- Last year's version 6 release of Native Instruments' Komplete coincided with a considerable re-jig of their software instruments and effects. Sample-based instruments were either rolled directly into Kontakt or reworked into add-on packs in Kore or Kontakt format, and a number of products (Pro-53 for example) were discontinued. Needless to say the result was still an impressive package, but easier to understand in terms not only of use, but also underlying synthesis.
One NI instrument that made it through this process unscathed was Reaktor. Surprising perhaps given that version 5 had been around since 2005. So, it's fitting that the arrival of Komplete 7 should also coincide with some news on the Reaktor front, and this comes in the form of Reaktor 5.5 and Reaktor Prism.
As indicated by the title, NI see Reaktor 5.5 as an update rather than an entirely new version, and correspondingly it's a free update for registered users. In essence, it builds on the considerable changes that appeared five years ago, improving overall workflow, adding two additional synthesis modes (additive and modal) and significantly boosting the incorporated sounds library. The additive synthesis module (Sine Bank) forms the basis of a new instrument, Lazerbass, while the modal synthesis module (Modal Bank) forms the basis of a new 'Komplete Instrument' add-on, Reaktor Prism. This follows the same path as Reaktor Spark, delivering a focused synthesizer using the Reaktor engine, but available in Reaktor Player form for those without the full Reaktor software.
Reaktor's fully modular synthesis, sampling and effects system can seem pretty daunting at first. But with each release these complexities have become easier to penetrate, and 5.5 is a marked improvement offering a modern single window workspace (standardized for plug-in and standalone use) with foldaway panels (side panel, sample map and player/recorder). Icons allow you to select both single and dual pane views, so accessing ensembles and structures, either individually or at the same time, is quick and straightforward. You can even get up two structure views if you like. Unsurprisingly you can also rescale the split and there are also various rescale options for the overall window.
Next up, there's a new bookmark system for structures. This allows you to easily store and recall particular layers, allowing you quick, direct access in complex patches. Further improvements include larger fonts, better colours, a simplified instrument header, refreshed panel graphics, master input and output faders, an improved sample player/recorder and a new snapshot control in the main bar.
Reaktor includes a vast array of synthesis and sound manipulation modules (over 70 unique synths, samplers, drum machines and effects), and additive synthesis is already demonstrated in the Sum Synth. However, the new Sine Mode delivers a new level of additive synthesis for Reaktor, optimising CPU usage to efficiently deliver many partials. This is showcased in the Lazerbass instrument, a monophonic synth designed for leads, basses and metallic sound effects. The layout is much like a typical subtractive synth (oscillator, filter, amplitude envelope, modulation and so on) with choice of oscillator (saw and square of various types). But the big difference is these oscillators are built from sine wave partials, and manipulation of these allows great sonic flexibility. In use it has to be said this synth sounds amazing with a crisp, direct and powerful sound. If you're used to subtractive synthesis, the layout is helpful, but I still found Reaktor's instrument manual invaluable for understanding the finer points. A couple of things I found particularly useful were the option to disable individual sections and also the main visualization graphic, which allows you to view in real-time various behaviour including brightness (low pass) filter, periodic (modulating) filter and overall frequency content (scope). Snapshots from the 'bass and leads' folder that I particularly liked included The Laser-Bass, The Bomb, Kronmam and Abdominal Pain Sub. Overall it's worth saying that a lot of the patches develop and evolve as you hold them, making them great for both stabby parts and more legato stuff. Snapshots from the 'FX' folder also tend to evolve over time, but tend to be less pitched. Favourites here included the two-stage Tunar, the bending Wanderlust, rhythmic Indifferent and sequence-like Island 4.
Reaktor's new Modal Bank combines an exciter signal and resonator and would typically be used for physical modelling. Although included in v5.5, the first instrument to utilise it is Reaktor Prism (as mentioned this is available as an add-on or comes with Komplete 7). This polyphonic synthesizer is designed for both acoustic/organic sounds and synthetics, and the 200 or so presets include pads, soundscapes, plucked and percussive sounds. In use it's important to appreciate that Prism has no oscillators. The exciter signal (continuous noise or impulses) is fed into multiple bandpass filters (the Modal Bank) creating sine oscillations. These many 'partials' combine to create a complex sound, which is then further modified by polyphonic delay, effects, saturation and the option to feedback the signal to excite the Modal Bank. In use this is conceptually easy to get to grips with, but I was very glad of the 200 or so snapshots as they demonstrate the breadth of sounds possible. Of these a number caught my imagination including the suitably Germanic Vision Air, the haunting bells of Chimelion, the classic DX recreation Lately Bass, the haunting 'Lonely Sheppard' and edgy soundscape of Wonderland. There's also a bunch of special effects type patches, and finally 115 basic starter patches. I found this last set combined with a dose of the onboard effects (saturation, flanger, echo, reverb and filter) could be a quick route to very impressive sounds. Overall I would say Prism's snapshots are cinematic in nature but with a crisp directness hard to achieve from sample based synthesis.
Finally, on the library front, it's worth mentioning that v5.5 now includes the 17 instruments of Electronic Instruments 1&2 (previously a pay for add-on), and of course you can access the 3000 or so user submitted patches online. Also, if you don't have Reaktor but fancy dipping in you can now download for free the Reaktor Factory Selection. This features 3 Reaktor classics (Carbon 2, Newscool and Spacedrone) in Reaktor Player form complete with preset contributions from Junkie XL, Richard Devine and Pendulum.
In conclusion it's fair to say that much of Reaktor 5.5's groundwork was done in version 5. However, all that power and flexibility needed streamlining, and that is what 5.5 achieves. Obviously there's new stuff here too, and if you can afford the extra cash, Prism is well worth considering. Reaktor continues to work as both an astonishing synthesis tool and an inspiring creative instrument, and both synth designers and end users will benefit considerably from this update.
Ratings /
COST: 4/5
VERSATILITY: 5/5
EASE OF USE: 4/5
SOUND: 5/5
TracklistSystem Requirements
PC: Windows XP, Vista or 7, Intel P4 or Core, AMD Athlon 64, 2 GB RAM
Mac: OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (latest updates), Intel Core Duo, 2 GB RAM
Stand-alone or plug-in