Knowing someday I will have to get another keyboard, I have decided to go the software route as I believe that is where our industry is headed.

The Receptor is like a super module capable of handling many VST's at once. http://www.museresearch.com/

Eventually, I will use a controller keyboard as the master, but I wonder if my KN7000 will suffice as the master in the meantime. This way I can have best of both worlds, as the quality of the instruments through EW's Colossus and NI's Bandstand easily surpass any hardware synth on the market today.

My Receptor is coming with a 160 gig hard drive and 1 1/2 gigs of ram so I shouldn't have a latency problem. There are trade offs, to be sure. The operation platform is not as convenient as a dedicated keyboard for live play, but there are programs like Kontact that I can put into the receptor that will automate much of the bank/patch changes.

The bottom line is that with the price of a new keyboard, I can have an openended system that I can add to and change at will without doing the same again in three or four years.

Since this is a brand new approach for me, I would appreciate any advice from those going down the same road.

Bernie

Eh - didn't understand a word of that Bernie - clearly you're entering a world that is alien to me...chuckle.
Rog

It is rather uncharted for me too, Rog, but I'll stumble along until I reach my goal.
Bernie

Bernie, I like that attitude.

Grandpa Doug

Bernie, You are leading the way, I can't wait.
I hope you are bringing the unit to the Jam.
John C.

Yes, John.
We will have a little show and tell. I am hoping someone there can give me some pointers.

Bernie

A viable option might be to hook up a laptop running energyXT as host. This would let you run, and chain together as many VSTis and VSTfx as you have processor power for.

Cheers,

s.

(edit)
Just tried this using the (free) asio4all driver to drive my KN2600 and energyXT via my desktop computer. Works a treat using the KN as master keyboard and audio output device.

I've just been trying out a technics song loaded from a SD card layered with a synth bass from an Oberon VST instrument played from the KN keyboard. Then I tried a 180Mb multisampled Steinway Grand piano. Superb quality, and zero latency.

The ability of the KN2600 to use the same lead for midi output and audio input is excellent! I'm happy enough with SD audio for extra sounds at the moment, but Bernie is right, the VST instrument route has fantastic potential!

[This message has been edited by sturgeon (edited 03-07-2006).]

I may be wrong but this sounds like an alternative approach to the Receptor, which has all kinds of power and capacity for my needs. I wasn't clear but, I have already ordered the Receptor, as my laptop isn't up to the job of runnings VST's. I just need to get my laptop sequencer talking to the Receptor for Midifiles, and the KN7000 and/or a controller keyboard to handle styles and lead instruments midi'd to Receptor.

Hi Bernie,
it may also be worth while checking out something like One Man Band software for styles/laptop/receptor.
OMB uses psr .sty files. They'll need tweaking & there's plenty of psr styles around on the net.

I've had my softsynth arranger setup for a couple of years now. Nothing as fancy as your receptor. The controller you mentioned sounds interesting, where did you find the info.

best wishes
rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bernie9:
[B]

Hi Rikki
I am not sure which controller you are referring to. I am looking at the CME line, but I am having trouble getting out of the chute. I can't get the KN7000 to talk to the Receptor, eventhough all parameters seem to be right, like matching channels, switch on midi, KN as a master,etc.. The little Oxygen 8 controller does, but only 25 note.