Propellerhead

Mac Troubleshooting

• Download using BitTorrent

  If your internet connection is giving you a hard time downloading Reason, you might want to try using BitTorrent instead. This can improve speed and stability, and will also enable you to resume the download from where it stopped if necessary. Read more…

• Authorizer troubleshooting

  Need help authorizing your computer or ignition key for Reason 7? Please try the following: Read more…

• What are the system requirements for Reason 7?

  Mac OS X Read more…

• Reason 7 won’t run?

  Please check your system configuration.  Reason 7 requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later to run.

• Alert: “Failed to open MIDI support library”

  This alert may appear on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) if you have incompatible drivers for your audio card or MIDI keyboard/controller installed on your system. Read more…

• I’ve got a MacBook Air and Reason asks me for my DVD!

  If you copied Reason from a virtual drive, you need to manually copy the Orkester and Factory Sound Banks from the DVD to the Reason application folder. This is because Reason doesn’t support virtual drives. Read more…

• Reason doesn’t see my Ignition Key (Mac)

  If your Ignition Key can’t be detected by either Reason or Authorizer, it can be that you are running the wrong CodeMeter kernel extension. If your Ignition Key mounts on your desktop, this is most certainly the case. This could happen if CodeMeter was installed by another application or using the CodeMeter RunTime from Wibu. Here’s how to remove the old kernel extension (KEXT) and install the correct version: Read more…

• Can I use both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Reason on my 64-bit Mac OS X system?

  Yes, you can! Read more…

• Reason asks me for my DVD!

  Reason will ask this if the Orkester and Factory Sound Banks are missing from the Reason application folder. This could happen if you have installed the update, or if you’ve installed Reason on a MacBook Air using a virtual drive. Read more…

• Reason doesn’t see my Ignition Key!

  If your Ignition Key can’t be detected by Reason or in your user account, it can be that you are running the wrong CodeMeter kernel extension. If your Ignition Key shows as a volume on your desktop, this is the case. Here’s how to remove the old kernel extension (KEXT) and install the correct version: Read more…

• Can I use my USB mic with Reason?

  Reason works with a Core Compliant audio interface or your built-in audio hardware. If you want to use yet another audio card – like a USB mic or a USB guitar cord – you need to create an aggregated audio driver that combines the input from your microphone with the outputs from your audio interface. Read more…

Windows Troubleshooting

• “Ignition Key Driver could not be started”

  Are you getting a message that says “Ignition Key Driver could not be started” or “Could not start Ignition Key Driver”? Most likely this is happening because your antivirus software is preventing the CodeMeter service from running. Especially F-Secure antivirus software has proven to be particularly troublesome. Read more…

• Download using BitTorrent

  If your internet connection is giving you a hard time downloading Reason, you might want to try using BitTorrent instead. This can improve speed and stability, and will also enable you to resume the download from where it stopped if necessary. Read more…

• Authorizer troubleshooting

  Need help authorizing your computer or ignition key for Reason 7? Please try the following: Read more…

• What are the system requirements for Reason 7?

  Mac OS X Read more…

• Reason 7 won’t install?

  Please check your system configuration.  Reason 7 requires  Windows 7 or later for the installation to work.

• “Application not found” on Reason 7 DVD

  This can happen if you double-click the Reason DVD icon on Windows. To solve this, right click on the DVD icon and select “Explore”. This will list all content on the DVD. To install from here, just click “Install Reason”, and follow the instructions on the web page.

• “ReWire installation failed because access to a file or directory was denied whilst installing the ReWire DLL in the System directory”

  This error can occur if an antivirus or backup software prevents Reason from deleting a temporary file. To avoid this from happening, temporarily disable the antivirus/backup software while starting up Reason. Read more…

• What audio driver should I use?

  There are three ways for Windows to access an audio card: Read more…

• Reason says my Ignition Key driver installation fails!

  There are some Windows requirements for Reason to be able to install your Ignition Key drivers: – Your VBScript Runtime needs to be working – The “Windows Management Instrumentation” service needs to be running during the CodeMeter installation. Read more…

• Reason doesn’t see my Ignition Key (Win)

  There are a couple of things that could block the local communication between the Ignition key and the CodeMeter software. Read more…

• Can I use both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Reason 6/Essentials/Limited on my 64-bit Windows system?

