KVR Audio is the Internet's number one news and information resource for open standard audio plugins. We report new releases, product announcements and product updates (major and minor) for all VST Plugins, DirectX Plugins and Audio Units Plugins. We manage a fully searchable audio plugin database (updated daily), and offer many free member services including user reviews, product update notifications and a very active discussion forum. We also host official support forums for many plugin developers plus the official Receptor support forum.
Plug-in Database: Virtual
Instruments, Effects & Hosts
Banks & Patches
Download & Upload
Plug-in Ratings
by KVR Members
Wiki: Tutorials,
Audio Lexicon, ...
Listen to Music
by KVR Members
Search
KVR
Quick
Links

(open in a new window)

Muse Research - Receptor

28 members are watching Receptor for news
Details
Software: Receptor
Developer: Muse Research
Primary Type: Hardware Host
Price (MSRP): $1999
Can Host (Instruments): VST
Can Host (Effects): VST
 VersionAvail?
Windows 1.6 Released
Mac OS X 1.6 Released
Linux 1.6 Released

Copy Protection: None
Resources
Related software [list them]
Receptor
Receptor is a 2U rack-mountable multi-timbral sound and effects module that runs standard Windows VST instruments and effects. It combines the power of a computer with the ease-of-use, portability and reliability of dedicated synth and effects hardware.

Receptor's intuitive, mixer-like architecture combines up to 16 different audio sources, which can be either internal VSTi instruments or external analog/digital inputs. Each source is then routed through its own inline effects matrix that allows three VST plugins to be configured in every possible parallel/series arrangement. From there, each source is sent to a dedicated mixer channel, where the sound can be further processed by sending it to two dedicated effects busses, each with another fully configurable VST effects matrix. Need more processing? There is yet another VST effects matrix on the master output, for mastering and sweetening effects.

In all, Receptor provides architectural support for as many as 16 simultaneous VSTi instruments and 57 VST effects, while further offering the ability to process external inputs using its front-panel high-Z input, its rear-panel balanced analog inputs, or its S/PDIF digital input.

And, all this effects power can be harnessed through Receptor's intuitive front-panel interface, with full front panel and MIDI access to millions of internal patch locations. For those who prefer mice to buttons, you can connect a mouse, keyboard and monitor directly to Receptor, or you can network it to your Mac or PC and control it remotely from a window on that machine.

User Reviews for Receptor

Click here to add a review

By BenOne
On 8th September 2004
Version: 1

Read all reviews by
BenOne


15 of 16 people found
this review helpful.

Was this review
helpful to you?
Yes | No
As an owner of the very first version of the Receptor, I would agree with Muse Research's marketing copy that this rack-mountable, multi-timbral VST player is a "breakthrough" product, especially for the price (about $1400US). The Receptor is unique and cleverly designed. The user interface is excellent, convenient, and versatile. The manual is very understandable and readable.

On the negative side, it comes a little underpowered. Though its Athlon 2500+ processor seems adequate, it shipped with just 256MB of RAM (upgradeable to 2GB), and its 40 GB drive has many owners already contemplating an upgrade. The knobs are flimsy and the 2U, 19" wide unit was a tight fit on my Gig Rig rack.

In addition, the Receptor is not exactly a universal VST player. Its OS is Linux-based and presently unsupported plug-ins may not necessarily install properly into the system. In addition, users may have to pay a cross-grade fee to install VSTs even for plug-ins they already own (the fee, if any, is determined by the plug-in manufacturer.)

To Muse's credit, they have designed the Receptor so that you can try to install unsupported VST plug-ins, though there are no guarantees by either Muse or the manufacturer that they will work. They even warn that the system may crash as a result, though I haven't heard any reports of that happening.

Receptor uses PACE's iLok USB key for transferring authorized plug-in licenses to the unit. Receptor forum users have complained of bad past experiences with PACE copy-protection systems, but iLok has worked just fine for me on Receptor.

You can call up Receptor's patches and effects on its well-designed front panel, with a 2-line LCD display. But you can also connect a computer, mouse, or keyboard to it to call up a nicely thought-out, user-friendly Mixer screen to select your patches. You can theoretically run up to 16 VST instruments, with up to 3 effects for each.

You can also connect Receptor directly to your computer or to your home network (I have done the latter) and control the mixer screen that way.

I've been playing around with some of the freeware and shareware patches, and it's been a blast to play with the M-Tron mellotron demo plug-in, for example. It seems to take a few seconds to load 16-channel mixes, but patches are fairly quick loading.

I did notice some latency when playing back some patches on my system, but I haven't tried to optimize the settings yet. Muse has published some latency numbers on the KVR-VST forum, and the numbers seem very respectable.

The Receptor may significantly change in future versions, with both hardware and software upgrades likely. But the initial version that I have is still impressive. It's a very well-thought-out product. Where Muse Research faltered is in their protocol for installing VST plug-ins and in their cost-cutting measures--they should have increased the price by $100 or even or even $200 to ensure that the unit came with more RAM, and higher-quality knob
 
Last edited by BenOne on 9th September 2004    Report
Latest 1 review from a total of 1

Musician's Friend Stupid Deal of the Day Musician's Friend Product of the Day