Good Bye Reaktor, good bye NI synths

[parma]

But if Reaktor is so amazeballs, then why isn't NI using it to crank out one blockbuster synth plugin after another?

He's not wrong on this point.

VP

They've cranked out plenty of cool, unique Reaktor synths over the years but they don't sell like hotcakes because they're burdened with Reaktor's archaic preset handling. Razor, Skanner XT, Monark, Rounds, Kontour, Electronic Instruments 1&2...
Edit: Form (might be the best one!)

[Vocalpoint Studios]

They’ve cranked out plenty of cool, unique Reaktor synths over the years but they don't sell like hotcakes because they're burdened with Reaktor's shitty, archaic preset handling. Razor, Skanner XT, Monark, Rounds, Kontour, Electronic Instruments 1&2..Edit: Form (might be the best one!)

Sure. A few of these are interesting sound generators but none are on the level of say - Zebra.

That is what I think Hypebole is getting at.

There is a big difference between a “blockbuster” synth and a $29.00 instance of Razor.

VP

[gentleclockdivider]

But if Reaktor is so amazeballs, then why isn't NI using it to crank out one blockbuster synth plugin after another?

He's not wrong on this point.

VP

For the simple reason that most people don't like plugins hosted in reaktor , it was the same when they released the compressors for guitar rig only .
What is a blockbuster synth anyway ?
I assume Serum is , does that mean it sounds incredible or that it's just popular ..?
Imho , the commercial ensembles released for reaktor are topnotch , from super 8 to contour , molekular ( custom zynapiq dsp code ) and Monark .
Altough core is a highly optimised language , it will never outperform custom c++ code .

[parma]

Reaktor has an important place in electronic music history. I really hope N.I. is at least dedicated to maintain 6.5 going forward (as they've kinda sorta said). I'm afraid eventually an OS update (likely from Apple) is going to screw compatibility to the point where N.I. just decides to abandon it. I hope they realize Reaktor goes beyond being an old product and actually has historical value.

[gentleclockdivider]

Some objekt

[gentleclockdivider]

They’ve cranked out plenty of cool, unique Reaktor synths over the years but they don't sell like hotcakes because they're burdened with Reaktor's shitty, archaic preset handling. Razor, Skanner XT, Monark, Rounds, Kontour, Electronic Instruments 1&2..Edit: Form (might be the best one!)

Sure. A few of these are interesting sound generators but none are on the level of say - Zebra.

That is what I think Hypebole is getting at.

There is a big difference between a “blockbuster” synth and a $29.00 instance of Razor.

VP

I feel compelled to answer this one , I am big zebra fanboy ( hz ) and yes zebra is fantastic and so is U-he .
What truly makes it unique are it's osc' effects in combination with the osc modes .
Now , the zdf filters in reaktor 6 , from sallen key to sem to ladder etc.. definately compete with those found in zebra hz .
All osc effects in zebra easily have their dsp counterpart in reaktor or any other environment ( phase modulation , phase distortion , etcc. ) what it doesn't have is the unique blend of the osc effects and the osc modes because nobody ever bothered ( perhaps it's difficult ) to make it in reaktor , truth be said core is not the ideal dsp language .
Zebra 3 , that is something completely different and the new curve system is just Mindblowing .
Razor , ahum another instrument made by a person who happened to be a proffessional musician
I can not think of any other instrument ( or rather the sinebank module ) that is capable of generating 10'000 harmonics .

[Vocalpoint Studios]

Razor, another instrument made by a person who happened to be a proffessional musician. I cannot think of any other instrument (or rather the sinebank module) that is capable of generating 10'000 harmonics.

Just as I cannot think of any single musician - who - when writing a new song or fleshing out a new idea would ever care about a sinebank module that could generate "10000 harmonics".

Most of us simply go "What sounds good today?" - we pick something, and we lay it down.

VP

[gentleclockdivider]

Razor, another instrument made by a person who happened to be a proffessional musician. I cannot think of any other instrument (or rather the sinebank module) that is capable of generating 10'000 harmonics.

Just as I cannot think of any single musician - who - when writing a new song or fleshing out a new idea would ever care about a sinebank module that could generate "10000 harmonics".

