Reaktor Blocks is already a lovely hybrid. It has the open-ended sound design possibilities and knob-tweaking delights of modular instruments, down to the look and feel of that gear. But it blends those design features with the sound-making capabilities of digital software – and you never run out of cables, space, or cash.
Of course, to try it, you previously needed a copy of Reaktor. And that might have held some of you back. That changes with the holiday introduction of Blocks Wired. They’re three new pre-wired instruments you can play with. If you’ve got Reaktor, this accompanies some new modules inspired by the “West Coast” synth style of Buchla. If you don’t have Reaktor, though, you can use them for free.
First, let’s talk about what’s new inside Blocks 1.1 – the West Coast modules. There’s scant documentation, but the name and design clearly show the Buchla lineage.
XY, part of Blocks Wired – showing off those new West Coast modules, among others.
West Coast DWG is a two-oscillator module with waveshaping and modulation. The MOD / CARRIER format is ideal for FM synthesis, but you can also blend waveforms or try wavefolding. It’s a beautiful oscillator module, and after a beautiful debut from Blocks on the filter side, I think an exceptional addition.
XYS is a 4×4 grid of value and trigger “storage” – that is, it’s a step sequencer, but it can also be used for other stuff.
LPG is a Buchla-style “low-pass gate” filter. As the “pluck” label suggests, it’s also something that can be used to create very fast envelopes – you can make drum hits or simulate plucked strings.
Now, maybe you didn’t follow any of that – but that’s okay. Blocks really are intended for hands-on experimentation. And I find even more many very technically-minded synthesists, that’s where many people got their start.
With Blocks Wired, you get three ensembles, two of them prominently featuring the West Coast goodies.
LUMIKKO is an elegant monosynth, West Coast style.
LUMIKKO is a monosynth. It’s nicely simple, too, so a good way to check out how a few modules can yield a lot of sounds.
XY goes further with the West Coast oscillator and adds the new XY sequencer. As the name implies, that’s the featured module, and here it allows separate Modulator and Carrier pitch control for unique melodic/harmonic possibilities.
SUBMOTION uses the Blocks 1.0 modules to show you how you might create evolving textures and rhythms with modulation.
Submotion’s sequenced modulation.
Blocks Wired is a downloadable special from NI.
But Reaktor users, you can go ahead and grab the Reaktor update and start playing now. And oddly, I didn’t see much discussion of these new modules. That’s a shame – this was just what I needed to put me over the top really working with Blocks.
I’m pretty sure “pluck” on the LPG has to do with striking the virtual vactrol and isn’t related to physical modeling. Check out the “ping” input on the Pittsburgh Modular LPG or the “strike” input on the MakeNoise Optomix.
I worded that badly, sorry. It does have something to do with Karplus-Strong-style modeling in that you can do filtering with fast envelopes, but… anyway, fixed the wording.
I’m pretty sure “pluck” on the LPG has to do with striking the virtual vactrol and isn’t related to physical modeling. Check out the “ping” input on the Pittsburgh Modular LPG or the “strike” input on the MakeNoise Optomix.
I worded that badly, sorry. It does have something to do with Karplus-Strong-style modeling in that you can do filtering with fast envelopes, but… anyway, fixed the wording.
I downloaded the demo. It’s cool. However, the fonts and knobs of the Blocks look pretty bad on my retina macbook. It looks like NI did not include retina assets.
Is this the case on the full version that I pay for?
Really? Looks fine here on my 13″ MBP Retina… unless this is a Reaktor Player issue.
Here’s a screen grab of West Coast DWG
looks rough on my retina display as well reaktor 6 player as well.
I downloaded the demo. It’s cool. However, the fonts and knobs of the Blocks look pretty bad on my retina macbook. It looks like NI did not include retina assets.
Is this the case on the full version that I pay for?
Really? Looks fine here on my 13″ MBP Retina… unless this is a Reaktor Player issue.
Here’s a screen grab of West Coast DWG
looks rough on my retina display as well reaktor 6 player as well.
I miss actual Reaktor ensembles, esp. those made by NI. Everything is blocks blocks blocks these days. I think it should have been a separate product. Modular synthesis has never interested me the way Reaktor does. The world doesn’t need another virtual bass monosynth when Reaktor is capable of doing so much more… Just look at something ‘ancient’ like Metaphysical Function. Still blows my mind. Could care less about anything I’ve seen done with Blocks. And here I got all excited with Rounds and what I hoped was a new/next wave of proper Reaktor ensembles… Then we get Reaktor 6 and it’s back to basics, albeit with much better audio quality…
Agreed. Reaktor 6 is the first version I haven’t immediately bought the upgrade for, and I’ve been a user since it was called Generator. I kind of like the blocks, but the fact that they’re limited to mono synths takes most of the fun away for me.
It’s not limited to monosynths, but you have to put a bit of effort in to make a polysynth.
I miss actual Reaktor ensembles, esp. those made by NI. Everything is blocks blocks blocks these days. I think it should have been a separate product. Modular synthesis has never interested me the way Reaktor does. The world doesn’t need another virtual bass monosynth when Reaktor is capable of doing so much more… Just look at something ‘ancient’ like Metaphysical Function. Still blows my mind. Could care less about anything I’ve seen done with Blocks. And here I got all excited with Rounds and what I hoped was a new/next wave of proper Reaktor ensembles… Then we get Reaktor 6 and it’s back to basics, albeit with much better audio quality…
Agreed. Reaktor 6 is the first version I haven’t immediately bought the upgrade for, and I’ve been a user since it was called Generator. I kind of like the blocks, but the fact that they’re limited to mono synths takes most of the fun away for me.
It’s not limited to monosynths, but you have to put a bit of effort in to make a polysynth.
I really hope they add multi touch support soon. It’s one of the most touchable synths i’ve used outside of iOS.
I really hope they add multi touch support soon. It’s one of the most touchable synths i’ve used outside of iOS.