Synthesizer Studio Berlin has released System Flow 2, a new version of its granular sampler ensemble for Native Instruments Reaktor 6.
Granular samplers/synthesizers are proliferating, both hardware and software. Also on platforms like Max for Live or Reaktor, there are new tools for fragmenting audio and turning it into soundscapes.
Synthesizer Studio Berlin, the founders of the Synthesizer Museum, have released System Flow 2, a new version of their granular sampler for Reaktor 6.
System Flow 2
Even after so many years, Reaktor 6 remains a powerful synthesis platform, and this release demonstrates that once again. Like the previous version, System Flow 2 is a granular sampler/sample-playback instrument with two independent granular slots.
Each slot features classic granular processing controls like position, grain length, density, pan, and more. From here, it goes into a per-slot filter section with new virtual analog filters with drive, boost, and highpass options.
These are the same as in the X-FLOW FM synth. You can tweak them with controls like cutoff and resonance. Version 2.0 also brings new FX per sample slot, including fully tweakable tape delay and overdrive distortion.
The modulation is per slot as well. You have a random modulation source, an LFO with a phase offset. There are also different playing modes that include an ADSR envelope and MPE support. The latter got a level up in version 2.0
If you choose ADSR, you can use the ensemble like a regular keyboard synth. MPE gives you the full polyphonic experience with poly pitch-bend and controls for the filters and LFOs with pressure and slide.
More Options & Sounds
Next to this is a drone mode that lets the synth do the work. Press a chord, and you are off to go for a long soundscape session.
System Flow 2 also brings new routing options. Filter & sample read position can now be modulated from all six modulation sources, making it more versatile than before.
Synthesizer Studio Berlin also built a reverb processor into it, hidden on the second UI page. Alongside a more streamlined UI, you can now mix/match and randomize each parameter of the reverb. It now also ships with more than 80 different reverb presets.
Talking of sounds. The new 2.0 version also introduces an all-new, specially curated and prepared sound library. It includes 255 samples recorded from various vintage synths, including the Jupiter-4, Prophet-10, SH-2, System-700, ARP 2600, and more.
Plus, it comes with additional recordings from guitars, field recordings, glitch noises, and more. Besides the technical news, the new version also streamlined the workflow with new A & B designs.
Simple B View if you just want to play the Presets and or just want to drop some Samples into the engine or go to A view for a full experience with all parameters exposed. The same goes for the reverb engine.
Lastly, System Flow 2 is now Komplete Kontrol- and Maschine-ready, allowing you to control it from the respective hardware MIDI controllers.
First Impression
At first glance, a nice upgrade for the granular sampler. It’s very welcome to see that there is still activity in the Reaktor world.
For me, System Flow 2’s UI feels a bit too cluttered with parameters, which makes it less intuitive. That’s just my opinion, but I could be wrong.
System Flow 2 by Synthesizer Studio Berlin is available now for an introductory price of 19,90€ instead of 29,90€. It runs in Native Instruments Reaktor 6.5 full version.
More information here: Synthesizer Studio Berlin
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