Questioning the Marketing of Receptor
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- KVRian
- 581 posts since 30 Nov, 2008 from Denver CO USA
So it makes you wonder why can't I rent one with a backed up drive so you could see if it fits? The way things work around here I doubt it. So that leaves the buy one with as long a return option possible to give you time to check it out. Tf so then get the latest and greatest to avoid the extra for the upgrade.
A minor scale is a major scale starting 3 half steps down from the major and visa versa. Any Chord has as many versions as it has notes.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 12 posts since 29 May, 2008
Okay, this great stuff. Answering alot my questions.
Maybe the Receptor's not for me.
My current live keyboard rig is pretty intense setup involving multiple Yamaha KX-88's and KX-76's as master controllers triggering multiple Yamaha MEP-4s(Midi Event Processors) that in turn are controlling the patch change and midi mapping and zoning information for multiple rackmount synth modules.
One thing I'm most proud of with this setup is...that with one touch of button on the KX-88, I can change patches instantly on any one or all synth modules without loosing a beat. Literally, my entire patch setup can change within the 1/4 of beat in any given measure. (yes, some of the synth's audio does mute temporarily while its preset is changing...but no longer than about 250 ms.)
The downside of this rig is that it's physically big and heavy and expensive to cartiage around. Oh my aching back.
SO, enters the 2 rack-space RECEPTOR! I really would love see this unit replace 80-90% of all my hardware rack synths. (Most likely a loaded KOMPLETE 5 Receptor with a few other VI's sprinkled in for grins) could possibly do the job). But from reading many of the forums posted here about Receptor's limitations, the unit seems to have a difficult time managing simple patch change information...either way too slow or can't do patch on certain channels, etc. This concerns me. Wow, changing patches on a synth is midi basic 101.
Question: Am I wishing too much out of such small box?
Maybe the Receptor's not for me.
My current live keyboard rig is pretty intense setup involving multiple Yamaha KX-88's and KX-76's as master controllers triggering multiple Yamaha MEP-4s(Midi Event Processors) that in turn are controlling the patch change and midi mapping and zoning information for multiple rackmount synth modules.
One thing I'm most proud of with this setup is...that with one touch of button on the KX-88, I can change patches instantly on any one or all synth modules without loosing a beat. Literally, my entire patch setup can change within the 1/4 of beat in any given measure. (yes, some of the synth's audio does mute temporarily while its preset is changing...but no longer than about 250 ms.)
The downside of this rig is that it's physically big and heavy and expensive to cartiage around. Oh my aching back.
SO, enters the 2 rack-space RECEPTOR! I really would love see this unit replace 80-90% of all my hardware rack synths. (Most likely a loaded KOMPLETE 5 Receptor with a few other VI's sprinkled in for grins) could possibly do the job). But from reading many of the forums posted here about Receptor's limitations, the unit seems to have a difficult time managing simple patch change information...either way too slow or can't do patch on certain channels, etc. This concerns me. Wow, changing patches on a synth is midi basic 101.
Question: Am I wishing too much out of such small box?
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- KVRist
- 173 posts since 3 Sep, 2007 from CT
The issue is sample loading. VSTs that don't use samples are usually not all that processor intensive, can be layered and load and switch presets quickly. Loadind large samples in 250ms isn't happening anywhere.engineerjoel wrote:Okay, this great stuff. Answering alot my questions.
Maybe the Receptor's not for me.
My current live keyboard rig is pretty intense setup involving multiple Yamaha KX-88's and KX-76's as master controllers triggering multiple Yamaha MEP-4s(Midi Event Processors) that in turn are controlling the patch change and midi mapping and zoning information for multiple rackmount synth modules.
One thing I'm most proud of with this setup is...that with one touch of button on the KX-88, I can change patches instantly on any one or all synth modules without loosing a beat. Literally, my entire patch setup can change within the 1/4 of beat in any given measure. (yes, some of the synth's audio does mute temporarily while its preset is changing...but no longer than about 250 ms.)
The downside of this rig is that it's physically big and heavy and expensive to cartiage around. Oh my aching back.
SO, enters the 2 rack-space RECEPTOR! I really would love see this unit replace 80-90% of all my hardware rack synths. (Most likely a loaded KOMPLETE 5 Receptor with a few other VI's sprinkled in for grins) could possibly do the job). But from reading many of the forums posted here about Receptor's limitations, the unit seems to have a difficult time managing simple patch change information...either way too slow or can't do patch on certain channels, etc. This concerns me. Wow, changing patches on a synth is midi basic 101.
Question: Am I wishing too much out of such small box?
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- KVRer
- 4 posts since 23 Feb, 2009 from Las Vegas NV
If it helps to understand the flexibility of Receptor and its capabilities versus a PC/Laptop system, consider this....
