Hi all, I'm trying to decide between purchasing Reason & Logic Express, or just go with Logic Pro, since it comes bundled with all the eMagic plugins now.

I'm using educational discounts so Logic Pro would be about $150 more than Logic Express + Reason.

I'm new to computer music and synths but I want quality sounds. I'd rather work with 3 excellent-sounding instruments than 10 good-sounding instruments. I'm especially interested in realistically modelled drums, bass, piano, and orchestra (probably need Personal Orchestra for the last one though). Synths are good additions but not my mainstay, I'm not doing pure dance music, although it has elements of that.

I understand that Logic Pro doesn't come with a drum machine like Reason does. I'm not sure if I could use the sampler instead (would that be a pain)? Or would I need to buy a drum machine app/plugin anyway, increasing the total actual cost difference?

Computer Music mag has recently said, in a couple different places which also discussed Reason, that (paraphrased) "Logic Pro 6, with its included plug-ins, might be all a Mac user needs or wants for producing music".

Are the full-version Logic Pro synths, piano, and sampler better than the limited versions included in Logic Express, and also better than what I could do in Reason, to the point that I'd be happy shelling out more $$ to get it instead of Reason?

Appreciate your feedback.