RECEPTOR VIP Virtual Instrument and Effects Module Operating Manual V1.1 September 1, 2012 www.museresearch.
RECEPTOR VIP™ Operating Manual Introduction First off, thank you for purchasing a RECEPTOR VIP. 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 VIP becomes an invaluable tool in your music-making ventures. RECEPTOR VIP is a breakthrough hardware plug-in player that is incredibly powerful yet super easy-to-use.
Getting Familiar: Unpacking and Setup First, you are going to want to unpack your RECEPTOR VIP and remove all the packing material. In your RECEPTOR VIP package, you'll find the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. Your RECEPTOR VIP (of course). The power cable appropriate for your region. A CD containing this manual and some other useful utility software. An Ethernet cable for connecting your RECEPTOR VIP to your computer. RECEPTOR VIP is really easy to set up and get working: 1.
Getting Familiar with RECEPTOR VIP: Overview To start, here are some general concepts about RECEPTOR VIP: RECEPTOR VIP is a sixteen channel device. A channel can either be a "Synth" for creating sampled or synthesized sounds in response to MIDI messages from your MIDI keyboard, or an "Effect" channel, for processing audio from either stereo or mono analog input signals. Each Synth channel can have a different virtual instrument program running to produce up to 16 entirely unique sounds at once.
The Front Panel The RECEPTOR VIP can be controlled using the buttons, control knobs, and 2-line LCD located on the front panel. RECEPTOR VIP might have a couple of concepts that are new to you, so be sure to read this section in its entirety so you can get the most out of your RECEPTOR VIP. 7 10 4 5 8 1 2 3 6 9 11 Front panel Controls and Functions 1. Power Button: Press once to turn on; press twice to shut it down completely.
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 provide control the main functions of RECEPTOR VIP and let you control and program the sounds or effects in the RECEPTOR VIP. The buttons are described in detail in the next section. 7.
Getting Familiar: The Rear Panel Connecting your RECEPTOR VIP to your mixer, your amplifier, your computer, or to other music gear is simple to do with the connectors on the back. 3 9 5 11 10 7 4 6 8 12 2 1 1. AC Power Input: This is where you connect RECEPTOR VIP to a AC mains supply. RECEPTOR VIP has 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. 2.
6. Audio Outputs: This is the Left (L) and Right (R) channel output of RECEPTOR VIP for connection to your mixer, amplifier, or powered speakers. The outputs accept 1/4" unbalanced 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 VIP 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 VIP 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 VIP. FIRST... some definitions SoundFinder is a feature in RECEPTOR VIP 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 VIP without having to spend a bunch of time creating sounds. With SoundFinder in the PLAY mode, even someone completely unfamiliar with music technolology can operate RECEPTOR VIP! As you become more comfortable with your RECEPTOR VIP, 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 Difference Types of Presets in your RECEPTOR VIP 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 VIP. The PLAY level has presets that control every aspect of your RECEPTOR VIP. These presets control the entire nature of the RECEPTOR VIP.
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 VIP 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 VIP (if it is not already on). If not already lit, press the PLAY button. 3.
4. Play your guitar and adjust the GAIN control for Input A so that the green and yellow LEDs light on a regular basis, but the Red LED does not light even when playing loud. 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. Enjoy the 32-bit floating point processing and 24-bit audio output that makes your guitar sound amazing! RECEPTOR VIP as a Vocal Processor/Effects box 1.
Selecting Individual Synth Presets PLAY mode lets you instantly select factory presets using SoundFinder, making RECEPTOR VIP 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 VIP. You can either start by modifying an existing PLAY preset, or start from scratch and build your own.
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 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 "005 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 A, and verify that the green and yellow level indicators light on a regular basis, but the Red indicator never illuminates. 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: Effects 1 Tag: Select the effects preset category of Effect 1. Effects 1 Preset: Select the Preset within the current Tag for Effect 1. Effects 1 DRY/WET amount: Adjust overall Effect 1 amount. Effects 1 Mode (either INSERT or SEND): Change signal path of Effect 1. Effects 2 Tag: Select the effects preset category of Effect 2. Effects 2 Preset: Select the Preset within the current Tag for 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).
