Native Instruments has released a demo of the Reaktor Session application/plug-in for Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.x. It lets you access and use a sound library of synthesizers, resynthesizers, samplers, beat-loopers, groove and drum machines and effects.
Reaktor Session supports most native plug-in interfaces. In addition to standalone operation with ASIO and Core Audio, it can be used as a plug-in with VST 2.0 (Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.x, Windows) and Audio Units (Mac OS X), RTAS (Mac OS X, Windows XP). When used as a VST or Audio Unit plug-in, it supports smart window sizing, an unlimited number of instances and automation.
With Reaktor Session you get direct access to sounds and rhythms for music production. The complete version contains over 30 synthesizers, samplers, effects and live tools. And it’s expandable thanks to 1,300-plus user instruments in Native Instruments’ online User Library.
However, the Reaktor Session demo will include only a portion of these, and saving is disabled. Also, only included ensembles can be loaded and, while individual samples can be loaded, maps can’t. There’s also a maximum one hour time limit per session (though sessions can be immediately restarted) and a 30-day time limit. You’ll have to contact a Native Instrument authorized reseller for pricing and purchasing.
Reaktor Session is more limited in its functionality than Native Instruments’ Reaktor 4 application, which offers the ability to build and modify the instruments in the sound library. Both applications include the same instrument library and lets you create your own sounds, presets, grooves and sample maps. However, Reaktor 4 offers access to any instrument’s “structure” to modify and redesign instruments or invent new ones.
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