User Manual
User Manual
User Guide
v5.0.20
September 2024
https://www.gigperformer.com/
Nemanja Pudar
3. Getting started 26
3.1 Before you start ................................................................................................................. 26
3.2 Basic setup for keyboardists ............................................................................................. 28
3.3 Basic setup for guitarists ................................................................................................... 31
3.4 Basic setup for vocalists, drummers, other musicians and FOH engineers .................... 33
3.5 Built-in templates .............................................................................................................. 34
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Table of Contents 4
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Table of Contents 5
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Table of Contents 6
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Table of Contents 7
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Table of Contents 8
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 9
We are sure that by allowing you to focus on the music and not the technology, you will
enjoy using Gig Performer for all your performance needs.
Many well-known music professionals worldwide rely on Gig Performer as their audio
plugin host of choice for live performances.
Gig Performer's innovative approach and focus on usability are paired with an intuitive
rack design called rackspace, which transforms your plugins into the most powerful yet
user-friendly live music software system.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 10
You can connect your plugins in any way you wish without creating channel strips, buses,
sends or inserts. Read this blog article to learn why a graphical interface is superior to the
channel strip model.
The impressive list of cutting-edge features makes Gig Performer stand out compared to
other audio plugin hosts. For example, the Predictive loading™ feature enables you to
intelligently load parts of your show instead of loading your entire show so that you can
switch instantly to the next rackspace or Song in your setlist. This feature significantly
reduces both your RAM and CPU usage so you can perform confidently even with a very
old laptop.
The extensive OSC implementation in Gig Performer allows you to control your show from
a mobile phone, iPad, Android tablet, or Web browser.
As a software product created by musicians, for musicians, new updates and features are
often implemented in Gig Performer. Gig Performer is also an ultimate enhancer of your
whole setup. Read this blog article to learn how.
You can download a free, fully functional 14-day trial of this plugin host that truly
addresses the needs of live performers.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 11
· Keyboardists can control all their software synths, samplers, and sequencers - as
well as effects - directly from the sliders, knobs and switches on their instruments.
· Using their MIDI pedalboards, guitarists can freely switch between multiple
amp/cabinet models and digital effects in real time without audio glitching. Check
out the blog article Top 10 reasons you should move to a Gig Performer-based guitar
rig.
· Singers can easily add compression, EQ and other desired effects to their vocals.
· Drummers can mix and match their favorite drums and cymbals from different drum
plugins to create their perfect drum kits. Drum kits can be switched on the fly to
access hundreds of different sounds during your gig instantly.
· Live sound engineers can use Gig Performer to create a standalone mixing system or
to intercept audio coming from the FOH or monitor system, add desired effects
processing, and then send the results directly back to the mixing board. Gig
Performer can simultaneously record multichannel audio from the mixing board for
later processing and mixing in your favorite DAW.
You can even run multiple Gig Performer instances simultaneously, allowing different
band members to access different plugin setups independently as long as the computer is
fast enough.
Gig Performer can be used for many other use cases; to learn more, make sure to check
out this blog article: Gig Performer is the best companion for all your musical efforts and
more and to visit our Gig Performer in Action forum and see photos and stories of many
great setups with Gig Performer.
Gig Performer's intuitive interface makes it easy to use and remarkably fast to get started.
However, many advanced features lie beneath the surface, which we will cover in this
User Guide.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 12
· Cross-platform audio plugin host - runs on both macOS and Windows platforms so
you can create, share, and modify your files on any computer and such files will run
on either platform as long as the needed plugins are available.
· Supports VST2 and VST3 (macOS and Windows) and AU (macOS only) plugins.
· Includes built-in plugins - MIDI File Player, Streaming Audio File Player, Audio Mixers,
MIDI Out to OSC converter plugin, MIDI Channel Constrainer plugin, and many more.
· Easily play multiple instruments and controllers, layer sounds, and add effects.
· Intuitive user interface - simply connect any plugin to any other plugin in any
configuration; no confusing buses, sends or inserts.
· Instantaneous glitch-free switching between sounds, even while holding notes for
seamless transition from one song to the next or from one part of a song to another.
· Use keyboards, MIDI pedals, and control surfaces to alter plugin parameters in real-
time by connecting them to knobs, sliders, buttons, labels, meters, and other
widgets.
· Learn mode for easy assignment of MIDI controls to widgets and widgets to plugin
parameters.
· Build setlists that automatically change to the right sound for each part of each song
in the list. Capture on-the-spot tweaks right into song parts. A gig becomes as simple
as stepping through its setlist.
· ChordPro support - create and edit ChordPro song documents and set each to
automatically display when its song is selected in the setlist.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 13
· Automatic mixing of signals when multiple outputs are connected to a single input.
· Widget groups for making cross-faders, grouped level controls, and other ganged
behaviors (see Linked Widget group and Radio Group).
· The Rig Manager simplifies switching a Gig Performer rig to use a different set of
physical controllers - great for backline touring.
· LEDs show input/output levels on each channel as well as audio and MIDI activity/
· Create multiple instances for different members of the band which run
independently or for when you want to control some plugins while leaving others
alone.
· Audio and MIDI recorder - An audio recorder captures audio from input and/or
output channels to WAV files for post-production editing, processing, and mixing in
a DAW. A MIDI Recorder captures MIDI input from all devices, placing each on its
own track of a Type 1 Standard MIDI File that can be imported for post-production in
a DAW.
· Predictive Loading reduces RAM and CPU demand in systems with limited resources.
· Send program change and other messages to external MIDI devices automatically.
· Compatible (via OSC) with Max/MSP and Bidule for the development of complex
interactive control algorithms.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Welcome to Gig Performer 14
· Non-linear scaling curves that allow advanced widget scaling and keyboard velocity
scaling.
· Startup hints.
Please navigate through this manual to find more information about these bullet items.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 15
Some of the new additions are listed below. For the complete list of changes, please refer
to our Release Notes page.
2.1 GP Relayer
GP Relayer is a new plugin in Gig Performer 5 that allows you to transport audio and MIDI
effortlessly between Gig Performer instances, to other DAWs for easy recording, and from
DAWs back to Gig Performer to utilize their proprietary sounds and effects.
