Reaktor – First Play
So apparently it’s Black Friday in the US. Not really sure whether there’s any significance beyond a general sale, but the good news is I managed to pick up a copy of Native Instruments’ Reaktor 5 for €99. Quite a bargain.
I didn’t really know what it was, though I’ve heard @ambienteer and @fjfonseca refer to it a good deal on Twitter. So I thought I’d satisfy my curiosity whilst the price was low.
Much to @dustmotes‘ doubtless incredulity, I have managed to hook it up to Cubase (without any sticky-backed plastic) and here’s my first upload. I’ve been messing around with the drum sequencer “Massive”, using some of the on board samples. To this I’ve added some Audio Damage Automaton FX and a quick and dirty bass line using Rob Papen’s SubBoomBass.
I can see that this is going to be fun 
Update 7: 03/01/2010
Here’s one that somehow never really gelled, but I’ve been so backwards and forwards with it that I’ve run out of steam.
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Update 6: 22/12/2009
I’ve been really on and off with this track for way too long. I’m at the point where I might just ditch it. I’m uploading 48 bars and as you can see, I’ve been pulled in lots of different directions with it. In truth, it’s all over the place. I’m not sure I can salvage anything, so I might bin it (or park it at least) and start with something new.
But I think I’m done for 2009. Time for a break and return in the New Year with a fresh direction.
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Update 5: 10/12/2009
A glitch too far? Very probably. Still screwing around with this to see what falls out. Creating some wah wah effects from Monday’s brass stabs. Still some bits I like and others which will go. Not the quickest track to come together, but I think it’ll get there in the end. May work on something else for a while and come back to this.
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Update 4: 07/12/2009
Last night, Doyle suggested some brass stabs – an idea supported by Linda. They both got me thinking and I couldn’t wait to have a play. It takes the track in an entirely different direction from the idea I’d loosely formulated, but hey!
I’ve not got very far – just toying around with some ideas, but is this the kind of sound we were all thinking of?
(Needless to say, there’s very little chance the brass will stay this “straight” throughout the track. It’ll need to be treated, glitched and generally bent out of shape, but I may keep the odd 4 bars here and there quite conventional.)
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Update 3: 06/12/2009
I’ve been a bit blocked – and I think it’s this track in particular. Really happy with the drum part and some of the other bits. I’ll add lots of incidental percussion – little fills here and there – once it’s complete, but it’s not coming together quickly. Then again, what’s the rush?
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Update 2: 01/12/2009
Starting to develop some parts, but still no arrangement to speak of. Again, not mixed or anything yet so levels are probably all over the place.
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Update 1: 29/11/2009
Had a bit of a play with this today. Added some elements which I like and some I’m not so sure about. I’ll leave it for a couple of days and see what stays and what goes. Also need to start thinking about a lead part.
As usual, there’s no arrangement here, not even an introduction – so prepare yourself as you hit play! The drum loop I’ve created is also pretty raw. The bass drum triplets, whilst powerful, are clearly repeating too frequently. I’ll pull these in probably once every 8 or even 16 bars once the piece is further on.
Not sure at all about the funky wah wah guitar type synth sound. I suspect that will die. Only bit I’m really happy with at the moment is the repetitive bass line and the drums (once the BD triplet frequency has been reduced.
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First upload: 27/11/2009
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You and the new toy are going to get along just fine, aren’t you?
Sounding great, Sir
I think the part at 0:44 is good – needs more depth, but I really don’t like the other lead part at all this morning. So drums, bass and that bit will stay. Wah wah “guitar”: goodbye.
Stems for the final version have now been sent to @bootslam aka Gavin Fisher, who’s going to have a play around. Another collaboration is underway!