RECEPTOR TRIO RECEPTOR QU4TTRO Virtual Instrument and Effects Module Operating Manual V1.0 April 2, 2013 www.museresearch.
WELCOME TO RECEPTOR! Before we begin... Your RECEPTOR is a hardware music instrument that runs software virtual instruments and effects. Not only is the software you run on the system upgradeable, the system softtware itself is updated often and is also upgradeable. However, in order to know who you are so that we can let you know about updates and upgrades, you must first... REGISTER YOUR RECEPTOR! It only takes a few minutes, and the benefits of registration will last for years.
Table Of Contents Welcome.......................................................................................................................4 Unpacking and getting familiar with your RECEPTOR...........................................................5 Getting Familiar - OVERVIEW...........................................................................................6 RECEPTOR Front panel....................................................................................................
RECEPTOR TRIO and RECEPTOR QU4TTRO Operating Manual Introduction First off, thank you for purchasing a RECEPTOR TRIO or a RECEPTOR QU4TTRO hardware plug-in player. Your're now among the thousands of top professional musicians who use RECEPTOR to run virtual instruments and effects live and in the studio. We sincerely hope your RECEPTOR becomes an invaluable tool in your music-making ventures.
Getting Familiar: Unpacking and Setup First, you are going to want to unpack your RECEPTOR TRIO or QU4TTRO and remove all the packing material. In your RECEPTOR TRIO or QU4TTRO package, you'll find the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Your RECEPTOR TRIO or RECEPTOR QU4TTRO (of course). Your PreSonus AudioBox 1818 multi-channel audio interface. The power cables appropriate for your region. A CD containing this manual and some other useful utility software.
Getting Familiar with RECEPTOR: Overview To start, here are some general concepts about your RECEPTOR: Your RECEPTOR is a 16-channel device that comes with an 18-channel audio interface to provide up to 8-channels of analog inputs and outputs, 8-channels of ADAT digital optical inputs and outputs, and 2-channels of S/PDIF digital I/O.
The Front Panel The RECEPTOR TRIo or QU4TTRO can be completely controlled using the buttons, control knobs, and 2-line LCD located on the front panel. Be sure to read this section in its entirety so you can get the most out of your RECEPTOR's front panel controls. 4 5 1 2 3 6 7 Front panel Controls and Functions 1. Power Button: Press once to turn on; press twice to shut it down completely. Should you ever want to reboot the unit, simply press the power button three times.
5. LCD: This blue LED backlit display shows the names of presets and Tags, lists the parameters of the sounds or effect so you can edit them, as well indicating MIDI activity (indicated by a note) and audio output levels (L / R meters) in real-time. 6. Main Function Buttons: These eight buttons select the main functions of RECEPTOR TRIO or QU4TTRO and let you control and program the sounds or effects from the front panel. The buttons are described in detail in the next section. 7.
Getting Familiar: The Rear Panel Connecting your RECEPTOR TRIO or QU4TTRO to your mixer, your amplifier, your computer, or to other music gear is simple to do with the connectors on the back. 5 10 14 13 12 11 10 4 3 8 6 2 9 1 7 1. AC Power Input: This is where you connect RECEPTOR to a AC mains supply. All RECEPTORs have an auto-ranging, auto-power factor correction power supply that you can use anywhere in the world, from 100 VAC to 240VAC, 50 / 60 Hz.
6. Audio Outputs: This is the Left (L) and Right (R) channel output of RECEPTOR for connection to your mixer, amplifier, or powered speakers. The outputs accept 1/4" un-balanced cables and should be connected to a high impedance input. You can adjust the output level using the front panel volume control. The audio outputs will not drive speakers directly; you must connect your RECEPTOR to a mixer, keyboard amplifier, or amplified speakers to hear sufficient audio volume. 7.
Making Music: The "PLAY" mode and SoundFinder™ Feature PLAY mode is the super simple default mode that happens when the RECEPTOR powers up. You can tell you are in PLAY mode because the PLAY button on the top left side of the button field is lit. PLAY mode is the easiest way to operate your RECEPTOR. FIRST... some definitions SoundFinder is a feature in RECEPTOR that lets you quickly and easily find the right preset for the instrument you have connected and/or the style of music you are making.
