Comments from anyone useing Mainstage 2 and a any sort of receptor

[shaneblyth]

I am looking at buying a new receptor probably the new Komplete 6 model but not sure yet
I play live only and currently use mainstage 2 on a 2 year old MacbookPro and was wondering how a receptor would work and the best way to setit up live with mainstage 2 if this is possible or practical.
I mainly want to use it for Kontakt and will use some sounds from mainstage / logic layered.

any comments, is this a good idea, will it be reliable that sort of thing.

cheers

[jimkost]

A better idea for you, IMHO: Update your MBP with more RAM, Bigger faster HD or replace with newer MBP. I am a former Receptor PRO 2 owner. Great idea, but I can do exactly the same things with my MBP + mainstage (i can layer omnisphere and absynth and not have any glitches or latency). Sure, it runs a little hot sometimes. but nothing untoward. And I do 250+ gigs a year.

I love the IDEA of receptor. The reality is a serious discrepancy between Idea and real world implementation.

[jimkost]

Here is a balanced view of Receptor:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286549

u802513 has a lot of good helpful observations --- imho, i am more satisfied with MBP, but if you really want a receptor it is best to view it as a 1-2 year old ROMpler. And the folks on this forum are helpful + awesome!

[shaneblyth]

Here is a balanced view of Receptor:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286549



u802513 has a lot of good helpful observations --- imho, i am more satisfied with MBP, but if you really want a receptor it is best to view it as a 1-2 year old ROMpler. And the folks on this forum are helpful + awesome!

Thanks that link says the post doesnt exist. I'd really like to read it.
whats the spec on your MBPro? and what are u able to run on it for a concert?

cheers

Shane

[jeamsler]

www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286549

I would add that you should try out a receptor if you can. A receptor will not respond the same to playing as a laptop no matter what others may tell you. You may notice the difference or you may not, and that may be exactly what decides whether a receptor is worth it for you.

[jimkost]

my MBP is the last pre-unibody 17-in hi-res (matte) screen with 6 GB Ram, 2.6 Ghz dual core, 500GB 7200 internal HD.
I am able to run almost everything on Mainstage including Mutiple Layers of Omnisphere or Absynth mixed patches. Scarbee and/or Lounge Lizard EP's with Amplitube and or Mutli FX.

I usually do Single B3's w/light fx, 2 layer EP's or clavs with amp sims and 2-3 fx, double or triple layer synths inluding omnisphere.....

FWIW, my controller is the VAX77.......AMAZING! Best action I have EVER played on ANY keyboard. Elegant UI.

No glitches, No appreciable latency. Smooth. Everything that I was able to do on Receptor, except the standalone with the front panel interface.

The only thing I have not been able to do is run Ivory thru Mainstage (it crashes the program)----but I have my Ivory Items on a separate HD, which may be the problem. But Ivory runs like a champ thru Logic Pro, and I either do that or use the Vienna or NY Concert Grands thru Kontakt 4 on Mainstage. That's ok since I am a but of a purist and like a straight, unlayered Piano.

For my needs there was no appreciable difference between my MBP and receptor with similar buffer settings.....Receptor does have the advantage of being a rackmount w/a fan, but it is still a computer......same as MBP.

You just have to decide if you want the latest and greatest plugins and backward compatibility or if you can work with Receptor for what it supports TODAY. Take it for what it is as u802513 says.

[shaneblyth]

interesting the spec on your system. mine is 17" 2.33ghz core2duo with 3gb ram
buffer size is 128. yet you seem to get alot better performance than me.
i can only get 3gb of ram in this system
i wonder if it is mainly a ram issue?
what buffer size do u run?
i use my internal sound card as an output.
cheers

[chalaby]

my MBP is the last pre-unibody 17-in hi-res (matte) screen with 6 GB Ram, 2.6 Ghz dual core, 500GB 7200 internal HD.
I am able to run almost everything on Mainstage including Mutiple Layers of Omnisphere or Absynth mixed patches. Scarbee and/or Lounge Lizard EP's with Amplitube and or Mutli FX.

