NATIVE INSTRUMENTS INTAKT
Sep 1, 2004 12:00 PM, BY ROBERT OLEYSYCK
The principle of beat slicing is simple: By dividing a drum loop into the individual hits that comprise it, the resulting slices can then be rearranged at will to fit a different length of time, almost like telling a drummer to play at a new tempo. Applying the cut-and-paste mentality, it's easy to see how completely new beats can also be constructed by rearranging, removing or even adding slices to a loop. Although software samplers and programs that apply the principle of beat slicing (like Propellerhead ReCycle) have been around for some time, Native Instruments' Intakt is the first to combine the two environments into a sleek interface that can be used as a stand-alone application or as a VST2, Audio Units, DXi 2 or RTAS plug-in on both Windows and Mac platforms.
Based on the company's award-winning Kontakt engine, Intakt is a loop-based sample-playback instrument with three main modes of operation that allow for straightforward sample playback and looping, beat slicing and time expansion/compression — all with a decent amount of control, modulation and effect options that are accessible without having to leave the comfort of your host application. Intakt can import NKI instrument files from Kontakt and Kompakt (retaining all mapping structure and saved effects), as well as REX, EXS, Akai, AIFF, WAV and SDII files, or you can use the included 2.5GB bonus sample library of sounds from East West and Zero-G.
THE FIRST SLICE
Installation and authorization is fairly simple. As with all of Native Instruments' current software, a system ID based on your particular base hardware configuration is generated through your Web browser. Within seconds, you'll receive an authorization key that you can cut and paste into the Registration Tool, completing the process. For those without an Internet connection or e-mail, authorization can be attained by regular mail or fax.
NI is also graceful enough to allow for two simultaneous authorizations so that you can install Intakt on your home computer and a laptop, for instance. Authorizations can also be managed directly on the company's Website in the event that you need to upgrade or change your computer(s) by deactivating and reactivating. I installed Intakt on a PowerMac G4/dual 1.25GHz with 1.25 GB of RAM and on a PowerMac Titanium laptop G4/1GHz with 512 MB of RAM without any glitches.
REDRUMMER
There are three modes within Intakt: Sampler, Beat Machine and Time Machine. Volume, pan, tuning, velocity, tempo, modulation and the effects section are common among all three, but each mode has specific functions that are both unique and independent unto themselves. The included library of samples (otherwise referred to as instruments) can be chosen via the Intakt window's File menu, where the sounds are then loaded into RAM. These files have already been imbedded with bpm, key and slice mapping for your convenience, but you can alter these, or any settings, and resave them.
A healthy variety of sounds is included, but to peruse the library, you have to constantly go back through the nested list to make the next selection. NI is working to include a simple forward/back button to facilitate this in future updates. Alternatively, samples can be dragged and dropped directly from the desktop or accessed via the Browser window, where you can navigate through your hard drive's file hierarchy for sounds. Because file aliases aren't recognized, you may have to dig around a bit depending on the complexity or anarchy of your file structure. Intakt does let you save your own list of favorites and view information such as file size (in time units), bit rate, sample rate and whether a file is mono or stereo; the program also remembers your last browser position when you close and reopen the application.
Files can also be auditioned automatically with a separate volume control. Once you find the sample you like, double-click to load and map it to the first key, or drag it over the keyboard. Depending on where you drop the sample on a key, it will be mapped to a single note, the whole keyboard or any zone size in between, with the root note at the first position — a great feature. Although Intakt will make a solid attempt at estimating the bpm and length of an imported loop, you'll have to provide this information for the best results.
BANG ON
Now that you have a file loaded with its appropriate waveform visible in the upper window, you can address Sampler mode. This is perhaps the most straightforward and familiar of the three modes and behaves like a simple software sampler in which playback pitch and tempo are linked, with access to start and end points, looping, reverse play, tracking, tuning, modulation and effects (more on this later). Even though sounds can't be assigned to different MIDI channels (you can, however, assign which MIDI channel it responds to), it will play back multiple files simultaneously, and multiple instances of Intakt can be used with your host DAW at the same time. The ease and simplicity of using raw samples makes up for any lack of depth — there's no need to create presets or programs; just drag and drop, and you're ready to go.
In Beat Machine, Intakt truly comes to life. As a drum-sample editor, it can split loops into individually key-mapped slices. Each slice is triggered by a separate MIDI key (or computer keyboard key) that can be used to replay or rearrange the loop, creating something unique from the original or altering a loop slightly to suit your taste. The beauty of Intakt is that you can manipulate each slice independently of the others with different modulation, effects, tuning, volume, panning or velocity settings. Single slices can even be reversed independently, as well. Of course, sensitivity (which changes the number of slices that Intakt will make) and the ability to export a MIDI file based on the timing of the slices are present.
