Can a Receptor run multiple VST's at once?

[Deugan]

Hello everyone! I'm very new here and this is my first post. I'm a musician who is embarking on a new project and could use some help. I've been doing a great deal of searching for gear that can help me and I've recently heard of the receptor. If it is what I think it is then I do believe I can save myself allot of headache for future gigs with this new project. What I need in a live situation is to be able to run a guitar, some keys, trigger samples, and run vocals. All of which will be needing various effects. I was hoping to be able to achieve this through the muse receptor.

Would I be capable to run my guitar through the receptor and use amp simulators to achieve various tones? I would not actually be using cabinet sims since I would like to be able to run the receptor through a Tech 21 Power Engine (simplifies things so I don't have to run straight into the PA). I would also like to use a midi foot controller to switch between different presets/effects for my guitar. The keith mcmillen softstep seems right since I'd also have the option to attach an external expression pedal.

I'd also like to be able to plug in a midi keyboard controller to play some synths and other vst's. Ideally it would also have pads on it to trigger samples from maybe another VST. My project has sort of a electro-pop meets garage rock vibe to it so these things will probably be necessary. Obviously I would not be playing guitar AND keys simultaneously at any given time. These synths would also be played through the tech 21 Power engine (which may be mic'd depending on the situation).

Finally I would also like to process my vocals through the receptor and run through a vocoder/talkboxish VST. Also the usual reverb, compression and whatnot. This would also ideally be controlled by both the footswitch controller and the keyboard as I would need to sing along with my guitar playing or keywork. Hopefully the vocals could run straight into the PA instead of the Tech 21 power Engine as it might sound a mess to have both vocals and guitar/keys through the same speaker cabinet (which may be mic'd into the PA).

So picture this:
-A guitar plugged straight into a receptor running amp sims & effects.
-That receptor is sitting on a Tech 21 power engine. (one output of the receptor is plugged into Tech 21)
-A midi keyboard is plugged into that same receptor to control various VST's & effects
-A midi footswitch (usb) is also plugged into that receptor to switch between presets for the guitar and vocals.
-A mic is also plugged into the receptor to process vocal effects and run vocoder VST's (while one of the other instruments is being played)
-There is a second output exclusively for the vocals running straight into the PA

I understand that this is a very tall order. I also understand that this sort of setup could be accomplished several different ways with a laptop or other hardware but the reason I'm looking at the receptor is that it would save me allot of setup time. Although it may be a pain to get everything set the way I want (presets and whatnot) it looks as though it could save me allot of headache at gigs and it would also be allot less gear to manage. Anyways any help will be greatly appreciated. Oh BTW I was looking at the VIP Model but would consider the others if it were necessary. I'll also be purchasing Komplete in the near future (regardless if this works out) so I should be set on VST's. Thanks allot guys

[JayVee]

Short answer ~ Yes.

Receptor is what you want; now the question is which one...

[hopkihc]

The VIP has unbalanced stereo outs, and that's it. This will be problematic if you want to pass separate signals for keys, vocals, and your guitar. If you want multiple outs, you may want to pick up a Receptor 2+, and even then, you get a pair of analog outs + S/PDIF and ADAT (8-channel) digital out, so you're going to need another box in there somewhere.

A laptop and an audio interface with multiple outs would be easier to deal with in that sense, but then, you'd be gigging with a laptop. Lots of folks do this, but lots of folks gig with Receptors for all the reasons that make you not want to gig with a laptop. I can say that a MacBook Pro running Mainstage 2, coupled with a decent audio interface, will do what you're asking, for about the same money. You may not even need to throw down for Komplete just yet!

Another caveat with the Receptor: if you're using USB MIDI controllers, make sure they don't require special drivers (i.e. that they are class compliant). You won't be able to install special drivers on the Receptor. Furthermore, without introducing additional hardware (MIDI mergers or the iConnect MIDI boxes), you can have only a 5-pin MIDI out + 1 USB controller connected to the Receptor.

To answer your post's title more directly, you can absolutely run multiple VSTs. I don't know much about the new OS, but if it keeps the signal routing of the previous OS, you'd have 16 channels for VSTs, each with two effects inserts, then a couple of aux FX busses and a master.

All that said, I find it a little hard to recommend a Receptor without you knowing FOR CERTAIN if the VSTs you want to run will run on the Receptor. In my case, I'm running a laptop AND a Receptor, albeit in a studio environment. The Receptor lets me run a ton of VSTs without bogging down the laptop and having to deal with a separate computing environment for that purpose.

Hope this helps.
-John

[gregh1]

To the OP: I do what you are asking about, with a Receptor 1b, and I do play guitar (actually Chapman NS/Stick) and keys at the same time...

[hopkihc]

To the OP: I do what you are asking about, with a Receptor 1b, and I do play guitar (actually Chapman NS/Stick) and keys at the same time...

How are you handling outputs? Or do you essentially use the Receptor as your mixer?

[Deugan]

Thanks everyone! Yes it is probably a good idea to form a list of VST's that I would like to use. I say i'm getting komplete because i've worked with absynth & guitar rig and am familiar with some of the others and am willing to put in the time to learn them. Until now i've been running ableton suite (looking forward to 9) and only use the stock plug ins and effects. I'm really only using it for minor recording and getting ideas down. If the receptor doesn't work out I'd probably use this instead but i'd rather not.

So the audio routing is another problem then? I'll only need 2 outs. 1 for vocals and the other for guitar and keys. I'll also check what the situation is with the midi controller's drivers. Thanks a bunch everyone! All advice is much appreciated

[gregh1]

How are you handling outputs? Or do you essentially use the Receptor as your mixer?

I'm comfortable using it as my mixer because my sound system is full-range (not specifically for guitar, bass, or voice, for example), but if I wanted 2 separate 1/4" outputs, I would pan to left or right. I've also used my simple plugin GH-LRSelector to help with that, either at input or output, but the latest Receptor OS allows you to choose left line in or right line, giving a total of three 1/4" mono line inputs, one of which (on the front panel) has impedance suitable for standard (passive) electric guitar.