I stumbled upon this late last night and it's truly the best deal I've ever encountered in a sound module. I've been following the Muse Research Receptor products for awhile and have definitely been impressed by the technology but their latest implementation really is one heck of a deal!

"Available direct from IK Multimedia: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/twrack/ and Plugorama: http://www.plugorama.com/customer/product.php?productid=584 only, the Receptor Total Workstation Rack (TWR), powered by SampleTank, combines IK Multimedia's super-efficient SampleTank engine with the high-performance Receptor hardware plug-in player from Muse Research complete with an exclusive red faceplate. The result is a fast and ferocious music instrument that expands your creative horizons AND improves your workflow. Indeed, the Receptor TWR is the Ultimate Sound Module.

Not only does this new configuration give you thousands of sounds at the push of a button but you'll be pleased to know that you can purchase this model for the bargain price of just €1,599.99 (excl. taxes) / $1,999.99 direct from IK Multimedia or Plugorama!"


NOTE: It gets even better if you own ANY IK Multimedia product, because you can crossgrade for just €1399.99 (excl. taxes) / $1699.99!!!
IK Multimedia is EXTREMELY liberal on their crossgrades, as seen on the following page: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/Main.html?Crossgrade/index.php

For example, I purchased several sample libraries as part of a group buy a couple of years ago, which included SampleTank 2 LE. This allows me to save 300.00 on the Total Workstation Rack! By the way, the price they are asking for this special Receptor version is exactly the same as the basic Receptor module without any sound libraries pre-installed! One heck of a deal!

"Made in cooperation with sound design experts at Sonic Reality, SampleTank 2, Sonik Synth 2, Miroslav Philharmonik, SampleTron and SampleMoog, featuring more than 10,000 sounds (27 GB of samples) covering every instrument category, come pre-installed and ready to make music!

It doesn't stop there - three of IK's effect plug-ins are also included: T-RackS EQ, the 6-band Mastering EQ from the T-RackS Analog modeled mastering plug-ins collection; AmpliTube 2 DUO, the Guitar Amp & Fx Modeling plug-in; and Ampeg SVX UNO, the Bass Amp & Fx Modeling plug-in!"

The new Total Workstation Rack Receptor features the entire “Powered by SampleTank” line of workstation plug-ins integrated into the powerful Muse Receptor, a machine that’s built from the ground up to use plug-ins with the same feeling of an hardware synthesizer. This new fusion of software and hardware bridges the gap for those who are looking for more power from their plug-ins in the studio and on stage. Powered by Muse Receptor, and featuring the award-winning sounds of IK Multimedia, this is truly a world-class instrument and the future of the keyboard rack unit.

* The ultimate hardware solution to soft-synths
* Over 14,000 playable patches straight out of the box
* Includes all “Powered by SampleTank” plug-ins:
o SampleTank 2.5 XL
o Miroslav Philharmonik
o Sonik Synth 2
o SampleMoog™
o SampleTron
* 28 GB of Data on a 160 GB drive! There’s room for expansion!
* Features UniWire™ - use the Receptor Hardware as a plug-in in your favorite DAW
* 4 user-programmable knobs for instant tweakability

This unique combination of hardware and software together make for one of the most powerful sound modules ever made, with over 14,000 sample-based sounds of the highest quality from every instrument category! Regardless of what kind of music you make, the Total Workstation Rack has you covered with a massive collection of world-class Acoustic Grand Pianos, Electric Pianos, Strings, Brass, Winds, Vocals, Organs, Percussion, Drums, Basses, Guitars, Synths, Loops, Ethnic sample and more. The Total Workstation Rack also includes an entire collection of one of the best sounding Orchestral sound sets ever made and a complete collection of extremely rare and sought-after Vintage Keyboards and Synths. The Total Workstation Rack delivers these amazing sounds with pristine audio performance, super low latency, full synth and effects’ editing and unmatched versatility for creating layers and splits. For the ultimate in flexibility, you may edit and save these new sounds for instant recall using a simple MIDI program change message from your keyboard or controller.

The Total Workstation Rack offers the most advanced solution for both live and studio usage. On stage, the Total Workstation Rack behaves exactly like a hardware synth but with incomparable sound range and quality, due to SampleTank’s super-efficient sound engine coupled with Receptor’s high-performance host environment. Your sounds will load AND respond quickly, thanks to Receptor’s superior audio I/O and MIDI implementation with proprietary, low-latency drivers. In the studio, the Total Workstation Rack can be integrated with any DAW as a normal instrument plug-in using Muse’s UniWire technology, without putting that extra strain on your computer’s CPU, allowing for extremely rich, complex arrangements.