Before I got a Receptor, I played 4~5 keyboards at once with rack-based synths and samplers. This type of system has worked for me for years with the only negatives being exhausted in hauling all this crap around, and the constant worry of something breaking down. I know that many touring bands are using Macbooks and other laptops. Radiohead is using two Macbooks to run Kontakt3 for their keyboard players. I was impressed! So I considered going with a souped-up laptop connected to a firewire audio card to run various virtual instruments, and a USB interface connected to my 8x8 MIDI patchbay/switcher... Pros: I could eliminate all of my heavy keyboards and rack gear, and use Sonar to run VST's and mix my sound. Cons: Long Bootup if the laptop crashes, Latency, CPU limitations on how many VST's can run at once... and the killer: COST! Aside from the cost of software to run the VST's I would need to have something to output the sound and input the MIDI, and I was already looking at over $2000 for basic laptop-based setup that was likely to be too fragile to handle the rigors of session and stage work.
So... researching more, I found Receptor and balked at the $3000 cost. I compared all the capabilities against a laptop based system. Then I read every testimonials and was shocked to discover who's using Receptor for touring, studio and stage work.
A month later, I took ownership of a Receptor 2 Pro with the Komplete package pre-installed. I racked it with my existing power conditioner and 8x8 MIDI patchbay, and placed a cheap 15" LCD monitor, an optical mouse and compact QWERTY keyboard on top of the rack case. Attached are five MIDI controllers and a link to my drummer's electronic drum pads to trigger Kontakt samples. Setup takes less time than usual as less cables are being used. before I had to connect AC power, audio and MIDI In/Out to each keyboard, up to four cables each. Now my connections from Receptor to my keyboards consists of only two cables for each keyboard: USB power and MIDI Out. The size and weight of my keyboard system is a fraction of what it used to be. I even get to leave my 16 channel mixer at home as Receptor Muse Machine software provides a killer submix. It enables me to preset a unique Multi for each song (audio levels, patch settings, instrument effects, master effects, MIDI channeling and keyboard split-points) and I either use the front-panel controls or the screen/mouse to select what Multi to play. The FOH engineer in the band loves the Receptor because my sound is ALWAYS consistent - regardless of the quantity of instruments and effects - everything is rock-solid for every song. My technological fears about equipment failure have been greatly reduced while my flexibility and capabilities as a performer have increased. I no longer have to worry about the wrong instrument or effects patch settings, incorrect sub-mix levels or transposition settings... once I set the Multi, its always perfect. My only limiting factor now are my chops.
Food for thought....
Before I got a Receptor, I played 4~5 keyboards at once with rack-based synths and samplers. This type of system has worked for me for years with the only negatives being exhausted in hauling all this crap around, and the constant worry of something breaking down. I know that many touring bands are using Macbooks and other laptops. Radiohead is using two Macbooks to run Kontakt3 for their keyboard players. I was impressed! So I considered going with a souped-up laptop connected to a firewire audio card to run various virtual instruments, and a USB interface connected to my 8x8 MIDI patchbay/switcher... Pros: I could eliminate all of my heavy keyboards and rack gear, and use Sonar to run VST's and mix my sound. Cons: Long Bootup if the laptop crashes, Latency, CPU limitations on how many VST's can run at once... and the killer: COST! Aside from the cost of software to run the VST's I would need to have something to output the sound and input the MIDI, and I was already looking at over $2000 for basic laptop-based setup that was likely to be too fragile to handle the rigors of session and stage work.
So... researching more, I found Receptor and balked at the $3000 cost. I compared all the capabilities against a laptop based system. Then I read every testimonials and was shocked to discover who's using Receptor for touring, studio and stage work.
A month later, I took ownership of a Receptor 2 Pro with the Komplete package pre-installed. I racked it with my existing power conditioner and 8x8 MIDI patchbay, and placed a cheap 15" LCD monitor, an optical mouse and compact QWERTY keyboard on top of the rack case. Attached are five MIDI controllers and a link to my drummer's electronic drum pads to trigger Kontakt samples. Setup takes less time than usual as less cables are being used. before I had to connect AC power, audio and MIDI In/Out to each keyboard, up to four cables each. Now my connections from Receptor to my keyboards consists of only two cables for each keyboard: USB power and MIDI Out. The size and weight of my keyboard system is a fraction of what it used to be. I even get to leave my 16 channel mixer at home as Receptor Muse Machine software provides a killer submix. It enables me to preset a unique Multi for each song (audio levels, patch settings, instrument effects, master effects, MIDI channeling and keyboard split-points) and I either use the front-panel controls or the screen/mouse to select what Multi to play. The FOH engineer in the band loves the Receptor because my sound is ALWAYS consistent - regardless of the quantity of instruments and effects - everything is rock-solid for every song. My technological fears about equipment failure have been greatly reduced while my flexibility and capabilities as a performer have increased. I no longer have to worry about the wrong instrument or effects patch settings, incorrect sub-mix levels or transposition settings... once I set the Multi, its always perfect. My only limiting factor now are my chops.
Food for thought....