Pros and cons of Receptor

[Adambomb337]

I've been reading everything and I'm trying to develop a straight forward pros and cons list to help me decide if it is worth to brake the bank...

Please correct me on any aspect and add to the pros and cons.

PROS

- cross-platform
- fast start-up time (5 sec.?)(although, I would have to wait for the host computer to start up anyway if using it for studio use...)
- More power for running VSTi's because of the low-cpu use of customized linux platform
- Gives more power to your host computer
- Amazing for live performance (unless you are using Reaktor to build your live virtual set-up. Reaktor is not currently supported.)
- It's portable and rack-mountable
- Uniwire automatic delay compensation for supported DAWs therefore providing perfect sync and they can all send MIDI (and audio for the effects) to a Receptor and get audio back.
- two types of plug-ins, an instrument and an effect.
- mix and match instruments and effects any way you want
- they will load software like East West's Platinum Symponic Orchestra (that require many gigs) on the harddrive for you, but for a fee
- brings PC vst software into the mac world (if you have a macintosh).
- It comes with some free commercial VST's

CONS

- I'll have to re-buy some VSTi's that I already own (and some of which will cost in the $100s)(I'm sure muse research doesn't have much control over this though...)
- Any receptor VSTi's I buy cannot be used on a normal computer and I will have to re-purchase them to do so
- Any additional add-on (ram, harddrive...) will have to be done through muse research only and I must accept whatever prices they currently have.
- If I ever want to sell it, it may not be as easy as selling a laptop or desktop computer...
- It is limited to only music use. (It can't run any program a computer can run)
- It can't run a host/sequencer
- It will need another computer to use in a studio.
- Not all VSTi's work with it
- It will not open other VST banks like absynth's (.glo). I have to create each patch by hand. It works with standards(.fxb, .fxp).
- It costs thousands of dollars along with extra costs for VSTi's and instalations and any upgrades in the future.

[Scot Solida]

You don't have to rely on MUSE to upgrade your Receptor's RAM...I put more RAM in my own Receptor not too long ago. Never had any trouble at all.

[tconrardy]

correction: it DOES load absynth glo files..but if you want to be able to RECALL that preset that you want to use in a receptor multi or single patch, you create your own custom bank. The same goes for WusikStation, White -Noise Additive and FM7 and perhaps others that use thier own preset management.

However a pro item is the amount of free plugins that actually work on receptor, with NO COST to the user. I guess I have been leading that pack :-)There are also commercial plugins that install easily without the upgrade cost.( like Rhino and the nwer rev of V-Station) You just have to try it.Basically , plugs that use S/N or an ini files for thier protection and not a specialized iLoc or other type of copy protection worls on receptor via the unsupported method.

[DanTimis]

- fast start-up time (5 sec.?)(although, I would have to wait for the host computer to start up anyway if using it for studio use...)

Receptor is a specialized computer. It will first boot the Linux system, then start our software that runs on top of Linux. Linux boots on Receptor in about 40-45 seconds. That is still significantly faster than most computers. Our software starts in about 5 seconds, but then it loads your latest multi patch. If you last used a multi that had, let's say, EW Gold and huge samples, it will take a long time to load the samples.

Still overall it is much faster than a computer. Imagine you boot your Mac (it would take more than 40-45 seconds), then start Cubase (it takes far more than 5 seconds), then you open a file that has EW Gold and huge samples (loading the samples would take about the same on Receptor as on a PC with a comparable CPU).

- I'll have to re-buy some VSTi's that I already own (and some of which will cost in the $100s)(I'm sure muse research doesn't have much control over this though...)

The most expensive crossgrade is Lounge Lizard Electric Piano from Applied Acoustic and that one is $49. All NI crossgrades are $29, and PSP is 10% of the price. Most of the crossgrades are free.

The "User Installed" plug-ins, like Colossus or Sample Tank will use one authorization, the same as with second computer.

- Any receptor VSTi's I buy cannot be used on a normal computer and I will have to re-purchase them to do so

Some developers offer a crossgrade from Receptor to a "regular" product. Moreover, if you intend to buy a new plug-in for dual use, you can buy the "regular" version, then crossgrade.

- Any additional add-on (ram, harddrive...) will have to be done through muse research only and I must accept whatever prices they currently have.

You can install your own RAM. Only the harddrive has to purchased from us.

- It will not open other VST banks like absynth's (.glo). I have to create each patch by hand. It works with standards(.fxb, .fxp).

This is no different than, let's say, Cubase. You can load .glo files only from Absynth's GUI, and you can save and load .fxp files only from the DAW's GUI.

[Adambomb337]

Thanks for all the help so far

- fast start-up time (5 sec.?)(although, I would have to wait for the host computer to start up anyway if using it for studio use...)

Receptor is a specialized computer. It will first boot the Linux system, then start our software that runs on top of Linux. Linux boots on Receptor in about 40-45 seconds. That is still significantly faster than most computers. Our software starts in about 5 seconds, but then it loads your latest multi patch. If you last used a multi that had, let's say, EW Gold and huge samples, it will take a long time to load the samples.

Still overall it is much faster than a computer. Imagine you boot your Mac (it would take more than 40-45 seconds), then start Cubase (it takes far more than 5 seconds), then you open a file that has EW Gold and huge samples (loading the samples would take about the same on Receptor as on a PC with a comparable CPU).

