learning max/msp at the minute.. your right it is a pain in the arse to learn but if you've ever done C (or other programming before) its not really that tricky... - + found it more flexible and not as good looking as reaktor.....
Need pluggo though and there new "Jitter" library.... awesome....like max/msp or reaktor but for visuals! works within max aswell so it can all be worked in with each other..... the potential is mind blowing.... MAC only though.... damn you MAC users...