noob question : software-based vs. Virus TI

[plaid_emu]

Reaktor is a very different animal than a Virus TI. The Virus can't sequence music or drums on it's own. You'll need a separate MIDI software sequencer or hardware sequencer for the Virus. Reaktor is also more versatile than the Virus because it's an open programming platform. This means you can actually design your own synths, drum machines, sequencers and effects. These are called Ensembles in Reaktor terminology. The are many of them available from NI and from individual users (many of them are free to download if you own Reaktor).

The Virus however will not strain the CPU on your computer. NI software is notorious for using rather large amounts of processing power, so if you want to get serious with Reaktor you'll need a newer/fast machine with lots of RAM.

In terms of pure sound quality, Reaktor is top notch, but I think the Virus edges it out IMO. Sounds more full and polished. As far as drum sounds, pure flexibility and freakiness goes, there's no contest. Reaktor reigns supreme. The biggest problem I have working with Reaktor is it's almost too capable. There's so much you can do with it, I feel like I've got ADD sometimes. Hard to keep focused when there's nearly as many parameters in a single Reaktor Ensemble as there are in Virus Control.

I'm fortunate enough to own both and I think they compliment each other quite well, but it's a hard comparison because they're so very different. I also haven't owned my Virus as long as Reaktor, so maybe the Virus has more to offer in terms of flexibility than I've experienced so far.