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Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM , this item is no longer available, below are some similar products you may be interested in.

Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM

2U Rackmount Hardware VST Plug-In Player with 2GB RAM and 160GB Hard Drive for Studio or Live Performance
Item ID: ReceptorRevC
Sorry, the Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.
Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.
Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM
Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM
Muse Research Receptor - 160GB Hard Drive/2GB RAM

Take Your VST Effects and Instruments on the Road!

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

It's deceptively simple to describe what Receptor is: a 2U rack-mountable module that runs standard Windows VST instruments and effects. Receptor can process and play back 16 simultaneous audio sources, which can be either internal VSTi instruments or external analog/digital inputs. It can also run up to 57 VST effects at one time. But that barely hints at what you can do with Receptor!

Muse Research Receptor at a Glance:
  • Play, edit and store VST plug-in effects and instruments on a hardware device
  • Incredibly powerful and versatile
  • Intuitive mixer-style interface handles up to 16 audio sources at once
  • Includes Uniwire for DAW plug-in capability
  • Comes with free VST plug-ins!

Play, edit and store VST plug-ins
Receptor is incredibly easy to use. Just turn it on, dial up a VST plug-in effect or instrument, and start making music. Optimized for live performance, Receptor will amaze you with a library of pre-installed plug-ins and lightning fast MIDI response.

Incredibly powerful and versatile
Receptor is incredibly versatile. It can run VST software synths, guitar processors, and audio effects, essentially working as three products in one. And you can use it in stand-alone mode and connect a keyboard, mouse and monitor for ease of use. From its super quiet operation in the studio to its rugged rack mount enclosure, Receptor is a tool designed to help you get your act together and then take it on the road.

Mixer-style interface
Receptor's intuitive, mixer-like architecture combines up to 16 different audio sources, which can be either internal VSTi instruments or external analog/digital inputs. Each source is then routed through its own inline effects matrix that allows three VST plug-ins to be configured in every possible parallel/series arrangement. From there, each source is sent to a dedicated mixer channel, where the sound can be further processed by sending it to two dedicated effects busses, each with another fully configurable VST effects matrix. Need more processing? There is yet another VST effects matrix on the master output, for mastering and sweetening effects.

In all, Receptor provides architectural support for as many as 16 simultaneous VSTi instruments and 57 VST effects, while further offering the ability to process external inputs using its front-panel high-Z input, its rear-panel balanced analog inputs, or its S/PDIF digital input.

Includes Uniwire for DAW plug-in capability
UniWire allows you to connect one or more Receptors to a computer-based digital audio workstation using only Ethernet cables - no audio or MIDI cables are needed. By instantiating UniWire instrument and effects plugins, your digital audio workstation communicates with Receptor as if it were both a virtual instrument and a virtual effect. This means that, unlike "old school" external sound and effects modules, Receptor integrates with your digital audio workstation exactly like a locally hosted plug-in - but without using your host computer's precious CPU cycles. And the best part of all this? UniWire ships FREE with every Receptor.

"So should I buy this instead of a second computer?"
You certainly can, and there are some benefits to doing just that. However, if you want to use a second music computer, you'd also have to purchase an additional MIDI interface, another audio card or breakout box, another copy of your VST hosting application, and a second monitor to actually see it all work. Everything is built-in to Receptor. It's designed to work equally well whether it's used stand-alone with only its front panel; stand-alone but connected to its own keyboard, mouse and monitor; or networked with an existing computer for remote control. Receptor actually enhances an existing computer; it doesn't replace it. It is, in fact, an ideal companion for a computer-based DAW, especially if that DAW doesn't run Windows VSTs or is running low on CPU cycles.

Comes with free VST plug-ins!
As an added bonus, Receptor also includes $400 of free software from Dash Signature, LinPlug, Ohm Force and PSP!

Muse Research Receptor Features:
  • Plays VST effects and VSTi instruments without requiring a computer
  • 160GB Hard Drive
  • Ships with 2GB of RAM
  • Handles up to 16 internal and external audio signals at once
  • Can play up to 57 VST effects at once
  • Accepts standard keyboard, mouse and monitor for convenience
  • Connects to Windows computers for additional downloading and editing
  • Sturdy construction stands up to live performance use
  • Take it to the studio to recreate your DAW effects!
Receptor will change the way you think of software effects and instruments!

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.

Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.

The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.

Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.