Reason Studios

About Reason Studios

Reason Studios is a Stockholm-based software developer founded in 1994 by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Marcus Zetterquist, and Peter Jubel. Originally known as Propellerhead Software until 2019, the company built its reputation on ReCycle, a loop editor that introduced the REX format, and ReBirth RB-338, one of the first software emulations of the TB-303 and TR-808/909. Their flagship product, Reason, launched in November 2000 as a virtual-rack DAW with a distinctive flip-to-back patching system that mimics hardware CV and audio routing. In January 2026, Reason Studios became a wholly owned subsidiary of LANDR Audio Inc. Reason 14, released in May 2026, introduced a track-centric workflow overhaul and the RV-9 reverb.

Reason 14 and the Rack Plugin

Reason 14 is the current version of the company's flagship DAW. It combines the virtual rack interface with modern track-based editing, letting you route instruments and effects using visual patch cables or work in a conventional timeline view. The Reason Rack Plugin takes the same instruments, effects, and patching environment and runs it inside other DAWs as a VST3, AU, or AAX plugin. You get access to classics like the SubTractor synth, Thor polyphonic synthesizer, and the Kong drum designer, plus newer additions like the RV-9 reverb. The rack philosophy remains the same: flip any device around to patch CV and audio cables between modules, building signal chains that would require a wall of Eurorack in hardware form.

Reason+ Subscription

Reason+ is the subscription tier that bundles Reason 14, the Reason Rack Plugin, and the full Reason Studios sound library. You also get access to a rotating catalog of third-party Rack Extensions, which are plugin instruments and effects built specifically for the Reason environment. The subscription model suits producers who want immediate access to the entire ecosystem without a large upfront license cost. Perpetual licenses are still available for those who prefer to own outright.

Legacy Tools: ReCycle and ReBirth

ReCycle pioneered the REX loop format, slicing audio loops into individual hits that could be tempo-matched and rearranged without artifacts. It was released in partnership with Steinberg as a companion to Cubase and became a standard tool in electronic music production through the late 1990s and early 2000s. ReBirth RB-338 was an early software emulation of the Roland TB-303, TR-808, and TR-909, released when software synthesis was still a novelty. Both products shaped the way producers thought about sampling, sequencing, and virtual instruments before DAWs became the norm.

Shop Reason Studios at Blackout Audio

Reason Studios software is available for purchase online at Blackout Audio. The Reason Rack Plugin brings the company's modular routing and classic synths into your existing DAW setup. Free shipping on orders over $199 across Canada. Browse the full catalog online or contact the team with questions about licensing and upgrade paths.