So Frustrated - fast sound switching?

[MaxSynths]

Ehm I'm not a receptor user and I don't know the specifications of the machine but I try to imagine the situation...

Imagine a software snapshot as the equivalent of a song. A song = a snapshot. In each snapshot each instrument receives on a different MIDI channel.

In this example I use EnergyXT 1 but I'm sure there's a way to use this approach with Receptor.

Live setup example (avoiding delay in patch changing):

1. 16 programs in my master keyboard are assigned to 16 different buttons. Each program send his data on a different MIDI channel; Pg1 send on MIDI Ch1, Pg2 send on MIDI ch2 and so on. (note: here I'm talkin' about the master keyboard programs, not program changes)

2. With EnergyXT1 you can assign any program change number to recall a configuration (snapshot). So (for example) program change 1 recall the Wedding Song 1, program change 2 recall the Wedding Song 2, etc. You can recall up to 128 snapshots (songs), enough for a live situation.

3. With this setup there's a limit of 16 instruments to be used in a song, but is this really a limit? Imagine this configuration:

EnergyXT:

MIDI Channel n.1: a solo Piano VSTi
MIDI Channel n.2: 2 VSTi, a piano and a strings program
MIDI Channel n.3: Piano + Strings + Synth Pad + Bell sound
MIDI Channel n.4: Solo lead sound
MIDI Channel n.5: 10 VSTi instruments of your choise layered together
etc...

4. Now I'm on stage and EnergyXT is running. I press a button on my BCR controller to recall the configuration above (the configuration for the first song). While I'm playing I switch the sound pressing my master keyboard buttons (see point 1) to change the sounds; there's no delay because nothing really change in the computer configuration, the only thing that change is the MIDI channel that the master keyboard uses to send the MIDI data. The only limit is the CPU power.

5. The song finish. I recall the second configuration, even more complex than the example in point 3. Here we have 10 VSTi instruments in each MIDI channel inside EnergyXT... Just the time to recall the configuration and I'm ready to play; the gap between a song and another is enough I think to load a configuration.

Does this example have a sense for you Receptor users?

[Walker]

Wow, Rick...that is a great setup idea and one I'll use!

I have Komplete 4 and I just bought the upgrade to Komplete 5. As you know, the only upgrades in Komplete 5 are Kontakt 3, Guitar Rig 3 and Massive. How is the CPU usage of Kontakt 3 versus 2? I really don't want to upgrade Kontakt if CPU usage is higher?

Thanks for the live situation setup idea!

Peace,
Brad

P.S. Where are the upgrade install directions again for Komplete 5?

[Rick@MuseResearch]

Brad,

CPU usage is about the same but K2 and Guitar Rig 3 are more stable on Receptor also Massive sounds great.

Rick

[Walker]

Thanks Rick,

Just to be sure that I fully understood your reply...

My pre-updated Kontakt 2 is more stable? And the new updated Guitar Rig 3 is stable? Is this correct? I'll probably install them tonight.

I wonder why would Kontakt 3 be less stable than 2...I wonder?

Thanks!

Brad

P.S. I just want to let everyone know that I've had my Receptor for one week, and I've had a VERY POSITIVE experience with tech support!! Thanks to all of the staff at MUSE!

[octotonic]

Hi folks,

I have a question regarding snapshots, multi's and the FX buses in Receptor.

Basically, for my live gigs, I've set up multi based snapshots which enable/disable receptor channels with their respective preconfigured plugins, according to my needs.

However, one thing I really use a lot are the Scarbee libraries with VKFX on top. In this case, I almost always use the Rhodes patch, but with highly differing settings in VKFX (like, sometimes heavy chorus, sometimes only some reverb, etcetera).

Kontakt with Scarbee is on my channel 1, with VKFX loaded in the FX A bus.
I use selfmade VKFX patches containing the different settings mentioned above.

What I can't seem to figure out is how to make the various snapshots use my VKFX settings. Program changes work fine, but FX A remains stuck on whatever I've left it on.

Anyone have ideas about this?

