Native Instruments Reaktor 5 Application Reference
Application Reference
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not repre
sent
a commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by
this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media.
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or record
ed, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, herein
after referred to as Native Instruments. All product and company names are ™ or ® trade
marks of their respective owners.
Document authored by: Aleksander Rebane
Product Version: 5.5 (06/2010)
Document version: 1.0 (06/2010)
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs,
but in making this a better product.
Disclaimer
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Native Instruments GmbH
Schlesische Str. 28
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
info@native-instruments.de
www.native-instruments.de
USA
Native Instruments North America, Inc.
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Contact
© Native Instruments GmbH, 2010. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Welcome to REAKTOR! 13
1.2 Three in One 13
1.3 The REAKTOR 5 Documentation 14
1.4 System Requirements 16
1.5 The REAKTOR 5 Installation 16
1.6 Overview 17
1.3.1 Who Should Read this Manual? 14
1.3.2 Notation Used in this Manual 14
1.3.3 Other Documentation 15
2 Names and Concepts You Should Know
3 Common Operations
3.1 Switching Views 25
3.2 Working with Splits and Bookmarks 30
3.3 Operating Ensembles 48
3.4 Navigating with the Browser 63
3.1.1 Sidepane 26
3.1.2 Insert Pane 29
3.2.1 Panel/Structure 31
3.2.2 Split Views 34
3.2.3 Creating, Recalling, and Removing Bookmarks 43
3.3.1 Loading a KOMPLETE Instrument 48
3.3.2 Opening an Ensemble 51
3.3.3 Playing an Ensemble 55
3.3.4 Saving an Ensemble 61
3.3.5 Creating a New Ensemble 62
13
18
25
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3.5 Other Common Operations 67
3.6 REAKTOR as a Plug-In 73
3.6.1 The Autosave Feature 73
3.6.2 Window Sizes in the REAKTOR Plug-In 76
4 Snapshots
4.1 Recalling Snapshots 80
4.2 Adding and Removing Snapshots 83
4.3 Renaming and Copying Snapshots 87
4.4 Comparing Snapshots 88
4.5 Morphing Between Snapshots 90
4.6 Randomizing Snapshots 94
4.7 Snapshot Banks 98
4.8 Defining Snapshot Behavior for Instruments 105
4.7.1 Saving, Loading, and Creating Snapshot Banks 98
4.7.2 Cloning and Deleting Banks 101
4.7.3 Renumbering and Renaming Banks 103
5 Player/Recorder Bar
Table of Contents
79
109
5.1 Using the Audio Player 109
5.2 Using the Audio Recorder 112
5.1.1 Loading a File into the Player and Player Auto Mode 110
5.1.2 Playback with the File Player 111
5.2.1 Recording an Audio Signal 113
5.2.2 File Recorder Properties 115
6 Sample Map Editor
6.1 Overview 118
6.2 Creating a Simple Sampler and Sample Map 120
6.1.1 Sample Maps 118
6.1.2 Viewing the Sample Map Editor 118
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118
Table of Contents
6.3 Editing the Sample List 124
6.4 Settings for Individual Samples 133
6.2.1 Building a Simple Sampler 121
6.2.2 Creating a Simple Sample Map 123
6.3.1 Basic Editing 125
6.3.2 Sample List Functions 128
6.4.1 Auditioning Samples 133
6.4.2 Setting Sample Playback and Loop Parameters 135
6.4.3 Using an External Sample Editor 138
7 Structure View
7.1 Inserting Objects into the Structure 141
7.2 Basic Operations in the Structure 146
7.3 Connecting Objects 152
7.4 Creating an Active Signal Flow 162
7.1.1 Inserting Instruments into the Structure 141
7.1.2 Inserting Macros into the Structure 144
7.1.3 Inserting Modules and Core Cells into the Structure 145
7.2.1 Selecting Objects 146
7.2.2 Moving Objects 148
7.2.3 Duplicating Objects 149
7.2.4 Deleting Objects 150
7.2.5 Copying, Cutting, and Pasting Objects 151
7.2.6 Saving Objects 152
7.3.1 Dragging Wires between Objects 152
7.3.2 Port Types 154
7.3.3 Dynamic Ports 155
7.3.4 Port Order 156
7.4.1 Activating Objects 162
141
