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Muse Research Receptor

OK, so I saw that Darren Tate video and he was using one of these and it looked really cool. For those that don't know what it is, check it out here:

http://www.museresearch.com/receptor.php

Basically it is a computer in a box, but it's dedicated to running VST effects and plugins. Check out the FAQ for a more precise explanation.

Anyway, so I was thinking about picking one of these up. The main reason is that I am running Logic on a Mac, and there are certain VST plugins that are Windows only that'd I'd like to incorporate into my setup (namely Atmosphere and z3ta). In addition, I'd like to be able to run some of the more CPU intensive plugins (read:NI) offline in order to save CPU cycles to Logic Native plugins and stuff that isn't "Receptorized".

I found a version on Novamusik for like $1,699, but I'm not sure if it is limited in some way.

So for those that are using one of these, my questions are:

• If I pick up one of the versions that has preinstalled plugins (such as the Komplete Inside version), can I also install extra "Receptorized" versions of 3rd party plugins? Or is it limited to what is preinstalled?
  
• Do the Komplete Inside versions also include the UniWire plugin so I can run this natively like a VST plugin?
  
• If it does include UniWire, is all the audio transferred over the ethernet connection or do I have to connect the physical audio outs to my audio interface?
  

So, would it let you run windows plugins on a mac? (and possibly vice-versa?)

anywya, for you first question, i think it would be safe to say yes.

quote:

Originally posted by hasbone So, would it let you run windows plugins on a mac? (and possibly vice-versa?)

It is a PC based system, so you can run Windows plugins through a wrapper plugin called UniWire. You would not be able to run Mac plugins on Windows, however.

I've been checking this out for a couple hours now... seriously considering getting one myself.

From what I've found, you'll still be able to install other plugins on the Komplete Receptor. I think Komplete will take about 35 gigs of the 160 gigs available, the rest is availble to add on. It does have the Uniwire (like the others) and according to the Muse Research page, you can throw away all your audio and midi cables, so I think you're good with just that one cable.

Nice compliment to a Mac for the reason you mentioned...

quote:

Originally posted by Ray_Chappell I've been checking this out for a couple hours now... seriously considering getting one myself. From what I've found, you'll still be able to install other plugins on the Komplete Receptor. I think Komplete will take about 35 gigs of the 160 gigs available, the rest is availble to add on. It does have the Uniwire (like the others) and according to the Muse Research page, you can throw away all your audio and midi cables, so I think you're good with just that one cable. Nice compliment to a Mac for the reason you mentioned...

OK, cool. I kind of figured that from what I had read, but I wanted a second pair of eyes to verify. I gotta tell ya, this is probably one of the most useful purchases I've considered for quite some time. The possibilities are endless. I mean, why spend 2 grand on a single synth when you can spend the same amount and get as many synths as you need?

I may risk a month of sleeping on the couch and pony up for this one! I just hope there is someone on this board who is using one, because I'd like to see if it is as good as advertised. I mean, Muse will tell you its the bomb, but I'd like to hear from someone who's actually using it and make sure the integration is all its cracked up to be.

Picked this thing up today and its well worth the cost, especially for running Windows VST's from a Mac environment. Perfect delay compensation, and no hiccups so far. Kind of fiddly to learn at first, but once you have it figured out, it works like a charm!

As someone famous in a movie once said: "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

These things have been around for ages! I guess they're a good idea, but with quad cores being the next big thing, I'm not sure whether they're going to be as relevant in the future...

I looked into these a few months back, but since jumping to Cubase, i cant get my CPU over 30-40% no matter how hard i try

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips These things have been around for ages! I guess they're a good idea, but with quad cores being the next big thing, I'm not sure whether they're going to be as relevant in the future...