Editing loops is also a breeze — simply zoom in on the waveform and audition or move slice points. Select a slice or Shift-click on a group of slices, and apply changes only to those selected. After you set up and tweak your loop, adjust the tempo setting to the desired bpm or sync it to your host application's MIDI Clock, and you have a new loop played back at the desired tempo, without affecting the overall pitch or timbre of the hits. If you want to make further alterations, export the MIDI file and reimport it back into your sequencer, but if you're happy with the way it is, just record the loop directly in. The days of having to import audio into a separate application, cut it up, export the audio slices and the MIDI file, then import it into your sequencer and finally record it can be left behind. Also, make sure to try the Randomize Slice Order function, as it can create some pretty cool results.
Time Machine is a granular synthesizer that uses complex algorithms to manipulate pitch and time independently of each other in real time. Essentially a time-compression/expansion tool, Time Machine can stretch or compress samples to fit within a different block of time or bpm. Master tempo functions on CD players and plug-ins like Serato's Pitch 'n Time produce the same result, some better than others. However, this usually isn't the best method for changing the tempo of drum loops, as transient artifacts can drastically affect the punch of percussive waveforms, especially when applying changes of more than a few bpm. If desired, Time Machine can produce some sonically interesting results when used in the extreme; however, it's most useful for long, pitched sounds like pads, strings or atmospheres (the Legato function is a nice touch) and, when used appropriately, does a good job with drums, too. Parameters for the Transient Copy function and size aid in achieving optimal results.
WET TO DRY
Intakt's other strengths are manifested in its Modulation and Effects sections. Modulation includes pitch envelope, AHDSR (attack, hold, decay, sustain and release), an envelope follower and two LFOs, and the Effects are Filter, Lo-Fi, Distortion, Delay and Master Filter. All are available in all three modes and can be applied to separate slices, samples or groups, independently. This is one of Intakt's best features. The Distortion, Filter and Lo-Fi modules act as insert effects in series, and the order can also be changed for each slice, sample or zone. Without getting into too much detail, delay and LFOs can be synched to the host or internal tempo, with some handy presets for the Master Filter, Delay and Lo-Fi modules. The LFOs can be retriggered, and distortion can be set to tube or transistor simulation. Also, the AHDSR envelope can be assigned to volume, pan, tune, LFO amount and speed for either LFO, resonance and cutoff; the envelope follower can be assigned to volume, pan, tune, resolution and cutoff; LFO 1 can be assigned to volume, pan and tune; and LFO 2 can be assigned to resolution and cutoff. Although these all serve up a great deal of control in terms of how much you can tweak and mangle loops, there are some limitations, especially for advanced users — the most glaring of which is that all of the parameters within the modulation section don't have definable numerical values and can only be adjusted by vertically mousing over a knob, and some parameters do not seem to respond logically over the width of a setting.
I also tested Intakt with Digidesign Pro Tools as an RTAS plug-in, and some issues arose that I have to make you aware of. The LFO division is not selectable in the RTAS version (it defaults to quarter notes). There's noticeable latency when triggering samples or loops, either with the computer keyboard or with MIDI, which almost makes sequencer playback of exported MIDI slices unusable. Furthermore, all of my attempts to sync Intakt to Pro Tools' MIDI beat clock were unsuccessful — it caused a plethora of stuck MIDI notes and stuttered playback, even when triggering an entire uncut loop with a single note. NI informed me that these problems are due to a restricted RTAS buffer size, an issue that the company is working to resolve with Digidesign. These issues were limited to the RTAS version and didn't affect other hosts.
For any of you who are familiar with NI products, their manuals tend to be a little light. Yes, the Intakt manual covers the basics of operation, but it fails to delve into the details that make it so great. Nevertheless, my overall experience with Intakt was quite positive, and I found it to be extremely useful. If beat slicing is a routine activity in your creative method, the Intakt plug-in not only makes the process much more efficient than having to use a separate application but also expands the scope of how you can manipulate loops.
Product Summary
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS
INTAKT > $229
Pros: Can effect and modulate slices individually. Minimizes beat-slicing process. Can be used as a stand-alone application. Great value.
Cons: MIDI-beat-clock sync issues with RTAS version. Modulation parameters have no numerical values. Light documentation.
Contact: tel. (866) 556-6487; e-mail info@native-instruments.com; Web www.nativeinstruments.com
System Requirements
MAC: G3/500; 256 MB RAM; Mac OS 10.2.6; 50 MB free drive space for application; 2.5 GB free drive space for sound library; VST2-, RTAS- or Audio Units — compatible host sequencer (not necessary for stand-alone operation)
PC: Pentium, Celeron, Athlon or Duron/500; 256 MB RAM; Windows 98/2000/ME/XP; 50 MB free drive space for application; 2.5 GB free drive space for sound library; VST2-, RTAS- or DXi 2 — compatible host sequencer (not necessary for stand-alone operation); compatible soundcard
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