  Yes, you can! Read more…

• Can I use my USB mic with Reason?

  In Preferences/Audio, check that you have selected the ASIO driver for your audio interface (this is required). Also check that all audio inputs and outputs channels you want to use are active in  “Active Input/Output Channels”. Read more…

• I get an error message saying ”Unexpected Error” when I try to launch Reason

  This error might occur if you are running Windows 8 on an AMD processor. To solve this, we recommend that you update to the latest versions of Reason/Reason Essentials. The latest versions can be downloaded here.

• When I login to Windows 8 I get a message saying CodeMeter needs permission to run?

  User Account Control (UAC) messages is a feature in Windows that can help prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. To prevent this message from occuring upon login, we recommend Windows 8 users to update their Codemeter driver to version 4.50 or later. To do this, please follow the steps below: Read more…

• Reason doesn’t see my Ignition Key!

  There are a couple of things that could block the local communication between the Ignition key and the CodeMeter software. Read more…

Registering Your Product

• “Application not found” on Reason 7 DVD

  This can happen if you double-click the Reason DVD icon on Windows. To solve this, right click on the DVD icon and select “Explore”. This will list all content on the DVD. To install from here, just click “Install Reason”, and follow the instructions on the web page.

• Authorization failed message when registering upgrade?

  If you’re seeing an “Authorization failed” message when trying to register an upgrade, or you’re trying to access an area of the site but can’t, and you’re sure that you should be able to, then there might be a problem with your browser session. Read more…

• Where is my Reason Limited ID number?

  If you have purchased a POD Studio™ GX, UX1, or UX2, please visit the below URL to retrieve your Registration ID from Line 6: Read more…

• When I try to register, I get a reply saying my serial number is already in use?

  First of all, please make sure that you have entered the number – it’s easy to enter the wrong number by mistake. Read more…

• When I try to register, I get a reply saying the serial number is not valid?

  There can be several reasons for this. Please check the following: Read more…

• I have bought a used copy of Reason and when I try to register it, I get a message saying the license number is already registered to someone else?

  Most likely, your copy of Reason is still registered to the previous owner. There are two ways to transfer the registration to your user account: Read more…

Reason Devices

• Where can I find the Softube Amp & Softube Bass Amp?

  The Softube Amp and Softube Bass Amp Rack Extension are included free in Reason 8 and Reason Essentials 8. They are also available to owners of Reason 6.5 – 7 and Reason Essentials as a separate purchase. When buying and registering Reason 8, licenses for the Softube Amps are automatically issued to your user account. To download the Softube Amps, login in to Your Account, and click the Sync All button.

• My song using the BV-512 Vocoder sounds different?

  Old songs using the BV-512 Vocoder in EQ mode may sound different in Reason 7.1. There was a bug in how the BV-512 Vocoder handled inputs in EQ mode. Fixing this bug caused a change in the function of the Dry/Wet knob: In older versions of Reason, the Dry/Wet knob worked in EQ mode as a level control, crossfading between the Carrier input signal and the Modulator input signal. If the Modulator source was silent, the Dry/Wet knob acted as volume knob. In Reason 7.1, the Dry/Wet knob is disabled in EQ mode. This means your old song can sound different if it contained: Read more…

• I can’t see the models from my Line 6 POD/POD Farm in Reason

  With Reason and Reason Essentials you can use POD Farm 2.5 and what’s called “computer authorization”. This will alows you to register new model packs to your computer without having a Line 6 USB device connected. Read more…

Rack Extensions

• Where can I find the Softube Amp & Softube Bass Amp?

  The Softube Amp and Softube Bass Amp Rack Extension are included free in Reason 8 and Reason Essentials 8. They are also available to owners of Reason 6.5 – 7 and Reason Essentials as a separate purchase. When buying and registering Reason 8, licenses for the Softube Amps are automatically issued to your user account. To download the Softube Amps, login in to Your Account, and click the Sync All button.

• How can I get my free Synchronous Rack Extension?