If you want to record Gig Performer's outputs directly to your DAW, you no longer need
any third-party software.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 16
With the MIDI Chord Maker, activating multiple notes is straightforward and intuitive;
click this chapter to learn more. To see this feature in action, check out this YouTube
video.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 17
The speed and the pitch of individual audio files can be easily adjusted by moving the
knobs, indicated by the red and blue rectangles respectively. You can also sync the BPM
of the track to the Global BPM value in Gig Performer (indicated by the green rectangle);
the speed of the track will be automatically adjusted to match Gig Performer's tempo.
Click on this chapter to learn more and check out this YouTube video to see these
features in action.
Uses for electric guitar are, for example, signal dependent Wah-wah or signal dependent
high cut-off filtering, which would produce almost violin like effects. Another valuable use
is for ducking audio while speaking. Read this blog article to see examples.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 18
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 19
This feature allows you to easily understand your audio and MIDI and discover where
your audio might be too high or troubleshoot your setup if you are not receiving audio or
MIDI at some point.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 20
An intuitive grid-based interface simplifies the redirection of MIDI signals to and from any
MIDI channel or multiple MIDI channels simultaneously. Ideal for both external gear
integration and internal channel reconfiguration, the MIDI Rechannelizer enhances your
ability to manipulate and streamline MIDI flows.
Learn more about this plugin in this chapter and see it in action in this YouTube video.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 21
The familiar action automation, previously available only through the Streaming Audio
File Player markers (A) is now expanded and can be triggered from any song part (B).
A new action "Metronome Click" is added to the list of available actions and allows you
send a single metronome click. Refer to the Action Management chapter to learn more.
First, all Global blocks now support sending and receiving MIDI, as well as audio.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 22
- The Save Gig File parameter allows you to quickly save your gig file.
- You can now also scroll the Panels and Setlist views.
Note: To improve readability, spaces are added to the parameter names in the System
Actions plugin.
The MIDI In (Local GP Port) plugin now has its MIDI Out counterpart – The MIDI Out (Local
GP Port).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 23
This block is designed to receive messages from plugins such as the MIDI File Player,
Envelope Follower, or other third-party plugins such as arpeggiators so that they can be
mapped to widgets.
· The Global Rackspace button is now on the main panel, making it easier to access
from any view (previously it was located above the rackspace area).
· The MIDI activity indicators in the main Gig Performer window are now a bit
brighter.
· The Plugin Manager now includes the Widget Refresh column that allows you to
explicitly refresh mapped widgets after loading a GP User Preset (rarely needed, for
plugins that don't notify a host for their parameter changes).
· The categories for the internal plugins menu groups are now alphabetical.
· The Song script and Gig script editor positions are now properly remembered and
restored.
· It is no longer necessary to hold the Shift key down to copy widgets from global
rackspace to local rackspace. If the global widgets have parameters defined, they will
be automatically configured.
· MIDI In blocks no longer send out Note Off information when changing variations if
the transpose value hasn't changed.
· The Auto Sampler editor plugin now uses the correct name for the Decent Sampler
preset.
· The OSC subsystem now support /handle/LoadGPPreset so that you can load a
GPUserPreset into any plugin via OSC.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 24
GPScript improvements
· Added functions to scroll rackspaces and songs and to save the gig file.
· A
· Added system function to set the bounds of one widget to that of another widget
(which makes it easy to position one widget on top of another).
SDK improvements
Instead you must either declare a boolean value into which the result is stored or test the
value.
Examples:
bool someResult;
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
What is new in Gig Performer 5? 25
someResult = foo(42)
or
if foo(42)
then ....
End
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 26
3 Getting started
This chapter will provide useful information before you start actively using Gig Performer.
Further, check out our special blog article dedicated to new users Getting started with Gig
Performer.
Note: if you are running Gig Performer on macOS 10.14 or above, you will be prompted to
allow access to the "microphone":
You must allow this as otherwise Gig Performer will be unable to receive the audio from
your guitar, microphone or other audio device that you plug into any of the inputs of
your audio interface.
When Gig Performer is first launched, the following dialog will appear:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 27
If you have purchased a license, enter your email address, and type in or paste the
activation key (your key is emailed to you when you buy a license; make sure your anti-
spam blocker didn't prevent the confirmation email with your license key from being
received). Then click on the Activate button to activate your copy of Gig Performer.
If you have not yet purchased a license, click on the Start Free Trial button to access a
fully operational trial version of Gig Performer for 14 days (the dialog will also show you
how many days remain for this trial).
You can purchase a license key anytime by clicking the Buy License button.
Before using Gig Performer, please make sure you agree to the license agreement, a copy
of which is included (see Appendix -> License agreement).
Immediately after launching, Gig Performer will scan your system looking for plugins and
the following dialog will appear:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 28
When running Gig Performer on macOS systems, it will scan for VST, VST3 (Virtual Studio
Technology) and AU (Audio Unit) plugins; when running on Windows systems, it will look
for all VST and VST3 plugins. Note that only 64-bit plugins are supported.
Note: If you are a Windows user, you may have to tell Gig Performer what folders to
search, since there is no single location where all plugins are guaranteed to be installed.
To do so, launch Gig Performer, go to the Windows menu, then select Plugin Manager. In
the resultant window, click Manage, then choose the Set VST folders for scanning option.
We suggest that you begin by having Gig Performer search in the folder C:\Program
Files\VstPlugins. If additional plugins are stored in other folder locations (as some plugin
and DAW manufacturers automatically create), the Plugin Manager allows you to add
other folders to scan easily.
This scanning process can take some time the first time you use Gig Performer but will be
nearly instantaneous on subsequent launches unless you have installed or updated any
plugins since the last usage (if you like, you can disable the automatic scan completely in
the General options dialog).
Note: Gig Performer comes with several specialized plugins to handle basic MIDI and
audio operations. Some third-party plugin vendors have kindly provided us with versions
of some of their commercial plugins which are used in some of our templates to make it
easier for new users to work with Gig Performer if they do not have their own plugins yet.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 29
Incoming MIDI messages from any of your keyboards will now be sent to the synth plugin.
Complete the signal chain by connecting the synth plugin block to your audio interface
outputs. This very basic setup is displayed in image (A). At this point, you should be able
to play your connected keyboard(s) and hear the result.
If you use more than one keyboard and want each one to control different plugins, you
must replace the MIDI In (OMNI) block with MIDI In blocks associated with each keyboard
(MIDI device). To do this, you can either insert a new MIDI In block or right-click on the
MIDI In (OMNI) block and replace it with the desired one, as indicated with (B).
