Propellerhead Software

As soon as version 2.0 was released in 1998, development began on "Project X," later revealed as the virtual studio software to succeed ReBirth - Reason. Due to the massive undertaking, Propellerhead dedicated their entire development resources to the endeavor, and didn't look back. A surge of interest followed Reason's introduction in 1999, and when the software was finally released, the popularity of the company skyrocketed. The phenomenon of ReBirth was eclipsed by the dawn of Reason.

While there have been plans to resurrect the 338, far too much time has passed, and realistically, the economics of software development prompted the decision to terminate ReBirth. Even after a decade of operation, Propellerhead Software is a relatively small company, and must focus their efforts on future technologies. The company contemplated outsourcing ReBirth, but quickly determined that those plans would consume valuable time and energy best spent on priority projects. Finally, ReBirth was discontinued with the parting gesture of making it publicly available. Ernst Nathorst-Böös stated the following:

"We think we serve the community better by concentrating the small development efforts we have on creating new exciting stuff than keeping what we feel is essentially a stale concept alive. ReBirth was a great achievement in its day and we're very proud of it."

		Timeline

1994 May	Propellerhead Software Established
1994 June	ReCycle 1.0 Released
1995 May	ReCycle 1.5 Released
1996 August	ReCycle 1.6 Released ReBirth Development Begins
1996 October	Hägglund joins Propellerheads
1996 December	Propellerhead Website Launched ReBirth 1.0 alpha demo Mac Released
1997 January	ReBirth 1.0 alpha demo for Windows Released Winter NAMM 97 0 ReBirth Introduced to the Music industry Press
1997 April	ReBirth 1.0 beta demonstrated at Frankfurt MusikMesse. Prop Shop Launched
1997 May	ReBirth 1.0 Released
1997 July	ReBirth 1.5 Development Solenberg Joins Propellerheads ReWire development begins
1997 September	ReBirth Mods start appearing. Correspondence between Propellerheads and Mike Price
1997 October	ReBirth 1.5 Released new PCF feature added.
1997 December	Cherry Coke Contest ReBirth Mods Introduced
1998 January	Engelbrecht Joins Propellerheads
1998 February	Bionic Teknologies ReBirth Contest.
1998 March	Frankfurt MusicMesse: ReBirth 2.0 announced ReWire Technology announced.
1998 July	ReBirth 2.0 Launched Website 2.0 Launched Modpacker Launched
November 1998	ReBirth 2.0.1 Launched
January 1999	Reason Announced at Winter NAMM Technically the real end of ReBirth development
September 2005	ReBirth Officially Discontinued ReBirth Museum Launched

		Bibliography

Jim Aikin, Keyboard Magazine, reprinted in Software Synthesizers: The Definitive Guide to Virtual Musical Instruments. Backbeat Books, 2003.

Mark Vail, Keyboard Presents: Vintage Synthesizers. Miller-Freeman Books, 2000.

Simon Reynolds, Generation Ecstacy. Routledge 1999.

Tim Lawrence, Liner note of Acid - Can You Jack? Soul Jazz Records, 2005.

Fredrik Hägglund, Interview with Propellerhead Software. 2004.

Poyser, Johnson, Users' Guide to Propellerhead Reason 2. Muska & Lippman 2002.