Propellerhead Software

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"Propellerhead" redirects here. For the music group, see Propellerheads.
Propellerhead Software
Type Private[1]
Founded 1994
Headquarters Stockholm
Area served Digital audio production
Industry Technology
Products Reason, ReCycle
Website www.propellerheads.se

Propellerhead Software is a music software company, based in Stockholm, Sweden, and founded in 1994.[1] They are most notable for the studio emulation Reason.

Contents

[edit] History

Propellerhead Software was founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist and Pelle Jubel, who still hold prominent positions within the company.[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.

In 1997, Propellerhead released ReBirth RB-338, a step based, programmable sequencer which emulated classic Roland instruments commonly associated with techno: TB-303 Bass Line Synthesizer and the TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines. 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 have retained a close relationship with Roland ever since.[2]

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,[3] to allow communication between different sequencers.

Propellerhead soon focused their attention on their new product, the award winning[4] 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 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.

[edit] Use of the Internet

From early on, Propellerhead used the Internet as both a marketing tool and as a method of ensuring they could 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.[5]

The user forum has always been at the forefront of the Propellerhead community, with many employees checking them every day.[6] 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.

[edit] Current products

  • Reason
  • ReCycle
  • Reason Adapted - a cut down version of Reason distributed as part of various software bundles

[edit] Technologies

  • ReWire
  • REX2
  • Remote - a communication protocol for use between control surfaces and software applications, first incorporated into Reason 3.

[edit] 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
  • RDK Vintage Mono ReFill
  • ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill
  • Strings ReFill
  • Abbey Road Keyboards - developed with world famous Abbey Road Studios[7]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Propellerhead Software. 2007. Quick Company Facts. Propellerhead Software - A Company on a Mission. Available online: [1] accessed 23rd August 2007.
  2. ^ ReBirth Museum. 2005. The Roland Seal of Approval. The Debut. Available online: [2] accessed 23rd August 2007.
  3. ^ Walker, M. November 1999. ReWired for Sound. Sound on Sound. Volume 15, Issue 1. Available online: [3] accessed 23rd August 2007.
  4. ^ Musikmesse International Press Award. 2002. Software-Instruments. MIPA 2002 - Winner. Available online: [4]. Accessed 23rd August 2007.
  5. ^ ReBirth Museum. 2005. ReBirth for the Masses. The Birth of ReBirth. Available online:[5] accessed 23rd August 2007.
  6. ^ Johnson, D. October 2005. Beta-testing Reason. Sound on Sound. Volume 20, Issue 12. Available online: [6] accessed 23rd August 2007.
  7. ^ Abbey Road Studios. June 2007. Abbey Road and Propellerhead Software announce "Abbey Road Keyboards" for Reason. Abbey Road News. Available online: [7] accessed 23rd August 2007.