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Table of Contents
7.5 Choosing the Right Objects 165
7.6 Object Properties 173
7.4.2 Muting Objects 163
7.4.3 Signal Flows Where REAKTOR Is an Effect Unit 164
7.5.1 Which Object Type to Choose 165
7.5.2 Panel Elements 169
7.5.3 Oscillators 169
7.5.4 Samplers 170
7.5.5 Filters 170
7.5.6 Audio Modifiers 170
7.5.7 Delay 171
7.5.8 Sequencers 171
7.5.9 Envelopes, LFOs (Control) 171
7.5.10 Math 172
7.5.11 MIDI In, MIDI Out 172
7.5.12 Signal Path 172
7.5.13 Event Processing 173
7.5.14 Auxiliary 173
7.5.15 Terminal 173
7.6.1 Function Page 174
7.6.2 Info Page 174
7.6.3 View Page 175
7.6.4 Connections Page 175
8 Panel Editing
176
8.1 Setting Panel Layout Properties 176
8.1.1 The Panel and Instrument Layouts 176
8.1.2 Working with Panelsets 177
8.1.3 Working with Panel Views 182
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8.2 Inserting and Modifying Panel Controls 185
8.3 Changing the Instrument Appearance 206
8.4 Choosing the Macro Appearance 213
8.5 Customized Panel Elements 217
8.2.1 Faders and Knobs 185
8.2.2 Buttons 189
8.2.3 Switches 191
8.2.4 Lists 202
8.3.1 Editing the Instrument Panel Colors 206
8.3.2 Choosing the Background Picture 210
8.5.1 Supported Formats and Loading Pictures 217
8.5.2 Transparency 219
8.5.3 Knob Skins and Animations 221
8.5.4 Resizability and a Custom Control 225
8.5.5 General Guidelines for Skins 234
9 The Primary Level Paradigm
Table of Contents
237
9.1 Audio signals 237
9.2 Event Signals 238
9.3 Polyphony 250
9.2.1 An Event Is Tied to a Point in Time 239
9.2.2 The Order of Events 241
9.2.3 Events from the Same Source 242
9.2.4 Controlling the Event Order 242
9.2.5 Initialization 245
9.3.1 Polyphonic and Monophonic Signals 251
9.3.2 Changing the Number of Polyphonic and Unison Voices 256
9.3.3 Changing an Instrument's Voice Allocation Settings and Tuning 260
9.3.4 Using Voices for Parallel Processing 263
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9.4 Different Value Ranges and Scales in REAKTOR 267
9.4.1 The MIDI Scale 268
9.4.2 The Linear Frequency and Logarithmic Pitch Scales 272
9.4.3 The Linear Amplitude and Logarithmic Decibel Scales 273
10 Working with Sampler Modules
10.1 Managing Your Samples and RAM 274
10.2 Differences between the Sampler Modules 277
10.3 Setting the Properties of Sampler Modules 281
10.1.1 Sample Files and RAM 274
10.1.2 Multiple Use of Identical Samples 275
10.1.3 Missing Samples 276
10.1.4 Storing Samples with Modules 276
10.1.5 Sample Analysis 277
10.2.1 “Conventional” Sampler Modules 278
10.2.2 Grain Resynthesis Modules 279
10.2.3 The Sample Lookup Module and Wavetables 280
10.3.1 Working with the Function page 281
10.3.2 Working with the View Page 284
11 Working with Table Modules
Table of Contents
274
288
11.1 What Is a Table Module? 288
11.2 The Function page of the Audio Table: Recording and Playing a Signal 290
11.2.1 What Is the Goal? 290
11.2.2 Creating a Table, Table Files, and Linking Table Modules 291
11.2.3 Setting the Range, Resolution, and Display Units of Table Values 294
11.2.4 Clip, Wrap, and Interpolation Modes 299
11.2.5 Setting Up the Generator Signal and Activating the Audio Table 301
11.2.6 Setting Up the Recording Pointer Using a Ramp Module and the “DX” Output
Port
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303
Table of Contents
11.3 Graph Display and Appearance Properties 308
11.2.7 Writing to the Table and Reading the Result 307
11.3.1 Graph Style 308
11.3.2 Scrollbars and Zooming 315
11.3.3 Displaying a Grid in the Table 319
11.3.4 Setting Basic Visibility Settings for the Table Modules 322
11.3.5 Table Modes and Basic Table Editing Operations 324
12 Working with the Sine and Modal Bank Modules
12.1 Working Principles of the Sine and Modal Bank Modules 335
12.2 Building a Simple Structure with the Sine Bank Module 338
12.3 Building a Simple Structure with the Modal Bank Module 359
12.2.1 Setting the Maximum Number of Partials 338
