Keys, Guitar, and Vocals on Receptor

[snowbird122]

I play keys, guitar, and sing background in a band. Can I use Receptor to replace my hardware keyboard, guitar modeling unit, and vocal processing hardware unit? If so, what are the most common midi controllers for keys and guitar for live performance?

[hopkihc]

Absolutely. You've checked out the product page, right?

All of this is spelled out there. Check out the FAQ too: http://www.museresearch.com/support/receptor-faq.php

Receptors have audio in (kind and amount vary by model), and you can plug in your guitar and mic directly. Load it up with software synths and play it from any controller via MIDI or USB (although not all controllers work over USB). You could always keep your current hardware board as a controller.

The main issue is the type of effects and sounds you want to run.

Can you give us an idea of what you need to do?

-John

[snowbird122]

I've read the product page, but I don't see many questions about people trying to do all three things at once.

I'd want to replace my Line6 guitar modeling unit with Guitar Rig 5. I'd like to replace my hardware synths (Roland 700NX, Ultranova) with something (maybe a couple of the Komplete offerings), and I'd like to replace my TC Helicon VoicePlay Live with some pitch correction and vocal processing power.

Is this realistic? Which VST is a good replacement for the VoicePlay live?

[hopkihc]

I've read the product page, but I don't see many questions about people trying to do all three things at once.

Really the only limitations are finding plugins that run reliably and having enough CPU power to do them simultaneously.

If you had Komplete 8/9, that would give you Guitar Rig 5, Kontakt including several acoustic and electric pianos (replacing the 700NX), and Massive (would compete well with Ultranova), and of course Absynth and Reaktor for other synthy and effects goodness. I could easily load the first three in different channels and route guitar and mic to different plugins.

Which VST is a good replacement for the VoicePlay live?

That... I have no idea, especially when it comes to something like real-time pitch correction and harmonization. Hopefully someone else can chime in here.

If you're looking to drop some gear weight by replacing the 700NX, you'll want something with lots of controllers for changing patches, adjusting settings, etc. The kind of controller depends on the number and kind of realtime changes you need to make during a gig. Also, do you want a weighted action?

One option is to keep the 700NX as a controller, but maybe you're looking to sell that to finance the Receptor?

I'm not sure which MIDI "pedalboard" style controllers would work best with a Receptor. I suppose you could use the volume AND expression inputs on your MIDI controller to send to the Receptor.

All that said, you'll have to make a mental and procedural shift here. You'll have to configure and get used to new controller assignments, as you'd lose the more dedicated controls found in your current rig. Only you can decide if that's worth doing for the ability to carry less to the gig, if in fact you'd be carrying less. The Receptor is already 2 rack spaces and 20 lbs. If you've got the Vocalist and Line 6 racked already, I'm not sure what you'd gain, unless you're looking for more sonic options.

Hope this helps or at least provokes some thought.
-John