When you have finished adding your plugins, switch to the Panels view, and enter Edit
mode. Add panels and widgets for the plugin parameters you mostly use or want to
control either from the panel or from your keyboard or other MIDI control surface. Here is
an example:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 30
Refer to the Widgets chapter to learn more. Make sure also to check our built-in
templates and Community-driven shared rackspaces (click Help -> Community ->
Community Shared Gigs, Rackspaces and More) to access nicely designed, community-
created rackspace and gig files that you can use directly or as templates for your setups.
Depending on the features of your plugins (i.e. are they multi-timbral) you can organize
your rackspaces and variations in many different ways, for example:
Gig Performer includes the Global rackspace where you can place your common effects,
such as reverb, delay, or other plugins that you might want to be present all the time (i.e.
an Audio File Player or a MIDI File Player). The screenshot below shows the Wiring views
of two rackspaces and the Global rackspace. One rackspace contains an acoustic piano (1)
and the other contains an electric piano (2). A delay is added to both of these sounds in
the Global rackspace (3):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 31
So rather than inserting a delay plugin in both rackspaces, you can simply insert it in the
Global rackspace.
Check the Global Rackspace chapter to learn more about the Global rackspace.
As a keyboardist you'll appreciate that each rackspace supports a mechanism that allows
your sounds to stay on until you release all the keys that you were holding down (or the
sustain pedal if it was down), even if you switch to another rackspace with different
sounds for the next part of your set. This mechanism is called Patch Persist (check the
MIDI Patch Persist section in the Rackspace properties).
When this feature is disabled, when you hold a note down and then switch to the other
rackspace, the note you're holding down stops immediately.
Complete the signal chain by connecting these plugins to your audio interface outputs.
The very basic setup is displayed in image [1]. At this point, you should be able to play
your guitar and hear the result.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 32
You can mix and match plugins together just as if they were physical devices. There are
no complicated AUX buses, sends or inserts. Simply connect things as if you were using
wires.
If you want to parallel process your signal and, for example, run it through two different
amps you can simply connect your input signal to two amp plugins, then sum these
together with our Audio Mixer plugin.
Gig Performer includes the Global rackspace where you can place common effects, such as
Chorus, Delay and Reverb. Image [2a] displays a rackspace that routes the audio signal to
the Global rackspace, and [2b] displays a connection where the audio signal is coming
from the Global rackspace, does some further processing and then completes the signal
chain by sending the signal to your audio interface outputs.
Check the Global Rackspace chapter to learn more about the Global rackspace.
When you finish adding your plugins, switch to the Panels view, and enter Edit mode.
Add panels and widgets for plugin parameters you mostly use or want to control via MIDI
or OSC. Here is an example:
Refer to the Widgets chapter to learn more. Make sure also to check our built-in
templates and Community-driven shared rackspaces (click Help -> Community ->
Community Shared Gigs, Rackspaces and More) to access nicely designed, community-
created rackspace and gig files that you can use directly or as templates for your setups.
We recommend that you organize your rackspaces based on the common sounds you
use, like Clean, Crunchy, Distorted, etc. This is not a rule, however, and you're free to
organize things the way it works for you and your playing style.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 33
As a guitarist you'll appreciate that each rackspace has fine-grain control over its
"silencing periods". This means you control how long each rackspace has to silence its
input/output as you switch to another rackspace. This provides an incredibly smooth
transition between your sounds (check the Tail Length section in the Rackspace
properties).
Check out the blog article Top 10 reasons why you should move to a Gig Performer based
guitar rig.
3.4 Basic setup for vocalists, drummers, other musicians and FOH
engineers
The last two chapters cover basic setups for keyboardists and guitarists, but Gig
Performer can be used by any artist who performs on any instrument live or in the studio
using their specific plugin setups.
For example, vocalists can easily add compression, EQ and other desired effects to their
vocals.
Vocalists might want to take advantage of the Global Rackspace and add their effects
there if they don't change them often, as shown in (1). Of course, feel free to make
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 34
arrangements any way you like; for example, you can use the Global rackspace for plugins
that you want to be always present in your setup (like shown in 2a) and take advantage
of rackspace variations to apply different amounts of reverb and delay (like shown in 2b).
Check out the YouTube video How to create a vocal effects chain in Gig Performer to see
an example with free plugins.
Similarly, drummers can mix and match their favorite drums and cymbals from different
drum plugins and create drum kits. Drummers can organize drum kits as rackspaces and
switch them instantly.
Using Gig Performer instances, every band member can use different plugin setups on a
single computer (provided that a computer is powerful enough to host these setups).
Check out our Community-driven shared rackspaces (click Help -> Community ->
Community Shared Gigs, Rackspaces and More) to access nicely designed, community-
created rackspace and gig files that you can use directly or as templates for your setups.
When you first start Gig Performer the New Gig dialog will appear:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 35
Note: the contents of this dialog may differ from the screenshot above, as new templates
may be included in future versions of Gig Performer.
This dialog will also appear every time you start Gig Performer if you turn off the Reload
the last gig on startup toggle button in the General Options. You can invoke this dialog
any time by clicking on File -> New -> New Gig from Template...
To create a gig from the template, simply select a category, such as Keyboards (as
indicated in the screenshot above) and double-click the desired template (alternatively,
select the desired template and click on the New Gig From Selection button.
Depending on your selection, the fully functional gig file will open with nicely laid out
panels with widgets:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Getting started 36
You can use templates to quickly try out Gig Performer features or get ideas for your own
gig design.
Note: the screenshot above is used for demonstration purposes only and might be
changed in the future as templates might change.
You can also browse the Community-driven compilation of gig files and rackspaces; click
Help -> Community -> Community Shared Gigs, Rackspaces and More to access this section
of our Community.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 37
2. Edit button - in the Panels view, click on this button to enter Edit mode, where you
can edit panels and widgets.
4. Globe icon - click on this icon to show or hide the Global Rackspace.
6. Play/Stop button (also referred to as the Global playhead) - click to start playback,
click again to stop it. When playing, all plugins that support playback control (for
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 38
example, sample, loop, or beat playback plugins) play back. When disengaged
("stop"), they are all put in a stopped state.
7. Audio metronome on/off - click to turn on the audio metronome, click again to turn
it off. See Metronome for more information.
8. Tuner icon - click here to toggle the Tuner view (the icon turns red).
9. Tempo display - shows the current tempo being used by all connected plugins (for
example, sample/loop/beat-playback plugins, as well as those generating echoes,
delays and reverbs). You can of course change the tempo any time. The tempo can
also be set automatically by song and song part tempos. For more information see
Tempo and Time Signature. The minimum tempo value is 20 BPM and the maximum
tempo value is 640 BPM.