12.2.2 Sending Pitch Information to the Sine Bank Module 339
12.2.3 Creating a Macro for the Amplitude Controls of the Partials 342
12.2.4 Creating an Amplitude Control for a Partial 343
12.2.5 Duplicating the Structure of the First Amplitude Control 346
12.2.6 Routing the Amplitude Control Parameters to the Sine Bank Module 349
12.2.7 Creating Frequency Ratio Controls for Partials 351
12.2.8 Routing the Frequency Control Parameters to the Sine Bank Module 352
12.2.9 Creating an Amplitude Envelope for the Sine Bank 354
12.2.10 Arranging the Instrument Panel of your Additive Synth 357
12.3.1 Modifying the Additive Synth Structure for the Modal Synth Tutorial 359
12.3.2 Creating Decay Time Controls for Partials 363
12.3.3 Routing the Decay Control Parameters to the Modal Bank Module 366
12.3.4 Sending the Damping Parameter to the Modal Bank Module 368
12.3.5 Using a Short Impulse as an Exciter Signal 370
12.3.6 Using White Noise as an Exciter Signal 375
12.3.7 Using the Compensated Input Port for Sustained Exciter Signals 377
335
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 10
12.4 The Sine Bank Module 382
12.5 The Modal Module 387
12.4.1 Overview 382
12.4.2 Ports 383
12.4.3 Properties: Function Page 385
12.5.1 Overview 387
12.5.2 Ports 389
12.5.3 Properties: Function Page 391
13 Instruments: Interfaces for Your Structures
13.1 Why You Should Care About Instruments 394
13.2 Setting up MIDI Connections 396
13.3 MIDI and the Instrument Panel 404
13.4 Setting up OSC Connections 407
13.2.1 MIDI In 397
13.2.2 MIDI Out 402
13.4.1 Using REAKTOR with an OSC Device 408
13.4.2 Defining OSC Synchronization Settings 411
14 Advanced Operations and Preferences
Table of Contents
394
414
14.1 CPU, Debugging, and Optimizing 414
14.2 Using the Internal Connection Protocol 426
14.3 Automation ID Management 431
14.1.1 Monitoring CPU Load 415
14.1.2 REAKTOR's Debugging Tools 417
14.1.3 Tips to Reduce CPU Load 423
14.2.1 Connecting Two Panel Elements Via the IC Protocol 426
14.2.2 Modulating a Control with a Signal from the Structure 429
14.3.1 Global Automation IDs 431
14.3.2 Automation IDs within an Instrument 434
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Table of Contents
14.4 Advanced REAKTOR Preferences 438
14.3.3 Automatable Modules in REAKTOR 437
14.4.1 The Options Tab 439
14.4.2 Directories Tab (Setting File Paths) 441
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1 Introduction
1.1 Welcome to REAKTOR!
REAKTOR is a musical instrument. It creates sound. You can play it like any other music
software – stand-alone with a MIDI keyboard, or as plug-in within a sequencing host.
But you define what type of instrument it is. Each time you launch REAKTOR, it follows
your
musical needs. You need a synthesizer? You need a drum computer? You need this
particular noise-making thing you never heard before? Just load the according instrument
file and start playing.
The full version of REAKTOR comes with over 50 individual instruments. An included col
lection
cy within electronic music. And the online library holds more than 3000 instruments of
any type you can imagine.
If you don’t own the full version, you can still use the engine’s musical power. A continu
ously
you load any of those instruments, REAKTOR switches into its Player mode.
However, loading pre-configured instruments is only the surface. You can literally define
the
just its technical structure to a specific song’s needs. Or start building your own instru
ment from scratch, to design your very personal signature sound.
of instruments from earlier REAKTOR versions unfolds more than ten years of lega
growing set of KOMPLETE Instruments is separately available for REAKTOR. When
instrument REAKTOR. You can edit your favorite instrument’s signal processing. Ad
Introduction
1.2 Three in One
Three roads lead to this document:
▪ You bought, installed and activated REAKTOR, as a single product or as part of a
bundle like KOMPLETE. Then you use the full license for REAKTOR.