I know that if you have 4 gigs in a PC, 2 gigs go to the opperating system, and 2 go to the programs you are running. The programs running cannot exceed 2 gigs. Is this the same for Linux?

How much of the RAM goes towards running the custom opperating system?

- I'll have to re-buy some VSTi's that I already own (and some of which will cost in the $100s)(I'm sure muse research doesn't have much control over this though...)

The most expensive crossgrade is Lounge Lizard Electric Piano from Applied Acoustic and that one is $49. All NI crossgrades are $29, and PSP is 10% of the price. Most of the crossgrades are free.

The "User Installed" plug-ins, like Colossus or Sample Tank will use one authorization, the same as with second computer.

That's not what I heard. The crossgrade price for Arturia's CS-80 is $150!! I really don't like Arturia anymore and I may never buy anything from them again...

- It will not open other VST banks like absynth's (.glo). I have to create each patch by hand. It works with standards(.fxb, .fxp).

This is no different than, let's say, Cubase. You can load .glo files only from Absynth's GUI, and you can save and load .fxp files only from the DAW's GUI.

That's good to know. thanks!

I have a question about the special offer with East West. It says, "MUSE RESEARCH will install all of the Virtual Instruments you purchase with this bundle in your EASTWEST RECEPTOR at NO ADDITIONAL COST before shipping the unit to you!!"

Does that mean that if I already own some of those East West products, they won't be installed for free?

With just East West alone on there, it will take 152 gigs. With additional instruments, like Kontakt 2, this will not be enough. This special offer only comes with 160 gigs. How much will it cost to upgrade the harddrive memory?

I use FL studio within cubase and it is one of my most prized VST's. Is it supported with receptor and what are the chances of it being supported in the future if it is not supported now?

And do you have any idea if and when Reaktor will be supported?

[DanTimis]

I know that if you have 4 gigs in a PC, 2 gigs go to the opperating system, and 2 go to the programs you are running. The programs running cannot exceed 2 gigs. Is this the same for Linux?

How much of the RAM goes towards running the custom opperating system?

I don't know the exact figure, but starting with version 1.4, most of the 2 GB will go to the plug-ins. The OS gets only what it needs, not much more. That is the advantage of Linux. With an off-the-shelf Linux installation you get 1 GB for the OS and 1 GB for the plug-ins, but Linux is open source so we changed it to maximize the memory for plug-ins.

That's not what I heard. The crossgrade price for Arturia's CS-80 is $150!! I really don't like Arturia anymore and I may never buy anything from them again...

We no longer support Arturia plug-ins, or to be more accurate they no longer support us. Arturia doesn't want their products on Receptor any more. The CS-80 is not going to be pre-installed in new Receptors and it is no longer available for download at plugorama.

I have a question about the special offer with East West. It says, "MUSE RESEARCH will install all of the Virtual Instruments you purchase with this bundle in your EASTWEST RECEPTOR at NO ADDITIONAL COST before shipping the unit to you!!"

Does that mean that if I already own some of those East West products, they won't be installed for free?

With just East West alone on there, it will take 152 gigs. With additional instruments, like Kontakt 2, this will not be enough. This special offer only comes with 160 gigs. How much will it cost to upgrade the harddrive memory?

We try to be flexible and fair. You should call support and sort out these details. This is a user forum; we try to provide as much general information as possible, but this is getting into very specific details that should be handled by customer support.

[PhilAiken]

Dan sez:
--------------------------
We no longer support Arturia plug-ins, or to be more accurate they no longer support us. Arturia doesn't want their products on Receptor any more. The CS-80 is not going to be pre-installed in new Receptors and it is no longer available for download at plugorama.
---------------------------

Dan,
Does this mean that if I have a Receptor with CS-80 on it, but the demo has not been activated yet, that I cannot purchase an iLok license?
-Phil

[DanTimis]

Yup. Go to plugorama and try to buy a license for CS-80; you can't.

We are very upset about this, but that's what Arturia wants. Same as with Waves.

[jeffn1]

Dan:

I hope you allow this level of specificity in this forum. It is very helpful in making decisions.

It appears you have an excellent product. I think clarity of the pros and cons can only help you.

jeffn1

[fishermusic]

Frankly the Arturia stuff sounds good, but is very poorly designed. As a RTAS plug it crashes Pro Tools constantly...and now they've cut ties with Receptor? All the indications of a company acting in anger because they are failing miserably.

Bet they'll be out of business within 2 years.

[tconrardy]

Yup. Go to plugorama and try to buy a license for CS-80; you can't.

We are very upset about this, but that's what Arturia wants. Same as with Waves.

wow..this does not make sense buisness wise...they lose all the receptor customers. Why?..but perhaps not a good Q for this thread or forum. Sorry to hear your loss on this...but Arturia are not the only ones doing plugins!

[Adambomb337]

Now I REALLY don't like Waves... I'm glad I never bought anything from them... so ridiculously expensive and stupid dongals...

I think Arturia sounds great too! But now I really don't like the company... Goodbye to them... I can find other instruments that come close to the same sound...

I'll give sales support a call. Thanks for all the help Dan and for your honesty!

[DanTimis]

Is anybody running their plug-ins as unsupported?

[Scot Solida]

Is anybody running their plug-ins as unsupported?

I can give it a shot, if you like...

[Watto]

Hey Dan, any chance you could email me and organise me an upgraded hard drive? Even though I live it Oz? Seriously, I've been trying the rep for over 2 months now, and I want to install my shiny new RMX+Xpanders!