Reactor (software)
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| developer | Native Instruments |
| Publishing year | 1996 |
| Current version | 6.3.1 (2019) |
| operating system | Mac OS X , Windows |
| category | Music software |
| License | Proprietary |
| German speaking | No |
| www.native-instruments.com | |
Reaktor is a graphic integrated development environment for the creation and use of software synthesizers , sequencers , samplers and effects devices from the Berlin company Native Instruments .
Program structure
The central component of Reaktor is an extensive collection of DSP modules for generating and processing audio and event data streams. With the help of these modules and a graphical surface on which the components can be connected with virtual "cables", virtual musical instruments , effect devices , sequencers , samplers and the like, so-called ensembles, can be created . The user interface of these ensembles can be freely designed to a large extent, which in addition to graphic gimmicks also enables the implementation of alternative interface concepts.
From a technical point of view, there are three levels. The original components are located on the middle one. Individual oscillators , envelope generators , filters , buttons and display panels can be combined to form macros, which in turn are building blocks of instruments that are combined to form ensembles. The principle is reminiscent of modular synthesizers from the 1960s and 1970s. In comparison, the reactor is more flexible, but also more complex. With version 5, a so-called CORE level was added. It includes components that are based very closely on individual C ++ commands and allow much more effective programming. These are also linked to form CORE macros, which can be used like normal macros. This allows projects that would previously have failed due to excessive processor load. Version 6 introduced “blocks”, which are sub-instruments, similar to Eurorack modules. Their value ranges are standardized and they do not differentiate between control and audio signals. These blocks enable people with no technical training to get started and control external hardware. This means that modular systems can be expanded with new functions with just a few clicks.
To make it easier for beginners to get started, Reaktor is delivered with a large number of ready-made ensembles . Native Instruments also maintains an archive on its website in which users can upload their ensembles and thus make them accessible to others. There are over 4,000 ensembles, from simple after-sensations of subtractive synthesizers to complex generative ensembles that automatically generate constantly changing sounds on the basis of different algorithms.
use
Reaktor can be integrated into appropriate sequencer programs as a plug-in, but it also runs “standalone”. For users who are not interested in creating ensembles themselves, but only want to use the existing ones, there was a slimmed-down version of the program called “Reaktor Session”. With the release of version 5 of Reaktor, "Reaktor Session" was taken out of the program by Native Instruments; Ensembles created with Reaktor 5 cannot be used with "Reaktor Session". As an equivalent, the free "Reaktor Player" appeared in 2010, with which version 5.5 ensembles can be played but not changed.
With the release of version 6, so-called blocks modules are offered, which can simplify the use of Reaktor.
In addition, Native Instruments has switched to releasing individual ensembles as separate programs that can be used without owning a Reaktor. There is no possibility for the users of Reaktor to create such independently executable ensembles.
The main competitors of Reaktor include the Max / MSP software and the similar open source Pure Data .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Thomas Pelkmann: Reactor 5.5: A lot of music under the hood. In: macwelt.de , February 23, 2011; Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ↑ Reaktor product website. Retrieved April 24, 2017 .