Ableton Forum

I want to get a single soft synth to learn synthesis with and to use in conjunction with Ableton Live 5.

I really like the flexibility and experimental possibilities of Reaktor but I am worried it might be too much for my computer to run in conjunction with live. I've got a Compaq Presario with a Pentium 2.5 GHZ Processor and a Gig of ram.

Operator is cheaper, is made to work with Ableton, and will probably be easier to learn synthesis with.

Reaktor has far greater flexibility and possibility.

Tell me about your experience with these programs and which you would choose if you were a beginner to synthesis.

Will I be able to run both of these programs with the equipment I have?

Thanks

the things you say about Reaktor are right on the money. as are the things you suppose about Operator. combine all that with the things you say about where you are in skill and experience, and what you're looking for, then i'd say the answer is definitely Operator -- for now.

If your lookng to learn about synthesis, getting reaktor would be like getting a trigonometery textbook to learn about math.

Start with operator. Then move up to Reaktor.

k

I am not an expert on this subject at all, but I learned a hell of a lot about FM synthesis though Operator, though I have to admit that the combination of excellent tutorials, and well articulated threads and enthusiasm on this forum could very well have been a major part of it.

Now I am reading a good book (as recommended by Computo) on Interactive music (MIT press) and I am getting ready to head into a very similiar direction to Reaktor (max/msp.)

I highly reccomend this book for whenever the time is right.
I think that if you take a month or two to realize how to make a good snare or bass from scratch in operator, and then take a few months to really manifest your visions with it (and this sometimes takes multiple instances, tracks, and sends to accomplish- just search for some Hoffman2k, Machinate, Adamjay, or covert operator hints or tutorials to see some examples) you will be ready to move on to something more complicated, with enough practical application and confidence in your back-pocket to really get what you want out of Reaktor, or perhaps PD which is free.

Thought I would share, as I too have the impulse to buy reaktor 5 once I get a macintel, though theoretically my money and time is best invested learning max/msp, as I already own it, and it has no limits.

LOFA wrote:Now I am reading a good book (as recommended by Computo) on Interactive music (MIT press) and I am getting ready to head into a very similiar direction to Reaktor (max/msp.)

I highly reccomend this book for whenever the time is right.

you mean this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/026223 ... e&n=283155

or

http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/de ... 2&tid=7807

?

I mean this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/026223 ... e&n=283155

Composing Interactive Music.

I tell ya, for my money it's tought to beat MIT Press. I often go into the local bookstore and just browse the isles looking for anything bearing that little seven line logo on the spine. I've come across some amazing stuff that way. Like my latest find; I've only cracked the first dozen or so pages of Shaping Things by Bruce Sterling, and I'd recommend it based on what I've read so far.

k

LOFA wrote: Thought I would share, as I too have the impulse to buy reaktor 5 once I get a macintel, though theoretically my money and time is best invested learning max/msp, as I already own it, and it has no limits.

thread jack


oh yeah first operator it's much less complicated and very rewarding.


so is max/msp even more involved them reactor?
because reactor just makes me scratch my head
as far as its surface goes...i need to find that before i can even begin to scratch it...

before i got reactor i was looking into msp and now i'm wondering, is msp even more involved?.....

reactor ends up makeing me pull my synths out from under the bed

I noticed you're identical thread at the reaktor forum. You gotta love how everyone at the ableton forum suggested operator, and everyone at the reaktor forum suggested reaktor eh?

It's tough to say man, because the price is so different. Operator is on for a good price right now, and would be a good buy. Reaktor is more than three times the price at the moment. The only thing is that with reaktor, you not only get really cool synths, but amazing drum machines, sample players/slicers, live machines, and crazy effects and noise makers.

So, cheap, good synth, or a monster synth maker that could be the only plug-in you'd ever need, but costs three times more. Depends on what you want to spend.

There is definitely something to be said for limiting your tools though, as it can really bring out creativity in you. I do feel a bit overwhelmed by reaktor sometimes, even without trying to build any ensembles.

good luck,

grb

Comparing operator and Reactor is like comparing apples and oranges. One is a synth plug in (of which there are 1000's available, including numerous very good free ones).

The other is a synth/effect building environment. There are only a couple of those around.

Depends on what you want to learn. Basic synthesis? Start with a good free virtual analgue like Synth1. More advanced, modular synthesis? Try KarmaFX, a free very good modular synth.

LOFA wrote:

I mean this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/026223 ... e&n=283155

Composing Interactive Music.

that book is a hundred bux

You can buy the book used for 28$... seems like a good deal, actually.

Hm... I'm on both the Reaktor forum and this one, and I would definitely say that Operator is at least better value for money, although it can't touch reaktor in terms of features.

It's pretty cool that you can do regular subtractive synthesis with it as well. I'd start out doing that, since fm can be a bit tricky at times (even on the Operator).

Reaktor Session + Live 4 = CRASH! at least on a Mac.

I've got a windows machine but I am worried about Reaktor being too much for my set-up.

I have posted this here, at NI, and at KVR and it is interesting to see how the responses break down. Here the focus is on Operator, at NI it is on Reaktor, and at KVR mostly the advice is to get a free soft synth like synth1.

These are a couple of interesting tutorials on basic synthesis.


http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm


http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial ... forbeg.asp