contributed by: Luke Bowditch
Manufacturer: Native Instruments

In short, Reaktor is modular soft synth… but what's that? Modular synthesis was unleashed on the world in the 60's by synth legend Bob Moog. In the days of old, synths were of a modular nature. Oscillators, filters, envelopes and amps were 'patched' together by the user with leads (these days synth manufacturers refer to their presets as 'patches'). This gave the user a level of freedom to create their own configurations. Modules could be purchased separately.

The problems associated with modular synthesis are many: considerable time may be required to get a sound at all; even morso to get the sound you want. Want to use a sound again? Let's hope you meticulously wrote down all the routing information and settings. Size is an issue, as is expense.

As technology has developed, analog modular synthesis gave way to self-contained units. As a result, electronic musicians these days have sounds on tap. Buy (almost) any new synth today, and you'll find it has presets, as well as user banks to save your own creations. These days modular behemoths are the domain of analog diehards and synth museum curators.

But what if you could have the best of both worlds? Enter Reaktor, stage right…

Reaktor utilises the power of today's computer processors to bring us the advantages of traditional modular synthesis, minus the pricetag (and backache). Of course the advantages of a soft-system are many: hundreds of modules to choose from, creations can be saved, recalled, shared. You email a patch to a friend in Denmark (try doing that the old-school way). The original modular synths were analog. In analog circuitry variations in temperature lead to variations in tuning. This silicon adaptation is much more reliable.

Beginnings:
I must say that I was excited about getting my hands on Reaktor, but at the same time, a little frightened. In an age where we are given so much on a platter (particularly when it comes to synthesis), the technical side of Reaktor appeared quite daunting.

The software installs simply off a single CD, with upgrades available from the NI website, once you've registered. Copy protection is in the form of a hardware USB key (which must be plugged into one of your machine's usb ports for the software to run). I've used several NI products, and always found their manuals and electronic support material to be straightforward. Thankfully, Reaktor is no exception. Instead of trying to explain the resources module by module, the manual opens tutorial style, and walks the user through the creation process. The nitty-gritty details are saved for appendix-like annotation later on.

Reaktor operates as a soft synth, controlled by your sequencer software (such as Logic, Cubase, Protools, or Digital Performer). If you've used as virtual instrument with your sequencer before, you'll have enough know-how to get Reaktor singing in minutes. Open up one of the included ensembles, and choose from a tonne of snapshots (presets). Then tweak and automate to your heats desire.

On this level, Reaktor is the most accomplished soft-synth I've used. In fact calling Reaktor a synth is doing it an injustice. It's and audio creation, sequencing and mutation tool. The included ensembles range from synths (subtractive, FM, Hybrid), to samplers, drum machines, to effects units.

The Interface
Reaktor is controlled by two floating toolbars, and a main window (as well as play and record windows):

Ensemble toolbar - This is where file actions (open, close, save) are controlled, and audio and midi are managed
Instrument toolbar - Actions undertaken with the instrument toolbar apply to the last instrument selected. These actions include management of snapshots, instrument properties, and the unison function.

Reaktor's main window has two views for looking at your creations:

panel - this is the drivers seat - all the pots, faders, etc are found here. Like the front panel of a synth

structure - this is the engineer's nuts n' bolts view. This is where the programming side of wiring and configuration happens.

A great advantage of having the two views is separation. In Panel view, you can use reaktor as you would a synth, drum-machine or effects unit, without concern for anything more technical. The structure view however, gives you an amazing level of control. Not just over parameters, but what kind of parameters exist!

The play and record windows are for running audio into Reaqktor, and recording output from Reaktor.

Putting it together
Reaktor's structure operates with a hierarchy of layers

From the manual:
· Toplevel is the ensemble
· An Ensemble contains Instruments
· An Instrument contains Macros
· A Macro contains Modules

Reaktor comes with a selection of resources for each of these levels. You can take a selection of instruments to build an ensemble, complete with it's own mixer; or use macros to fast-track the creation of your own instrument. So on and so on…

When viewing the structure of an ensemble, you can easily open up the instruments within it to view their stucture (then open up the macros within that instrument too). Each module can be tailored (for example with a filter; the ability to choose it's type, curve, and appearance in the panel).

Sound complicated? Just remember you don't have to know much to start using the software. Learning more just allows you to customise things further.

A growing community..
As a registered Reaktor user, one has access to many resourses on the NI website. In addition to tutorials and updates, the community area has a user forum, and the facility to upload and download Reaktor instruments and ensembles. Currently the site boasts over 1,000 downloads!

More than just an application, Reaktor is a platform. It can be used to produce instruments and ensembles that would be a worthy investment as single pieces of software. Now there is a market for commercially produced instruments. Need a soft 303, 909, Jupiter 8 or Access Virus clone? Companies such as Dash Synthesis offer Reaktor instruments for sale on the web.

There are even tutorials on synthesis theory to be found on the web, which use Reaktor as a teaching tool:
www.creativesynth.com/Reaktorl

Now with a new release (version 3.0) Reaktor has more features (and more support) than ever. Free upgrades are available on the Native Instruments site for registered version 3.0 users to the latest sub release.

Alternatives:

Two other products in Native's 'Future Line' are applicable for those interested in Reaktor. Dynamo contains a selection of the instruments which come with Reaktor. Reaktor Session can be used to open and run any ensemble created with Reaktor. Neither can be used to edit the structure of an ensemble, or create new ones.

There are other modular, or semi modular soft synths on the market, but none offer the control and complexity of Reaktor (let alone the sonic results). Reaktor is fast becoming an industry standard.

On the hardware side, there are two major choices: old-school or new. Old school leads to a Moog Modular, or Roland System 100, new to the Nord modular range. Discounting the old systems (for the reasons mentioned earlier), Nord is a powerful competitor. However, it's a synth only. Nothing can touch the openness of Reaktor's architecture.

Where can I buy it, and how much does it cost?
Reaktor is available for Mac and PC platforms through -

Major Music Wholesale
Ph: 02 9545 3540 Fax: 02 9545 3584
www.majormusic.com.au
info@majormusic.com.au