Muse Research Receptor manual v1.2 - Manual (Page 143)

12: Connecting Receptor to a Computer 143 Receptor Manual
12 Connecting Receptor to a Computer
Although Receptor is designed to be used as a stand-alone device, you’ll be missing out on one of its most
powerful features -- expansion -- if you don’t ever connect it to your computer. Basically, connecting Receptor
to your computer allows you to:
•
Update Receptor’s host application, its operating system and its plugins
• Purchase and authorize commercial plugins contained on Receptor
• Purchase, download and install new plugins from the web
• Install patches and samples into Receptor
• Remove plugins, patches, and samples from Receptor
• Get patch name lists and MIDI controller values from Receptor
• Remotely control Receptor from a computer
Networking Buzzwords
If you’re new to computer networking, you may find some unfamiliar terminology in this section. If this
describes you, then you may find the following definitions useful as you read through the next few chapters.
Unlike a standard glossary, these terms are not presented in alphabetical order -- rather, they’re presented in
need-to-know order: That is, each term needs to be understood before the term below it makes sense. So, if you
read this glossary like a book (from top-to-bottom), then you’ll learn all the networking terms you’ll need to
know for Receptor.
•
Ethernet - Ethernet is the most widely used means of transferring data over a network. It allows computers
to communicate with each other, or to share other Ethernet-enabled devices, such as networked office
printers and DSL (or Cable) modems. It’s also the how you’ll connect Receptor to your computer or
network. Nearly all modern computers, whether Mac or PC, have Ethernet built-in and, if they don’t,
Ethernet cards are readily available for purchase and installation.
• Ethernet Port - Ethernet devices plug into the network using Ethernet cables that are connected to each
device’s Ethernet port. There are actually several types of Ethernet ports, but nearly all home-based or
small-office devices now use a “twisted pair” connector that looks like an oversized telephone line jack.
There is an Ethernet port of this type on the back of Receptor.
• 10BASE-T - This is an expression of Ethernet speed and connector type. The ‘10’ in 10BASE-T means that
data is transferred at 10 megabits per second. The ‘T’ means that it uses a “Twisted pair” connector, which
is a type of connector that looks like an oversized telephone jack (see Ethernet Port). 10BASE-T has been
around for a very long time and is rather slow by today’s standards. Receptor is capable of operating at
10BASE-T, though Muse Research recommends that you use at least a 100BASE-T network, if possible.
• 100BASE-T - If you read the description of 10BASE-T, then you can probably surmise that 100BASE-T
tells us that the Ethernet device is capable of transferring data at 100 megabits per second and that it, too, is
a “Twisted pair” connector. 100BASE-T is often called “Fast Ethernet” and is ten times faster than standard
10BASE-T. Receptor is capable of operating at 100BASE-T and Muse Research recommends that you
use this speed (or higher) when setting up your computer network. Most modern computers, networked
devices, and Ethernet routers/switchers (see definition, later) now support use of both 10BASE-T and
100BASE-T networks.
• Gigabit Ethernet - Gigabit Ethernet is even faster than 100BASE-T -- 10 times faster, since it transfers
data at a rate of 1000 Megabits per second. Receptor can be used on a Gigabit Ethernet network but is not,
itself, gigabit-capable. That means that Receptor will still communicate with other networked devices at a
rate of 100 megabits per second, even if installed on a Gigabit Ethernet network.