Reason Compact - Make Music
By Patricia Monticello Kievlan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mobile music studio packed with features, lots of pro tips.
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Reason Compact - Make Music
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What’s It About?
REASON COMPACT - MAKE MUSIC is a music creation app for iOS. Created by the developers of an established digital audio workstation (DAW) tool for schools and professionals, this app was built as a slimmer, on-the-go tool for capturing ideas and making music anytime, anywhere. The free app comes with three built-in instruments (drums, bass, and a main synthesizer) and several demo tracks in different genres (like techno and hip-hop). Users can also purchase additional instruments, sound packs, and effects. There are tons of customization options and several ways to share creations from the device, either as finished songs or as starting points for more ambitious projects on more sophisticated software. Throughout the app, users can access explanations about how each effect works and get tips and tricks for using them effectively.
Is It Any Good?
This tool does exactly what it sets out to do: It's a compact, accessible starting point for digital music creation. It's easy to get started because you can use the "smart keyboard" to start creating melodies that stay in the right key, or you can find more features and create more flexible, customized tunes and beats. To get more information, you can tap a question mark button to explore info screens that detail how each setting works, and there are brief, meaty pro tips for how to use them. There aren't many apps for beginners that include this much detail, and it's empowering and exciting to explore and learn how these many features work together to produce music. The volume of features can occasionally overwhelm the device, so sometimes switching between apps can make the playback misbehave, which may require relaunching the app. Its features may be a little limited for more seasoned digital music creators, but overall it's a flexible, accessible starting point for digital music makers of all ages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about making music with Reason Compact. What styles or genres of music interest your kids most? Why? Create an original song together in their favorite style.
Watch live music together as a family and talk about how the instruments and singers interact. Ask how sound layers on sound.
Listen to a favorite song. Ask your kid to identify each instrument or sound, identify where it comes in, and explain what it does to change the song. Consider how you might use a tool like an electronic drum pad or synthesizer to perform that song.
Users can choose to share their creations with other people. What privacy concerns might arise from you sharing your creations?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects: Arts : music, rhythm
- Skills: Creativity : making new creations, producing new content, Self-Direction : effort, initiative, work to achieve goals
- Pricing structure: Free (more content via in-app purchases from $0.99 to $9.99)
- Release date: October 12, 2019
- Category: Music
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Publisher: Reason Studios AB
- Version: 2.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 11.0 or later.
- Last updated: February 26, 2020
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