Most of us simply go "What sounds good today?" - we pick something, and we lay it down.

VP

It was just an example of how future proof some modules are
And yes , you'll will hear the difference when using lot's of partials .
The technical aspect might not interest you , but the end result will because you're using the instruments .
Autechre -Cylob , both legendary acts that are pretty knowledgable about all things dsp , I am sure their music making decisions are partially defined by the technical aspects of their working environment ( max -msp / supercollider )
It's not because you don't go down that path that other's are too .
This comes over as : "I am not a cook , I just eat "
Who prepared your meal ?

[enCiphered]

The last thing on my mind in the heat of creation is whether a sinebank can generate 10,000 harmonics or if the filter topology is ZDF, ladder, or SEM. I´m not sitting there thinking.. hmm, do I need a ladder filter or a SEM filter for this snare?

Don't get me wrong. Tools do matter, and sound design is an art in itself. But some people are so obsessed with the technical side, yet they’ve never actually composed more than a few real tracks, let alone released music that connects emotionally. And that’s fine if their passion is DSP or synth architecture. But it becomes frustrating when they try to dominate discussions with that lens, as if deeper musical ideas begin and end at circuit emulation accuracy.

Music is emotion, storytelling, vibe. Not specs. I wish more people could see the beauty in simplicity and understand that choosing a sound because it “feels right” is just as valid (if not more) than choosing it because of spectral purity or harmonic count.

[gentleclockdivider]

One doesn't rule out the other .
That some are overobsessed with the technical side of things I can understand , I for one am not but It is an important aspect, albeit with up-downs
There are times I just make music for weeks , and periods I just create stuff WHICH will be used later on .
And there are times I just draw-sketch for days , this is a recent one

After all , I was triggered by some ( questionable ) comments about reaktor

[Vocalpoint Studios]

I wish more people could see the beauty in simplicity and understand that choosing a sound because it “feels right” is just as valid (if not more) than choosing it because of spectral purity or harmonic count.

Right on brother.

It's probably why a basic piano and acoustic guitar can always get it done.

There is no "thinking" about it - it just is.

VP

[darkydisco]

Kontour and razor are both incredible instruments that had innovative design and thought behind them. Maybe they aren’t popular, but they def swung for the fences. They aren’t particularly versatile, there are tons of synths that do essentially everything, that was never their thing. However what they do well, they do an incredibly well. I think they are nice to have in an arsenal.

[El°HYM]

Nick Williams is a life-long musician, and a passionate fan of Native Instruments for 25 years. Today, as our CEO, he is looking to the future with a simple belief: creators deserve the best. In this conversation, Nick shares how his personal journey shapes his leadership, what he has already learned from listening to the community, and his plans for the next chapter of NI.

I’ve been a keyboard player since I was 7, and played in bands for many years. At university, I lived across the street from Thom Yorke and have followed his creative journey. When Radiohead’s Kid A came out, I was fascinated by the sounds on that record – and discovered that Reaktor was a key part of the sonic palette. That was my introduction to Native Instruments back in 2000.

Reaktor will always have a special place with me – it’s where the journey began for NI in many ways, as well as for me. It represents our roots in deep synthesis and experimental sound design.

That said, the most fun I’ve had recently is using the Master Assistant in Ozone. I use it on all of the music I produce, and it still amazes me – the way it lifts and unveils a track in an instant is magical.

I’m a piano player at heart. When I joined the team and came to the Berlin office, the first thing I did was sit down with the S88 MK3 and play Alicia’s Keys. I’ll never forget it, that was one of those moments where everything just feels right.

https://blog.native-instruments.com/meet-nick-williams

[machinesworking]

Reaktor will always have a special place with me – it’s where the journey began for NI in many ways, as well as for me. It represents our roots in deep synthesis and experimental sound design.

I really wish interviews with CEOs weren't always curated to not ask hard questions, this is the chance to ask if Reaktor has a future or not? whether the Play series is where NI are going to continue to put resources? but nope! I'm glad he's sentimental about Reaktor, but I don't know if that translates to NI saving it or not? It also could mean it's already dead.

[El°HYM]

Its pretty sad and yepp, could mean anything or nothing.