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Reason Studios (formerly known as Propellerhead Software) is a music
software company A software company is a company whose primary products are various forms of software, software technology, distribution, and software product development. They make up the software industry. Types There are a number of different types of softw ...
, based in
Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
,
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
, and founded in 1994. It produces the studio emulation Reason.


History

Propellerhead Software was founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist and Peter Jubel, who still hold prominent positions within the company. Their first release was
ReCycle Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. The recovery of energy from waste materials is often included in this concept. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the p ...
, a sample loop editor that could change the tempo of a loop without affecting the pitch. The export medium was Propellerhead's own REX format. ReCycle was launched in conjunction with
Steinberg Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH (trading as Steinberg) is a German musical software and hardware company based in Hamburg. It develops music writing, recording, arranging, and editing software, most notably Cubase, Nuendo, and Dorico. It also ...
, who marketed it as a companion to Cubase, as it brought a simple way of gaining control over tempo and timing of audio loops. In 1997, Propellerhead released
ReBirth RB-338 ReBirth RB-338 is a software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 8- 9 and iOS for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It was developed by Propellerhead Software, and its first alpha version (for Mac OS) was publicly released in October 1996. ...
, a step based, programmable sequencer which emulated classic
Roland Roland (; frk, *Hrōþiland; lat-med, Hruodlandus or ''Rotholandus''; it, Orlando or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the ...
instruments commonly associated with techno: two
TB-303 The Roland TB-303 Bass Line (also known as the 303) is a bass synthesizer released by Roland Corporation in 1981. Designed to simulate bass guitars, it was a commercial failure and was discontinued in 1984. However, cheap second-hand units were ...
Bass Line synthesizers and a TR-808. A
TR-909 The Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer is a drum machine introduced by Roland Corporation in 1983, succeeding the TR-808. It was the first Roland drum machine to use samples for some sounds, and the first with MIDI functionality, allowing it to syn ...
drum machine was added in version 2.0. It was hailed as an affordable alternative to buying old, unreliable hardware devices. Roland Corporation requested that an acknowledgment be added to the ReBirth packaging and splash screen; the unofficial endorsement became a marketing boost for Propellerhead, and they have retained a close relationship with Roland ever since.
ReWire ReWire is a software protocol, jointly developed by Propellerhead and Steinberg, allowing remote control and data transfer among digital audio editing and related software. Originally appearing in the ReBirth software synthesizer in 1998, the pro ...
was developed jointly between Propellerhead and
Steinberg Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH (trading as Steinberg) is a German musical software and hardware company based in Hamburg. It develops music writing, recording, arranging, and editing software, most notably Cubase, Nuendo, and Dorico. It also ...
for use with their
Cubase Cubase is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Steinberg for music and MIDI recording, arranging and editing. The first version, which was originally only a MIDI sequencer and ran on the Atari ST computer, was released in 1989. Cut-dow ...
sequencer. Released in 1998, it provided a virtual audio and synchronization connection between Cubase and ReBirth. In January 1999 the protocol was opened for general use by third parties without any license fee, to allow communication between different sequencers. Propellerhead soon focused their attention on their new product, the award-winning Reason, released in 2000. Reason was an entire studio emulation complete with virtual cables and representations of a subtractive synthesizer, sampler and drum machine, alongside a REX file loop player, a pattern step sequencer and a multitude of effects units. Making Reason's appeal even greater was the ability to create as many of each device as a computer could handle and a simple sequencer for notes and device automation. Additionally, Reason could run on average spec computers and was extremely competitively priced. In May 2009, Propellerhead announced a new product, Record. Designed for recording, arrangement and mixing, Record is made along the lines of Reason and continues the tradition of emulating hardware and the rack. Record emulates a recording studio, with a mixing desk, a rack of virtual instruments and effects, and an audio sequencer (similar to traditional MIDI sequencing.) It is also made to work alongside Reason; if Record is installed on a computer with Reason on it, the modules from Reason will be usable inside of Record. Released 9 September 2009, Record has been praised for its stability, seamless integration with Reason, and sound quality, and has received a number of awards, including Future Music's Platinum Award, Computer Music Editor's Choice and Performance awards, and the MusicTech Excellence award. In April 2010, Propellerhead released their first app for mobile platforms; a remake of their
ReBirth RB-338 ReBirth RB-338 is a software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 8- 9 and iOS for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It was developed by Propellerhead Software, and its first alpha version (for Mac OS) was publicly released in October 1996. ...
software for the Apple iPhone,
iPod Touch The iPod Touch (stylized as iPod touch) is a discontinued line of iOS-based mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-controlled user interface. As with other iPod models, the iPod Touch can be used as a music pl ...
and iPad. Developed together with Retronyms, it's a 100% port of the original with added functionality for sharing song files with other iPhone users, zooming and panning. In July 2011, Propellerhead announced plans for Reason version 6 which includes all the features of Record 1.5. This allowed Propellerhead to discontinue Record and create two different versions of Reason. In March 2012, Propellerhead announced Rack Extensions and the Rack Extension store, a software architecture that will allow 3rd party developers to use their own instruments and effect devices inside of Reason. This technology was announced to appear alongside Reason 6.5 as a free update. Rack Extensions will be sold in an app store similar in a fashion in which
Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, United States. Apple is the largest technology company by revenue (totaling in 2021) and, as of June 2022, is the world's biggest company ...
sells applications for the popular
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
platform. Hosted by Propellerhead Software, developers are free to use their own
DSP DSP may refer to: Computing * Digital signal processing, the mathematical manipulation of an information signal * Digital signal processor, a microprocessor designed for digital signal processing * Yamaha DSP-1, a proprietary digital signal ...
and existing code to develop instruments and effects for use in Reason. When purchased, the Rack Extensions appear in Reason as a native Reason instrument or effect module and are privy to all of the features that Reason offers in its native instruments and effect devices. In April 2017, Propellerhead announced plans to support VST plugins in Reason, starting from version 9.5 Reason 12 is available as a forever license for $499. Alternatively, users can get Reason 12, with all the instruments, as a subscription service called "Reason+". The subscription service is $19.99 per month.