10. Time signature display - shows the current time signature being used by all
connected plugins (for example, sample/loop/beat-playback plugins, as well as
those generating echoes, delays, and reverbs). You can change this value and enter
any time signature, up to 32/64.
11. Transpose - enter the Global transpose value that will be applied to all MIDI In
blocks by clicking on the field and entering a number of semitones directly, or by
clicking on TRANSPOSE and using the increment (+) and decrement (-) buttons to set
the number of semitones. Note: individual blocks can optionally ignore the global
transpose value, something that is useful if a MIDI In block is being used for
percussion or sound effects.
12. Link button - click this button to activate or deactivate Ableton Link.
13. Global output volume (Trim) knob - use this to temporarily change the overall
volume of your gig. An increase in volume is highlighted in red and a decrease is
highlighted in blue. Double-click on the knob to reset its value to 0dB. The Trim
knob can be remotely controlled; map it to a MIDI controller in the Global MIDI
Assignments section of the Global MIDI options dialog. The initial value when Gig
Performer first starts can be set in the General options.
a. MIDI activity indicator - flickering here indicates the presence of MIDI data. The
top bar lights green when incoming MIDI messages are received, while the
bottom bar flickers when MIDI messages are being transmitted (via a MIDI Out
block). If the "Sync tempo with external MIDI clock" option is selected for the
current rackspace (see Rackspace Properties), a thin yellow bar above the two
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 39
flickers to indicate the presence of incoming MIDI Clock data and also serves as a
visual tempo indicator. Open the Global MIDI Monitor window to see detailed
information about the MIDI messages being received.
b. CPU usage indicator - shows the percentage amount of CPU overhead currently
being used by Gig Performer for audio processing. Gig Performer itself is
responsible for only a small percentage; most of the CPU overhead is taken up
by the plugins currently loaded in memory. It is normal for this value to change
in real-time as incoming MIDI data is received and as widgets are moved.
15. Panic button - click this to issue "turn all notes off" messages on all MIDI channels,
along with a Sustain OFF message and a Center PitchBend message, thus stopping
stuck notes. Double-click this button to also reset the audio engine.
16. New rackspace/variation ("+") and Delete selected rackspace/variation ("-") buttons
- click "+" to add a new rackspace or variation; click "-" to delete the selected
rackspace or variation.
17. More... button - click on the button with the ellipsis (three dots) to drop down a
menu of operations related to rackspaces, variations and widgets.
18. Browser (indicated by the left arrow) - in Panels and Wiring views, the browser
shows a list of all rackspaces and variations that have been created. The current
rackspace is outlined in green. The right arrow indicates the display of the current
rackspace and variation. Click on a rackspace in the list to select it. Double-click on a
rackspace in the list to open the Rackspace Properties dialog. Drag rackspaces up
and down in the list to reorder them. The browser looks different in Setlist view,
though the rackspace/variations list is still displayed. For more details, see Setlist
view.
19. Panel surface - in the Panels and Setlist views, the purpose of this surface is to
display widgets previously dragged onto this surface in the Edit mode.
20. GP Hint - the hints database contains various tips and tricks about Gig Performer,
many submitted by Community members. By default, a new hint will appear every
time you start Gig Performer though of course you can turn this off. Show hints at
any time by clicking on the Help menu -> Show a Gig Performer Hint.
21. Global Rackspace toggle - click on this toggle button to show/hide the Global
rackspace controls.
22. Collapse/Expand bottom controls toggle - click on this arrow to collapse or expand
the bottom controls, i.e. faders for all audio input and output channels.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 40
23. Recorder button - click this to open the Recording Options dialog. For more details,
see Recording your performance.
24. Interface input levels - a set of meters and sliders that allow you to view and adjust
the levels of your audio interface's various inputs. Flickering here indicates the
presence of input signal. Double-click a fader to set it to 0 dB.
25. Interface output levels - a set of meters and sliders that allow you to view and
adjust the levels of your audio interface's various outputs. Double-click a fader to
set it to 0 dB.
Note: Gig Performer displays up to 16 input or output interface channels at a time. If your
interface has more than 16 I/O connections, the remaining inputs and outputs are
accessed by clicking the Next or Previous button to scroll the display.
A variation is a rackspace preset containing the same plugins and interconnections, but
with different widget settings. For example, you can create a rackspace to add phasing to
a piano sound, and then add several variations, each with different degrees of phase
intensity. Since variations actually store widget settings, every parameter you want stored
in a variation must be assigned to a widget on a rack panel. As with rackspaces, you can
switch from one variation to another instantaneously and with no interruption of sound
either from your laptop, with up/down pedals, or via MIDI program change messages.
Variations allow you to leverage the plugins in a single rackspace to create many different
sounds without having to duplicate the rackspace for each sound. It's also a great way to
save on memory. For example, you could have multiple virtual instrument plugins feeding
a mixer plugin, and then mute different plugins, or have a different mix of them, in each
variation. Or you could connect multiple effects (i.e. phasing, flanging, tremolo, reverb, or
echo) and have different ones enabled or disabled in each variation. Rather than creating
a rackspace for an instrument with phasing, and another for the same instrument with
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 41
echo, the same thing is accomplished by two variations of a single rackspace containing
both phaser and echo plugins.
In the picture below are depicted rackspaces (1) and variations (2):
Note: see also the Global rackspace, a special rackspace that allows audio plugins to be
shared and used by regular rackspaces. Find out more in the Global Rackspace chapter.
Assuming that your keyboard is connected to Gig Performer and you are able to play
sounds, you can switch from one rackspace to another by sending a standard MIDI
Program Change message from your MIDI keyboard to Gig Performer. By default, each
rackspace/variation is associated with a program change message, starting at 0. For other
ways to select specific rackspaces and variations and for more details, see this in-depth
blog article How to change sounds and control plugins from your MIDI controller.
Visit this blog article to learn more about rackspaces and variations and also this blog
article to learn more about program changes and how you can manage them.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 42
common reverb, delay, or chorus, instead of creating them in individual rackspaces. Audio
and MIDI from the currently active rackspace can then be sent to the Global rackspace for
processing. You can of course also insert regular synth plugins along with MIDI In blocks
to the Global rackspace. This would allow you to, for example, have a piano or organ that
is always available.
