Reaktor 6

[MetaDronos]

I am after first few hours of playing with newest Reaktor 6.
Being a long-time user of Reaktor 5 I have to admit that this new release is a major step. Never before Reaktor was so easy to work with.
With new simpler "modular" workflow and thanks to introducing easy to use "blocks" everyone can achieve very good results (i.e. working ensembles, instruments, effects) just in minutes.

I plan to spend more time with R6, but I can already say that this will be one of the most interesting releases of 2015.

Reaktor Community already exploded with new blocks, effects and instruments: https://www.native-instruments.com/e...-user-library/

[synkrotron]

I've known about Reaktor for some time, but always disregarded it as being too much work for me to get into. I ventured briefly into Tassman but I struggled to get inspired by what I tried to create.

A sill question; I recently purchased Modular V and ARP 2600 V from Arturia... How does Reaktor compare with those products, or it it like comparing chalk with cheese?


cheers

andy

[MetaDronos]

I've known about Reaktor for some time, but always disregarded it as being too much work for me to get into. I ventured briefly into Tassman but I struggled to get inspired by what I tried to create.

A sill question; I recently purchased Modular V and ARP 2600 V from Arturia... How does Reaktor compare with those products, or it it like comparing chalk with cheese?


cheers

andy

Well, there is one big difference between synths you mentioned and Reaktor - they are modular synthesizers, you cannot build a new module from scratch, you are using and wiring
existing modules.
Reaktor is a modular DSP platform - it is like having having all possible eurorack modules and then having the whole laboratory when you can design and build completely new modules.

[synkrotron]

[QUOTE=MetaDronos;28062]

Reaktor is a modular DSP platform - it is like having having all possible eurorack modules and then having the whole laboratory when you can design and build completely new modules.

Very powerful then, and very scary, for the uninitiated :D

I dunno... I've always fancied Reaktor, but I've got so much stuff that I am still learning to use, both software and hardware, that I need to pass Reaktot by. For the time being at least...

[GaryG]

The other angle is that you get Reaktor and never wire up a single thing yourself, there are *so* many ensembles in the user library that you'll never investigate them all.

I've replaced loads of one-trick plugins with a corresponding ensemble and also found loads of unique synths and effects, probably actually saved money by using Reaktor rather than buying individual plugs.

Then there's developers like Boscomac who are making quality donation-ware stuff that rivals commercial releases.

So what I'm saying is that, especially if you see a cheap license in the KvR Marketplace, it's really a great value toolbox for anyone interested in more esoteric effects and synths even if you never build anything yourself.

As for the OP: Yes, will upgrade soon but haven't yet...

[Codehead]

Reaktor is a modular DSP platform - it is like having having all possible eurorack modules and then having the whole laboratory when you can design and build completely new modules.

Only conceptually. Not to threadjack, but be careful of the comparison.

What makes the hardware special is the same thing that makes you special. The road you traveled to become "you" is unique. Every hardware module has a low level and imperfect signal path that gives it character. Identical modules can have a different personality, because the components vary.

While individual characteristics can be emulated, all of them cannot, since the number of variables would quickly exceed any real time playback. Many modules still need to be warmed up to be stable. Hardware Modular Synthesis isn't a sterile clean room, it's the Wild Wild West (or East).

We now resume our regular scheduled programming ...

[MetaDronos]

Every hardware module has a low level and imperfect signal path that gives it character. Identical modules can have a different personality, because the components vary.
While individual characteristics can be emulated, all of them cannot, since the number of variables would quickly exceed any real time playback. Many modules still need to be warmed up to be stable. Hardware Modular Synthesis isn't a sterile clean room, it's the Wild Wild West (or East).

This is the exact reason I was never interested in hardware instruments. I prefer to have all elements of my musical constructions available for perfect recall, transferable by Internet (preset/patch files) and literally weightless.
I don't want my tracks to be non-reconstructable when some unique irreplaceable hardware module dies.

Of course I am aware that discrete space of possible plugins' configuration states is much less dense that continuous space of analogue gear states, but for my all creative needs such limited - but still huge beyond imagination - space of possible configurations is more than enough. And when I need musical unpredictability or uniqueness, I refer to randomization.

I think with use of microscopic randomization of parameters one could try to mimic the unpredictability of hardware gear in Reaktor. Probably there is no ear able to discern such forged "analogueness" from the real thing.

Just an opinion of digitally-oriented parameter-control-freak ;)

[MetaDronos]

I've replaced loads of one-trick plugins with a corresponding ensemble and also found loads of unique synths and effects, probably actually saved money by using Reaktor rather than buying individual plugs.
Then there's developers like Boscomac who are making quality donation-ware stuff that rivals commercial releases.
So what I'm saying is that, especially if you see a cheap license in the KvR Marketplace, it's really a great value toolbox for anyone interested in more esoteric effects and synths even if you never build anything yourself.

Exactly, Reaktor is a great money saver. You buy it once and then you have access to a vast repository of free virtual gear, from single one-function elements to fully developed instruments and effects.
Commercial instruments and effects are also available.

[interface_type_seven]

I'm a big fan of Reaktor and am loving the additions to Reaktor6. I started getting into eurorack a few months back, so the new blocks framework really appeals to me. Plus, the product was loooong overdue for some UI cleanup.

[synkrotron]

I prefer to have all elements of my musical constructions available for perfect recall, transferable by Internet (preset/patch files) and literally weightless.
I don't want my tracks to be non-reconstructable when some unique irreplaceable hardware module dies.

I'm with this 100%, although I have still lost some work when moving from one workstation to another (main culprit Absynth).

But, at least I can still do a good recovery job, usually, and for much less cost. A piece of hardware breaks and it can cost quite a bit to replace or repair.

[Codehead]

"I prefer to have all elements of my musical constructions available for perfect recall, transferable by Internet (preset/patch files) and literally weightless.

Each time you sit at the hardware modular it is a different experience. It is the lack of sameness that makes the hardware special. It is a modern folk instrument. Just like a guitar, saxophone, violin, human voice ... on and on.

When someone sits at a piano and plays a piece, there is no perfect recall. It is the experience of creating a unique artistic experience for both the artist and the listener. I would never want to go to a concert where the artist demonstrates "perfect recall".

Uniqueness can also be achieved with Reaktor (I do own it), but only when it stops trying to achieve an existing sound.

Just the opinion of someone who fights against sameness and "analogueness".

We can have different goals without pretending to be something else.

[windspace]

I'm looking forward to upgrading to Reaktor 6...waiting until I will actually have time to use it though! I find that I have gravitated to Reaktor more and more; for individual effects, and for more complex ensembles. Especially for granular and generative type ensembles.

[GaryG]

I prefer to have all elements of my musical constructions available for perfect recall, transferable by Internet (preset/patch files) and literally weightless.

Not quite, all those electrons weigh something, the weight of the internet was estimated to be around 50 grams...

;)

[windspace]

I prefer to have all elements of my musical constructions available for perfect recall, transferable by Internet (preset/patch files) and literally weightless.

Not quite, all those electrons weigh something, the weight of the internet was estimated to be around 50 grams...

;)

If you're gonna go there...
I guess you'd have to factor in all the servers and interconnecting cabling, all of the electrical & mechanical infrastructure and the buildings to house the servers & infrastructure, all the POC fiber mux/demux equipment & cabling, infrastructure, and buildings, and all of the thousands and thousands of miles of fiberoptic cabling distributing the 'internet' around the world...
It's a wonder we can even move a soft-synth patch without using a tractor!

[Codehead]

It's a wonder we can even move a soft-synth patch without using a traktor!

FTFY