Cheers,

Octo

[Rick@MuseResearch]

Sorry Typo, I mean Kontakt 3.

Thanks Rick,

Just to be sure that I fully understood your reply...

My pre-updated Kontakt 2 is more stable? And the new updated Guitar Rig 3 is stable? Is this correct? I'll probably install them tonight.

I wonder why would Kontakt 3 be less stable than 2...I wonder?

Thanks!

Brad

P.S. I just want to let everyone know that I've had my Receptor for one week, and I've had a VERY POSITIVE experience with tech support!! Thanks to all of the staff at MUSE!

[Rick@MuseResearch]

Snapshots only change the mixer settings they do not change a plugin patch. You could load the effect on FX A, B and C, also the two Buses. Snapshots would be used to change the bypass state.

Rick

Hi folks,

I have a question regarding snapshots, multi's and the FX buses in Receptor.

Basically, for my live gigs, I've set up multi based snapshots which enable/disable receptor channels with their respective preconfigured plugins, according to my needs.

However, one thing I really use a lot are the Scarbee libraries with VKFX on top. In this case, I almost always use the Rhodes patch, but with highly differing settings in VKFX (like, sometimes heavy chorus, sometimes only some reverb, etcetera).

Kontakt with Scarbee is on my channel 1, with VKFX loaded in the FX A bus.
I use selfmade VKFX patches containing the different settings mentioned above.

What I can't seem to figure out is how to make the various snapshots use my VKFX settings. Program changes work fine, but FX A remains stuck on whatever I've left it on.

Anyone have ideas about this?

Cheers,

Octo

[octotonic]

Snapshots only change the mixer settings they do not change a plugin patch. You could load the effect on FX A, B and C, also the two Buses. Snapshots would be used to change the bypass state.

Rick

Thanks for your suggestion Rick, that sounds like a fine workaround. I'm a happy camper again

Octo

[RickNYC]

So timely to see this message given what I've been going through. Iopwert, I completely understand your situation and I have been in exactly the same predicament. I purchased this thinking it could be my main performance sound generator, but there's not a chance that will work. Whats worse, my receptor is not even working as a basic sound source for one sound. One day I'll post my issues on that topic to this group for some feedback since it doesn't belong in this thread, but basically I cant keep the Receptor working consistently for very long.

Anyway, on this topic specifically, Ive been on the phone with Rick from Muse a fair amount, and he's been very helpful in pointing out the same snapshot concept he mentioned here. The issue is that you will quickly run out of resources if you fill 16 channels with VST's, but even if that werent the case, 16 different setups is nowhere near enough. I play in a wedding band and need to provide continuous music, and because of the diversity of what we play, I am constantly switching between complex setups. I probably have about 50.

The workaround to this is to send program changes, but it just takes way too long. I had expected that since it's advertised as being optimized for live use, the Receptor would have some type of built in preloading or logic around when to load or not load VSTs (i.e. if something is configured the same, dont bother loading it - tools like Forte and Kore have this). But no such luck, and it just takes way too long to load program changes. Back to back against my 3-year old computer, the receptor takes about 10-25% more time to load certain patches.

Again without getting into the larger issues I have with the unit, this issue alone makes it impossible to use as a live tool where you need to use it for more than a handful of combinations. I wish I had a better experience to report.

[hitektodd]

I also use the receptor to perform live, I usually have a MkII Rhodes in my rig. But i have successfully used the Receptor for R&B gigs that require many different sounds (way more than 16) without the help of the Rhodes (or music workstation-type keyboard).

First of all, i change the midi output of the keyboard to a specific midi channel. If your keyboard/midi controller has no way of switching to individual midi channels quickly (And I mean QUICKLY without missing a note) then there is a wonderful little midi footswitch controller by "midi solutions" that allows you to push on a foot pedal and play a note, starting at middle 'c' and ascending chromatically (each note is assigned to a different midi channel 1-16). It works great! I can switch from Channel 1 straight to 16 VERY quickly. That makes 16 different receptor mixing scenarios to manipulate the 16 sounds i have loaded using one bank!

