:Reason (software)

Propellerhead Software was founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Pelle Jubel and Marcus Zetterquist and launched with ReCycle. They became popular in 1996 after releasing the ReBirth RB-338, described by MusicRadar in February 2011 as "one of the most important virtual instruments in the history of electronic music". By the late 1990s, advancements in technology meant that it became feasible for home users to build their own virtual studios from software, and so in 1999, Propellerhead ended development on ReBirth to work on Reason.

Reason was first released in November 2000. MusicRadar described it in 2011 as "broadly similar to the likes of Logic and Cubase, but" with its "user interface mimick[ing] a rack full of equipment, allowing instruments, effects and mixers to be linked together in order to create a complete production setup". Subsequent versions came out in September 2002, 2005, September 2007,{{Cite web|last=February 2011|first=Future Music02|title=A brief history of Propellerhead Reason and Record|url=https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/a-brief-history-of-propellerhead-reason-and-record-359849|access-date=2021-02-27|website=MusicRadar|date=2 February 2011 |language=en}} August 2010,{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/propellerhead-software-reason-5-273062|title=Propellerhead Software Reason 5 review|date=25 August 2010 |publisher=MusicRadar|accessdate=10 July 2023}} September 2011,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQA3vvuugGU|title=Reason 6 for Record Reason Duo Users|date=18 September 2011 |publisher=youtube.com|accessdate=29 November 2024}} April 2013,{{cite web |date=3 April 2013 |title=James Wiltshire teaches Paralell Processing in Reason 7[sic] |url=https://www.gearjunkies.com/2013/04/james-wiltshire-teaches-paralell-processing-in-reason-7/ |accessdate=10 July 2023 |publisher=Gearjunkies.com}} September 2014,{{cite web|url=https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2014/08/07/reason-8-a-radical-rethinking-of-reasons-workflow/|title=Reason 8 A 'Radical Rethinking Of Reason's Workflow'|date=7 August 2014 |publisher=Synthtopia.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}} June 2016,{{cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2016/05/20/propellerhead-reason-9-announced/|title=Propellerhead creates new musical tools for Reason 9 update|date=20 May 2016 |publisher=Factmag.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}} October 2017,{{cite web|url=https://soundbytesmag.net/review-ten-best-things-about-reason-10/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524062243/http://soundbytesmag.net/review-ten-best-things-about-reason-10/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 24, 2018|title=Review - Ten Best Things About Reason 10|date=9 May 2018 |publisher=Soundbytesmag.net|accessdate=10 July 2023}} September 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.gearnews.com/propellerhead-becomes-reason-studios-and-releases-reason-11-as-a-plug-in/|title=Reason 11|publisher=gearnews.com|accessdate=21 March 2024}} September 2021,{{cite web|url=https://macprovideo.com/article/audio-software/reason-studios-announces-upcoming-reason-12|title=Reason Studios announce the release of Reason 12|publisher=Macprovideo.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}} and June 2024.{{Cite web |title=Reason 13 is coming in June – with a host of workflow improvements and thousands of new patches, samples and loops |url=https://musictech.com/news/music/reason-13/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}} Early versions of the program lacked the ability to record audio, and in September 2009, Propellerhead released Record to work alongside Reason;{{cite web|url=https://cdm.link/2009/05/propellerhead-record-in-depth-preview-recording-reason-style/|title=Propellerhead Record In-Depth Preview: Recording, Reason-Style; Beta Test Now|date=11 May 2009 |publisher=Cdm.link|accessdate=10 July 2023}} Record was later merged into Reason 6.{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/propellerhead-reason-6|title=Propellerhead Reason 6|publisher=Soundonsound.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}} The success of the program prompted Propellerhead to rebrand itself as Reason Studios in August 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.gearnews.com/propellerhead-becomes-reason-studios-and-releases-reason-11-as-a-plug-in/|title=Propellerhead becomes Reason Studios and releases Reason 11 as a plug-in|date=26 August 2019 |publisher=Gearnews.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}}

Reviewing Reason 12, MusicRadar questioned how useful Reason 11 users would find it, but noted that it looked "the best it has in years",{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/reason-studios-reason-12|title=Reason Studios Reason 12 review|date=9 September 2021 |publisher=MusicRadar|accessdate=10 July 2023}} while Musictech.com described it as a "brilliant buy" for producers looking for a new digital audio workstation.{{cite web|url=https://musictech.com/reviews/digital-audio-workstations/reason-12-review/|title=Reason 12 : the classic modernises but offers few new tools|publisher=Musictech.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}} Pcmag.com noted that "existing fans [...] should take a close look", though criticised its user interface, saying that it had "aged considerably" compared to its competition.{{cite web|url=https://uk.pcmag.com/recording/116728/propellerhead-reason|title=Reason Studios Reason - Review 2022|date=12 April 2022 |publisher=Uk.pcmag.com|accessdate=10 July 2023}}