What's great about PLAY mode is that it makes it really easy to utlilize all the functionality of your RECEPTOR without having to spend a bunch of time creating sounds. With SoundFinder in the PLAY mode, even someone completely unfamiliar with software instruments and effects can use RECEPTOR. As you become more comfortable with your RECEPTOR, you'll find it valuable to know how the different sounds and effects are organized so you can quickly find the preset you are looking for.
The Different Types of Presets in your RECEPTOR It is important to realize that there are not only different types of Tags for different purposes, but there are also different "levels" of presets in your RECEPTOR. The PLAY level has presets that control every aspect of your RECEPTOR. These presets control RECEPTOR as a whole.
Using PRESETs in the "PLAY" mode Now that you have an overview of the different SoundFinder TAGs and what they provide, let's move ahead and select a couple of presets. RECEPTOR as a Synthesizer/Sound Module 1. Connect your keyboard to the MIDI input on the back of the unit, and connect the line outputs to a stereo mixer, keyboard amplifier, or a pair of amplified speakers. 2. Power up RECEPTOR (if it is not already on). If not already lit, press the PLAY button. 3.
4. Play your guitar and adjust the Input 1 GAIN control on the AudioBox 1818 so that the red clip light on the interface does not illuminate, even when playing loud. 5. Play your guitar and enjoy the incredibly realistic amp modeling provided by RECEPTOR. Feel free to browse the other Guitar Effect presets; especially in some of the other TAGs since there are many different sounds available to you.
Selecting Individual Synth Presets PLAY mode lets you instantly select factory presets using SoundFinder, making RECEPTOR incredibly simple to use. But what if you want to layer two sounds together, or make your own custom preset consisting of different effects on different inputs? Well you can make your own preset easily based on the presets that are in RECEPTOR right from the front panel.
3. Now let's select a preset for this synth channel. Turn the bottom knob to find the sound you want. For example, let's choose an Electric Piano patch from the "TAG: Electric Pianos." Press the knob to load it 3. Now we'll layer that with another sound—say a pad synthesizer. To do this, we press the CHANNEL + button, and then the bottom encoder switch to add a new channel to what we already have loaded. 4. Select the TAG and preset of interest, say "Airy Pad" from the "TAG:Synth Pads" category.
Selecting Individual Audio Input Effect Presets Now let's make your own custom preset consisting of different effects on different audio inputs. Say, for example we wanted to play acoustic guitar and have some chorus on the guitar sound, and sing with a some processing on our vocal microphone. 1. First, press the "PLAY" button.
3. Turn the gain control to minimum on Input A and plug in your acoustic guitar. Turn the bottom encoder to select "TAG FX Acous Gtr" and then turn the top knob to select the preset "007 AcstcGuitar" Press the encoder button to load the patch. Of course if there is a different preset you'd like to use on the guitar, feel free to select it now. 4. Bring up the gain on Input 1 on the AudioBox, and verify that the input is not clipping when playing at your loudest level. 5.
The MIX Button and Adjusting Levels The MIX section allows you to adjust the volume and panning of the main outputs, adjust the channel volume on any of the synth or effect slots, as well as configuring insert or send effects using their factory presets.This is done by pressing the MIX button on the front panel. When you are in PLAY mode, pressing the MIX button lets you adjust or see the following: Master Volume: Adjust the main output mixer volume.
Here are the parameters for the effects you can control in the MIX section: Effect 1 Tag: Select the effects preset category of Effect 1. Effect 1 Preset: Select the Preset within the current Tag for Effect 1. Effect 1 DRY/WET amount: Adjust overall Effect 1 amount. Effect 1 Mode (either INSERT or SEND): Change signal path of Effect 1. Effect 1 Output Select (must be in SEND mode to enable individual outputs) Effect 2 Tag: Select the effects preset category of Effect 2.
Saving the Presets You’ve Created Any new preset you create, as well as any modifications to the factory presets can quickly be saved from the front panel. Always be sure to save any changes you make as they are NOT retained when you turn off the power! To save a preset, simply PRESS and HOLD the EDIT button. You have the option to "save over" an existing preset, or create a NEW one (labeled as USER-X, where X is the last saved user preset number plus one).
Instead of using MIDI program changes, you can select presets by connecting a standard footswitch plugged into the Footswitch Jack on the back of the unit: If you want to move back and forth through the preset list, you can connect a 1/4" stereo to dualmono breakout cable to the footswitch jack and connect TWO footswitches to the rear panel.
