US122+Reason3 over Mbox2? which is a better combo for crisp hiphop/pop?

[dudeface]

I would like to make crisp sounding music, probably more towards hiphop/r&b/pop styles. I've been looking to get an mbox2 with its software package, but I thought i may be better off getting a tascam (with Cubase LE) and an academic version of reason 3 at a similar total cost - reason being you get all the synth features of reason rather then a restrictive sample in the 'adapted' version.

Both Cubase LE (bundled with Us122) and Pro tools LE (with mbox2) supports ReWire if i read correctly.

Issue: To make good quality/crisp hiphop/r&b/pop styles, is reason 3 full version + tascam a better choice over mbox2 with its adapted software package?

Cheers and thanks for you inputs

 

[scrubs]

IMO, the recording software itself plays only a minor role in your overall sound. The real money shot is in good mics, preamps, acoustic treatment for your room, and good samples (for hip-hop). I haven't used the Mbox, but the preamps in the US-122 are o.k. Nothing special, but they're fine for the price.