Hi all,

As many of you know, Native Instruments is offering Reaktor 5 for $99 until the 20th. This seems like quite the good deal, but I'm wondering whether I'd be getting anything significant relative to what I have now.

Currently I use Alchemy and Synth Squad as my soft synths, and recently switched to Live from Cubase Essentials. Some of the discussion about sampling, FM and modular softsynths in Reaktor piqued my interest, but do you think it would be a worthwhile addition to what I already have?

Thanks!

Absolutely. Reaktor, by nature, is one of the most versatile tools out there, and at $99, it's a no-brainer.

Not everything made with it is excellent, but there are LOADS of great user created synths and effects out there. Even if there weren't, the included library is worth the cost alone even if you couldn't edit them or make your own.

It's not perfect or all-powerful, but if you take the time to learn it, there are hundreds of uses for it.

Brent

How much do you like to get stuck in and build your own software from the ground up?
How content are you with traditional arrangements either via soft synths and electronic drums, or acoustic instruments, etc and don't worry too much about the never-ending possibilities of sound manipulation?

Are you an easily addicted person?
How much time do you have to spend on something that might take over your life, but be very enjoyable?

These are questions worth thinking about when considering buying Reaktor.
Equally, just say **** it and lay down $99 for what is an outstanding price for an outstanding software product which you may occasionally to frequently use, depending upon your preferences.

Cheers.

Brent Kallmer of Bluewater VST has a series of interesting videos using reaktor various instruments including Newschool, Scanner, Twisted Tools. His latest explores Aerobic.

http://www.bluewatervst.com/oxygen-beats-with-ni-reaktors-ae robic/

Might want to check those out.

(is the Brent above Mr. Kallmer?)

Wondering the same thing myself.
Reaktor Demos on the NI site don't impress me really. Would like to hear someone else's sounds they've done with it maybe.
Plus, I'm planning on upgrading the AAS with the two Guitar pro-strums. For an extra $50. they throw in the full bundle which includes their Tassman, Ultra Analog, & Lounge Lizard (I already own the VS1 & Chromaphone). Granted, the Tassman & UA don't impress me much either, but I like the character of the sound a little better than Reaktor. Somehow I don't think I would end up using it much as I have Alchemy and Synthmaster and Alchemy is my 'go-to' VST.

Anyway, I am keeping an open mind and ear to what others post here.

I'm personally not interested in going down that rabbit hole to make my own stuff by scratch, but I am interested in Reaktor as FX unit.
What kinds of FX can I expect here? And what could you recommend from the user base. (more for guitar and vocals)

Thanks

I also noticed it appears that NI is no longer offering Absynth, except in the Komplete bundles?

Nevermind, it seems they don't consider it a synth but is listed under orchestral & cinematic.
Last edited by BBFG# on Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:59 pm; edited 1 time in total

I wouldn't characterize Reaktor as having "a" sound - there are many different modules and synthesis methods used, and it is capable of virtually anything all but the most state-of-the-art plugs are.

Granted, just having Synthmaster (and Alchemy) covers a lot of bases. But for $99 (IMHO), there's no way you want find something of value.

This site has some interesting effects: http://boscomac.free.fr/. It's worth giving the demos a listen. You might also want to check out the user library on NI's site to see what else is out there.

Not a sound, but a 'character'. It's the underlying thing that grabs a person and makes it hard to put it down. I don't hear that in Reaktor or many of the softsynths I hear or demo. Besides, Synthmaster was something that didn't impress me either until I heard the Nori Ubukata World samples in it. And with their 'coupons' floating around everywhere I was able to get it with that library for under $65. To get that from Reaktor I'm guessing you have to buy the SkannerXT too? So $123.50 with only a promise of those sounds? It does make SM a better deal considering that. Like I said, I might change my mind if I heard better examples of it. Still have an open mind and ears!

You can download the free Reaktor Player, which comes with a few instruments (and will load almost any Reaktor instrument or effect, albiet in a time-limited demo mode) to try it out and see if it grabs you...

Ahhh, thanks, I was under the impression that only the full version Of Reaktor would load instruments and FX. Many thanks!



Thanks. I'll check these out as well. Cheers.

I have owned Reaktor for awhile now and while it is quite versatile, sometimes that versatility creates headache in practice/use.

For example sometimes the Automation features and integration with the DAW can be a painful headache, or preset management, or file management.

However, as for flexibility it is quite stellar and endless for the creative.

Although it all depends, if you don't want to tweak and deal with some file management type stuff every now and then, it might not be for you.

I often avoid using it for those reasons myself and find more time spent with VSTs like Zebra or Alpha 3 because they are all self contained, no external files, no half ass made synths or effects.

Yes, in so many ways. The stock library is amazing, the user library is beyond useful, and you can find all kinds of neat free user ensembles, like these from Hollow Sun: http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/products/reaktor/index.htm

You've got somewhat specific sonic goals (more power to you - I'm all over the map), and in that case it might not be for you. I'm more a "stick my hand in and see what comes out", and in that sense Reaktor's a bargain.