Reason Studios Explained

Reason Studios
Type:Private[1]
Foundation:1994
Founder:Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist and Peter Jubel
Hq Location City:Stockholm
Hq Location Country:Sweden
Area Served:Digital audio production
Industry:Technology
Products:Reason, ReCycle, Record, ReBirth RB-338, Figure
Homepage:www.reasonstudios.com

Reason Studios (formerly known as Propellerhead Software) is a music software company, based in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded in 1994,[1] it develops the studio emulation digital audio workstation and audio plug-in[2] Reason.

History

Propellerhead Software was founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist and Peter Jubel.[1] Their first release was ReCycle, 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, who marketed it as a companion to Cubase, as it brought a simple way of gaining control over tempo and timing of audio loops.[3]

In 1997, Propellerhead released ReBirth RB-338, a step based, programmable sequencer which emulated classic Roland instruments commonly associated with techno: two TB-303 Bass Line synthesizers and a TR-808. A TR-909 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.[4]

ReWire was developed jointly between Propellerhead and Steinberg for use with their Cubase 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,[5] to allow communication between different sequencers.

Propellerhead soon focused their attention on their new product, the award-winning[6] digital audio workstation; Reason. It first released in 2000.

In May 2009, Propellerhead announced a new product, Record.[7] 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.[8]

Released 9 September 2009, Record has been praised for its stability, seamless integration with Reason, and sound quality,[9] and has received a number of awards, including Future Music's Platinum Award,[10] Computer Music Editor's Choice and Performance awards,[11] and the MusicTech Excellence award.[12]

In April 2010, Propellerhead released their first app for mobile platforms; a remake of their ReBirth RB-338 software for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Developed together with Retronyms,[13] it's a 100% port of the original with added functionality for sharing song files with other iPhone users, zooming and panning.[14]

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.[15]

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. sells applications for the popular iOS platform. Hosted by Propellerhead Software, developers are free to use their own DSP 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.[16]

In April 2017, Propellerhead announced plans to support VST plugins in Reason, starting from version 9.5[17]

In November 2019, Reason studios announced their roadmap for 2020 which would include support for VST3 and native M1 support.[18] Various delays led to VST3 being introduced in December 2022.[19] Native M1/M2 support was added in version 12.6.

In May 2023, Reason Studios announced that they would discontinue support for support for the offline authorization used by Reason versions 1–11, requiring users of older versions to be connected to the internet for authorization.[20]

Name

The name propellerhead comes from the pejorative term used to deprecate science fiction fans and other technophiles, who are stereotypically drawn wearing propeller beanies. The company is not related to the British electronic music duo Propellerheads.

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.

Online

From early on, Propellerhead used the Internet as both a marketing tool and as a method to communicate with their user base. An alpha version 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.[21]

The user forum has always been at the forefront of the Propellerhead community, with many employees checking them every day.[22] 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.[23]

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 general social media accounts instead.[23] The unofficial new forum, run by Reason users rather than by Propellerhead, is Reason Talk.[24] 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.

Products

Reason

Reason
Developer:Reason Studios (formerly Propellerhead Software)
Latest Release Version:12.5.1[25]
Programming Language:C++, Objective-C (Mac), Lua
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Genre:Digital audio workstation
License:Proprietary

Reason is a digital audio workstation developed for macOS and Windows. The first version was released in 2000.[26] When launched Reason could run on average spec computers and was competitively priced. Reason simulates a recording studio with virtual cables and representations of a subtractive synthesizer, sampler and drum machine. It also has a REX file loop player, a pattern step sequencer and a multitude of effects units. Reason has the ability to create as many instances of each device (limited by compute power) and a simple sequencer for notes and device automation.

Current products other

Rack extensions

Technologies

ReFills

ReFills compress sounds, settings and instrument configurations into single files, and are the only way of mass importing additional sounds into Reason.

Discontinued

Influence

Reason and its antecedents have been widely used by producers and musicians in the hip-hop, electronica and indie music scenes from the 2000s onwards. According to Computer Music it "changed the face of desktop music production".[63]

ReBirth RB-338 has been described by Sound on Sound as "one of the first software instruments to achieve widespread acceptance and even cult status"[64] and by Future Music as "one of the most important virtual instruments in the history of electronic music".[65]

