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Logicexpress+reason Or Logicpro?

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.

Midi Kboard: Edirol, Evolution, M-audio?

Hi all, trying to choose my first MIDI keyboard. I don't need something too fancy, but I'd also like something that I won't grow out of in the near future. In particular I want something that gives me lots of hardware control over Reason and Logic Express.

I'd like a somewhat compact size and some musical flexibility, but I'm not a keyboardist (although I'd like to try learning), so I'm thinking 49 keys is the sweet spot for me. I've been searching for reviews on the Edirol PCR-50 (~$200), Evolution MK-449 (~$200), and the M-Audio Radium 49 (~$150). But I haven't really found anything that compares them so I'm having a hard time making a choice.

I like the bank of assignable buttons (in addition to knobs and sliders) that the PCR-50 and MK-449 provide, so I'm probably looking more at those instead of the Radium 49.

*** In the Evolution, I like . . .
I like how the Evolution has two separate pitch & modulation wheels, whereas the Edirol combines them into one wheel. Although on second thought, I suppose I only have two hands anyway, and one will be playing keys, so maybe it doesn't matter?

I like the back-lit LCD screen of the Evolution vs. the numeric LED of the Edirol.

I like how the Evolution clearly states it is USB MIDI class compliant, whereas the Edirol only says "plug and play compatible" but doesn't explicitly state class compliance.

*** In the Edirol, I like . . .
I like how the Edirol has not only MIDI out, which the Evolution also has, but also MIDI in, as well as a second pedal input. But then again, I'm not sure I'd ever really use two pedals since I'm not a pianist, and I don't have any other MIDI hardware and possibly won't for a long time. Scratch that, I do have a digital 4-track (Boss BR-532) which has MIDI out, but I'm not sure how I would ever use it to send MIDI.

I like the controller templates that the Edirol ships with. Although, would that matter, if I end up reassigning the controls anyway?

I like how I see more people talking about the Edirol than the Evolution. The fact that the Evolution's bundled software (which may or may not actually be useful) is for PC only worries me a little bit -- is it not fully supported on Macs?


If anyone has opinions, please jump in, I'm stuck!

Logic Express Or Reason? Advice Please!

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for some advice on a software purchase.

I know that Logic Express is a full DAW and Reason is more of a big synth plug-in, so they're not directly comparable; but hear me out.

I'm somewhat of an audio newbie. Here's my current gear:
* iMac 1.25ghz 512mb RAM
* Boss BR-532 digital 4-track recorder
* GarageBand

I've got an electric guitar and a mic going into the BR-532, which is then plugged into the line-in of my iMac via a cheap RCA-to-1/4" Y-adapter. Maybe not best quality, but it works enough for an amateur like me. And I use GarageBand to record audio into different tracks and clean it up a little bit.

I'd really like a software drum machine and soft synths to play with, ala Reason. I'd rather spend my time learning to make my own mediocre stuff instead of sifting through other people's loops looking for something that will never be quite what I'm looking for.

Unfortunately, since Reason is almost $400, it might be a while before I can afford buying it.

However, as a college student, I can buy Logic Express 6 for $150 -- half off the regular price. But that discount runs out in about 6 weeks as I'm about to graduate.

I'm wondering if you people think I should go ahead and buy LE6 now at the discount price, in case I start to need more DAW capabilities than GarageBand can provide, so I won't be kicking myself in the head for not buying it at the discount. Or, should I save up for Reason instead, and just export it into GarageBand tracks?

Or even any other suggestions for my setup?
Thanks in advance.