Whether you play keyboards, drums, guitars or compose or engineer music, you know that the ideal musical tool lets you “live in the moment” and deliver the sound that’s “just right” with a minimum of fuss. That’s exactly what the Total Workstation Rack provides – inspirational sounds without the hassle. A virtually unlimited range of sounds awaits in the new Total Workstation Rack, ready to be exploited quickly and easily."

The Muse Research site: http://www.museresearch.com/ has tons of available information, downloadable documentation, video tutorials, etc that explain the whole Receptor Concept (if anyone needs a further explanation of what the technology is all about).

Michael



[This message has been edited by ocomain (edited 09-02-2008).]

It’s been out for a couple or three years now, and goes down well with those that use it.

Some things you should take into account

1. Controls are minimal, so make sure you have a good flexible Midi controller

2. If you wish to use it with an Arranger, make sure the arranger gives you full Midi control of all its sections

3. Not all VSTs are compatible, as they have to be modified slightly to work with Receptor. (Most of the common ones work without problems)

4. Like all computer based systems for the Pro market, it helps to know how VST, CPU, RAM and Hard Disk react together.

5. Most of the big VST manufactures have packages that work with Receptor. (As an example Native Instruments Komplete 5)

6. It is not a plug and play device, but spend some time studying the manual for the Receptor, plus any other equipment you use, and you will be amazed at what you can achieve.

Bill

For those who don't need or want to spend the money on the Receptor, there's now another alternative, priced at under 600.00! I've watched several videos about this unit but would like to read the manual before purchasing, though so far, it looks pretty damn good.

SM Pro Audio V-Machine Standalone Plugin Player Module
http://www.zzounds.com/item--STOVMACHINE (expected to arrive 10/20/08)

The V-Machine is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ's. It is one little beast that can't be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plug-
ins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders.

Infinitely adaptable and powerful, the V-Machine is set to become a truly indispensable tool.

Features
External hardware host for Windows plugins (VST instruments and effects)

Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software

Create synth layers and chain them with effects

Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine

Multiple VSTi's can be combined

MIDI learn functions included

All effect and synth chains can be switched latency free

USB-Ports for copy protection dongles

Use software samplers and stream its content from any USB drive

Software
All SM Pro Audio V-Machines ship with a control configuration software compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (future support). Users can load up their favorite VST/VSTi plug-ins on their computer for auditioning, sound-set creation, and bank/preset memory assignment prior to transferring to one of the V-products for stand-alone use. Simple intuitive software makes sound and effect creation a breeze. Transferring your plug-ins to the V-Box, couldn't be easier: A speedy USB transfer to the hardware units (via USB cable, USB stick, or USB harddrive) takes care of all required user data, memories, and of course plug-in transfer. Once in the main unit... you have freed your plug-ins from the computer and have instant immediate access to your instrument and effect sound creations on a dedicated hardware unit.

In each software bank you can run unlimited presets and within one preset you can have up to four channels and up to two fx channels. Each channel can load up to three plug ins and each fx channels also has three plug-in slots. Even the master channel can hold up to three plug-ings so you can run up to 21 plug-ins in each preset!

The program allows you to run the native plug-in's interface or switch to the controller mode, where you can assign all parameters of the plug-in/s. Don't forget to remember: Now you can play all your favorite Windows plug-ins (dll-files) on Mac and Linux!
Technical Info
Tech Specifications
1 Ghz CPU

1G IDE flash disk

512 MB RAM

24-Bit/192kHz DAC

Connections
Audio Line Out (2x TS 6.35mm): Line level -10dB

1 x MIDI In (5-pin female DIN)

1 audio input (1x mini jack 3.5mm stereo)

1 x USB Type-B (Slave) : USB-MIDI Class Compliant

Headphone out (3.5mm stereo)

"Kensington" style lock aperture

2 x USB Type-A (Host) compatiable with USB-MIDI and USB Mass Storage Class compliant devices

DC IN : 12V Regulated


Michael

Interesting device, I have not seen this before. It looks like a 1GB IDE flash disk is the only internal storage. This may rule out some vst's. Maybe an external usb harddrive could be used, but that would negate the convience of the unit.

Richard