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]
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.
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.
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.[citation needed] 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.
Reason Adapted – a cut down version of Reason distributed as part of various software bundles
Figure – an iOS 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.
ReFills compress sounds, settings and instrument configurations into single files, and are the only way of mass importing additional sounds into Reason.
Reload – a utility to import Akai S1000 and S3000 sample CDs into NN-XT ReFills
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 – 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.
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]
^Propellerhead Software. 2007. Interview Man of Reason. Available online: [2] accessed 21 January 2010.
^ReBirth Museum. 2005. The Roland Seal of Approval. The Debut. Available online: "Propellerhead Software". Archived from the original on 22 April 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015. accessed 23 August 2007.
^Walker, M. November 1999. ReWired for Sound. Sound on Sound. Volume 15, Issue 1. Available online: [3] accessed 23 August 2007.
^Musikmesse International Press Award. 2002. Software-Instruments. MIPA 2002 - Winner. Available online: "Mipa 2002 - Winner". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.. Accessed 23 August 2007.
^ReBirth Museum. 2005. ReBirth for the Masses. The Birth of ReBirth. Available online:"Propellerhead Software". Archived from the original on 15 August 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007. accessed 23 August 2007.
^Johnson, D. October 2005. Beta-testing Reason. Sound on Sound. Volume 20, Issue 12. Available online: [5] accessed 23 August 2007.
