Reactor 6

Reaktor" most commonly refers to Native Instruments REAKTOR, which is a powerful and unique piece of software used by professional sound designers and music producers.

It is not a traditional synthesizer or sampler; rather, it is a modular Digital Signal Processing (DSP) environment that allows users to build their own virtual instruments, synthesizers, samplers, grooveboxes, and audio effects from the ground up.

Key Concepts of REAKTOR

1. Modular Environment: REAKTOR uses a graphical, modular interface. Users connect "modules" (like oscillators, filters, sequencers, LFOs, and math operators) with virtual "cables" to define the flow of audio and control signals. This is often compared to patching a hardware Eurorack modular synth.

2. Custom Creation: The primary function is to provide a "toolkit" for creation. Instead of just using a preset instrument, you are given the building blocks to design a completely unique instrument with its own logic and user interface (GUI).

3. The User Library: A prominent feature is the massive, free User Library, where the global community shares thousands of custom-built instruments and effects. Many producers rely on these third-party creations for unique sounds.

4. REAKTOR Blocks: The introduction of "Blocks" made the modular concept much more accessible. Blocks are high-quality, pre-built modules (like a classic Moog filter or an analog oscillator) that adhere to a standard format, allowing users to easily connect them together in a virtual rack.

5. Platform for NI Products: Many of Native Instruments' own popular synths and effects, such as Monark (a classic synth emulation) and Razor (an additive synth), are actually built inside the REAKTOR framework.

Product Tiers

Native Instruments offers two main versions:

• REAKTOR (Full Version): Provides all the sound-building components and editing capabilities. This is what you need to create or edit ensembles.

• REAKTOR Player (Free): A free, limited version that allows you to load and play professionally made REAKTOR instruments (like the NI-released ones and select commercial third-party libraries), but you cannot edit or reverse-engineer them.