My First Reaktor Ensemble

Hi, this is a working version of my first ensemble - a subtractive synth although its doesn't sound right yet. If any more experienced users have the time to give us some pointers etc that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lea

 

I think it's okay for the first time, probably you can improve your filter and envelope sessions, add some effects, make osc's sound a bit wider, etc. Anyway that's "one week user" point of view . Chech this: http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77977

 

Ok...I'm going to be brutal, but these are things you need to know.

Oscillator values vary between 1 and -1. For effects like Tremolo you need to adjust these values to be between 1 and 0. Simply add 1 then divide by 2 (or multiply by 0.5 and add 0.5 as shown in 2-Osc)

Your panel is (for my monitor) too big. There is a lot of empty space on it that could be better used (or removed). Generally I wouldn't design a GUI until the very end.

The LFO should be specifically labelled "Filter LFO" or something like that. I had to open the instrument to find out what it did. Which brings me to...

I think you should also start using Macros. They make navigation around the ensemble easier and faster.

To sum your oscillators together you could use the amp/mixer module. Though your way is fine.

What you should do is open up user ensembles and the 2-Osc synth from the Reaktor Library and reverse engineer them. This has been the main way I have learnt Reaktor.
This is a very good first attempt and I can see how you have thought through each part of the process.

I hope that was helpful.

 

Thanks for taking the time to give us feedback, its difficult to know whether things are right or wrong so much aprreciated.

Thanks again

Lt

 

Are macros the next logical step after built in modules or should I look at Kore next. I don't fully understand what they are both used for. thanks

Lt

 

Basically Reaktor constructor has in it:

1) Macro modules
2) Core cells

Built in modules are simple macro modules with which you can built your instrument, but you can't go inside it and modify it. For example, in Macro -> Building Blocks modules there are ready to use macro modules made of built in macro modules.

Macro modules can contain either another macro modules or core cells (as well as instrument itself when you go inside it). Core cells are completely another stuff. For example, with built-in modules you can built saw waveform from sratch, you can only use Saw osc for example, but the waveform is there already. With core you can do it. But core isn't that simple to understand. You have to put much time and efforts in it, but it worths it.

So, answer to your question - it depends on how deep you want to dig. If you want to built your intsruments without going into math and complicated stuff, use macro modules. If you have time and have basic or good math knowledges, get into core.

Hope that helps. One advice - if you have time, read manuals, both - core and reaktor. I can post some ensembles as well to show you a bit how it works.

 

If you look into the vast library of ensembles for Reaktor you will see that Macros contain collections of built in modules. Macros are really just containers for modules. Modules are nice neat building blocks. There are pre-built macros, which are very useful to learn from.

Core cells allow you to dig inside a module. You can build an oscillator or filter from basic maths and programming. It is advanced stuff and perhaps worth learning if you want to dig deep into DSP.

Macros would be the step before modules to most people, but I really think you should use them to make your instrument building process more neat. Macros also group together controls on the panel.

Have you looked inside any library ensembles yet? This is where I do most of my learning.