Started with Rebirth at the 90’s, Reason jumpstart it’s popularity among Electronic Music Producers until the incorporation of Propellerhead Record to Reason and the release of the Rack Extension format. Accomodating other types of computer-based music productions; bands, guitars, and rock musicians alike.
1998: The Birth of Rebirth RB-338
Rebirth RB-338
Back then, at the mid-90s when we are still young and digging the corners of the internet to make music like our favorite artists at that time: Orbital, Photek, Future Sound of London, London Elektricity, John Digweed, The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and the likes. We finally have a clue to create electronic tunes using software as the substitute of hard-to-find hardware (at least in our country). From the less serious Dance eJay, Rubberduck Synth, to the more tech-savvy Modplug Tracker. We finally found the all-in-one software that mimicked classic Roland xox boxes; TR-909, TR-808, and 2 of TB-303 stacked into one interface of full techno and/or acid heaven, namely: Rebirth RB-338. The logic can’t be simpler than this, in this single interface Rebirth provide you enough power to create a base basslines, leads, drums, and percussion. The addition of mixer, and pattern switching are available to enable us compose an entire song using it.
Rebirth immediately become a centrepiece of our amateur music production studio, although limited, but can be powerful enough for a simple home session with friends, enough for teenagers who dreamt to be as powerful as knob-twiddling Josh Wink’s Higher State of Consciousness. Moreover, the availability of big number of mods (early days refills?) supplied by artists and communities, can accomodate many genres to produce, from trance to drum n bass. Until in 2010, Propellerhead released Rebirth for iPad.
2000: Reason 1.0
Propellerhead take Rebirth RB-338 to the next step. Still accomodating the logic of stacked rack devices into a whole new realm. Unlimited number of devices with full featured sequencers and more advanced synth algorithms represented by Subtractor (subtractive synth), and Malström (graintable synth), a loop player (Dr. Rex), and a drum machine (ReDrum). The killer feature of Reason which strengthening it’s position until now is it’s modular approach; virtual cables, for both audio and cv which can be freely routed and mixed. A perfect platform for experimental purpose and sound designing within Reason.
Reason’s Back Panel Routing
Propellerhead Reason was quickly adopted by users to become their electronic music production powerhouse with additions of new devices for every of their updates until Reason 5, still faithful to it’s principle to make Reason a solely independent music software, not allowing audio recording and 3rd party plugins to be run inside Reason, different with many DAWs in the market. Many have standpoint that while this is a less appealing factor of Propellerhead Reason, but in the other hand the main strength of reason’s rock solid stability and low CPU usage for mainstream computers on that day.
2009: Record
In 2009, Record is released, enabling users to record and mix audio sessions. Becoming a killer complementary product for more MIDI sequencing oriented Reason. The two when combined can function to compete with modern day’s DAW while still not supporting 3rd party plugins.
However, Record was short lived. Since Reason 6, Propellerhead incorporating Record to Reason. Making the 6 upgrade to still become the biggest thing in Reason’s update history, making Reason can accomodate wider kind of musicians, not only electronic music producer but more ‘band’ oriented music production with live vocalist, drummer, bassist, and of course: guitarist. Making this more appealing to us as plugin developer 🙂
2012: Rack Extension
Year after year, the mainstream CPU power are becoming more powerful while cheaper in price/performance ratio wise. Propellerhead is bringing their stacked rack logic to be adopted to 3rd parties (still the best news for us ever!) so it can incorporate 3rd party plugin developers to reach Reason community. Mainly different among other Digital Audio Workstation softwares, rather than using the standard native VST (virtual studio technology) , Audio Units or AAX plugins, Reason uses their own proprietary Rack Extensions technology to enable users to extend their sound or processing palette. The utilisation of flexible routing represented by (virtual) cables and realistic rack devices format makes Reason to appear more visually realistic than any other DAW softwares in the market nowadays.
Kuassa Rack Extensions inside Reason
Since the release on March 2012, Rack Extensions planned to coincide with the release of Rack Extensions which allow the use of 3rd party designed instruments and effect modules inside of Reason. Along with Rack Extensions developed by various third parties, Propellerhead offered three optional devices at launch, Polar, Pulsar and Radical Piano, along with several plugins from renowned 3rd party developers such as Rob Papen and U-He.
