Building a basic synth in NI Reaktor Blocks

NI’s micro-modular environment features Eurorack-style components that’ll have you building synths of your own. Here’s a basic synth in three steps

For those coveting Eurorack components or a full modular system, money is often a significant obstacle to overcome. A ‘new’ Blocks patch features a MIDI In module, which will detect the keys you play, but after that, it’s over to you and your creativity. Here, we’re keeping things simple with a monosynth compromised of just the ‘typical’ modules: one Oscillator, one Filter, one Amplifier. But without modulation, all this will yield is a pitch whose volume is constant. So we’re using Envelopes to control the volume, filter cutoff and to provide modulation of the Oscillator’s pitch too. These alone provide musical interest and a degree of individuality. In one of this month’s videos, we’re taking a Blocks patch much further, but the following steps provide a solid start.

We’re starting with the Monark Oscillator and Filter, and the Bento Box VCA. The Pitch output from the Util Note In module is connected to the Oscillator Pitch Module, whose output is sent to the Filter. This is connected to the VCA, which is connected to the stereo out.

Turning up the VCA level gives a sustained sound. We need an Envelope to control the volume instead. Grab a Bento Box ADSR and send a Gate input into it. We chain the Output to the VCA’s Mod A. In the Panel view above, click A and set the Level to be modulated by this Envelope.

Duplicate the Envelope twice, connecting the first duplicate to the Filter to modulate Cutoff, Resonance and Feedback. Connect the third Envelope to the Oscillator stage and modulate Frequency, providing a little pitch detune as each note plays.