MONTAG-E for Reaktor 6: Advanced Granular Sampler by Antonio Blanca

Posted on 19. April 2025 by Noizefield

Introduction to MONTAG-E Granular Sampler

MONTAG-E by Antonio Blanca (antblanc) is a granular sampler tool developed for Native Instruments Reaktor 6, tailored for sound design and experimental music production. It features four simultaneous granular playheads operating on the same sample, allowing for complex layering and real-time modulation. This design supports a broad range of sonic textures, from minimal grain clouds to intricate soundscapes and abstract drones.

Multi Granular Playheads for Enhanced Sound Design

The sampler’s four granular playheads can be controlled independently, each with its own audio output. This setup is ideal for quadraphonic sound installations or detailed multi-channel processing. Users can apply individual effects or route outputs through external equipment, expanding creative possibilities.

Spread and Modulation Capabilities

MONTAG-E offers two main control modes: NORMAL and SPREAD. In NORMAL mode, all voices share the same parameter values, while SPREAD mode assigns different values to each voice, creating richer and more varied textures with minimal parameter adjustments. Additionally, most controls can be modulated using selectable modulation sources, enhancing dynamic sound shaping.

Modulation Sources

The sampler includes an LFO with a wavetable option for custom waveform drawing, a BLEND control, and a unique POS TO modulator. The POS TO modulator converts playhead positions into polyphonic modulation data, which can be applied to pitch, volume, and pan. This feature is particularly useful for designing effects like whooshes, pass-bys, and adding movement to sounds.

Variate System for Sound Variation

The Variate system introduces randomness to selected controls, enabling subtle or drastic sound changes. It uses eight pads to control the intensity of variations, facilitating easy generation of new sound versions without extensive manual tweaking.