  Synchronous is free for all Reason 7.1 / Reason Essentials 2.1 owners until June 30th, 2014 and is available in the Propellerhead Shop>> Read more…

• I bought Reason 7 before April 9th – can I get a free Synchronous?

  Yes you can – until June 30th, 2014. First, download your free update to Reason 7.1. Once you have downloaded version 7.1, you can get Synchronous from the Propellerhead Shop.

• I can’t Try/Buy Synchronous!

  Synchronous requires Reason 7.1/ Reason Essentials 2.1 or higher. Reason 7.1 is a free upgrade for owners of Reason 7, and Reason Essentials 2.1 is a free upgrade for owners of Reason Essentials 1.x–2. You can download the updates here:
  • Reason 7.1
  • Reason Essentials 2.1 Read more…

• Has Rack Extension performance improved in Reason 7.1?

  Rack Extensions compiled with the new version of the Rack Extension SDK will in many cases see performance increases (require less processing power) compared to the previous version. How much will differ between products. A Rack Extension that has not been updated by its developer with the new SDK will not benefit from the improved performance.

• Rack Extension download problem?

  If you are getting time-outs in Authorizer during Rack Extension downloads, please update to Reason 7.0.1 and/or Reason Essentials 2.0.1.  These updates also adresses a problem in Authorizer where an “Internal Error” dialog could be shown when trying to start a new Rack Extension download if old downloads were still in progress.

• Free Audiomatic Rack Extension?

  The Audiomatic Rack Extension is included free in Reason version 7 but is available to owners of Reason 6.5 and Reason Essentials too, as a separate purchase. When buying and registering Reason 7, a license for Audiomatic is automatically issued to your user account. To download Audiomatic, login in to Your Account, and click the Sync All button.

• “Some licenses only available online” – What does it mean?

  Most likely you are seeing this message because you are currently trying out a Rack Extension, and are launching Reason with your Ignition Key inserted. Since trial versions cannot be written to Ignition Key, you will need to run Reason with Internet Verification in order to access your trials. Read more…

ReWire

• “ReWire installation failed because access to a file or directory was denied whilst installing the ReWire DLL in the System directory”

  This error can occur if an antivirus or backup software prevents Reason from deleting a temporary file. To avoid this from happening, temporarily disable the antivirus/backup software while starting up Reason. Read more…

• Alert: “Engine not responding” when using ReWire with Cubase

  This alert may appear when you launch Reason in ReWire mode with Cubase and “Release driver when Application is in Background” has been activated in Cubase’s Device Setup. Read more…

• I added an external midi track in Logic, and MIDI is sent to Reason but I don’t hear any sound?

  The External MIDI track in Logic activates the MIDI output from Logic to Reason only. You also need to activate an audio channel in Logic, where the audio output from Reason will go. Read more…

• How do I connect Reason to my other software using ReWire?

  Please visit the link below for tutorials on how to set up ReWire Read more…

• Is ReWire 64-bit compatible?

  Just as the current versions of Reason and Reason Essentials, ReWire is 64-bit too. Note that 64-bit ReWire needs to be implemented in both the slave application (Reason, Reason Essentials) and your host. Please contact the manufacturer of your ReWire host to see if they support ReWire 64-bit.

Reason Essentials

• I’m an owner of Reason 1-6.5 or Record, what happens if I buy Balance with Reason Essentials?

  People who own Reason, Record or both will get an upgrade to Reason 7 for free when they buy Balance! You also get to keep your Reason Essentials license – you can even transfer it to a music-making friend if you want!

Thinking About Buying Reason?

• Buying/selling used Propellerhead products

  As with everything else, there is a second hand market for Propellerhead products. Before you buy or sell a used copy of one of our programs, take a moment to read through the rules that apply and the things to keep in mind as this could potentially save you a lot of time and a lot of grief. Read more…

• Are there any changes in system requirements for Reason 7.1?

  The system requirements for Reason 7.1 remain the same as for Reason 7.

• Education and Academic licenses for schools and students

  Propellerhead products have become very important tools for music educators all over the world. This FAQ page covers all education related topics related to our educational products. Read more…

• What are the system requirements for Reason 7?