I think that alot of people can get away with using 16 instruments for even a pretty complicated gig. (For example Usually you can use a generic lead sound that will cover many different tunes. Usually on jobbers people don't even notice (or care) that you haven't perfectly recreated a sample.
"But what if I DO care!?" You may ask. If your anything like me, I love to model patches to sound exactly like the recording. Long story short, it means that I'll need alot more than 16 sounds to get through the gig. This also means I've got the dreaded moment of silence that feels like HOURS while the receptor loads. That's when you need to really get creative, but you must know the limitations of the Receptor.
I have 4 suggestions if you are pushing the receptor the same way i am on gigs.

1. Lose the samples, physical modeling saves CPU, this can mean the difference between waiting 15-20 seconds and 4-10 seconds:

- Istead of Akoustic Piano, Use PianoTeq.
- Instead of Elektric Piano (or any other sample based Rhodes) use "MrRay73Mk2" (It sounds great! And i know because i usually cart a real bloody Rhodes around!)
- Strings are tricky, DON'T use Kontakt strings. I found an OK sample physical modeled strings sound called "Matnitron" It doesn't sound extremly realistic but they do sound like strings and they have a nice attack to cut through the band.


2. Compare plugin loading times:
- Change banks using Zload to test how long things take. If that string sample you really like isn't loading quickly enough you need to find a faster loading string patch.
- If i have a very important gig i am double (sometimes triple) checking all the load times i will need to pull off during the show. (This works well with productions because you know exactly what is coming up, if you know there is a break load as many new instruments as you can!)

3. Bring a little monitor and mouse, It looks cool and you can get to your songs quicker if there is a dreaded REQUEST (the receptor's worst nightmare).

4. Talk it out... :)
- People i play with love the sounds i get because of the receptor, so make a deal with the bandleader, Tell him something like.
"I'll recreate sounds extremely well for all the tunes if you can remember to do give me a quick moment twice a set."
If your band leader wants great sounds he should be willing to compromise, at least a little ;)
If the band has a guitar player or even a solid bassist and drummer that can start the groove for the next tune. Nothing wrong with a little bass n drum filler to keep people on the dance floor!

Those are my suggestions, hope they help.
Todd.

[betucas]

HI THERE,I JUST GOT MY RECEPTOR (2GB RAM,160 GB HD REV C 1.7)2 DAYS AGO AND AS MANY OF YOU MY EXPECTATIVES WERE VERY HIGH ABOUT THIS PRODUCT.I WORK MOSTLY IN LIVE GIGS,BARS WEDDINGS ETC,WITH A GUITAR PLAYER THREE SINGERS AND DRUMMER,I PLAY KEYBOARDS AND GUITAR AS WELL.MOST OF THE MUSIC RUNS IN MY TRITON LE SEQUENCER WICH SOUNDS ARE THE AVERAGE IN THIS KIND OF UNIT,THEN I DISCOVER THE VST PLUGINS AND I REALLY WANTED MY SEQUENCES SOUND GOOD WITH THOSE.WELL, DO MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS TWO DAYS HAS BEEN A MAYOR HEADACHE.THE ONLY THING I WANT IS THAT THIS MACHINE ACT AS A SOUND MODULE AS MUSE SAYS IT WORKS AND ACT LIKE IT.AS A NEWBEE IN THIS 'RECEPTOR" WAY OF LIFE, MY CONCERN IS IN LIVE GIGS WHERE TIME IS MONEY AND THERES NO ROOM FOR DELAYS.I BEEN "TWEAKING"(SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH,I SPEAK SPANISH) HERE AND THERE AND I CAN"T FIND THE SOLUTION TO WORK FAST WITH THIS UNIT AS I USED TO WORK WITH SOUND MODULES IN THE PAST.PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME AND EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WORK WITH RECEPTOR AND MY SEQUENCES??HOW I CAN SAVE THE SETUP IN EVERY SONG(SEQUENCE) AND HOW TO RECALL IT FOR INMEDIATE PERFORMANCE WITH MY TRITON IN THE RECEPTOR WORLD??I WILL BE VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE.THANKS IN ADVANCE.