Using the RECEPTOR Graphical User Interface The RECEPTOR Graphical User Interface (GUI), lets you see what is happening inside your RECEPTOR, as well as letting you use a keyboard and mouse to make edit the factory presets or make new ones. To view the RECEPTOR GUI, simply connect a standard computer VGA or HDMI monitor to the VGA or HDMI jack on the rear of the unit, and a USB mouse and QWERTY keyboard to the USB Ports.
Exploring the GUI: Tags/Presets List Area ("SoundFinder") List On the left hand side of the screen you'll see a column with the heading Tags/Presets. This is the GUI's representation of the front panel SOUNDFINDER feature, and works the same way - select a Tag (by clicking on the little triangle) and load a preset (by clicking on it).
Exploring the GUI: Loading Synth and Audio Effect Presets In the center of the GUI is a large area that constitutes a virtual "rack" for running your virtual instruments and effects. At the top of the rack area is the name of the preset and tag that is currently loaded. There can be up to 16 total "synth" or "effect" channels. There are several ways to load presets into the rack area, including creating a preset from scratch. 1.
Synth Channel Control Functions 1. Channel Solo Switch: Solos this channel and mutes all others when pressed / lit. 2. Synth Graphical Editor: Shows a small picture of the synth loaded into that channel. Click on the picture to open up the graphical editor for that synth for programming using your mouse. 3. Preset selector: Opens up the preset selection window for that particular plugin. 4.
Audio Input Channel Controls 1. Channel Solo Switch: Solos this channel and mutes all others when pressed / lit. 2. Effect Graphical Editor: Click on the icon of the effect and the GUI of the effect itself will appear. You can then edit the effect's individual interface using your mouse. 3. Preset Selector: Opens up the preset selection window for that particular plug-in. 4.
Exploring the GUI: The Mixer Section Controls Now that you know how to select different synths, effects and their presets, it is time to craft the overall sound using the MIX section. The MIX section consists of two slots for additional effects, as well as the master volume and pan controls. These slots operate just like the audio input slots; simply drag the effect of interest into the slot to activate it, or select a preset by clicking on the on the preset bar that says (Empty).
Exploring the GUI: Working with the AudioBox 1818 Interface You now know how to select different synths, effects and their presets. You also know how to add effects to these channels in the Mixer section. Now we're going to get your audio signals out of the RECEPTOR and sent on to a mixer, DAW, or other audio device. There are two audio interfaces available for the RECEPTOR TRIO and QU4TTRO.
Using the Direct Outputs on a Synth Channel All of the virtual instruments and effects running in your RECEPTOR feed the master stereo mix bus, and the resultant stereo mix signal shows up on Outputs 1 and 2 of the AudioBox. You can alter the routing of any of the audio signals in your RECEPTOR by using the INPUT and OUTPUT selector buttons found in various places on the Graphical User Interface.
Configuring The Master Mix Bus Effects, Stereo Mix, and Headphone Outputs: In addition to configuring any of the individual channels to send their outputs directly to the PreSonus AudioBox 1818, your RECEPTOR will mix all of the synth and audio channels together and send the results out any and all of the Line outputs that have been assigned to the Master Mix Bus. NOTE: the Master Mix bus is assigned to Line Out 1+2 and S/PDIF output by default.
Exploring the GUI: The Setup Menu Tab Your RECEPTOR has several system level settings that are important for getting the most out of your RECEPTOR TRIO or RECEPTOR QU4TTRO. These are all found in the SETUP tab on the Graphical User Interface. Setup: Software Manager / System Tab The Software Manager window is the "command central" area for managing the operating system and plug-in software on your RECEPTOR TRIO or RECEPTOR QU4TTRO.
Installing fixer files and new plug-ins onto your system Your RECEPTOR can have new software installed on it as new plug-ins become available. The most popular plug-ins on the market are fully tested by Muse Research and then installer files are made available to make it as easy as possible to install new software onto your system. These installer files, also known as fixers, are available for download from the www.plugorama.
Setup: The "Audio..." settings menu The Current Audio Device setting lets you select between the two audio interface modes available on your RECEPTOR. One is for the built-in audio, and one for the bundled PreSonus AudioBox 1818 interface. The onboard audio is provided for convenience, say in the case where you need to do a quick rehearsal and don't want to take the PreSonus inteface out of your rack.