▪ You bought, installed and activated any of the KOMPLETE Instruments for REAKTOR,
or
a bundle of these instruments like KOMPLETE Elements. Additionally, you instal
led REAKTOR as a player application for these instruments. Then you use the player
license for REAKTOR.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 13
The REAKTOR 5 Documentation
▪ You did not buy and activate any of the products above but installed REAKTOR and
any
number of KOMPLETE Instruments as demo versions. Then you use the demo li
cense for REAKTOR.
The separate Native Instruments Setup Guide explains installation and activation in all de
tails.
According to the license used, the single REAKTOR application can run in three distinct
modes:
▪ In Full mode, all functionality is available without restrictions.
▪ In Player mode, you can play instruments but you cannot edit their internal structure.
Instruments cannot be saved, but all settings are saved with your host’s project.
▪ In Demo mode, you have all functionality but the application will stop making sound
after 30 minutes. Storing is disabled
1.3 The REAKTOR 5 Documentation
1.3.1 Who Should Read this Manual?
This is REAKTOR's Application Reference Manual covering all the features and aspects of
the Full version of REAKTOR software in detail.
▪ If you are using the Full version of REAKTOR, have already read the Getting Started
Manual,
tail, then this manual is the right place to start.
▪ If you are using the Demo version of REAKTOR, this manual will give you a taste of
what
you have all the functionality of REAKTOR, you are not able to store any work and the
application will stop making sound after 30 minutes.
▪ If you are using REAKTOR’s Player Mode, it might be worth having a look at this man
ual as it will provide a deeper understanding of how to use REAKTOR’s Instruments
and would like to learn about all aspects of the REAKTOR application in de
is possible with the Full version of REAKTOR. Note that although in Demo mode
Introduction
1.3.2 Notation Used in this Manual
This subsection introduces you to the symbols and text formatting used throughout this
manual.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 14
The REAKTOR 5 Documentation
Marginal Notes
The manual uses marginal notes to point out special facts and to warn of potential dan
The icons included in the marginal notes let you see what kind of information is pro
gers.
vided:
The exclamation mark stands for information that you should take note of to avoid com
mon mistakes. Read carefully whenever you see this symbol.
The light bulb icon introduces useful extra information. This information may often help
you
solve a task more efficiently, but does not necessarily apply to the setup of operating
system you are using.
Introduction
Special Formatting
In this manual, distinctive formatting has been applied in order to let you recognize cer
tain elements in the text at a glance:
▪ Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…
, Save as… etc.) and paths to
locations on your hard drive or other storage devices is printed in italics.
▪ Text appearing elsewhere on the screen (labels of buttons, controls, text next to
checkboxes
etc.) is printed in grey
with slightly condensed letters. Whenever you see this
formatting, you can turn to the screen for reference.
▪ Important names and concepts are printed in bold.
1.3.3 Other Documentation
This is REAKTOR's Application Reference Manual covering all the features and aspects of
REAKTOR software in detail. Besides the Application Reference Manual, REAKTOR
the
documentation comprises the following elements:
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 15
System Requirements
▪ Getting Started Manual: If you would like to quickly get going without getting too deep
into
the specifics, we recommend you read the Getting Started Manual which is either
the included in the box (if you bought REAKTOR) or as a PDF file in the subfolder
“Documentation”. The Getting Started Manual will give you a fast overview of REAK
TOR's main features and functions.
▪
Instrument Reference: The Instrument Reference describes all instruments that come
with
REAKTOR as its Factory Content. Read this if you want to explore the musical
options of each individual instrument in greater detail.
▪
The Module and Macro Reference: The Module and Macro Reference provides minute
information
about all parts available when designing own instruments in REAKTOR. If
you want to leave the beaten path, this document will become your guide.
▪
The Core Reference: The Core Reference, is divided into two parts: The first half is a
tutorial that explains the Core level of REAKTOR where you can realize your own lowlevel digital signal processing. The second half functions as that levels reference, list
ing all of its components.
All of these documents are available from the application’s Help menu. Aside from the
manuals
coming with REAKTOR, be sure to visit the online forum. The huge community of
REAKTOR users is sharing tips and tricks, and will help you with specific questions.