The Global rackspace is bidirectional. That means that while audio and MIDI can be sent
from rackspaces to the Global rackspace (to support common effects as described above),
audio and MIDI can also be sent from the Global rackspace back to whatever rackspace is
currently active. This is particularly valuable for guitarists or singers who may want to
always add a certain amount of "pre-processing" to their input, for example.
The signal flow is easy to understand; note the special block called To Global Rackspace
(1) in the left screenshot, where signals are directed to the Global rackspace instead of
being sent to the Audio Out block. The Global rackspace can be accessed by clicking on
the globe icon (2).
In the right screenshot, the Global rackspace wiring layout can be seen. Note the special
block From Rackspaces (3), used to receive audio (and MIDI) sent from rackspaces to be
further processed serially through the Reverb and EQ blocks before being sent to the
Audio Out.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 43
When the Clean rackspace is active (in which no distortion or compressor plugins are in
use), the signal flow is still ultimately directed to the Global rackspace and further
processed by Reverb and EQ and so there is no need to include effects such as reverb or
delay in every rackspace.
To conclude, while the Global rackspace can be used for many purposes, the three
primary uses are:
· Master effects processing - allows you to send a signal from any rackspace to the
Global rackspace where you can add effects, EQ, and other plugins for further signal
processing. In previous Gig Performer editions, you must insert and connect all these
effects in every rackspace if you want to use them; in Gig Performer, you can insert
these effects into the Global rackspace and send signals from the active rackspace to
the Global rackspace and thereby saving a lot of plugin duplication that was
necessary in older versions (Gig Performer 3 and older).
· Input pre-processing - the Global Rackspace receives audio and MIDI input from your
instrument, does some common pre-processing and sends the result to the active
rackspace for specific effects needed for individual songs.
Tip: check The Main Gig Performer window chapter, point 21, to learn how to show/hide
the Global rackspace controls when regular rackspaces are displayed.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 44
This menu is split into three sections: Rackspaces, Variations, and Widgets.
Rackspaces
New Rackspace... - creates a new rackspace. Note: the advantage of putting different
sounds into different rackspaces (as opposed to creating one complex rackspace with
multiple signal chains and complicated switching) is that you can go from one to the
other, glitch-free, with the use of simple MIDI program change messages transmitted via a
MIDI controller, such as up-and-down switches on a pedalboard - or even via a
smartphone or tablet running an OSC app. What's more, Gig Performer's Tail length
function allows you to set the maximum time before a sound is cut off, up to 10 seconds
when you switch rackspaces.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 45
Import Rackspace... - opens a dialog that allows you to select the desired rackspace file
and import it.
Export Selected Rackspace... - exports the selected rackspace to the .rackspace file format.
Revert Rackspace to Last Saved Version - reverts the current rackspace to the last version
saved. Note: click OK in the confirmation "Are you sure?" dialog only if you are sure you
want to do this because all changes made since the file was last saved will be
permanently lost. If you want to save your work first, click on the Cancel button, then go
to File -> Save or File -> Save As...
Update (save) Rackspace to Gig File - saves the selected rackspace to the currently open
.gig file; make sure to save a gig first for this feature to work. Note: this option saves only
the currently selected rackspace, and changes made to all other rackspaces will not be
saved; if you want to save/update all rackspaces, click on File -> Save instead. Also note
that you cannot add and save new rackspaces this way - the rackspace must exist and
must be saved to the gig file first (you cannot add a new rackspace and then select this
menu item to update it because it is not in the gig file yet).
Variations
New variation... - creates a new variation. Note: creating a new variation always
duplicates the currently selected one.
Reset Song Parts to Variation... - writes the current variation settings to every song part
that uses the current variation. Use this command to update a sound and ensure the
newest version is used everywhere the sound occurs.
Widgets
Update Explicit Initial Values - clicking on this menu item updates widget initial values to
the current ones when a gig is loaded. Initial values settings are defined in the Widget
Properties inspector.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 46
Override global tempo and time signature - turn on this toggle button if you want the
rackspace to have its own tempo value and time signature, then enter the desired BPM
(beats per minute) and time signature. If this toggle button is turned off, the rackspace
will use the global tempo and time signature information.
Sync tempo with external MIDI clock - turn on this toggle button if you want the
rackspace to adjust its tempo from incoming MIDI clock messages (24 ticks per quarter
note) sent from an external device, thus enabling echo/delay or arpeggiator plugins
capable of receiving MIDI clock to be automatically synchronized with your external
device. Visit this blog article to learn how to synchronize Gig Performer's tempo to an
external MIDI clock or Link-enabled products.
Maximum audio tail length - sets the maximum time before a sound is cut off when you
switch rackspaces. The maximum length is 10 seconds. Often known as an audio "tail",
this feature is useful when using effects such as reverb or echo. In Gig Performer you can
select Input muting and Output fading:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 47
Input muting - move this scroll bar to select the desired number of seconds (up to 10s)
in which input to this rackspace will be smoothly silenced.
Output fading - move this scroll bar to select the desired number of seconds (up to 10s)
in which the audio output of this rackspace will be smoothly faded out.
MIDI Patch Persist - if this feature is checked, whenever you switch to another rackspace,
notes that you are holding (either directly on your keyboard or via your sustain pedal)
will continue sounding until you release the keys or the pedal. This feature works with
any number of rackspaces, up to the limits of your system's available RAM and CPU
resources, so you could conceivably keep the sound of five or more rackspaces going
simultaneously.
If this feature is unchecked, whenever you switch from one rackspace to another, the
sound of the previous rackspace is immediately silenced even if you are holding notes
down or have pressed the sustain pedal.
Name - to rename the variation, type a new name in this text box.
Assign a permanent program change number - when this toggle button is turned on, you
can specify the program change number and, optionally, the bank select numbers (you
set MSB and LSB values separately) used to switch to this variation. Note: if a program
change number has been assigned, that number will appear to the left of the variation
name. If there is only one variation in the rackspace, the program change number will
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 48
also appear to the left of the rackspace name; if there is more than one variation, an
asterisk will appear there instead.
If this toggle button is turned off, Gig Performer will assign program change numbers in
ascending order. For example, the first variation in the first rackspace will be called up
when program change 0 is received, the first variation in the next rackspace will be called
up when program change 1 is received, etc.
Make sure that you also review these options when it comes to assigning variations and
program change numbers:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 49
1. Wiring Activity - allows you to easily review the audio levels and MIDI activity in the
Wiring view.