Name

The name ''propellerhead'' comes from the pejorative term used to deprecate
science fiction fans Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or fandom of people interested in science fiction in contact with one another based upon that interest. SF fandom has a life of its own, but not much in the way of formal organization (although ...
and other
technophiles Technophilia (from Greek language, Greek τέχνη - ''technē'', "art, skill, craft" and φίλος - ''philos'', "beloved, dear, friend") refers generally to a strong enthusiasm for technology, especially new technologies such as personal com ...
, who are stereotypically drawn wearing
propeller beanie In the United States, a beanie is a head-hugging brimless cap, sometimes made from triangular panels of material joined by a button at the crown and seamed together around the sides. Beanies may be made of cloth, felt, wool, leather, or silk. In ...
s. The company is not related to the British electronic music duo
Propellerheads Propellerheads were an English electronic music duo, formed in 1995 in Bath and consisting of Will White and Alex Gifford. History Their first release was an EP named ''Dive!'', released in 1996 through the independent label Wall of Sound. ...
. On 26 August 2019, Propellerhead announced they would change their name to Reason Studios to have a name more closely tied to their core product: Reason.


Use of the Internet

From early on, Propellerhead used the
Internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...
as both a marketing tool and as a method to communicate with their user base. An
alpha version A software release life cycle is the sum of the stages of development and maturity for a piece of computer software ranging from its initial development to its eventual release, and including updated versions of the released version to help impro ...
of ReBirth was made available for free download on the Propellerhead website in December 1996, and the company even searched the internet for active users of the TB-303 and sent them invitation emails to try the new software. The user
forum Forum or The Forum (plural forums or fora) may refer to: Common uses * Forum (legal), designated space for public expression in the United States *Forum (Roman), open public space within a Roman city **Roman Forum, most famous example *Internet ...
has always been at the forefront of the Propellerhead community, with many employees checking them every day. Allowing users to make requests and suggestions directly to the developers led to the first downloadable ReBirth update in 1997, and still today registered users of Propellerhead software can download updates and much additional content online. In November 2013, the forums were shut down indefinitely due to security concerns with the forum software. On 17 December, they were resurrected with 4 new forum categories: Beginner, Advanced User, Rack Extensions and Post Your Music. On 16 January 2014, Propellerhead Software announced that they will close down the 15-year-old Reason community forums, shifting online customer interaction to their social media accounts instead. The unofficial new forum, run by Reason users rather than by Propellerhead, is Reason Talk. Though this is an independent forum, some Propellerhead employees have posted there and the forum hosted the official Reason beta test forum for Reason Version 9.