{{Excessive examples|section|date=May 2025}}

{{Famous|date=May 2025}}

The following producers and musical acts have at some point used Reason:

• Beastie Boys{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=2015-04-30 |title=While We're Young: Adam Horovitz |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/while-were-young-adam-horovitz/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews }}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v04EbEVMg0A |title=Artist Interview: Adam "Adrock" Horovitz (Beastie Boys) |date=2010-09-12 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-05-26 |via=YouTube}}
• MGMT{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=We've Got A File On You: MGMT |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2251838/weve-got-a-file-on-you-mgmt/interviews/weve-got-a-file-on-you/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}
• Toro Y Moi{{Cite web |last=Reynaldo |first=Shawn |date=2013-01-21 |title=In the Studio: Toro Y Moi |url=https://xlr8r.com/gear/in-the-studio-toro-y-moi/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=XLR8R |language=en-US}}
• The Prodigy{{Cite web |title=The Prodigy |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/the-prodigy |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}
• Michael Oakley{{Cite web |title=Artist Feature: Michael Oakley | date=22 May 2020 |url=https://www.reasonstudios.com/news/post/artist-feature-michael-oakley?srsltid=AfmBOopT_jrVnST6TxDi0ef0C3j092LhxxcF4_UvuICnbeWvNqyTroFk}}
• LCD Soundsystem{{Cite news |last=Kleinfeld |first=Justin |date=2007-03-01 |title=Straight Shooter |url=https://www.emusician.com/gear/straight-shooter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225233829/https://www.emusician.com/gear/straight-shooter |archive-date=2019-12-25 |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=Electronic Musician}}
• Flying Lotus{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/flyinglotus/status/1628550146949783554 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}
• Tyler, the Creator{{Cite web |title=Tyler, the Creator's 'Yonkers' - Discover the Sample Source |url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/661527/Tyler,-the-Creator-Yonkers-Propellerhead-Software-Fx3-Hard&Soft/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=WhoSampled |language=en}}
• J. Cole{{Cite web |last=Musicianpublished |first=Electronic |date=2019-12-04 |title=J. Cole shares his production secrets behind the album Born Sinner |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/j-cole-shares-his-production-secrets-behind-the-album-born-sinner |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}
• Future Islands{{Cite web |last=Moldof |first=Zach |date=2015-02-18 |title=Days of Future Islands Past |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/future-islands-interview-february-2015/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}
• Sir Mix-a-Lot{{Cite web |title=Sir Mix-A-Lot |url=https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/sir-mixalot-baby-got-ringtones-extended-version |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.redbullmusicacademy.com |language=en}}
• The Knife{{Cite web |last=Truants |date=2018-02-08 |title=Truancy Volume 204: Olof Dreijer |url=https://truantsblog.com/2018/truancy-volume-204-olof-dreijer/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Truants |language=en-US}}
• Owl City{{Cite web |title=Owl City |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/owl-city |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}
• BT{{Cite news |date=2020-09-06 |title=Show Off Your Studio: BT's multi-rig synth utopia |url=https://musictech.com/features/show-off-your-studio-bt-synth-utopia/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=MusicTech}}
• Stromae{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jf8a_0Magg |title=Stromae talks writing music, Reason 8 and playing a character |date=2015-04-01 |last=Stingray Music |access-date=2024-05-26 |via=YouTube}}
• DJ Khalil,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjfivDJG3Sw |title=Episode 19: DJ Khalil!!! Your Reason to Stay Inside |date=2020-08-18 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-05-26 |via=YouTube}} DJ and producer for e.g. Kanye West, Drake and Eminem
• Symbolyc One,{{Cite web |title=Symbolyc One - X/Twitter account |url=https://x.com/SymbolycOne/status/273504454744104960 |website=X.com}} producer for e.g. Beyoncé, Kanye West and Eminem
• Nascent,{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=2023-02-10 |title=How Five Top Producers Are Making Music in 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/producers-2023-interview-nascent-nova-wav-1235193591/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} producer for e.g. Chance the Rapper, Kanye West and SZA
• DJ Toomp{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHR1JDOyZrw |title=DJ Toomp - beats for Kanye West, Jay Z and more on Reason |date=2008-11-19 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-05-26 |via=YouTube}}
• DJ Pierre{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Adam |date=2015-03-03 |title=DJ Pierre |url=https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/my-studio/dj-pierre-studio/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Attack Magazine |language=en-US}}
• DJ Mustard{{Cite web |title=Beat Construction: DJ Mustard |url=https://www.thefader.com/2012/08/20/beat-construction-dj-mustard |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=The FADER |language=en}}
• Skrillex{{Cite web |date=2014-11-11 |title=Interview: Skrillex talks production, plug-ins and power edits {{!}} Skrillex {{!}} Tech News {{!}} MusicRadar |url=http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/interview-skrillex-talks-production-plug-ins-and-power-edits-545529 |access-date=2024-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111210443/http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/interview-skrillex-talks-production-plug-ins-and-power-edits-545529 |archive-date=2014-11-11 }}
• Hans Zimmer{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Ben Rogersonlast |date=2022-10-14 |title=Hans Zimmer reveals his favourite soft synth plugin and explains why MIDI "saved his life" |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/hans-zimmer-favourite-soft-synth-midi |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}
• Ian Kirkpatrick,{{Cite web |title=Inside Track: Dua Lipa 'Don't Start Now' |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-dua-lipa-dont-start-now |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} producer for e.g. Selena Gomez and Dua Lipa
• Kool Kojak,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4ydQ0aBiLxU |title=How I found my sound: Kool Kojak (Flo Rida, Ke$ha, +more) |date=2014-02-13 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-09-25 |via=YouTube}} producer for e.g. Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj
