Twisted Tools has released a brand new mutli-effects unit for Native Instruments’ Reaktor 5. Rolodecks is a realtime dynamic, semi-modular multi-effect, made up of six effects. The default Rolodecks effects are the Slicer, Flange, Filter, Delay, Reverb and Ext effects.

Ext (short for external effect), is an assignable effects slot, giving you the ability to insert your own effects and automate them. With the Ext effect slot, you can truly make Rolodecks unique by adding your own flavor. The Ext slot comes with a Stretch inserted from the Twisted Tools effect, Buffeater, but feel free to swap it out for your own.

Additionally, when you purchase Rolodecks Pro, you also get a special version of Rolodecks, called RoloEXT, which gives you six external effects slots and extra modulation options built using the same framework as Rolodecks. Setting up your own unique effects takes no time at all and the possibilities are endless. If you can connect the ins and outs of a simple home stereo, you can easily setup RoloEXT with your favorite Reaktor effects and more.

Rolodecks Features:

• Slicer, Reverb, Delay, Filter, Flange and EXT effect
• Connect your favorite Reaktor, Hardware or Software effects to the EXT effect slot
• Rolodecks Pro comes with RoloEXT, featuring 6 EXT effects slots
• Dub style fx sends using your host effects with RoloEXT
• Effects are playable via MIDI or freely running
• Drag effects to set signal flow
• 8 Scenes that store/recall signal flow, automation and parameter settings
• Ext Modulation lanes send MIDI Notes, IC Sends and/or CC’s
• Advanced internal modulation system
• Modulation speed and length per parameter
• Envelope Mode for the modulation lanes
• Kore, Maschine and Twisted KP Templates
• Time-stretching sample playback system
• 300+ mb Sample Library
• Sound Design by: Antonio Blanca, Derek Mahone, Gil Sharone, Glitchmachines, Jedsound, Lawgiverz, Mike Huckaby, Michael Ndah, Reuel Walker, Si Begg
• Extensive Documentation and Demo Video by Dubspot Instructor Matt Cellitti
• Free Version Updates

On the Mac, Rolodecks requires Native Instruments Reaktor 5, which currently requires OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (latest update, 32/64 Bit), an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a compatible AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) host. Reaktor can also run as a stand-alone application.

Rolodecks is available now as a direct download from Twisted Tools for $49. Rolodecks Pro (Rolodecks + RoloEXT) is $69.00.

http://twistedtools.com/shop/reaktor/rolodecks/

Native Instruments today introduced RAZOR, an innovative and highly distinctive software synthesizer designed together with forward-thinking electronic artist Errorsmith. For use in REAKTOR 5 and in the free REAKTOR PLAYER, RAZOR uses powerful additive synthesis to create intense and profoundly modern sounds for contemporary electronic music production.

Berlin-based producer and renowned REAKTOR instrument designer Errorsmith is dedicated to the “expansion of the sonic horizon through digital sound synthesis”. RAZOR realizes this credo through the additive synthesis capabilities of the latest REAKTOR 5.5 generation, which were used to develop a high-resolution synthesis engine with unconventional sound shaping features and a unique real-time 3D spectrum display. The pristine and extremely dynamic sonic character of additive synthesis allows RAZOR to generate a wide and very distinctive array of energetic, hypermodern sounds, ranging from expressive basses and leads to complex, futuristic soundscapes.

RAZOR utilizes up to 320 partials for its sophisticated sound shaping algorithms. The dual oscillator section provides a wide arsenal of timbres, ranging from typical analog-style waveforms to unconventional models like “Primes”, “Sick Pitchbend” and “Hoover Sync”. The two filter sections offers 20 different filter types including innovative formant, vowel and waterbed models. A further section provides an arsenal of unique “Dissonance Effects” that further contribute to the unmistakable, charismatic sonic footprint of the instrument. RAZOR even integrates a high-performance 34-band vocoder that can also be used to process external audio signals of any type.

NI Razor screenshot: Dissonance (click to zoom)

The user interface of RAZOR builds on familiar concepts of subtractive synthesizers, providing especially efficient and intuitive control for the underlying highly sophisticated synthesis engine. RAZOR also includes a library of 350 carefully selected presets with a focus on cutting-edge electronic sound aesthetics, accommodating both contemporary club music genres like Dubstep and Techno as well as modern film and game scoring applications.

REAKTOR 5.5 or the free REAKTOR 5 PLAYER are required to use RAZOR. On the Mac, this currently requires OS X 10.5 or 10.6, an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of available RAM and 1 GB of free hard drive space. REAKTOR will run stand-alone or as an AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

RAZOR is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $79 / €69.

www.native-instruments.com/razor

Discuss RAZOR on our Instruments forum.

Scapes Features

• 6 independent delays in one interface
• Independent controls and granular controls per delay
• Sources: External, Impulse, Noise, Saw, Self-Osc. Sine, Square, Tri)
• Playable via MIDI with familiar synth style controls
• 35 scale settings for oscillators, delay time and grain pitch
• Advanced modulation routing with four modulation sequencers
• Independent modulation speed and length per mod sequencer
• 6-voice gate sequencer
• Over 190 presets
• 220mb sample library
• Kore and Maschine Templates
• Connectivity with iPad Apps coming soon
• Time-stretching sample playback system
• Sample content by: Antonio Blanca, D’arcangelo, Glitchmachines, Josh Hinden, Richard Devine, Rishab Bhrajan, Tembu (Bay Dawgz), Timonkey
• Extensive Documentation
• Free Version Updates

Who would benefit from Scapes?

