Why edit when you can mutate?
Modify your sounds across many different parameters and create variations instantly.
- Mutate items, regions, Render Blocks and FX parameters
- Redesigned around a scalable and customizable interface.
- Still free, with a new paid version for advanced users
WIN · MACOS · LINUX
Introducing Reactor
Arm desired DNA, dial in each range, then hit central RADIATION knob. Modify FX parameters and personalize embedded toolbar.
Smarter randomization
Randomizing sources and content within items has been redesigned to give you flexibility and control.
Root Source Lookup
Copying files into the project folder on import normally severs the link back to your library. Variator 2 traces each file to where it originated and pulls its neighbours in as variations - the whole library stays in play, not just the copy on your timeline.
Transient detection
Built-in transient detection keeps original timing, with adjustable controls to tune sensitivity and threshold to your source.
Three Render Blocks mutated into a full timeline of variations.
New and improved features
A ground-up rebuild - new interface, new mutation rules, and a workflow that fits everyone's needs.
Rebuilt from scratch
- New scalable and responsive UI
- Classic, familiar Lab mode alongside a new modular Reactor mode
- Chameleon theming that adopts your REAPER theme
- Action toolbar with 16 customizable slots
Chaos and performance
- CHERNOBYL plus three more chaos functions
- Background file randomization, so long jobs never hang the UI
- Variations dial for setting how many takes to generate
- CLEAN and RESET to walk changes back
Formulas and rules
- Palettes of formulas, exportable as REAPER actions
- Absolute and relative mutation modes
- Single control for range, dual control for range and position
- Predefined range types plus fully customizable ranges
Fits your session
- Render Blocks supported by design
- Works on regions and regular items
- Automatic naming for new variations
- FX modulators for randomizing FX parameters
Roadmap
- Folder genes - higher values wander further from the original location
- nvk folder items support
- X-Factor - multiplies item instances for extra chaos
- Particle mode with keyframe support
- 5.1 panning: whoosh, whip, passby and random modes
- Seed history
- Internal undo history
- User-definable chaos functions
Matches whatever REAPER theme you run.
Same layout, any palette - Variator 2 picks up your REAPER theme's color settings and blends in automatically.
The classic Lab, unchanged.
If you already know Variator, nothing was taken away. Check parameters into the DNA list, set a Radiation level for each, save the result as a Formula, then hit Mutate.
Reactor and Lab are two tabs of the same window - use whichever suits the job.
Questions, answered
Which platforms does it run on?
Windows, macOS and Linux. Variator 2 is cross-platform from day one, with the same interface and feature set everywhere.
Will the interface fit my setup?
Yes. The UI scales cleanly to multiple sizes and adopts your REAPER theme colors, and the action toolbar has 16 slots you can assign yourself.
How deeply is it integrated with REAPER?
Cockos shipped new REAPER API features to support the Variator 2 workflow. Thanks Justin.
What happens to the original Variator?
The legacy version stays available and remains open source, but it is deprecated and no longer maintained. New work goes into Variator 2.
When can I try it?
Beta is coming soon on all three platforms.
Be first to mutate.
Beta testing on Windows, macOS and Linux is coming soon.