Grain Cloud Synthesizer

By now you know how to connect modules in Reaktor. You will use a gran cloud macro
to create your own synth and add resonant filers (or any other kind you like).
You also know how to construct and operate the basic parameters of a sampler,
including uploading a sample and mapping it to the keyboard and velocity, setting the
loop size, etc.
This type of synth is good to produce a variety of interesting ambient sounds, rhythmic
sounds (random or steady) or singly event sounds of great complexity because it uses
pre-recorded audio (audio that you will have recorded and edited ahead of time.
NOTE: when in doubt, consult the online help manual and resources in Reaktor these are loaded with information and how to procedures.
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To start, add a grain cloud module (Modules > sampler > grain cloud).
Add controls (control-click in ports):
Pitch
Position
GrainLen
Attack
Decay
Distance
Constant (value 1) to A (attack)
Clean-up the panel as you go, otherwise it will be very messy and hrs to clean up after
all is done.
Go to View and make the Pos(ition), grain Len(gth) and Dist(ance) faders horizontal
as shown in class several times. If you get stuck, check the online help.
Make the Position fader same length as the sample window by increasing the pixel
count of the default fader (and deselect display so the label doesnt show)
Add a sample and map over a few octaves
Play the sample by moving the Pitch knob

Now, add jitter controls (Jitter adds a random function to the various parameters to give
a more interesting sound). Add multipliers and connect to jitter in ports (so the changes
are not more than the original values):

Other way is to add separate jitter controls:

In order to play you sample you have to turn the pitch knob. This will activate and
transpose the sample.
In order to use a MIDI keyboard, you need to use a MIDI pitch and gate set of modules
or a macro, just like we did for our original analog synth.
Connect a MIDI pitch and gate to the respective in ports.
Instead of a constant (value of 1) for the amplitude port, you can use an EG to control
the shape of the overall sound just like we did for the past synths.
The panel of your final synth, including a master volume control, should look something
like this (you can set it up in any way you want, this is just one way of organizing the
control panel):

A shortcut is to use a ready made macro and see how it compares to the above.
In addition you want to use resonant filters so look for these in macros and connect the
all the in ports and out port. You can use multiple filters in order to create chords by
tuning your resonators. The output levels are there for fun and to see the strength
(amplitude) of the signal being generated. You can find these level indicators under
panel.
Test your grain cloud synth with different sound files. Sound files that have some
variety (sharp contrasts in amplitude) work very well. It is recommended that you sound
files be clean and have high partial content. You can always EQ them to boost hight but
it is wise to start with a well recorded and edited sound.
3

Experiment by changing the values of grain position, length, pan and the respective jitter
functions to see how your sound is modified.
Further, you can use an XY display to control the position and grain length by assigning
the Len parameter to the Y axis and grain Pos to the X axis. In this case, you do not
have to connect any inching audio signal.
Have fun!