EQ Magazine - October 2008 - (Page 61)

VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT HOSTS It’s not just guitarists who want to transport their rig between studio and stage, but keyboardists, electronic drummers, and other instrumentalists— and there’s gear for them, too. Native Instruments’ Kore 2, a clever approach to managing instruments and plug-ins, is a cross-platform hardware/software package. On stage, it can host all your instruments and plug-ins, integrating them in an ergonomic, performance-oriented interface. In the studio, it’s a convenient way to find specific instruments and presets out of the thousands you’ll find in a product like NI’s Komplete. It can be a plug-in that operates inside a host, or serve as a host for plug-ins. There’s also an accompanying USB 2.0 custom hardware controller, which makes tweaking parameters easy (particularly with NI synths and effects), as the controller includes eight touch-sensitive knobs and multiple other controls. Kore 2’s main element is the KoreSound, a “container” for VST/AU plug-ins that can hold complex combinations of instruments mapped across specific keyboard ranges with effects, mixing, MIDI effects, and routing. More importantly for stage use, a KoreSound can morph smoothly between eight variations, letting you get multiple sounds without having to load different KoreSounds. And because KoreSounds are tied to Kore 2, not the host, you can use a KoreSound with Cakewalk Sonar in the studio but then plug it into, say, Ableton Live when you’re on the road. The original version of Kore was solely about managing workflow, but Kore 2 includes the audio engines that power Absynth 4, Reaktor 5, Guitar Rig 2, FM8, Massive, and Kontakt 3. So, Kore 2 has now become an instrument in its own right. It can load the presets included with Kore 2 or presets from various Soundpacks that NI offers. Although the engines don’t have the elaborate GUI of the full instruments, some parameters are available for tweaking. If you don’t want to bring a computer per se on the road, in addition to the Muse Research Receptor (see review), there’s Open Labs’ line of keyboard-meets computer-meets-virtual instruments. These are custom-built Windows XP computers, optimized for the road, with built-in keyboards (both musical and QWERTY), touchscreen, and control surface. They’re true, selfcontained workstations; you can run almost anything that’s compatible with Windows XP (including DAWs) and can even burn a CD with it or surf the Internet. You can use this as your personal studio and do everything a sophisticated computer-based setup can do, then take it on the road as a keyboard rig, live performance instrument, backing track generator, etc. MUSE RESEARCH RECEPTOR PRICE: $2,099 (basic version), $2,949 (pro version), $2,499 (with Native Instruments Komplete 5), $1,999 (Total Workstation Rack from IK Multimedia) STRENGTHS: Rugged, reliable way to bring plug-ins onstage. Networkable in the studio. Excellent support. Multiple configurations. LIMITATIONS: Not compatible with all plug-ins. Plug-ins purchased specifically for Receptor work only with Receptor. The list of Receptor users reads like a who’s who of performers, from the Oak Ridge Boys, to U2, to Herbie Hancock, and a whole lot more. The idea seems simple enough: Build a custom Linux-based computer optimized to run virtual instrument and effect plug-ins, but house it in a super-roadworthy 2U case. Originally, it seemed like the ultimate alternative to elaborate keyboard rigs; you could just load it with your virtual instruments of choice, use the included software to route them through your favorite effects, hook it up to a MIDI controller and PA system—done. But over the years, that simple idea has grown into a variety of custom configurations for different type of performance situations, from a custom version for drummers based around Fxpansion’s BFD, to a version that comes pre-loaded with Native Instruments’ Komplete 5 (as shown in the picture). Another version is IK Multimedia’s equivalent to Komplete, with their line of virtual instruments, and there are also different versions within the basic Receptor model— Basic, Pro (with a faster processor and 750GB hard drive), and Pro Jr., with a 500GB hard drive. However, Receptor is also great in the studio, not just because it relieves your DAW of having to do the “heavy lifting” with plug-ins, but (CONTINUED) www.eqmag.com OCTOBER 2008 EQ 61 http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - October 2008

EQ Magazine - October 2008 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board Punch In Smashing Pumpkins Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet Cakewalk Sonar 7 Steinberg Cubase 4 Studio Meets Stage Gear for the Studio and Stage Sounds Room with a Vu

EQ Magazine - October 2008

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