  Mac OS X Read more…

• What kind of copy protection does Reason and Reason Essentials use? How about Rack Extensions?

  In Reason 7 and Reason Essentials 2 we’ve added a new way of authorizing the software and Rack Extensions. You can authorize your licenses to a single computer, for offline use. This way you can use Reason without being connected to the internet, or without a USB port taken up by the key. To authorize your computer for offline use, please login to Your Account. Read more…

• Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use Reason?

  You don’t absolutely need one, but we recommend using one for the best possible Reason experience. If you don’t have one, the on-screen keyboard (accessible by pressing F4) lets you play the instruments with your computer mouse or computer keyboard.

• I’m an owner of Reason 1-6.5 or Record, what happens if I buy Balance with Reason Essentials?

  People who own Reason, Record or both will get an upgrade to Reason 7 for free when they buy Balance! You also get to keep your Reason Essentials license – you can even transfer it to a music-making friend if you want!

• What upgrade should I be getting?

  If you have Reason 6.5 or earlier, or Record, you can upgrade to Reason 7 in two ways: with the Reason Upgrade or through Balance with Reason Essentials. Read more…

• Where can I get Reason?

  Please see the buy page for full purchase information.

• Is there a demo version of Reason

  Yes! Please visit the Download section. The demo version of Reason is fully functional and has all the content of the full version, the only limitation is that you can’t open song files, export them to audio or use Rack Extensions.

General

• Remote

  What is Remote?

  Remote is a protocol for handling communication between control surfaces (MIDI keyboards, remote control devices, etc.) and software applications (e.g. Reason). It handles everything from delivering MIDI note data from a keyboard to the application to using knobs, faders and buttons on a control surface for tweaking synth parameters in the application, controlling transport, etc. Remote also supports two-way communication, in order to make use of motor faders, dynamic displays and LED indicators. Read more…

• Are there any changes in system requirements for Reason 7.1?

  The system requirements for Reason 7.1 remain the same as for Reason 7.

• When I launched Reason I was asked about sending crash reports and user statistics to Propellerhead. What does this mean?

  We collect information about Reason to provide better products and services to all users. The information sent is error reports, statistics of what you use in the program, as well as information about your computer, such as the amount of RAM you have, screen resolution and OS version. The information transmitted is encrypted and will not be publicly available, nor will it be revealed to third parties. We will always ask for your consent—the first time you launch Reason on your computer, and after upgrading to Reason 7.1 or Reason Essentials 2.1. If you change your mind about sending error reports and statistics you can always change the setting in Reason’s Preferences. More details about this can be found in the Privacy Policy at https://www.propellerheads.se/agreements/

• What are the system requirements for Reason 7?

  Mac OS X Read more…

• Where can I find Reason’s Operation Manual?

  When you install Reason 6.5, English documentation and help is included. For access to Operation Manual as a pdf file, as well as additional help packages, please go here: Reason Additional Documentation and Help Files

• Where can I download the latest versions and drivers

  Head to our Downloads page for the latest software downloads and drivers for Balance. This is also the place to download demo versions of our software.

• Where can I find replacement discs for my lost or damaged discs?

  Replacement discs are available in our Shop. Please note that you need to be a registered owner of a program to be allowed to buy replacement discs for it.

Old versions

• I cannot ReWire Reason 4 and Logic on my Intel Mac?

  Reason 4 is a Universal Binary application, and can only be ReWired to a Universal Binary ReWire host. Read more…

• Does Reason 4 work on Intel Mac computers?

  Yes. Version 4 of Reason is a Universal Binary application, which means that it contains optimized versions for both Power PC and Intel based Macs.

• Where have all my favorite lists from Record gone? Now in Reason 6 they are gone!

  The favorite lists are located as .favo files on your harddrive. These should remain automatically when upgrading. However, we have separate lists for Reason and Record so your old Record lists can be copied from your Record folder to your Reason folder. Read more…

• I’ve opened this Record song in Reason 6, but it doesn’t sound the same!

  As the result of a bug fix, a Record song opened in Reason 6 might sound different if the following is true: Read more…