2. Audio interface input block - Gig Performer automatically shows inputs for audio
interface device(s) known to the operating system.
3. Plugin port - plugins are interconnected by virtual wires, where an output port (or
pin) of one plugin is connected to an input port of another plugin. Blue ports
indicate audio ports, and orange ports indicate MIDI ports. Note that audio ports
cannot be connected to MIDI ports (and vice versa).
4. MIDI In (OMNI) block - Gig Performer inserts the built-in MIDI In (OMNI) plugin by
default. Other MIDI devices can be added in the same fashion as any other plugin.
MIDI plugins are colored orange. Note that you can connect the MIDI output ports to
multiple MIDI plugin input ports (the same applies to audio ports). Refer to the
chapter MIDI Inputs to learn about these built-in plugins.
5. MIDI connections - shown as orange wires between from MIDI Out ports to MIDI In
ports.
6. Audio plugin - virtual instruments are colored green, audio processors are colored
blue, and some Gig Performer integrated plugins, such as Audio Mixer (8ch), are
colored black. Also note the mini-icon located at the upper-left corner of a plugin,
which visually indicates the plugin type.
7. Audio connections - shown as blue wires from audio output ports to audio input
ports.
8. Audio interface output block - Gig Performer automatically shows outputs for audio
interface device(s) known to the operating system.
9. Wiring view design surface - this large area of the screen is used to display your
plugins and their interconnections. Drag a plugin to move or reposition it. Double-
clicking a plugin opens its plugin editor. Refer to the Wiring view features to learn
more about the features, such as zooming, scrolling, and selecting multiple plugins.
Hovering the cursor over a plugin brings up a tooltip with basic information about that
plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 50
You can easily check how much latency your plugins introduce to your setup (in this
example, there are 0 samples). The tooltip can be disabled by turning off the Show
information on plugin hover option in the Display Options.
Note: You can control the Wiring view activity in the Display Options window. You can use
Simple or Meters mode, which will allow you to have a great overview and troubleshoot
your audio and MIDI signal flow.
You can select multiple blocks by dragging over them with your mouse. You can select all
blocks (explicitly excluding the Audio I/O blocks) by pressing Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on Mac). If
you want to select specific blocks, hold the Shift key down and then click on each
individual block (1):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 51
You can easily drag, copy and reposition multiple blocks together.
The design surface is virtual, giving you much more room to lay out your plugins without
cluttering or placing them too close together. You can zoom in or out to focus on a
particular area of the wiring view. Use the arrow keys on your PC keyboard or the
horizontal and vertical scroll bars (2) to move around. When you press and hold the Alt
key (Option key on a Mac), a tooltip appears (3), notifying you that you can click on the
design surface and drag it to navigate through it. While doing this, note the minimap in
the left upper corner (4) that provides a quick overview of the whole design surface and
the position of your layout.
You can use your mouse wheel to zoom in or zoom out the design surface in the Wiring
view. If you also hold down the Alt key (Option key on a Mac), then Auto Fit and Auto
Zoom options will appear in the upper-right corner (5); clicking the Auto Fit button places
all your plugins within the current screen and fits them to the current zoom level. Clicking
the Auto Zoom button zooms all your plugins to fit the current screen. Zoom Out and
Zoom In buttons are also available (6), both of which allow you to set the desired zoom
level.
The Wiring Activity mode (7) allows you to easily review the audio levels and MIDI activity
in the Wiring view. There are three modes of the Wiring activity:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 52
This feature allows you to easily understand your audio and MIDI, discover where your
audio might be too high, or troubleshoot your setup.
You can also save multiple interconnected blocks as favorites for quick reuse; select the
blocks you want, right-click on your selection and select Save as Favorite... (refer to the
Selected Block contextual menu section for more information):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 53
Favorites can be dragged in from the file system, and doing so will automatically insert
the required plugins. Favorites also show up in the Wiring view contextual menu and the
Quick Plugin, Favorite or Preset Finder dialog.
When you select multiple plugins, you can Center or Evenly distribute them; refer to the
Selected Block contextual menu section for more information.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 54
1. Internal plugins - allows you to insert one of the many built-in plugins such as Gain
Controls or Media Players. Refer to the Built-in plugins chapter for more
information.
2. User - allows you to insert plugins with user-saved Presets and Favorites (exported
plugin selections will appear under Favorites). Refer to this chapter for more
information.
3. Installed Plugins - all your installed plugins are available through these menus,
organized alphabetically by the manufacturer of each plugin. Navigate through these
menus to insert the desired plugin (click on this chapter to learn how to insert and
connect plugins).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 55
This view allows you to manage panels and widgets, assign plugin parameters, and assign
hardware MIDI controls to widgets. Check the Panels and Widgets chapter to learn more.
Make sure also to check out the main Gig Performer window section to familiarize
yourself with various elements and their names in Gig Performer.
To see how widgets are connected to plugins and their parameters, click on the Edit
button:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 56
The Panels view in the Edit mode (1) enables you to add new widgets (2) by dragging
them onto a panel and connecting them with your plugins. Look at the example of a
widgets layout in the screenshot above; the metal knob widget is selected (3), and you
can see its properties (4) and mapping (5). Refer to the Widget Properties inspector
chapter for more information. In the Mapping section, you can see that the selected
widget is assigned to the Gain parameter of the Main Volume plugin.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 57
1. Previous Song button - click this button to move to the previous (earlier) song in the
setlist.
3. Next Song button - click this button to move to the next (later) song in the setlist.
4. Song part tile bar - click on any of these large, highly visible buttons to instantly
switch between song parts. Tiles can be configured to match the layout of a MIDI
foot pedal controller. A song part is linked to a rackspace variation and can store
edits to the variation it uses (refer to the Songs and Setlists chapter for more
information).
5. Setlists drop-down menu - select a setlist to play from this menu. The All Songs
setlist is always present in the list.
6. More... button - clicking this opens the contextual menu, which contains numerous
commands for managing setlists, songs and song parts.
8. Capture variation button - click on this button to save edits you have made to a
variation into the currently selected song part only. The changes are not saved to
the underlying variation in the rackspace browser. This is a quick way of customizing
a variation and saving it. Check the How to capture variation edits chapter to learn
more.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 58
9. Setlist editor - allows you to reorder songs and song parts by dragging. Many
important functions for the Setlist editor are found in the More... contextual menu.
A song can be loaded by selecting in a setlist, in the Quick Song Finder or using
Previous/Next buttons that can be mapped to incoming MIDI messages.
