Product Code Database
Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio developed by Stephan Schmidt and Volker Hinz as founders of Native Instruments (NI). It allows musicians and sound specialists to design and build their own instruments, samplers, effects and sound design tools. It is supplied with many ready-to-use instruments and effects. In addition, free instruments can be downloaded from the User Library. All of Reaktor's instruments can be freely examined, customized, or taken apart, encouraging reverse engineering. The free, limited version called Reaktor Player allows musicians to play NI-released Reaktor instruments, but not edit or reverse-engineer them.
With version 3.0 (released in 2001), Native Instruments introduced a redesigned audio engine and new graphic design. Further expansion of synthesis and sampling modules, addition of new control-based modules (XY control) and data management (event tables) greatly expands the abilities of the program. The earliest version to really resemble the modern incarnation of the software is version 3.5, which improved greatly in VST performance and sample handling. Reaktor 3.5 is the first release that features full cross-platform compatibility.
Reaktor 4 enhanced stability, instrument library, GUI, and VSTi ease-of-use in external sequencers. It shipped almost six months behind schedule.
Reaktor 5.1, released on 22 December 2005, features new Core Cell modules, and a new series of FX and ensembles. A number of bug fixes was also implemented.
The release of Reaktor 5.5 was announced for 1 September 2010. It features a revised interface as well as other changes.
The patcher window allows one to navigate the inner structure of user's models. Many factory-shipped objects within Reaktor can be accessed and edited, and new objects can be generated on the fly, expansion thereof to the users' specification coming with relative ease.
The objects that are available within Reaktor range from simple math operators to large sound modules. Implementation of Core Technology with version 5 enables user to view and edit the structure of any "Core Module" building block, although successful manipulation of Core Cells with predictable results requires in-depth knowledge of algorithmic implementation of signal generation and processing. Native Instruments promote this functionality with online side-by-side comparison of Core implementation of simple DSP algorithm against C++ pseudocode.
Provided adequate CPU is available, Reaktor enables a user to implement variables (static or dynamic) which are used as defining properties of the patch. Users have an ability to generate a GUI of their own to provide dynamic control to their systems. Starting with version 4, Reaktor supports user-generated graphical content, enabling users to customize their instruments.
Depending on the available processing power, a finished Reaktor ensemble may be loaded into a host sequencer (such as Steinberg Cubase or Ableton Live), and used in a similar manner to a stand-alone software plug-in for audio generation or processing (a multi-format proprietary loader is included with the software). Unlike truly stand alone devices, like VST plug-ins, Reaktor ensembles must be loaded in host sequencers using the Reaktor platform, which requires about 10 times the CPU processing power of more sophisticated VST. Each panel control in the ensemble is capable of MIDI automation in the host sequencer.
Furthermore, home-brew Reaktor ensembles can be shared by its users. Such exchange is encouraged by Native Instruments, providing web-based tools and webspace for individual and third-party Reaktor extensions (this includes user Ensembles and presets for Reaktor Instruments and Effects).
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