• Mike & Keys,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IDolskTPLuE |title=Introducing Beat Map, the Algorhythmic Drummer (with Mike & Keys) |date=2020-02-24 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-09-02 |via=YouTube}} producers for e.g. Nipsey Hussle and Eminem
• BlaqNMild,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0Tf4zvJTdUM |title=BlaqNMild Talks Making Beats For Drake, New Orleans Bounce Music + More |date=2018-11-10 |last=ProducerGrind |access-date=2024-12-20 |via=YouTube}} producer for e.g. Drake and Beyoncé
• Cool & Dre,{{Cite web |title=Cool & Dre |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/cool-dre |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} producers for e.g. Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Beyoncé
• Nana Rogues,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cgS8eocf4DQ |title=The Making Of Drake's "Passionfruit" With Nana Rogues {{!}} Deconstructed |date=2017-12-01 |last=Genius |access-date=2024-09-10 |via=YouTube}} producer for e.g. Drake, Zara Larsson and Stormzy
• Key Wane,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=WnGlXnmiVw8 |title=How I found my sound: Key Wane (Beyonce, Drake, Big Sean, Ariana Grande) |date=2017-07-13 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-12-15 |via=YouTube}} producer for e.g. Drake, Beyoncé and Big Sean
• Larry Klein,{{Cite web |title=Walter Becker |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/walter-becker |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} producer for e.g. Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell
• Illmind,{{Cite web |date=2011-08-15 |title=BeatTips Shop Talk: !llmind and the Evolution of His Production Setup |url=https://beattips.com/2011/08/15/beattips-shop-talk-llmind-and-the-evolution-of-his-production-setup/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=BeatTips |language=en-US}} producer for e.g. Nicki Minaj, Ludacris and 50 Cent
• Kshmr,{{Cite web |title=KSHMR: Producing EDM |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/kshmr-producing-edm |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} DJ and producer
• A Guy Called Gerald{{Cite web |last=Trusspublished |first=Si |date=2024-09-08 |title="I didn't know anything about drugs or any of that stuff. For me, acid was a chemical that stripped away paint": A Guy Called Gerald on the birth of acid house |url=https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/dj-software/i-didnt-know-anything-about-drugs-or-any-of-that-stuff-for-me-acid-was-a-chemical-that-stripped-away-paint-a-guy-called-gerald-on-the-birth-of-acid-house |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}
• Digital Mystikz{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Ken |date=2010-11-30 |title=Building an Iconic Sound: Mala |url=https://xlr8r.com/features/building-an-iconic-sound-mala-1/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=XLR8R |language=en-US}}
• Goddard.{{Cite web |title=Meet Drum and Bass Artist Goddard in His Interview With Albawaba {{!}} Al Bawaba |url=https://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/meet-drum-and-bass-artist-goddard-his-interview-albawaba-1430065 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.albawaba.com |language=en}}
• Todd Rundgren{{Cite web |author1=Joe Bosso |date=2013-04-03 |title=Todd Rundgren talks new album, State, track-by-track |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/todd-rundgren-talks-new-album-state-track-by-track-573300 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}
• Jlin{{Cite web |date=2016-12-05 |title=Jlin on Finding her Sound |url=https://blog.native-instruments.com/jlin-on-finding-her-sound/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Native Instruments Blog |language=en-US}}
• Shigeto{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Glenn |date=2013-08-19 |title=In the Studio: Shigeto |url=https://xlr8r.com/gear/in-the-studio-shigeto/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=XLR8R |language=en-US}}
• Dan Deacon{{Cite web |title=Dan Deacon: Performing Electronica Live |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/dan-deacon-performing-electronica-live |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}
• ConcernedApe,{{Cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Cameron |date=2024-03-19 |title=Here's what ConcernedApe uses to work on Stardew Valley and to unwind |url=https://www.polygon.com/24099974/concernedape-stardew-valley-eric-barone-sherpa-trucker-jacket-buckwheat-pillow |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} maker of Stardew Valley
• The Flaming Lips{{Cite web |last=Drummer |first=Modern |date=2004-05-12 |title=Steven Drozd Interview |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2004/05/steven-drozd/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Modern Drummer Magazine |language=en}}
• Niki & the Dove{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=uL8y0mpbV7E |title=How I found my sound: Niki & The Dove |date=2017-02-13 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-09-25 |via=YouTube}}
• Serj Tankian of System of a Down{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCAk4Ej7HSI |title=Serj Tankian (System of a Down) Home Studio Tour & Interview Part 1 of 3 |date=2010-05-21 |last=Musician's Friend |access-date=2024-05-27 |via=YouTube}}
• Rostam of Vampire Weekend{{Cite web |title=Song Exploder: Rostam - Bike Dream |url=https://songexploder.net/transcripts/rostam-transcript.pdf |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=songexploder.net}}
• Claude VonStroke{{Cite web |date=2012-03-15 |title=Bass, how low can you go? |url=https://djmag.com/content/bass-how-low-can-you-go |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}
• Com Truise{{Cite web |author1=Future Music |date=2015-01-13 |title=Com Truise talks '80s inspiration, outboard, Reason and remixing |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/com-truise-talks-80s-inspiration-outboard-reason-and-remixing-613476 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}
• Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs{{Cite web |title=TEED regrets 'abandoning' Reason as his main DAW: "I think I can hear Ableton and that bothers me" |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/teed-regrets-abandoning-reason-daw-can-hear-ableton-forever-studio/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}
• Mark Nevers,{{Cite web |title=Mark Nevers |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/mark-nevers |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} producer for e.g. Lambchop and Bonnie "Prince" Billy
• The Dust Brothers,{{Cite web |title=The Dust Brothers |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/dust-brothers |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.soundonsound.com}} producers for e.g. Beastie Boys and Beck