See List of notable Reason users.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Reason Studios. 2007. Quick Company Facts. Propellerhead Software - A Company on a Mission. Available online: http://www.propellerheads.se/company/index.cfm?fuseaction=mainframe accessed 23 August 2007.
  2. Web site: 2019-08-27 . You can now use Reason as a plugin in any DAW . 2024-05-26 . DJ Mag.
  3. Propellerhead Software. 2007. Interview Man of Reason. Available online: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jan03/articles/earnstpropellerhead.asp accessed 21 January 2010.
  4. ReBirth Museum. 2005. The Roland Seal of Approval. The Debut. Available online: Web site: Propellerhead Software . 2015-04-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070422050636/http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/history/part4.htm . 22 April 2007 . accessed 23 August 2007.
  5. Walker, M. November 1999. ReWired for Sound. Sound on Sound. Volume 15, Issue 1. Available online: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov99/articles/rewire.htm accessed 23 August 2007.
  6. Musikmesse International Press Award. 2002. Software-Instruments. MIPA 2002 - Winner. Available online: Web site: Mipa 2002 - Winner . 2007-08-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928154312/http://www1.mipa-award.de/winner2002.htm . 28 September 2007 . . Accessed 23 August 2007.
  7. Web site: Latest News. soundonsound.com.
  8. Web site: Propellerhead Software Record | Page 4 | Tech Reviews | MusicRadar.com . 2010-01-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717014606/http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/computers-software/digital-audio-workstations-daws/record-215617/review/4 . 17 July 2011 .
  9. Web site: Propellerhead Software Record | Tech Reviews | MusicRadar.com . 2010-01-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717014705/http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/computers-software/digital-audio-workstations-daws/record-215617/review . 17 July 2011 .
  10. Web site: Record reviewed in Future Music (Platinum Award).
  11. Web site: Computer Music front cover and Editor's Choice Award for Record.
  12. Web site: MusicTech Magazine give Propellerhead's Record 10 out of 10.
  13. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-20004046-27.html?tag=hotTopicsBody.1
  14. Web site: Create Digital Music » ReBirth, Reborn, as Synths in your Hand: Q+A with Ernst Nathorst-Böös . 7 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100507014700/http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/01/rebirth-reborn-as-synths-in-your-hand-qa-with-ernst-nathorst-boos/#more-10827 . 7 May 2010 . dead .
  15. Web site: Reason 11: Music Production Software | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  16. Web site: Propellerhead unveils Rack Extension technology for... | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  17. Web site: What's New in Reason 11 | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  18. Web site: Roadmap Update from our new Chief Product Officer . reasonstudios.com.
  19. Web site: Reason 12.5 with VST3 support released. reasonstudios.com.
  20. Web site: Upgrade at 60% Off And Say Bye to the Old Authorization System. reasonstudios.com.
  21. ReBirth Museum. 2005. ReBirth for the Masses. The Birth of ReBirth. Available online:Web site: Propellerhead Software . 2007-08-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070815234147/http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/history/part3.htm . 15 August 2007 . accessed 23 August 2007.
  22. Johnson, D. October 2005. Beta-testing Reason. Sound on Sound. Volume 20, Issue 12. Available online: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/articles/reasonnotes.htm accessed 23 August 2007.
  23. Web site: The forums are closed | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  24. Web site: ReasonTalk. ReasonTalk.
  25. Web site: Reason 12.5.1 released! . reasonstudios.com . 2023-03-03.
  26. Web site: Learn about Reason Studios: makers of Reason and more Reason Studios . 2021-02-27 . reasonstudios.com.
  27. Web site: Reason Rack Plugin VST/AU Plugin Reason Reason Studios. 2021-10-17. reasonstudios.com.
  28. Web site: Reason+ Sound Like You . reasonstudios.com. 27 January 2021 .
  29. Web site: Music production with Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  30. Web site: Algorithm FM Synthesizer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  31. Web site: Beat Map Algorhythmic Drummer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  32. Web site: Complex-1 | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  33. Web site: Drum Sequencer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  34. Web site: Fingerpicking Nylon A-List Acoustic Guitarist | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  35. Web site: Friktion Modeled Strings | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  36. Web site: Layers | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  37. Web site: Layers Wave Edition | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  38. Web site: Parsec 2 | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  39. Web site: Polar | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  40. Web site: PolyStep Sequencer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  41. Web site: Processed Pianos. Reason Studios Shop.
  42. Web site: Quad Note Generator | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  43. Web site: Radical Keys | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  44. Web site: Reason Drum Kits | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  45. Web site: Reason Electric Bass | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  46. Web site: Rotor | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  47. Web site: Scenic | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  48. Web site: Umpf Club Drums | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  49. Web site: Umpf Retro Beats | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  50. Web site: Audiomatic | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  51. Web site: Pulsar | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  52. Web site: Propellerhead Releases Reason 9 Music Production So... | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  53. Web site: Radical Piano | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  54. Web site: Propellerhead Releases Reason 10 Music Production S... | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  55. Web site: Synchronous | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  56. Abbey Road Studios. June 2007. Abbey Road and Propellerhead Software announce "Abbey Road Keyboards" for Reason. Abbey Road News. Available online: http://www.abbeyroad.co.uk/news.php?id=137 accessed 23 August 2007.
  57. Web site: A-List Acoustic Guitarist | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  58. Web site: A-List Classic Drummer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  59. Web site: A-List Power Drummer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  60. Web site: A-List Studio Drummer | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  61. Web site: A-List Electric Guitarist Pop Chords | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  62. Web site: Power Chords A-List Electric Guitarist | Reason | Reason Studios. reasonstudios.com.
  63. Web site: Computer Music . 2012-08-01 . Propellerhead Reason 6.5 review . 2024-06-22 . MusicRadar.
  64. Web site: Ernst Nathorst-Böös . 2024-06-22 . soundonsound.com.
  65. Web site: Future Music . 2011-02-02 . A brief history of Propellerhead Reason and Record . 2024-06-22 . MusicRadar.

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