Introduction
1.4 System Requirements
For current information about system requirements and compatibility with current and leg
acy operating systems, please see our website at:
www.native-instruments.com/REAKTOR
1.5 The REAKTOR 5 Installation
To learn how to install REAKTOR on your computer, please read chapter 2 in the Getting
Started
done the following things in the Audio and MIDI Settings dialog window:
Manual. After following the installation instructions listed there, you should have
▪ Set up an audio device and a corresponding driver for REAKTOR to use.
▪ Chosen input and output routing for the audio device.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 16
▪ Set up available MIDI hardware by specifying the input and output routing of MIDI
signals.
Now you are ready to delve into REAKTOR in more detail!
1.6 Overview
This section will introduce you to the REAKTOR software's user interface. If you need to
look
up a certain user interface element’s name, you can return to this chapter at any time
for a refresher!
Introduction
Overview
Fig. 1.1 The REAKTOR application
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 17
Names and Concepts You Should Know
2 Names and Concepts You Should Know
We will start with a list defining the most important concepts and names.
Instrument
A REAKTOR Instrument is an Object that has its own internal Structure, MIDI processing,
Instrument
However, what the Instrument actually does depends on its Structure. For example, an In
strument can be a synthesizer, a sequencer, an effect, or many other things you can come
up with. Although the internal Structure of the Instrument is relevant, you should view an
Instrument as a container for this Structure, providing it with additional features such as
the Instrument Panel and Snapshots. The Instrument Panel is where the controls for your
Instrument are placed. These controls can be tweaked and their states saved in Snapshots
(also called presets or patches). Thus, you can use the Instrument and create and save dif
ferent Snapshots without ever having to access the Structure. See chapter
ments: Interfaces for Your Structures
and settings of Instruments. Instrument files have the extension *.ism.
Panel, and Snapshots. It operates much like other software music instruments.
Instru
↑13,
for more thorough documentation on the features
Ensemble
You can view the Ensemble as an Instrument that has additional information stored with
An Ensemble holds all the relevant information to a session of REAKTOR, including all
it.
Instruments, their Snapshots, and global settings such as Sample Rate, Control Rate, and
BPM information. When you load an Ensemble, you restore the state of REAKTOR as it
was when the Ensemble was saved. An Ensemble can also be loaded into another Ensem
ble as an Instrument. In that case the global settings of the Ensemble being loaded are
not used. Ensemble files have the extension *.ens.
KOMPLETE Instrument
The KOMPLETE Instrument (or Player Instrument) is the only file type you can use with
the
Player license. Technically it is close to an Ensemble (it connects to the inputs and
outputs, for instance) but it is called instrument as it is a single unit from a musical point
of view. You can quickly navigate to KOMPLETE Instruments using the Browser
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 18
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Panel View
The Panel View displays the Instrument Panels of your Instruments. It is here that you in
teract
with your Instruments using controls and displays. These so-called Panel Elements
appear on your Instrument Panel if the corresponding Module has been inserted into the
Structure of the Instrument.
Structure View
The Structure View displays the inner Structure of your Instrument. This Structure repre
sents
the processes that comprise the functionality of the Instrument. See chapter ↑7,
Structure View for more information on working in the Structure View.
Splits
When building Structures it is often desirable to simultaneously view two Structures or a
Structure
and the Instrument Panel. The “Split” feature of REAKTOR enables you to split
the screen into two parts and choose the content for each part of the screen separately.
See section
↑3.2,
Working with Splits and Bookmarks
for more information on working
with Splits.
Bookmarks
With the “Bookmarks” feature you can bookmark frequently used parts of your Structure
quick access at some later point. See section
for
Working with Splits and Bookmarks
↑3.2,
for more information on working with Bookmarks.
Browser
The Browser enables you to quickly access files relevant to the use of REAKTOR. These
among others, include Ensemble, Instrument, Macro, Core Cell, Core Macro, and Au
files,
dio files.
Snapshots
Snapshots (also called presets, programs, or patches) represent the state of all controls on
corresponding Instrument's Panel. Snapshots are stored in Snapshot Banks which turn
the
can be saved to Snapshot Bank files on your hard disk. For more information on Snapshot
management using the Snapshot tab, see chapter
↑4, Snapshots.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 19
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Hierarchy Levels
REAKTOR Structures follow a certain hierarchy, shown in the figure below. On the large
scale,
one can discern two levels of functionality: the Primary Level and the Core Level.