Setup: MIDI settings RECEPTOR TRIO and QU4TTRO lets you change some of the MIDI characteristics of your RECEPTOR by selecting the MIDI SETUP menu in the main SETUP menu. The MIDI SETUP menu lets you set the internal MIDI clock rate which will provide tempo information to any synth or effect that uses MIDI clock to set tempos for things like LFOs, delays, and drum patterns.
Setup: Change Resolution Your RECEPTOR TRIO and RECEPTOR QU4TTRO support many different monitor resolutions for viewing the GUI by directly attaching a computer LCD monitor or HDMI display to the back of the unit. There are different resolutions for the VGA or the HDMI port, and you will need to experiment to find the best resolution that allows you to view the entire graphical user interface on your particular monitor.
Customers who are familiar with RECEPTOR 2 programming will obviously be very comfortable in the "Mixer-style" interface, but as the "Rack-style" interface gains more and more new features, you will likely find yourself spending more and more time in this exciting new interface. MIXER MODE INTERFACE For more information about how to utilize the features found in MIXER mode, please consult the RECEPTOR manual avaialble on www.museresearch.com.
Important Features: LIVE MODE RECEPTOR features an breakthrough technology that makes it possible to instantly switch from one preset to the next, just like in a hardware keyboard. This exclusive, proprietary technology is called LIVE MODE and it lets you pre-load the presets of a particular TAG into RAM. The result is instantaneous switching from one preset to the next using MIDI program changes or using the LIVE mode screen.
Managing your Presets in LIVE MODE Once the TAG has the presets you want in it, you'll want to make sure they are in the order in which you think you will perform them before entering LIVE mode because you cannot reorder your presets in LIVE mode. LIVE MODE works by loading the first presets in a TAG, and then loading the presets sequentially from that point.
System Specifications Dimensions: RECEPTOR: 19" wide (standard rack space, (48cm)), 3.0" high (not including feet, two rack spaces (7.6cm)), 10.5" deep (26.7cm), not including knobs. RECEPTOR is designed for table-top and rackmount use. AUDIOBOX: 19" wide (standard rack space, (48cm)), 1.5" high (not including feet, two rack spaces (3.8cm)), 10.5" deep (26.7cm), not including knobs. RECEPTOR is designed for table-top and rackmount use. Weight: RECEPTOR weighs approximately 15 lbs (6.8kg).
System Specifications External PreSonus AudioBox interface Inputs and Outputs: Front panel: One 1/4" TRS (Tip / Ring / Sleeve) headphone jack, (Fed from Audio Outputs 7 and 8 Eight combination XLR / 1/4" combi jacks for Mic, Instrument and Line inputs. First two inputs are especially designed for use with very high imedance inputs like Guitars or basses. Other inputs accept microphone or line levell inputs. All inputs have adjustable front panel gain.
Muse Research and Development Standard Warranty Muse Research and Development, Inc. (MRD) warrants each MRD hardware product to be free of material hardware defects for 12 (twelve) months from the date of purchase by the original customer, and will, at its option, repair or replace any such defect according to the terms of this Standard Warranty. MRD's liability under this warranty shall be limited to such repair or replacement of any defective component or device.
END-USER SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT By opening the seal of this product and operating it, you are agreeing to the following end-user licensing agreements for the software that runs on RECEPTOR. If you do not agree to the terms set forth herewith, return the unit to your retailer in the same condition as it was purchased for a full refund.
Acknowledgements RECEPTOR was created by a dedicated group of individuals at Muse Research & Development. Special thanks go to the following individuals for turning this concept into a reality: Executive Producer: Matt Christiano. Hardware & Firmware Engineering: Chuck Geber, Bryan Lanser. Special thanks to Chuck his considerable expertise! Software Engineering and System Design: Michael Ost and Louis Gorenfeld.
Additional Resources for Learning More about RECEPTOR Below is a list of additional resources where you can learn more about your RECEPTOR, Virtual Instruments in general, and how to get the most from your system. http://www.museresearch.com Basic support information, tutorial videos, and software updates http://www.plugorama.com Advanced support information including a comprehensive FAQ database, help desk for submitting specific questions, and installer files for installing new plug-ins to your system.
