Budget features with a premium price – Reason Compact - Make Music Review

Reason Compact sounds good. Real good. You get three devices: a drum machine, with an expertly curated collection of samples; the Europa Shapeshifting synth, which incorporates the chord and arpeggiator player devices from Reason; and a stellar mono synth. You cannot fault the sound: it’s top-shelf. But you only get three tracks, one for each device, and only one pattern. Just enough if the musical idea you’re looking to capture is simple. And if Reason Compact had a modest price tag to match its modest features, it’d be a worthwhile purchase. But the IAP to open the programming panels on all the devices is $30.00! $10.00 for each! Whoa. Any enthusiasm I have for the app was curbed by sticker shock. If Propellerhead upgrades the app with more tracks, a song mode, and better export options, $30.00 would not be entirely unreasonable. But it’s heavy coin for an app which has potential but needs more features to justify its premium price.
Review by Saint Eskimo on Reason Compact - Make Music.