I usually do Single B3's w/light fx, 2 layer EP's or clavs with amp sims and 2-3 fx, double or triple layer synths inluding omnisphere.....

FWIW, my controller is the VAX77.......AMAZING! Best action I have EVER played on ANY keyboard. Elegant UI.

No glitches, No appreciable latency. Smooth. Everything that I was able to do on Receptor, except the standalone with the front panel interface.

The only thing I have not been able to do is run Ivory thru Mainstage (it crashes the program)----but I have my Ivory Items on a separate HD, which may be the problem. But Ivory runs like a champ thru Logic Pro, and I either do that or use the Vienna or NY Concert Grands thru Kontakt 4 on Mainstage. That's ok since I am a but of a purist and like a straight, unlayered Piano.

For my needs there was no appreciable difference between my MBP and receptor with similar buffer settings.....Receptor does have the advantage of being a rackmount w/a fan, but it is still a computer......same as MBP.

You just have to decide if you want the latest and greatest plugins and backward compatibility or if you can work with Receptor for what it supports TODAY. Take it for what it is as u802513 says.

Hi Jim and Shane,

Thanks for the interest and thanks for the business in the past Jim. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I am with Muse so you can take my comments with a grain of salt.

A couple of things to note. I have a similar laptop to Jim's and play both keyboard and guitar. I have found that the only way to run the bigger plugins is to set the sample buffer size to a minimum of 256, which produces unacceptable amounts of latency for my ears. If I am just playing pads it's OK, but for anything percussive it's hard to get around. Also, Receptors are designed to be run in extremely hot environments if the gig dictates this and my laptop has shut down in the past. Finally, Receptor has all the I/O built in so I can just plug my guitar in and not worry about pulling something out of the slot or pulling the laptop off its pedestal. The fact that it is racked means it is less likely to walk away by itself.

All the best.
Chris

[jimkost]

Hi shane~

i use 64 as my buffer size......latency is nil and i can run the bigger plugins no problem.

i also use a MOTU ultralite mk II hybrid as my interface....like buttah! :~)

i believe it is a RAM issue.....chris is also correct that Receptor's main strength is running well in hot environments......stages with tons of floodlights etc......I've run my MBP onstage at many festivals and mid sized venues and had nary a problem ......but ymmv, I suppose.

it is my experience that if i cable everything correctly and use a good stand for the laptop the "pulling off/down" issues are non--existent.....

Thanks for your graciousness, chris! All the Best!

Jim

[shaneblyth]

Hi shane~

i use 64 as my buffer size......latency is nil and i can run the bigger plugins no problem.

i also use a MOTU ultralite mk II hybrid as my interface....like buttah! :~)


Jim

you have got to be kidding 64 buffer !!!
is that just because of the ultralite i am only using the inbuilt interface and get 128 and that is a bit o the edge maybe as u say mostly ram. If you run it with the ultralite just straight thru the inbuilt sound do u notice and need to adjust the buffers up from 64 ?
cheers

[jimkost]

NO......I have found the minimum acceptable latency with both core audio and external interfaces is achieved at the buffer setting of 64. That is what I had my receptor set on as well......hope this helps. (Apologies for the delay in response!)

[PeterHoueSoerensen]

I'm just starting using MS with a MBP 17" with 4 GB RAM and the standard 500 GB 5400 RPM drive. With Omnisphere the sound starts clicking cutting of pretty soon, with no regards to latency settings.

What can I do to fix that? More RAM, faster HD or??

Cheers, Peter

[PhilAiken]

my MBP is the last pre-unibody 17-in hi-res (matte) screen with 6 GB Ram, 2.6 Ghz dual core, 500GB 7200 internal

FWIW, my controller is the VAX77.......AMAZING! Best action I have EVER played on ANY keyboard. Elegant UI.

.

Oldish thread, but how do you find the action specifically for piano playing?

[PhilAiken]

I took the plunge.
It is a great feeling controller, and did not take me long to get used to playing piano on it.
There are some Receptor specific features of note. For starters, it can import your Receptor File structure directly, allowing you to choose your patches/ multis by name from the LED screen.....