Well, for me, I can never have too much power, and the main reason I picked it up was to be able to run PC only plugins in a Mac environment, but it's nice to run things like Massive with 0 CPU load.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Picked this thing up today and its well worth the cost, especially for running Windows VST's from a Mac environment. Perfect delay compensation, and no hiccups so far. Kind of fiddly to learn at first, but once you have it figured out, it works like a charm! As someone famous in a movie once said: "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Sleeping on the couch for a week, huh? Thanks for the update - glad to hear it's working out. I've set my sights on this now... probably be a couple months since I just bought Melodyne studio a couple days before you posted this, but this is next for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Well, for me, I can never have too much power, and the main reason I picked it up was to be able to run PC only plugins in a Mac environment, but it's nice to run things like Massive with 0 CPU load.

Eric, when you get a moment, could you put up a mini review with all the pros and cons. After switching to mac, I miss of lot of my PC VSTs and this seems like it could do the trick.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Eric, when you get a moment, could you put up a mini review with all the pros and cons. After switching to mac, I miss of lot of my PC VSTs and this seems like it could do the trick.

Sure.

Pros:

• Basically just a computer in a box, is not limited to just manufacturers plugins in the same way as a WAVES APA box is. Runs a customized version of Linux with WINE.
  
  
• Can run a maximum of 16 VST instruments and 57 effects plugins, assuming you don't max out the CPU.
  
  
• Cross-grade available for plugins you already own.
  
  
• Most unsupported plugins will work if they adhere to the Windows VST 2.0 standard.
  
  
• Audio and MIDI data can be transferred over a standard Gigabit ethernet.
  
  
• Includes the Uniwire plugin which allows you to use any plugin or effect on the box just like a standard VST instrument or effect including full delay compensation just like any other native plug.
  
  
• Has separate MIDI In/Out/Thru and unbalanced audio outs so it can be used in the same manner as a hardware synth
  
  
• Support S/PDIF and ADAT digital audio
  
  
• Extremely stable.
  
  
• Has a dedicated user interface that can be accessed from a different workstation via VNC remote control software OR can plug in a standard monitor/keyboard and mouse.
  
  
• List of supported plugins is huge and from well-respected manufacturers. NI, PSP, CamelAudio, Sonalksis, Big Fish Audio, and loads more. NI support in particular is extensive.
  
  
• All processing is done on the box. The only overhead on the host DAW is passing network packets back and forth to the unit. A trivial task for most workstations.
  
  
• Nearly all the available power in the machine is available for your instruments and effects. Since Linux is such low consumer of computer resources, you have 98+% of your resources available for processing tasks, where as on some Windows computers anywhere from 5-10% of the available resources is taken up just running the operating system and various services, depending on how powerful the machine is and what is running on it. In addition, a lot of services take up CPU temporarily running scheduled tasks and background processes, such as Windows Update checking for updates or Antivirus software performing a check. With the Receptor you know the only tasks running are a very basic operating system. Its not constantly performing background tasks.
  
  

• Automation of plugin parameters must be done with MIDI CC commands.
  
  
• List of supported plugins does not always include the latest versions. Until recently, there was only support for previous generation NI plugins. FM7 vs. FM8, Absynth 3 vs. 4, etc. Direct Install has made the current versions of these plugins available.
  
  
• Not every plugin with every manufacturer is "officially" supported. For example, only Albino, Blue and Predator are supported from the Rob Papen family, however, there are loads of people who have installed "unsupported" plugins with success.
  
  
• Requires an elevated level of technical understanding about computers and networking because loading software on the unit requires you to mount the drive from the network and drag files to it. Not terribly difficult for most of us, but may intimidate some.
  
  
• iLok copy protection scheme. This can be a bit fiddly if you are not used to it and you must unplug the iLok from the unit and plug it into another computer to get the iLok authorizations on to the key, then plug it back into the Receptor. Again, not a huge deal, but a bit more hassle than a native plugin.
  
  
• Learning curve is a bit steep. I spent a good bit of time trying to figure out how to do one thing or another. The workflow of using the unit is not always real intuitive, but a quick look at the manual will usually tell you what you need to know.
  
  
• Expensive.
  

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