Instruments hold Primary Level Structures. They can hold other Instruments, Primary Lev
el Macros, Primary Level Modules, and Core Cells. Core Cells hold Core Structures and
hold Core Macros and Core Modules. The basic concepts behind working in the Structure
and choosing on which hierarchy level to work in, are outlined in chapter
View. The Primary Level is described in more detail in chapter ↑9,
, whereas the Core Level is described separately in the “Core Reference” that is avail
digm
The Primary Level Para
↑7, Structure
able as a PDF file in the subfolder “Documentation” of REAKTOR's installation folder.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 20
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Fig. 2.1 The Primary Level comprises Instruments, Macros, Modules, and Core Cells. Core Structures are contained within
Core Cells and comprise Core Macros and Core Modules.
Primary Level
The Primary Level is the upper of the two Structure levels in REAKTOR. You can place In
struments,
Macros, Modules, and Core Cells into the Primary Level and thus create a
Structure that serves a musical purpose. Some of the Modules in the Primary Level appear
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 21
Names and Concepts You Should Know
on the Instrument Panel. This is not the case for the Core Level. Read chapter ↑9,
Primary Level Paradigm
for more information on the paradigm under which the Primary
The
Level operates.
Primary Level Modules
Primary Level Modules are the most fundamental building blocks that make up Primary
Level
Structures. They include all functions you might be familiar with from modular
synths: oscillators, filters, LFOs, envelopes, and so on. Additionally, more fundamental sig
nal processing functions such as signal routing and mathematical operations are realized
with Primary Level Modules. See section
Choosing the Right Objects
↑7.5,
for more infor
mation on choosing the right Modules for your Structure.
Primary Level Macros
Similar to Instruments, Macros are also containers for your Structure, but with one big dif
ference:
Macros do not have dedicated features such as Snapshots or separate Instrument
Panels. Macros serve to promote the building hierarchical Structures that grant the be
holder a better overview of the signal flow and facilitate reusability of certain Structures.
See chapter
↑7, Structure View for more information on Primary Level Macros.
Core Level
Core Level is the lower of the two Structure levels in REAKTOR. It provides somewhat dif
ferent
functionality than the Primary Level and is more suitable for low-level signal proc
essing tasks. Core Structures are contained in Core Cells which themselves lie in the Pri
mary Level. The Core Level consists of Core Modules and Core Macros. An introduction to
the Core Level is found in the “Core Reference” that is available as a PDF file in the sub
folder “Documentation” of REAKTOR's installation folder.
Core Cells
Core Cells can be placed into the Primary Level much like Primary Level Modules. Howev
Core Cells hold Structures of their own — Core Structures. Essentially, Core Cells serve
er,
to interface between the Primary Level and Core Level. There are two different types of
Core Cells: Event Core Cells and Audio Core Cells. Please see chapter
↑7,
Structure View
and the “Core Reference” for more information on Core Cells.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 22
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Core Modules
Core Modules are the most fundamental building blocks in Core Level Structures. Core
Modules
are much more low-level than Primary Level Module. Moreover, there are only a
few Core Modules compared to the large variety of Primary Level Modules. For more infor
mation on Core Modules, please refer to the “Core Reference”.
Core Macros
Core Macros operate much like Primary Level Macros. They are containers for your Struc
without applying new settings to them. Core Macros promote the building hierarchi
tures
cal Structures that grant the beholder a better overview of the signal flow and facilitate re
usability of certain Structures. For more information on Core Macros, please refer to the
“Core Reference”.
Object
To simplify terminology, an Object is considered to be anything that can be loaded into the
Structure. Instruments, Ensembles, Primary Level Modules, Primary Level Macros, Core
Cells, Core Modules, and Core Macros are Objects.
Object Properties
Many Objects can have varying functionality. This functionality is determined in the Object
Properties.
Please refer to section
Switching Views
↑3.1,
to see how to access the Object
Properties.
MIDI Learn
“MIDI Learn” is a feature which allows you to assign controls on the Instrument Panel to
controllers simply by moving the desired MIDI controller such as a knob or slider.
MIDI
Please read subsection
↑3.4,
Navigating with the Browser
for instructions on how to do
this.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 23
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Wires and Ports
Wires are vessels for the different types of signals which flow through REAKTOR Struc
tures.
Wires always run between two Objects. The points at which a wire enters and leaves
an Object are called ports. There are different types of signals for which there are different
types of ports. Please refer to section
↑7.3,
Connecting Objects
for more information on
ports and connecting Objects with wires.
