I thought this was going to be easy?!

[elmokeys]

I need help. I have just made my first sojourn outside of synth hardware and bought the Muse Receptor because I really felt it would be easy to use and stable.So far, it has been nothing less than a time-consuming nightmare and I am sure that it is my fault. Maybe someone on this board can help me to find my way....so here goes...
1. I bought a copy of Garritan Personal Orchestra and loaded it according to the directions given at Plugorama and at NI. It downloaded to my computer fine and I registered it and finally "receptorized it" and dragged the correct files to my Receptordownload folder. First of all, I still have been unable to get it to recognize the fact that I fed it the right registration info (authorization code) and it keeps telling me I have thirty days to demo it. When I use it, I have to do contortions as it brings me through a series of error messages and then finally finds the file. When using it, it strains the CPU something awful and this is even with the 2 gigs of RAM I installed. Very disappointing, indeed. What have I done wrong?
2. I have Pro-53 and I can't even get it to transfer to the Receptor. I download the suggested file, drag it to my downloads folder and nothing happens. I am very frustrated about that, needless to say.
3. My last failure is with Absynth 3. I also find that impossible to get it to the Receptor.
Please, please, please...somebody help. Admittedly, I am a hardware guy who has never used music software. I felt that the Receptor would help ease my way into the world of software but it has not done it. Mind you, I am not awful with computers at all. I am not an expert,but this is a terrible disaster.Could someone help me...please!!!! I am ready to turn in the software and go back to hardware, but I do have a feeling that with the right instructions, I would love the Receptor as a live partner.

[bernie9]

The first assumption, that it was going to be easy, perhaps gave you the wrong mindset.

I too entered the software arena a year ago with Receptor in hand. The first thing I would do is call tech support with specific problems. I preume you have already studied the manual, which is crucial.

Wheras, I can't offer you solutions, I can assure you that it will be worth the pain of learning this approach .

Remember, the Receptor can be anything you want it to be(almost), and hardware can't.

[looneytunes]

Hi Elmokeys,

For Pro-53 (and I think for Absynth - not sure), Muse provides installers that you should be using (not trying to install these via the 'unsupported install' method). Muses' installations require iLok authorization. You need to contact NI/Muse to get crossgrade licenses for your existing SW. When this goes through, muse will upload iLok authorizations to your iLok account, and you will be able to transfer these to your iLok and run the plugs.

As bernie9 mentioned, tech support can be really helpful to get you started this way.

Regards,
Kevin L

[fishermusic]

Same here. I bought one little over a year ago. It was way more complicated to setup than I thought it would be and I'm running 3 networked macs with 2 VisionDAW computers and 2TB of samples so I'm used to technical stuff.

[looneytunes]

Hi again,

I would agree - that installing and setting-up a receptor requires some work and PC debugging skills - especially once you step outside of the normal comfort-zone and try to install unsupported plugins.

To put this into perspective, I used to have 2 macs and 2 pcs as part of a DAW system based around pro-tools. I now have one mac as a pro-tools host, and 2 receptors handling the brunt of VSTi chores. I also keep a shuttle-PC around for VSTis, but mostly to try out plugs before moving them onto the Receptor. The cool thing for me is that one of my Receptor's goes out to gigs with me - and is replacing other gigging equipment more and more. Also, once I have had a gigging receptor setup, it has been solid and reliable; I would have never attempted gigging with my PCs this way before.

I'm sure that other Muse owners would agree with me that this flexibility and configurability makes the 'learning curve' well worth the outcome.

I also wanted to re-emphasize my previous sentiment - if you do get blocked in trying to configure your setup, this community forum and the Muse support are quite good at helping you get through problems.

Regards,
Kevin L

[MartinHines]

1. I bought a copy of Garritan Personal Orchestra and loaded it according to the directions given at Plugorama and at NI. It downloaded to my computer fine and I registered it and finally "receptorized it" and dragged the correct files to my Receptordownload folder. First of all, I still have been unable to get it to recognize the fact that I fed it the right registration info (authorization code) and it keeps telling me I have thirty days to demo it.

I think you are slightly confused here. Native Instruments uses a "challenge/response" authorization system that ties/authorizes software to a specific computer (GPO uses an NI Kontakt player engine so you authorize it through NI). When I read the GPO instructions -- Step 5 -- this implies you need to register GPO a SECOND time for the Receptor. Your original installation on your computer generated a SYSTEM-ID and AUTHORIZATION KEY specific to that computer, and you will have a DIFFERENT System-ID and Authorization Key for the Receptor authorization (since it IS a different computer).

2. I have Pro-53 and I can't even get it to transfer to the Receptor. I download the suggested file, drag it to my downloads folder and nothing happens. I am very frustrated about that, needless to say.

As others have mentioned, Plugorama.com states there is a special "Receptor version" of Pro-53 (meaning you should not try to use the "user installable method". I assume this requires a special iLok license, but it says you can crossgrade.

3. My last failure is with Absynth 3. I also find that impossible to get it to the Receptor.

The Plugorama "User INstallable" instructions do appear to be a little tricky, so definitely contact Muse Tech Support if you can't get those specific instructions to work. Again, this appears to require a SEPARATE NI authorization than the original installation on your regular computer (i.e. install/authorize on your regular computer, then different install/authorize on your Receptor.

While these installations can be tricky and a pain, the nice part is that once some software is installed correctly you don't have to worry about it again.

[PianoPete]

I hear your pain. The Muse website touts how easy it is to use with statements like 'Receptor integrates effortlessly into a live performance environment' and 'Receptor is ridiculously simple'. I found this not to be the case. When, after weeks of frustration, my receptor froze up for hours I decided to return it. I must say that the people at muse are great but the 'ease of use' statements are misleading in my opinion. Also I have never had a hardware synth freeze up... ever. So I don't see how they can say it is as reliable as a hardware synth. I'll wait a few more years until they perfect it then I'll try it again.