is especially useful for cleaning up complex sounds or creating interesting textures by emphasizing certain sound qualities.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/entropyeq-by-sonible/
Smart 3: Intelligent Mixing for Clear, Balanced Sound
Smart 3 is an intelligent equalizer that analyzes your audio and automatically adjusts the EQ for optimal sound. It’s great for fast, efficient mixing while keeping transparency and clarity in your mix intact. This is especially beneficial with complex productions using high track counts.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/smarteq-4-by-sonible/
Loopmix: Slice, Chop and Manipulate Sample Libraries With Ease
Loopmix is a creative loop remixing tool that lets you chop, rearrange, and remix loops on the fly. It’s perfect for producers looking to quickly generate new musical ideas from existing loops, making it ideal for both Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12 workflows.
https://audioplugin.deals/product/loopmix-by-audiomodern/
Riffer: The Ultimate MIDI Generator Plugin for Patterns and Melodies
Riffer is a smart MIDI generator that creates complex patterns and melodies with ease. It offers endless possibilities for experimentation, allowing you to generate new ideas, from simple arpeggios to intricate melodies, making it an excellent tool for all genres.
So Which DAW To Choose Reason 13 or Ableton Live 12?
The choice between Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12 really comes down to workflow, preferences and creative goals.
If you want a more traditional, straightforward approach to music production with a lot of great stock instruments and devices, Reason 13 is the right move.
On the other hand, if you want a more innovative DAW that caters to live performance, then go with Ableton Live.
Or, you can have the best of both worlds and use Reason as a plugin within Ableton Live.
FAQ: Reason 13 vs Ableton Live 12
1. Can you customize the interface in Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12?
Yes, both DAWs allow customization. Ableton Live 12 offers more flexibility with resizable windows and skins. Reason 13 has 2-3 themes, both DAWs are limited in the custom keyboard command department.
2. How well do Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12 handle collaboration with other producers?
Ableton Live 12 excels with Ableton Link for real-time collaboration. Reason 13 offers project sharing through Reason+ and integrates via the Reason Rack Plugin in other DAWs, supporting diverse workflows.
3. Are there any significant limitations in using third-party plugins with Reason 13 or Ableton Live 12?
Both support VST3 plugins, but Reason 13 may occasionally struggle with certain plugins. Ableton Live 12 generally handles third-party plugins well, though resource-heavy plugins can affect performance.
4. How does automation differ between Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12?
Ableton Live 12 offers intuitive, easy-to-edit automation lanes. Reason 13’s automation is tied closely to the Rack, offering powerful control but requiring more steps and familiarity with its interface.
5. How do Reason 13 and Ableton Live 12 handle CPU usage and system performance?
Ableton Live 12 is generally efficient but can become CPU-intensive with complex projects. Reason 13’s modular setup can be more demanding on the CPU, especially with intricate Rack configurations.
6. Does Ableton Live Have Subscription Option?
Ableton Live 12 does not have a subscription service as of now.