10. Rackspace Show/Hide button - click here to show or hide the rackspace list.
11. Lock Song button - this is a safety feature to prevent accidental changes. When this
button is clicked, changes to rackspaces assignments in songs are not allowed.
Attempting to change a rackspace produces an error screen:
12. Rackspace browser - rackspaces and variations can be selected here to map to song
parts on the fly. There is no rackspace management in the Setlists view - for that,
you must enter Panels or Wiring view. Note: Panels and Wiring views access only
stored versions of variations; edits performed in the Setlist view are not available in
those views. However, there is a method to push changes made in the Setlists view
back to the underlying variations; see the Push Song Part Changes to Rackspace
option in this chapter.
When selected, a song can send a MIDI program change message out to an external MIDI
device. An incoming MIDI program change message can select a song part and send out a
sequence of MIDI messages upon selection. Check the Song Properties and Song Part
Properties chapters to learn more.
Each song can have its own key, transpose value, tempo and time signature; the same
also applies to song parts. A song can be linked to a ChordPro document for lyrics and
chords.
Assuming that your keyboard is connected to Gig Performer and you can play sounds, you
can switch from one song to another by sending a standard MIDI Program Change
message from your MIDI keyboard to Gig Performer. By default, each song/song part is
associated with a program change message, starting at 0. For other ways to select specific
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 59
songs and song parts and for more details, see this in-depth blog article How to change
sounds and control plugins from your MIDI controller.
Visit this blog article to learn more about program changes and how you can manage
them.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 60
This menu is split into three organizational units - Setlists, Songs, and Song Parts:
Setlists
· Add New Setlist... - opens a setlist name dialog and adds a new setlist in the browser
(the new setlist becomes the current setlist).
· Remove Selected Setlist... - removes the selected setlist and sets the previous setlist
as the current setlist.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 61
· Duplicate Selected Setlist... - opens a setlist name dialog and creates a copy of the
selected setlist in the setlist editor (this duplicate becomes the current setlist). This
menu item is grayed out when the All Songs list is active.
· Rename Selected Setlist... - opens a setlist name dialog and allows renaming of the
selected setlist. The renamed setlist is automatically sorted in alphabetical order.
· Add Song(s) to Setlist... - opens a new dialog with the list of all songs where you can
easily add a song (or songs) to the setlist.
· Export All Setlist Songs... - exports all songs from a setlist to a user-defined folder.
· Create Gig From Setlist... - allows you to export a setlist to a stand-alone gig file.
Songs
· Find song... - choose this command to open the Quick song finder window displaying
all the songs currently in the setlist. To add a song from the list in the window to the
current setlist, select the song you want to add and either press the Enter key or
double-click it. Press the Escape key or click the Close button when you have added
all the songs you want in this setlist.
· Create New Song... - opens the Song Properties dialog and allows you to create a
new song.
· Duplicate Selected Song... - opens a Song name dialog and makes a copy of the
selected song.
· Import Song(s)... - opens a new dialog and allows you to select one or more .gpsong
files to import. Refer to the File extensions used in Gig Performer chapter for more
information on different file types in Gig Performer.
· Export Selected Song... - opens a new dialog and allows you to save a song in the
.gpsong file.
· Remove Selected Song... - removes the selected song from the current setlist.
· Remove Selected Song Permanently... - removes the selected song from all setlists.
· Lock/Unlock Selected Song - choosing this menu item blocks changes to rackspace
assignments in a selected song. This protects the selected song from accidental
modification. Clicking on a rackspace in the browser when the song is locked
produces an error message. Use Shift + click to apply to all songs.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 62
· Add This Song To Setlist - adds a song to a setlist; select the song in the browser,
then choose this menu item, picking a target setlist from the drop-down menu.
Song parts
· Add New Song Part - opens a Song part name dialog and creates a new song part in
the song currently selected in the browser.
· Duplicate Selected Song Part - makes a copy of the selected song part.
· Remove Selected Song Part - removes the selected song part from the current song.
· Push Song Part Changes to Rackspace - selecting this menu item overwrites the
current variation with any changes made to widgets and then stored to a song part
using the Capture Variation Edits button. After changes have been written back to
the original variation, the red indicator next to the button goes out, and the
Compare and Revert buttons disappear. Note: If you edit values on the fly and like
the changes, this is how you save those changes. If you want to keep the original
variation, duplicate it before clicking the Capture Variation Edits button.
4.6 Widgets
A widget is an object (such as a knob, slider, button, or meter) used to control and
display plugin parameters. Widgets can be controlled with your laptop's mouse or
trackpad, or remotely from a MIDI controller. With OSC, widgets can also be controlled
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 63
from iOS / Android tablets and smartphones using the appropriate apps and other
applications, such as MaxMSP or Ableton Live, that support OSC.
1. Shape, 2. Text Label, 3. Tape Label (Horizontal), 4. Tape Label (Vertical), 5. Blue Knob, 6.
Green Knob, 7. Grey Knob, 8. Purple Knob, 9. Yellow Knob, 10. Red Knob, 11. Orange Knob,
12. Balance Knob, 13. Old School Knob, 14. The 11, 15. Plastic Red Knob, 16. Plastic Purple
Knob, 17. Plastic Green Knob, 18. Plastic Blue Knob, 19. Plastic White Knob, 20. Plastic
Yellow Knob, 21. Plastic Orange Knob, 22. Metal Knob, 23. Metal Angled Knob, 24. Metal
Knob (Dark), 25. Black Metal Knob, 26. Gold Knob, 27. Expression Pedal, 28. Black
Drawbar, 29. Brown Drawbar, 30. White Drawbar, 31. Black Slider (Vertical), 32. White
Slider (Vertical), 33. Blue Slider, 34. Red Slider, 35. Purple Slider, 36. Green Slider, 37.
Yellow Slider, 38. Orange Slider, 39. Cyan Slider, 40. Black Slider (Horizontal), 41. White
Slider (Horizontal), 42. Switch (Horizontal), 43. Switch Red (Horizontal), 44. Switch
(Vertical), 45. Switch Red (Vertical), 46. Meter (Vertical), 47. Meter (Horizontal), 48. Pad
Button Blue, 49. Pad Button Green, 50. Pad Button Red, 51. Pad Button Orange, 52. Pad
Button Yellow, 53. Green Radio Button, 54. Red Radio Button, 55. Sustain Pedal, 56.
