Reaktor Modular Sequencing, Pt. 2

Well, looks like my weekend project has been working on my modular sequencing application for Reaktor.  I’ve detailed what this is all about in my previous blog.  I’ve updated the sequencer and added some detailed comments on all the GUI elements to help people get up to speed with using it.

some sequencer objects, including a scale quantizer with probabilities!some sequencer objects, including a scale quantizer with probabilities!

I’ve included a handful of useful modules.  These modules are meant to be added and removed at your convenience to suit whatever purpose.  Ideally, you could create multiple instruments holding these sequencer modules, and have them sent to various different devices, and store the different instruments in different Reaktor panelsets.

I’ve created a quick demo track to show some of the things the current sequencer modules can do, and this is only a small fraction of the possibilities.  This track is Reaktor sending midi to my G2 modular on two different midi channels.

“reaktor sequencer chaos” mp3 audio

All modules have their own independent pattern lengths and step speeds. Included modules are a 6 channel drum sequencer, 3 kinds of gate sequencers, a “control” sequencer, a numeric sequencer, an LFO module for triggering sequences, a tempo modulation LFO, and a scale quantizer for making melodies with.

the drum sequencerthe drum sequencer

I plan on making more modules:  Some random trigger modules, ratio sequencers, and so on, as well as MIDI automation stuff for sending CC messages, program changes, and also a snapshot sequencer for automatically changing the reaktor snapshots while the sequence is running.

anyway, let me know what you think, and I am especially interested in other people trying their hand at making some of their own sequencer modules too :).

Here is a link to the reaktor ensemble:

Reaktor Modular Sequencer Beta 2

G2 Patch: Golden Drums Sequencer

One of the things I was most excited about getting this G2 modular Keyboard for, was the great interface for live performance and sequencing.  Before I got it, I didn’t even realize that it had such great built-in step sequencing features!  Lacking a good drum machine (honestly, I think the only drum machine worth having out there is the ridiculously expensive $1500+ Elektron Machinedrum), I decided to make the g2 into a groovebox.

goldenDrum

Anyhow, here is an MP3 demo.  All the sounds and sequences in this demo were edited from the keyboard interface, without using the computer.

Golden Drums mp3 demo

Here is the g2 patch:

Golden Drums Sequencer G2 Modular Patch

Granular Synthesis on the G2

More g2 stuff!  One of the things I was excited about getting this Nord Modular for was doing granular synthesis with it.  I’ve loved playing with granular synthesis in Reaktor and Audiomulch, and with various VST plugins.  Doing granular synthesis was somewhat limited in the Nord Micro Modular I had before getting this G2 because of the limited polyphony.  But the G2 is much more powerful, and it handles granular synthesis/processing easily!

granpatch

A simple patch for FM granular synthesis in the g2!

This patch only uses 17% of the DSP power in one patch on the g2.  So this is really just a starting point, I have a lot of options!  Using all the control data on a keyboard to modulate granular synthesis parameters is a lot of fun–here, I have the aftertouch modulating the grain length, velocity modulating the FM index, and the mod wheel adjusting the frequency of the grains.

Here is an audio sample.  This is really just a demo track, of me having a lot of fun getting sounds from this patch by playing it on the keyboard.

MP3 audio of Granular Synthesis on the G2

and here is the patch file:

g2 granular patch

Evening Remedy for Insomniacs on the G2

Another sleepless evening, despite the fact that I have to wake up at 6 in the morning tomorrow.  When I can’t sleep, I like to sit down at the studio and throw together some sort of evening remedy, usually a drone, or some sort of hypnotic sound.  Tonight, I used my new favorite toy, the nord G2 modular I’ve recently acquired.  This thing is a beast!  I’ve decided to just set aside the next couple weeks for learning it inside and out and making useful patches.

 

the beast

the beast

Anyway, here is the track:

MP3 audio: Evening Remedy

this track is all just a straight recording of one take of the G2, being sequenced by five12 Numerology, with a touch of compression from my FMR RNLA compressor on the way into the computer.  And all 4 patches were ones i’ve built myself from scratch, as well.  Not a bad start, I don’t think, but I have a lot of learning to do with this thing.  Not that it will be painful :)