The iconic Reason Studios ReCycle sample tool is back in a new version 2.5, supporting modern operating systems, and it’s free of charge.
The REX file format is super popular among beat producers. It was developed by Propellerhead Software, now known as Reason Studios, in 1994 as part of the ReCycle software. It’s an iconic sample tool that allows you to chop and slice beats and later export them as REX files.
Today, most DAWs support the format, but the hardware doesn’t yet. The tool was long considered lost because it no longer received updates. Today, the big surprise: Reason Studios has released Recycle 2.5, removed the price tag, and made it free for everyone.
Contenido
Reason Studios ReCycle
ReCycle is a unique sample tool for macOS and Windows. Its key feature is the ability to tweak the beats. It finds all the transients in your sampled material and slices the loop up.
More importantly, it keeps the timing information so you can play it back at any tempo without losing its feel or with the artifacts that come from the time-stretch. The software allows you to arrange the loops, re-arrange their altered timings, or use them as a groove template.
Reason Studios ReCycle also features built-in effects, including a transient shaper, EQ, envelope, and a stretch feature that stretches the tail end of each slice in the loop. Once your changes are done, you can save your loops as REX files.
The new version 2.5 doesn’t bring any significant new features. The highlight is that it now runs on modern operating systems and is free.
Supporting Software
This free step is big, making the format even more open to every sound designer and music producer. With support for Reason, you can import REX files in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Cakewalk, Kontakt 8, Maschine, and more.
Thanks to this update, users of the KORG Gadget STOCKHOLM on iOS, macOS, and Windows can now easily create their own REX files.
ReCycle The Beat Competition
Reason Studios launched the ReCycle The Beat competition to celebrate this free comeback. Users can participate by flipping a given sample using any production method. According to RS, you get bonus points if you use the ReCycle software.
The winner will receive a full year of the Reason+ subscription service.
First Impression
A very welcome step by Reason Studios here. It’s a very surprising update that will bring the software back into focus. Hopefully, Rebirth makes a comeback at some point as well.
Reason Studios ReCycle 2.5 is available for free download. It runs on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows (Intel + ARM).
More information here: Reason Studios