If you have a MIDI keyboard attached, you can send a MIDI program change message and RECEPTOR VIP will load the corresponding presets in that particular TAG. If you change to a different TAG, then your program changes will select presets within that new TAG. You can easily create a custom named TAG before your gig using the Graphical User Interface and then TAG the presets of interest to reside in that TAG.
Using the RECEPTOR VIP Graphical User Interface The RECEPTOR VIP Graphical User Interface (GUI), lets you see what is happening inside your RECEPTOR VIP, as well as letting you use a keyboard and mouse to make edit the factory presets or make new ones. To view the RECEPTOR VIP GUI, simply connect a standard computer VGA monitor to the VGA output on the rear of the unit, and a USB mouse and USB QWERTY keyboard to the USB Port.
Exploring the GUI: The Tag Filter Adjacent to the top of the Tag/Preset heading you see a small Tag symbol, like a price tag. If you click on this tag, the TAG FILTER will open, allowing you to sort through the presets in the RECEPTOR VIP by combining different Tags together. Since RECEPTOR VIP can have many virtual instruments and effects plugins installed, there are potentially thousands of presets available, and searching through them all can be tedious.
Exploring the GUI: Synth / Effects Selection Area Just to the right of the Tags/Presets menu you'll see two zones labeled "Synth Plugins" and "Effects Plugins." This is where you can chose which synth or effect to load. Each synth or effect has a small picture and the name of the synth or effect. There are two scroll bars to the right so you can scroll through the available synths and effects.
Synth Channel Controls Descriptions of all the Synth Channel controls are as follows: 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 channel. 3. Preset selector: Drop-down menu that lets you browse and select any of the presets in the currently selected TAG or BANK. 4.
Audio Input Channel Controls Descriptions of all the Audio Channel controls are as follows: 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 manipulate all of the controls of the effect using your mouse. 3.
Exploring the GUI: The Mixer Section 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. The effects slots are configurable either as an INSERT effect, or as a SEND effect.
NOTE: Please use caution when connecting an external device to the RECEPTOR VIP when it is in Passive Mode. The only control you will have over the level coming out of the RECEPTOR VIP is by changing the output level of the device you have attached. WARNING: THE PASSIVE MIX FUNCTION IS ONLY FOR LINE LEVEL INPUTS. NEVER CONNECT THE OUTPUT OF AN AMPLIFIER TO ANY INPUT ON RCEPTOR VIP OR PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE AUDIO SYSTEM WILL RESULT.
Setup: Audio "Latency" Settings RECEPTOR VIP makes use of computer software, and has a very high-performance audio subsystem that converts the digital information of the software into audio you can hear, all in realtime. In order to handle the calculations necessary to turn digital "bits" into music, the computer inside your RECEPTOR VIP needs a very small amount of time, or a "buffer" to do its work.
Setup: LIVE MODE RECEPTOR VIP 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: 19" wide (one rack space, (48cm)), 3.0" high (not including feet, two rack spaces (7.6cm)), 10.5" deep (26.7cm), not including knobs. RECEPTOR VIP is designed for table-top and rackmount use. Weight: RECEPTOR VIP weighs approximately 15 lbs (6.8kg). Power Requirements: 100-240VAC input, 50/60Hz, 2A Max, auto-power ranging. Can be used anywhere in the world with the proper power connector.
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 VIP. 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.
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.
Acknowledgements RECEPTOR VIP 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: Dan Freeman, Chuck Geber, Mihai Ionescu, Bryan Lanser. Special thanks to Chuck and Dan for their considerable expertise! Software Engineering and System Design: Michael Ost and Louis Gorenfeld.