About Propellerhead Shop
Rack Extensions are consist of software instruments and effects that can be used in Reason 6.5 (or more) and Reason Essentials 1.5. Exclusively can be purchased from the Propellerhead Shop. In their earlier version, Reason doesn’t (really) allow users to mix, polish, and master straight from the DAW with its limited number of devices. But now, you’re able to do it right after you produce your own song on Reason with the vast selection of pro-oriented effects and devices, such as limiters, compressors, equalizers, de-esser, and many more.
With Propellerhead’s Rack Extensions the Reason rack finally opens up to third party developers. Far more than just another plugin format – Rack Extensions are full Reason rack citizens, instruments, effects etc allowing you the same great, fully-integrated experience as with any other Reason device.
Kuassa Products for Rack Extension Format
Kuassa took this as an opportunity to spread its support, to be closer with the today’s DAW software users. Kuassa’s audio plugins supports not only VST, VST3, AAX, or Audio Units users but also for Rack Extensions. Until now, most of Kuassa products are already ported to Rack Extension and can be bought on Propellerhead Shop:
Kratos 2 Maximizer
Loud and Clear
$69
Kuassa’s ooh-so-handy limiter / loudness maximizer are now available as Rack Extension. Make your Mix LOUD transparently without sacrificing punch and sound quality. Straightly whooping to the new version 2 for Propellerhead Reason Users; now Kratos 2 Maximizer features the new Adaptive Mode, dithering section, up to 4x oversampling.
EVE-MP5 Program Equalizer
50s EQ with Saturation
$59
Kuassa EVE-MP5 is a reproduction of two of the most sought-after classic hardware equalizers, the Pultec* MEQ-5 Midrange Equalizer and the EQP-1A Program Equalizer. We drew inspiration from them and combined both EQs into a compact 3U device with a color coded, straightforward interface intended for fast workflows and maximum usability.
EVE-AT1 4-Band Equalizer
Classic British EQ
$39
4-band parametric equalizer with an additional high-pass and low-pass filter. Inspired by the EQ section of a renowned British Classic –the Neve* 1081– this equalizer delivers a clear, smooth, and musical sound to shape your tracks.
EVE-AT4 3-Band Equalizer
Classic British EQ
$39
3-band equalizer with an additional high-pass and low-pass filter. Designed as a tribute to the EQ section of a well-known British Classic –the Neve* 1084 –this equalizer delivers character in spades to add sheen, remove mud, and shape tones.
EVE-AT Bundle
Modeled EQs Bundle
Need a Shape? Whether your song, mix, individual tracks or instruments need tone polishing, this bundle contains the tools to get them into shape. The EVE-AT bundle contains equalizers modeled after three widely used shapers of popular music of the last century, the Neve* 1081, Neve* 1084, and Pultec MEQ+EQP. The Extensive Vintage Equalizer Bundle is a 3-pack equalization series by Kuassa. The EVE-AT1 was designed for general usage, EVE-AT4 for stronger ‘character’ equalization, and the EVE-MP5 for adding a saturated edge.
Cerberus Bass Amp
Bass Guitar Amplifier
$49
Lo{w} and behold.
A 3-channel bass amplifier Rack Extension from the maker of Amplifikation Vermilion and Creme. Cerberus Bass Amp will deliver thundering lows straight from your computer, carefully tuned and carrying enough power to rumble your studio.
Amplifikation Vermilion
Classic guitar amp Rack Extension
$39
Guitar players now have a reason to play Reason. Whatever your playing style is, from country clean to somewhat heavy metal, this amplifier will provide any sound you need. Don’t play the guitar? Don’t hesitate to use this device on any other instrument as well! Plug in, baby!
Amplifikation Creme
Metal Guitar Amp
$39
Hard rockers, metalheads, raise your horns! Here is another reason to go Reason. Equip your axe and deliver sonic mayhem with this modern high-gain guitar amp, or insert this amp into other device chains to add a steely edge.
Amplifikation Bundle
Guitar & Bass Amps Bundle
Who said Reason is only for electronic music stuff? Don’t wait any longer, take that axe and shred immediately with this astounding bundle of Kuassa Amplifikation series. Included in this bundle are; Amplifikation Creme for your high-gain obliteration, Amplifikation Vermilion for crunchy and twangy stuff, and our brand new Cerberus Bass Amp for you who takes charge of the bottom line.
*Disclaimer: All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Kuassa
