At this week’s NAMM 2004 show in Anaheim, Calif., Swedish music software maker Propellerhead Software offered up a new version of their software ReCycle, announced a new package aimed at students and educators, and also announced that their REX2 file format is open to third-party developers.
ReCycle 2.1 was first announced in December, and is now shipping, according to the company. ReCycle is a software suite that includes Reason Adapted — a version of their Reason music composition software streamlined for loop composition that includes Dr. REX, REX2 file player, mixer, effects, the NN-XT sampler and the Reason Sampler. Also included is Reload, a utility that lets Reason users import Akai samples. ReCycle costs US$229; upgrades from previous versions are available — 2.0 users get 2.1 for free.
Propellerhead’s REX2 format is used for sample data in ReCycle. ReCycle 2.1 “slices” up samples into rhythmic segments to make the samples tempo-independent. Up to now, developers who have wanted to use the REX format in their software have had to license it from Propellerhead, but now it’s an open format — Propellerheads announced that developer documentation has been put online.
Propellerhead also announced Teach Music with Reason. Based on a specially adapted version of Propellerhead’s flagship music workstation software Reason, it’s billed as a curriculum for music education aimed at high school teachers and college level introductory courses alike.
Propellerhead CEO Ernst Nathorst-Böös said that the new package is in response to the recognition that many music teachers already use Reason in their courses. “We also wanted to create a method of music teaching that lets students explore their musical abilities, working with styles of music they listen to every day,” he added.
The package combines 21 lessons, teacher’s preparation material, teaching plans, worksheets, student “How-To” guides, song files, a full version of Reason for the teacher and 10 Reason Adapted student versions. Propellerhead said the new package will be available during the first quarter of 2004, but did not specify a price.
NAMM runs through January 18, 2003 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Look for Propellerhead Software at booth 6700.