Much of The Prodigy's Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned was made using the program.{{cite web |title=The Prodigy |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/the-prodigy |accessdate=10 July 2023 |publisher=Soundonsound.com}} MGMT has said "pretty much everything" on their debut album Oracular Spectacular was made using built-in Reason synths.{{Cite web |last=Hirway |first=Hrishikesh |date=2016-01-19 |title=Song Exploder episode 62: MGMT - Time to Pretend (podcast transcript) |url=http://songexploder.net/transcripts/mgmt-transcript.pdf |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Song Exploder}}

Video game creator ConcernedApe has stated that "the entire Stardew Valley soundtrack was made using Reason."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=evb_c1mwyWQ%3Ft%3D5m30s |title=Reason Livestream with Stardew Valley Creator/Composer ConcernedApe |date=2022-04-04 |last=Reason Studios |access-date=2024-12-15 |via=YouTube}}

Kshmr produced "Like a G6" by Far East Movement as well as "Tsunami" by DVBBS using the program.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-QIgU2e4s&feature=youtu.be |title=What it Takes To Make A Hit "Like A G6" Official Project File Breakdown |date=2024-12-18 |last=XLNTSOUND |access-date=2024-12-20 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmO4-gTh6w4&feature=youtu.be |title=KSHMR Opens Original Tsunami Project File |date=2024-12-11 |last=XLNTSOUND |access-date=2024-12-20 |via=YouTube}}

• {{Annotated link|Digital audio workstation}}
• {{Annotated link|List of music software}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.reasonstudios.com/ Official website]

{{Audio editors}}

Category:Digital audio workstation software

Category:2000 software