Reaktor Big Band Synthesizer

(Picture of the Reaktor Screen from the big band synth)

This is a crazy idea I've wanted to implement for a long time; with Reaktor it is actually possible! This ensemble emulates big band horns in response to input from a MIDI wind controller. Solo instruments, sections, or a whole band playing as an ensemble can be synthesized in real time. One module automatically generates harmony voices underneath the melody you're playing using common big band arranging techniques. In the "Happy Birthday" mp3 below, the Reaktor ensemble is changing the horn harmonizations on the fly by detecting bass notes and chord types from an (inaudible) MIDI track. The chord detector could be used to track the chords played by a keyboardist in a live band...as long as he/she/it always plays chords with the root on the bottom.

Here is an mp3 with two tracks of Reaktor Big Band overdubbed in Cubase with added bass & drums. (424K mp3).

Here is an mp3 with the same setup playing Happy Birthday! (733K mp3).(I did this one as a birthday present for my sister in the summer of 2002.)

With Built-In Bass & Drums

I've been experimenting with combining the big band synthesizer with a chord sequencer, walking bass synth, and Peter Erskine jazz loops. The resulting Reaktor ensemble looks like this:

Here is me playing this ensemble:

Freddie Freeloader Improv:	(221 K mp3)
Out of Nowhere:	(381 K mp3)

With Slide Trombones and Looping

Swing in Ab:

(718 K mp3)