Propellerhead software

Propellerhead software
legal form	Private
founding	1994
Seat	Stockholm , Sweden
Website	www.propellerheads.se (English)

Propellerhead Software is a manufacturer of music software based in Stockholm ( Sweden ). The company was founded in 1994 and made a name for itself primarily with the studio emulation software Reason .

history

Propellerhead Software was founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist and Pelle Jubel, who still hold important positions in the company. The first software developed was the ReCycle program , a tool for editing loops that, among other things, could change the tempo of a loop without affecting the pitch. The company-specific REX format served as the export medium.

In 1997, the company released the ReBirth RB-338 program , a step-based, programmable sequencer that emulates classic Roland instruments often associated with techno: the 2 TB-303 bass line synthesizer and the TR-808 drum machine . From version 2, the TR-909 drum machine was also added. It was welcomed as an affordable alternative to old, unreliable devices, but was also criticized for its sound limitations. Roland Corporation requested that a note be added to the ReBirth packages as well as to the home screen; the unofficial tip became a marketing boost for Propellerhead and has maintained the close relationship with Roland. Nevertheless, Roland later managed to stop development.

ReWire was later developed together with Steinberg to use Rebirth with the Cubase sequencer . It was published in 1998 and offers a virtual audio and a synchronization connection between the two programs. In January 1999, the protocol was released for royalty-free use by third-party software. This should enable communication between different sequencers.

Propellerhead soon focused on their new product, Reason , which was released in 2000. Reason is a studio emulation, with virtual cables, several synthesizers, samplers, a drum machine , a function to play REX loops, a pattern sequencer and various effect units. Reason's ability to create as many devices as the computer can handle is particularly attractive, as is the simple sequencer for automating sheet music and devices. The performance requirements are so low that Reason can run on average computers

In 2019 Propellerheads acquired 2 music apps and integrated them into Reason.

Surname

The name Propellerhead refers to those who wear propeller beanies , as science fiction fans, geeks and other technology enthusiasts are sometimes caricatured.

The company has no affiliation with the British big beat band Propellerheads .

Use of the Internet

Propellerhead used the Internet early on, both as a marketing tool and as a way to get in touch with users. An alpha version of ReBirth was offered as a free download on the Propellerhead website in 1996, and the company even searched the Internet for active users of the TB-303 and emailed them to try out the new software.

Current products

Reason
Reason Essentials - Slimmed down version of Reason.
Reason Adapted - a limited version of Reason that is sold as part of various software packages.
ReCycle. ReCycle is the first computer software developed and distributed by Propellerhead in the 1990s. With ReCycle it is possible to cut loops into slices , which has made the work of many musicians easier. With the help of these slices it is now possible, for example, to play a loop faster or slower without changing its pitch. In addition, you can change the order of the played notes in the loop, if a slice is added to each played note. The edited file is exported in the REX format developed by Propellerhead.

Technologies

ReWire
REX2
Remote - a communication protocol for communication between the control surface and software applications, integrated for the first time in Reason 3.
RE (Rack Extensions) - proprietary plug-in interface (from Reason 6.5), which enables registered providers to develop instruments, effects and utilities for Reason. REs are sold exclusively through the Propellerhead online shop [3] .

Rack Extension Categories:

Instruments (generate waveforms)
Creative effects
Studio effects
Tools (mostly CV-based)

Rack extensions

A-List acoustic guitarist
A-List Classic Drummer
A-list power drummer
A-List Studio Drummer
Parsec Spectral Synthesizer
Polar dual pitch shifter
Pop Chords A-List Electric Guitarist
Power Chords A-List Electric Guitarist
PX7 FM synthesizer
Radical Keys Electric Piano
Radical Piano Acoustic Piano
Rotor rotary speaker
Synchronous Effect Modulator

Reason ReFills

ReFills compresses sounds, settings and instrument configurations into small files (this is the only way to import multiple additional sounds into Reason at once)

Reason pianos
Reason drum kits
RDK Vintage Mono ReFill
ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill
Strings ReFill
Abbey Road Keyboards - Developed with the famous Abbey Road Studios
Reason electric bass

IOS

Thor
Take
Figure
Reason Compact

Web links

Official website

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↑ ^a ^b Propellerhead software. 2007. Quick Company Facts. Propellerhead Software - A Company on a Mission . Available online: [1] accessed 23rd August 2007
^ ReBirth Museum. 2005. The Roland Seal of Approval. The debut . Available online: Archive copy ( Memento from April 22, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) August 23, 2007.
^ RIP Propellerhead ReBirth - an obituary. gearnews, June 13, 2017, accessed July 26, 2020 .
^ Walker, M: The Benefits Of Rewire Technology. In: Volume 15, Issue 1. Sound on Sound, November 1999, accessed on August 23, 2007 .
↑ Musikmesse International Press Award. 2002. Software Instruments. MIPA 2002 - Winner . Available online: Archive copy ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive ). August 23, 2007.
^ Propellerhead Acquires Figure and Take Music Making A… | Reason Studios. Retrieved July 26, 2020 .
↑ Eric S. Raymond : propeller head. In: Jargon File. Retrieved December 15, 2018 .
↑ Definition of PROPELLER HEAD. In: Merriam-Webster dictionary. Retrieved December 15, 2018 .
^ ReBirth Museum. 2005. ReBirth for the Masses. The Birth of ReBirth . Available online: Archive copy ( Memento from August 15, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) accessed August 23, 2007.
^ Abbey Road Studios. June 2007. Abbey Road and Propellerhead Software announce "Abbey Road Keyboards" for Reason. Abbey Road News . Available online: [2] accessed August 23, 2007.

[company_facts-1] 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: Archive copy ( Memento from April 22, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) August 23, 2007.

[3] RIP Propellerhead ReBirth - an obituary. gearnews, June 13, 2017, accessed July 26, 2020 .

[4] Walker, M: The Benefits Of Rewire Technology. In: Volume 15, Issue 1. Sound on Sound, November 1999, accessed on August 23, 2007 .

[5] Musikmesse International Press Award. 2002. Software Instruments. MIPA 2002 - Winner . Available online: Archive copy ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive ). August 23, 2007.

[6] Propellerhead Acquires Figure and Take Music Making A… | Reason Studios. Retrieved July 26, 2020 .

[7] Eric S. Raymond : propeller head. In: Jargon File. Retrieved December 15, 2018 .

[8] Definition of PROPELLER HEAD. In: Merriam-Webster dictionary. Retrieved December 15, 2018 .

[9] ReBirth Museum. 2005. ReBirth for the Masses. The Birth of ReBirth . Available online: Archive copy ( Memento from August 15, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) accessed August 23, 2007.

[10] Abbey Road Studios. June 2007. Abbey Road and Propellerhead Software announce "Abbey Road Keyboards" for Reason. Abbey Road News . Available online: [2] accessed August 23, 2007.