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 24
Common Operations
3 Common Operations
This chapter shows you the way around in the REAKTOR application. You will learn how to
the most common operations like navigating through REAKTOR, loading, playing, and
do
saving Ensembles, and using other features like “MIDI Learn” or changing the Sample
Rate.
3.1 Switching Views
This section describes how to navigate through the various Views in REAKTOR.
All Views are accessible also by pressing the Menu button and choosing the corresponding
menu
entry from the View submenu, as shown in the figure below. In stand-alone mode you
can also access these menu entries from the View application menu.
Fig. 3.1 The Menu button
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 25
Common Operations
Switching Views
Fig. 3.2 You can access all Views from the View submenu.
In Standalone mode you can toggle the Fullscreen mode either by pressing the Menu
and choosing the View > Show Fullscreen menu entry or with the keyboard shortcut F11.
3.1.1 Sidepane
button
The Sidepane holds the Browser, Snapshot, Properties, and Panelsets tabs. To view these
tabs, you need to open the Sidepane. Here's how:
▪
To open the Sidepane, either click on the Sidepane button or click on the arrow in the
Sidebar (shown in the figure below).
REAKTOR 5.5 - Application Reference - 26
Common Operations
Switching Views
Fig. 3.3 You can access the Sidepane by either clicking on the Sidepane button (magnifying glass icon) or by clicking on the
arrow in the Sidebar. These buttons are marked in red.
Browser
▪
To access the Browser first open the Sidepane (see above) and then press the Browser
tab. You can also use the shortcut key F5 to show and hide the Browser.
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Common Operations
Fig. 3.4 The Browser tab
Snapshot Tab
▪ To access the Snapshot tab first open the Sidepane (see above) and then press the
Snapshot
tab. You can also use the shortcut key F6 to open the Snapshot tab. Another
quick way to navigate to an Instrument's or Ensemble's Snapshot tab is by right-click
ing it in Panel View and choosing the
Fig. 3.5 The Snapshot tab
Snapshots menu entry.
Panelsets
▪
To access Panelsets first open the Sidepane (see above) and then press the Panelsets
tab. You can also use the shortcut key F7 to show and hide the Panelsets.
Switching Views
Fig. 3.6 The Panelsets tab
Properties
▪
To access the Properties first open the Sidepane (see above) and then press the Prop
erties tab. You can also use the shortcut key F8 to show and hide the Properties. An
other
common way to access a Module's Properties is by double-clicking the Module
in the Structure or its Panel representation on the Instrument Panel. You can also
right-click an Object and choose the *Object Name* Properties menu entry. This
works in both the Panel and Structure Views.
Fig. 3.7 The Properties tab icon
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Common Operations
▪ You can also undock and re-dock the Properties tab from the Sidepane. To do this,
press
the Undock button or press the Menu
button and choose the View > Undock
Properties menu entry. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift+F8 to
toggle between docked and undocked Properties.
Fig. 3.1 The Undock button
3.1.2 Insert Pane
Sample Map Editor
▪
Press the Sample Map button (shortcut key F9) to show and hide the Sample Map Edi
tor.
Switching Views
Fig. 3.8 The Sample Map button
Player/Recorder
▪
Press the Player/Recorder button (shortcut key F10) to show and hide the Player / Re
corder Bar.
Fig. 3.9 The Player/Recorder button
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Common Operations
Working with Splits and Bookmarks
3.2 Working with Splits and Bookmarks
REAKTOR offers two modes of interaction with your Instruments. The first mode of inter
action,
shows the user interface of the Instrument with its faders, knobs, and displays. The sec
ond mode of interaction is modifying and building the Instrument. This happens in the
Structure View. It shows what is “under the hood” of your Instrument: all the Modules,
Macros, Core Cells, and their connections. You can either view only the Panel, only the
Structure. By using a Split you can simultaneously view a Panel and a Structure or two
Structures. Furthermore, Bookmarks let you store important locations in your Instrument's
Structure so that you can always quickly navigate to these locations with little effort. This
section describes how you can switch to the different Views and work with Bookmarks.
naturally, is playing the Instrument. This happens using the Panel View which
All Views are accessible also by pressing the Menu button and choosing the corresponding
entry from the View submenu, as shown in the figure below. In stand-alone mode you
menu
can also access these menu entries from the View application menu.
Fig. 3.10 The Menu button
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