[Show Idea] DIY VST Instrument

[grayware]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about something along these lines for a while:

http://www.museresearch.com/

This product is called the Receptor, it's by Muse Research. Basically, it's a single purpose PC. It's single purpose is to run virtual synthesizers and effects, mainly the type know as VSTs.

The Receptor runs these VSTs, mainly simultaneously, without hiccuping or crashing the machine.

There are a couple of new products coming out along these lines that were announced in March of 2008 at a german retail music show.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=6253
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=6283 <- This is a video demonstration of two of the products listed above.

The project I had in mind was taking an older PC, such as an older laptop, and making it into something like a Receptor.

Basically, using some sort of stand-alone VST host program that can accept MIDI input controls. Possibly, from more than one MIDI controller, i.e. using a keyboard for notes and a separate controller with rotary knobs to control parameters. Some VST hosts (both commercial and free) are here:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php?mode=results&st=q&s=11

Also, to match the Receptor, the ability to run effects and instruments at the same time. Not necessarily more than one instrument at the same time, but an instrument and multiple effects.

Finally the setup needs to be stable. It's no good to get a great sound from a group of effects and instruments only to have the whole thing crash in the middle of a recording or performance.

That's my idea. Great show, I've been watching it for a while and it's great to see it on a regular basis.

[zzz]

Yeah i just had the same idea a few days back and came across this post my thoughts are...

currently thinking either cutting down an existing linux music distro (jad being the best contender imo) or building on a minimal distro from the ground up...

ideal solution for me would be a rackmount: pc case/project case, minimal bsd o.s, with a command line vst host and some interaction via a lcd display with d pad allowing interaction.

with finally a sound card, usb controller keyboard, and maybe a separate number pad or midi controller perhaps for even more interaction...

all this would have to be fully supported so as to save headaches as the system is going to be enough of a hassle to fully configure and there's going to potentially be a lot of scripting to tie it in seamlessly.

[grayware]

That sounds like an interesting project, it is more of a DIY Receptor VST instrument than what I was suggesting.

The idea I was suggesting was repurposing an older laptop into something similar to a Receptor, but with a few improvements.

One, instead of an LCD screen, which can be limiting to some VST plugins. Some of the plug-ins I've used have a LOT of controls, a few more that can be displayed on a small LCD. I think the use of a built in screen would help a bit more.

The other issue with the DIY Receptor is the linux OS. If you read through the links on the post above, the Receptor has some issues running VSTs that aren't 100% compatible with it's OS. I don't know what version of linux it is, they only list it as a customized version.

I've read a few links on the subject, here is what I found:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology <- Wiki entry on VST
http://sound.condorow.net/plugins.html
^ "Yes, they can be run under Linux, but only under specific conditions."
http://quicktoots.linuxaudio.org/toots/vst-plugins/ <-Talks about running VST in Linux
http://ladspavst.linuxaudio.org/ <-A List of linux compatible VSTs

I think if you were trying to one-up the Receptor, you might need to use XP instead of linux.

That's my opinion, I could be wrong.

[movingrushmore]

Sounds like it might be a better fit for xlr8r

[grayware]

I'm not sure XLR8R would really be interested in something like this.

I subscribe to the show and I really like the "What you talkin' 'bout Willits" segments, they don't seem interested in something like this.

I think this would be more up Systm's alley.