Reaktor

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This article is about the audio software program. For the personal computer game, see Reaktor (computer game).

The current logo of Reaktor v5.0

Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio, proprietary license, developed by Native Instruments. It lets musicians and engineers design and build their own instruments, samplers, effects and sound design tools. It is supplied with many ready-to-use instruments and effects, from emulations of classic synthesizers to futuristic sound design tools. In addition, more than 2000 free instruments can be downloaded from the growing User Library. One of Reaktor's unique selling points is that all of its instruments can be freely examined, customised or taken apart; Reaktor is a tool that effectively encourages reverse engineering. Reaktor Session is a now-discontinued, limited version of the software that allowed musicians to play Reaktor files but not edit or reverse-engineer them.

[edit] Version 4

Reaktor 4 was a major enhancement in terms of stability, instrument library, GUI, and VSTi ease-of-use in external sequencers. It shipped almost six months behind schedule.

[edit] Version 5

Version 5, released in April 2005, features the newly-introduced Core Technology and increased stability. Core Technology enables users to directly modify the inner workings of the software at the DSP level. Core Technology initially confused a lot of instrument designers because of its complexity, but is now steadily making its way into new instruments and ensembles.

Reaktor 5.1, released on 22 December 2005, and presented as a Christmas present, features new Core Cell modules, and, surprisingly for a free update, a whole new series of FX and ensembles. Also a number of bug fixes were implemented.