Propellerheads is also a software company that makes awesome electronic music tools. They make
Rebirth,
Reason, and
ReCycle.
Rebirth is an
emulation (Yes, emulation, not
simulation) of the three synthesizers that basically started
rap,
techno and other
electronica; they are the Roland TR-808, 909 and 303. The 808 is mentioned in the
Beastie Boys' "
Body Movin'":
Nothin' sounds quite like an 8-0-8. It is a lot of fun to use, I only have the demo version, and I feel like a genius when I play with it.
Reason is an emulation of
samplers,
synthesizers,
sequencers, and other effects that are used to make techno or
hip-hop loops. I've never used it, but it is designed to be very flexible. Need another sampler? Just put another one in. It's very cool.
ReCycle is a loop re-use tool, for taking loops and playing with them or editing them for use in other tools like Reason or
ProTools or
GrooveMaker or stuff like that.
Their stuff is really well done. I want to use it more than I have.