Hi, I'm really sorry to have to ask this, (know it's been done a million times) but the search offered me exactly nothing and I've been reading for like 45 min. now and haven't found what I'm looking for.

Christmas is about here and I just want some opinions about which program I should get, Reason 3.0 or Fruity Loops 5. I'm a beginner to producing trance but I plan on reading that 200 pg. guide for using these programs along with the manual of course. I have the FL5 demo and I like it very much so far, dunno how to use all of it but I'm learning. If anyone could tell me the answer to this I would appreciate it and please don't flame me for asking, I would just really like to know what the best investment would be.

On a side note, I plan to try and produce Nu NRG style trance.

I would choose FL Studio for the following reasons:

1. VST support
2. Audio recording / tracks
3. Free updates

Reason:
One-size-fits-all package. No way of expanding it, no way getting external audio into it, but it is a great pack of tools for creating music. It's reliable and offers you almost everything you need.

FL Studio:
Expandable. Add vst instruments into it and use external audio (hardware synths). The FL Studio alone can't do much (the built in synths and effects aren't the best) but with so much free stuff on the internet, you can have a full size computer studio for free.

The choice is yours: If you want something small and effective that has everything you need to produce music, get Reason. If you want to be able to expand your collection of synths and use vst plugins and external audio, get FL Studio.
Personally I'd get FL Studio because I'm vst junkie, I just can't have enough synths!

They are both great pieces of software. Most of what it comes down to is workflow and expirience with synths. If you like scrolling up and down a rack, seeing all knobs, like to be limited (as a good thing), and doing a lot of keyboard work, Reasonm might be for you. If you instead like to take small bits of information at a time (part of a synths parameters), jsut to focues on a specific piece, would want to be able to add new FX and synths to your library and like a more full screen approach to things, FLS might be for you. As far as which one will get you further road, both are great and both can create great sounds. I'm not a big fan of Reason myself because since you are locked into wht you can use, after a while, everything starts to sound the same. Dont think that you cant come up with a completely original production using Reason though because I know plenty of people who use it and there are plenty of songs that came out of Reason that I really like. I chose FLS because I love the layout. Plus, its one of the few that support both DX and VST plugins. The internal synths arent the best, though they can be used if u know what youre doing . Just keep playing with those demos, watch your workflow, and decide which one feels less awkward and go with it.

Cheers,
Zac

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reason would be the best for a starter if it didnt have the worst sequesner & piano roll. fl5 on the other hand has the best piano roll, a step sequenser and a good enough sequenser without reason's limitations.

plus there is kvraudio.com so you can download any free synth there is (almost) and find links to demos. and you cant use these synths in reason.

go with fl and get Vanguard & superwave p8 (free) for start cause fls synths are not that good for start, as someone else said you have to know what you are doing and they sound really FL-ish.

What I think would be best to do is to try out the demo of each program for a while (since it's for Christmas, you might still have some time).

Every program has its advantages and disadvantages, though what it really comes down to is the environment you find yourself at home in - you will then be able to create something you really like.

Messing around with the demo's for a while might give you a good clue on what program might suit you best

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Thanks for everyone's replies. I'm still debating which one I should get. It's also nice to hear from you Icone, I must say I thought Astra was a nice piece of work. Thanks again for everyones thoughts.

well put it this way FL Studio's it like moderate for producers, the templates is eaisier to use while reason is a little more advanced. But reason has better synths then FL. I would go with FL first and get the hang of that then goto reason after.

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quote:

Originally posted by dj jasonF reason would be the best for a starter if it didnt have the worst sequesner & piano roll.

Erm... that's the exact reason why I love Reason (no pun intended). I cannot stand FL's sequencer, it's a relic from the time when FL was nothing but a drum sequencer.

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