In this video, via keyboardmag1, Tom Brislin takes a look at Muse Research’s top-of-the-line hardware plug-in host, the Receptor Qu4ttro.
The Muse Receptor Qu4ttro is a rackmount computer that’s designed specifically for use as a hardware VST host. It lets you run VSTs as a hardware module.
Brislin will have a full review of the Qu4ttro the September 2014 issue of Keyboard.
See the Muse site for more info.
The demo gives a good overview. I didn’t see mention of things like insert effects, or the ability to create some internal audio routing maps– in other words, is everything basically going to the mix outs, or is there some bussing and aux “streams” available?
At a certain point, the choice between this and a powerful macbook pro would have to do with how plug ins are priced (especially if you already own them for your computer).
The other option is a workstation keyboard, which I still kind of prefer for some kinds of live & studio work.