• Producers seeking abstract or rhythmic sounds to add dynamic elements to their music.
• Professional sound designers needing modern or futuristic sound effects for film/television/radio/game.
• Anyone looking for unique and strange delays, auto panning, filtering and volume effects.
• Producers looking to turn a sound into a chord using tunable comb delays.
• Anyone seeking drones and massive sub bass drones built with feedback.
• Producers looking to make oneshot sounds or to breath life and movement into existing oneshot samples.
• Anyone interested in improvising live with futuristic sounds by connecting standard MIDI controllers or iPads/Phones.

On the Mac, Scapes requires Native Instruments Reaktor 5.15 (compatible with Reaktor 5.5), Native Instruments Kore 2 if using the included Kore 2 template, and Native Instruments Maschine if using the included Maschine template.

Scapes is available now as a direct download from Twisted Tools for $49.

http://twistedtools.com/shop/reaktor/scapes/

Discuss Scapes on our Effects forum.

Twisted Tools have released Buffeater, a real-time, dynamically ordered, granular multi-effects unit for Native Instruments’ Reaktor 5, complete with a 346 MB sample library by notable producers such as Richard Devine, D’arcangelo, Mike Huckaby and more.

The effect works by capturing live audio and storing it in a temporary buffer, which allows for real-time processing of the incoming audio using granular synthesis and other methods. In plain terms, Buffeater allows you take live audio and tweak elements of the sound such as time and pitch, while controlling he signal flow of the effects by the order in which you play. With Buffeater, you can easily achieve stutters, glitch, beat repeat/juggling and/or chopped and screwed effects.

The six effects in included are:

Stretch — A granular time and pitch stretching effect. You can use this effect to slow down (stretch) your audio and even freeze it, while still maintaing control over the audio’s pitch.

Tape — A varispeed type effect that allows you to slow down/speed up effect while also altering its pitch. This is similar to the effect you get when speeding up or slowing down a tape.

Slice Repeat — Allows you to repeat fragments of incoming audio and even re-order them on the fly. You can also adjust the speed and direction of the playback of the slices.

Deconstruct — Takes slices of incoming audio and randomly rearranges them in time and can also reverse them. This effect is similar to Slice Repeat, except that it is more random and also features a ‘slide’ setting that causes audio to glide between slices.

Scratch — Classic turntable style scratch effects, similar to what a DJ does with vinyl or cdjs. This allows you to play with time rhythmically with results that sound like ‘scratching’.

Feed Grains — Feed Grains is a granular feedback effect, that is great for creating spatial effects similar to reverb and also to create similar effects to ring modulation. This is a unique effect that really has no comparison that we know of. Try it and experiment.

Buffeater Features:

• 6 realtime granular and buffer effects
• Playable via MIDI
• Advanced internal automation system
• Independent automation speed and length per knob
• Effect signal flow is dynamically re-ordered as you play
• 288 FX Presets and 60 Snapshots (Combos)
• Kore and Maschine Templates
• Time-stretching sample playback system
• 346mb Sample Library
• Sounds by: c2, Richard Devine, EVAC, Glitchmachines, Josh Hinden, Mike Huckaby, Haptic, Komposit, Rena Jones and Tembu (Bay Dawgz)

Buffeater requires Native Instruments Reaktor 5.15 for Mac or PC. It is compatible with Reaktor 5.5. Native Instruments Kore 2 or Maschine are also required if using their respective included templates.

You can purchase Buffeater via direct download from Twisted Tools for $49.

twistedtools.com/shop/reaktor/buffeater

Discuss Buffeater in our Effects forum.

After months of preparation, Twisted Tools is proudly announcing the birth of their sound mangling devices for electronic music production and sound design. Instead of handing out cigars, they are serving up 6 free Reaktor ensembles along with their first commercial product, Vortex.

Vortex is a six track polyphonic sampler and sequencer for Native Instruments Reaktor 5. It comes pre-configured for Kore 2 and Maschine and features an original 200+ MB sample map with samples by artists such as c2, Richard Devine, Josh Hinden, Noklip, GlitchMachines.com, Mike Huckaby, Sonictwist, Tipper and Vinja.

Each sampler track has 4 modulation sequencer tracks labeled Gate, Roll, ModA and ModB. The modulation sequencers are color-coded and can be easily assigned to modulate any sampler parameter(s). There are also two cross-modulating LFOs which are also color-coded and assignable. Extensive cut/copy/paste/select/randomize functionality is available using an innovative Graphic Layer system.

Features:

• Six Track Sequencer, 4 Sequencers Per Track
• Six-Voice Polyphonic Granular Sampler
• Color-Coded Modulation System
• Two Cross Modulating LFOs
• Extensive Randomization Features
• MIDI Learn System with Controller Feedback
• Alternate View Option
• Multi-Out Support
• Extensive Cut/Copy/Paste/Select/Randomize Functionality
• Advanced ‘Graphic Layer’ Editing
• Scene Sequencing (create arrangements within each preset)
• Templates for Kore 2 and Maschine
• Comes with all of the Twisted Tools ‘freebie’ plugins as part of the download

Vortex requires Native Instruments Reaktor 5.15 for Mac or PC. Native Instruments Kore 2 or Maschine are also required if using their respective included templates.

You can purchase Vortex via direct download from Twisted Tools for $29. The 6 free Reaktor ensembles can be downloaded separately from Vortex after registering on their web site.

Twisted Tools is the brainchild of Igor Shilov (Reaktor designer SonicTwist) and Josh Hinden (Director of MIDI, Expression.edu). They aim to bring electronic musicians innovative and user friendly tools, with an emphasis on unique design and high quality sound. While their current emphasis is on developing instruments for the Native Instruments Reaktor platform, future development of Audio Unit and VST devices is planned.

twistedtools.com/shop/samplers/vortex

Discuss Vortex in our Instruments forum.