Rated: 9/10



"Chemical Beats has long been a sample CD favourite - we reviewed it way back in CM03. Now it's

been brought into the 21st century in the form of a Reason Refill, though the disc also contains the

content separately so you can still make use of it even if you're not a user of Propellerhead's

software studio. And it is fine content. The 423 REX loops in the ReFill are of the hard and edgy

variety - listen out for pounding beats and percussion and heavy guitars (many of which have been

heavily processed). If you want to program your own rhythms, you can make use of the 26 quality

ReDrum kits. Also well worthy of note are the NN-19 sampler patches; we're certain that we'll find

uses for many of the 29 bass patches that are included here. The 12 pads and 32 stabs are perhaps

less versatile, but they're good enough to hold their own. This is a thumping collection that will appeal

most to Reason owners who want to make brutal, beat-led dance music. Yes, there are cheaper

ReFills out there, but you really are paying for quality with Chemical Beats."