Current products

* Reason — The full reason DAW * Reason Rack Plugin — Included with the Reason DAW (VST3/AU/AAX) works in all major DAWS. * Reason+ — Reason Studios Subscription Service. Available since Jan 2021. *
ReCycle Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. The recovery of energy from waste materials is often included in this concept. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the p ...
*Reason Adapted — a cut down version of Reason distributed as part of various software bundles *Figure — an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app that utilizes some technology from Reason's Thor synthesizer and Kong drum machine. It allows users to compose short loops by drawing figures on a touch screen device. *
Rebirth for iOS Rebirth may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Film * ''Rebirth'' (2011 film), a 2011 Japanese drama film * ''Rebirth'' (2016 film), a 2016 American thriller film * ''Rebirth'', a documentary film produced by Project Rebirth * ''The Re ...
— an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app that brings almost all of the functionality of the desktop version of now discontinued
ReBirth RB-338 ReBirth RB-338 is a software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 8- 9 and iOS for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It was developed by Propellerhead Software, and its first alpha version (for Mac OS) was publicly released in October 1996. ...
. *
Reason Compact Reason is the capacity of Consciousness, consciously applying logic by Logical consequence, drawing conclusions from new or existing information, with the aim of seeking the truth. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activ ...
— an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app that combines some of the devices from Reason, most notably the Europa synthesizer *Take — an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app for recording song ideas *Thor — an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app version of the powerful synthesizer that was introduced in Reason 4


Rack extensions

* Algorithm FM Synthesizer * Beat Map Algorhythmic Drummer * Complex-1 modular synthesizer * Drum Sequencer * Fingerpicking Nylon A-list Acoustic Guitarist * Friktion Modeled Strings * Layers * Layers Wave Edition * Parsec * Polar * PolyStep Sequencer * Processed Pianos * Quad Note Generator * Radical Keys * Reason Drum Kits * Reason Electric Bass * Rotor * Scenic Hybrid Instrument * Umpf Club Drums * Umpf Retro Beats * Audiomatic Retro Transformer (included in Reason 9) * Pulsar - Dual LFO (included in Reason 9 ) * Radical Piano (included in Reason since version 10 ) * Synchronous (included in Reason since version 10 )


Technologies

*
REX2 {{notability, date=January 2014 REX2 is a proprietary type of audio sample loop file format developed by Reason Studios, a Swedish music software company. It is one of the most popular and widely supported loop file formats for sequencer and d ...
*Remote — a communication protocol for use between control surfaces and software applications, first incorporated into Reason 3. *
Rack Extensions Rack or racks may refer to: Storage and installation * Amp rack, short for amplifier rack, a piece of furniture in which amplifiers are mounted * Bicycle rack, a frame for storing bicycles when not in use * Bustle rack, a type of storage bin m ...
— a software platform that allows the use of instruments and effects developed by 3rd party companies for use inside of Reason.


ReFills

ReFills compress sounds, settings and instrument configurations into single files, and are the only way of mass importing additional sounds into Reason. *Reason Pianos *Reason Drum Kits *Reason Soul School *Reason Electric Bass ReFill *RDK Vintage Mono ReFill *ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill *Strings ReFill *Abbey Road Keyboards — discontinued, developed with
Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music c ...


Discontinued products

*
ReBirth RB-338 ReBirth RB-338 is a software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 8- 9 and iOS for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It was developed by Propellerhead Software, and its first alpha version (for Mac OS) was publicly released in October 1996. ...
— now reworked as an
iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
app * Record (incorporated into Reason as of version 6) *Europa — a VST implementation of this synthesizer that was introduced in Reason 10. Discontinued with Reason 11 as Reason 11 can now be used as a plugin in other DAWs. *
ReWire ReWire is a software protocol, jointly developed by Propellerhead and Steinberg, allowing remote control and data transfer among digital audio editing and related software. Originally appearing in the ReBirth software synthesizer in 1998, the pro ...
— discontinued since Reason 11 as it can now be used as a plugin in other DAWs *Balance — an audio interface with optimizations for use with Reason * A-List Series Rack Extensions — The A-List series of rack extensions were a set of samplebased rack extensions. * PX7 FM Synthesizer * A-List Acoustic Guitarist * A-list Classic Drummer * A-list Power Drummer * A-list Studio Drummer * Pop Chords A-list Electric Guitarist * Power Chords A-list Electric Guitarist *Reason Intro — an entry level version of Reason with fewer devices *Reason Suite — the full Reason package plus all rack extensions from Reason Studios. Available since version 11


References


External links


Official websiteAllihoopa (Closed as of January 17th 2019) ReBirth MuseumLearnReason - A Propellerhead Reason website by Matthew HessReasonExperts - A Propellerhead Reason website by HydlideReasonistas - A Propellerhead Reason website and apparel shop by Noel G.ReasonTalk - A Propellerhead Reason Forum by KenniMusic production Tips/Techniques/Reviews (Reason,Reason Rack)ReasonHeads - A Propellerhead Reason Forum by Heigen5
{{Authority control Companies based in Stockholm Software companies of Sweden Electronic music organizations Music equipment manufacturers Digital audio workstation software Software synthesizers