Toggle Switch, 57. LED Button Green 58. LED Button Red, 59. LED Button Blue, 60. LED
Button Yellow, 61. Red LED, 62. Green LED, 63. Blue LED, 64. Yellow LED.
Widgets can be operated independently or in widget groups - refer to the How to add a
widget to a Widget Link group and How to add a widget to a Radio group chapters for
more information.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 64
Historically, if you wanted to control plugin parameters, you had to use MIDI messages.
Many plugins supported the ability to learn particular MIDI messages for specific
parameters. However, we strongly encourage you to avoid this legacy approach and
instead use Gig Performer's host automation support. Using host automation, you will
control plugin parameters via widgets and optionally control widgets from your MIDI
hardware. This may seem more complicated than it actually is. Gig Performer's ability to
learn MIDI automatically makes the process simple while providing much more flexibility
than directly controlling parameters via MIDI (please refer to this chapter for more
information). Visit this blog article to learn the benefits of using the host automation.
Note: while some older plugins may not support host automation, plugins that don't
support host automation are very rare.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 65
Paste special - allows you to paste font attributes, color attributes or both onto the
selected widget(s). Note that you need to copy a single widget for this feature to work (it
will not work if more than one widget is copied to the clipboard).
Duplicate - duplicates the currently selected widget. Note: duplicated widget does not
duplicate the parameter mapping.
Remove - removes the currently selected widget (alternatively, press the Del or the
Backspace key).
Map to plugin - allows you to map one or more widgets to the desired plugin from the list
in one go (you still have to assign parameters to each one of them, of course).
Operations - allows you to apply a certain operation to one or more widgets. The
supported operations are: Show/Hide widgets, Lock/Unlock widgets, Ignore
variations/Update on variations, specifying the desired Widget Link group, and specifying
the desired Radio group.
Bring to forward - places the currently selected widget one place higher in the order.
Refer to the Widget z-ordering chapter for more information.
Bring to front - places the currently selected widget above all others (the highest priority
in the order).
Send backward - places the currently selected widget one place lower in the order.
Send to back - places the currently selected widget below all others (the lowest priority in
the order).
Note: if you click on a widget while holding the Shift key in the Panels view (not in Edit
mode), the Widget actions menu will appear:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 66
Set as Max value - sets the current widget value as the maximum widget value.
Set as Min value - sets the current widget value as the minimum widget value.
Set as Default value - sets the current widget value as the default widget value (check the
Widget Properties Inspector chapter to learn more).
Reset Curve - resets the widget's maximum and minimum values and the scaling curve to
linear (which is the default curve).
Show Plugin Editor - shows the plugin editor window if this widget is associated with a
plugin.
Locked - allows you to lock or unlock the widget from this menu (check the Widget
Properties Inspector chapter to learn more).
Properties - clicking this menu item opens Edit mode, and the Widget Properties
Inspector will be displayed for this widget.
4.7 Plugins
A plugin is a separate piece of software that can be loaded into a DAW or a live
performance host such as Gig Performer. Some plugins (called "virtual instruments")
generate audio, for example, emulations of musical instruments and synthesizers, while
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 67
effects plugins alter incoming audio signals, such as from a microphone, electric guitar, or
virtual instrument, offering processes like equalization, filtering, compression, limiting,
reverb, delay, flanging, chorusing, phasing, and the like. Many thousands of plugins are
available in the audio/music marketplace, both free and commercial. Many free plugins
are of extremely high quality.
Some of the blocks and their elements in Gig Performer are depicted in the screenshot
below:
Double-clicking a plugin opens its editor (1), e.g. here is a third-party plugin called Nick
Crow Lead 8505, as indicated in (8). When you insert a plugin, it opens its editor by
default; this setting can be changed by turning off the Show plugin editor when inserted
setting in Display options.
The Audio input block is colored dark orange (2), and the audio output block is colored
dark yellow (6); the actual audio inputs and outputs depend on your audio setup. You
can review your settings under Audio I/O Options.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 68
Virtual instruments, such as (3) and (7), are colored green. The third party-plugin called
NeoPiano is bypassed. Learn more about bypassing a plugin in the Plugin contextual
menu section.
Audio processors, such as effects plugins (4) and (8), are colored blue. Note the blue line
at the lower-right corner of plugin (4); hovering a mouse pointer over this line will show a
tooltip stating that This plugin has more audio channels. Click to adjust visibility. Refer to
the Plugin contextual menu section to find out more about limiting pins (or plugin ports).
To find out more about wiring your plugins and ports, refer to the Wiring view and
Inserting and wiring your plugins sections.
A plugin may have an OSC/GPScript handle assigned to it. Note the Blue3 plugin (7) and
its handle name "script", located at the upper-left corner of the plugin. Two symbols {S}
and "wireless icon" are located at the upper-right corner of the plugin, indicating that the
defined handle will be used as a GPScript handle and an OSC handle, respectively. Refer
to the Plugin contextual menu section for more information on setting up a handle.
When you click on a plugin block, it becomes selected (11) (NB: when you mute a Gain
Control plugin, the "M" indicator will appear in the upper-right corner of the plugin).
Many integrated Gig Performer plugins, such as Audio Mixer (10), are colored black. A
plugin is also colored black if it doesn't report its type or represents a utility plugin, such
as some mastering plugins (12). Suppose you hover with your mouse over any plugin. In
that case, a tooltip pops up, showing the plugin's name, type, format and latency (13)
(note: the tooltip can be disabled by turning off the Show information on plugin hover
toggle box in the Display Options).
An exception to the common rectangular shape of plugins in Gig Performer is the MIDI
Channel Constrainer plugin (14) (to learn more about this plugin and set it to block all
MIDI traffic, refer to the MIDI Channel Constrainer chapter).
Suppose the computer you're using to access the gig file is missing some of the plugins
that were present when the original file was created. In that case, Gig Performer will
create a "chameleon" plugin that mimics all the properties of the original plugin except
the actual processing. This will allow you to modify the file, save it and later re-open it on
a computer that has all of the required plugins installed:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 69
The chameleon plugin is colored dark red and reports the name of the real plugin
followed by the word "(MISSING)". If you double-click this plugin, its window opens and
states that this plugin is either missing or disabled on this system. This feature is
extremely useful if someone sends you a gig file that includes a reverb plugin (say) that
you don't have currently installed. You simply open that gig file and see which plugin is
missing. Afterward, you can either install the missing plugin or replace it with your own
reverb plugin – right-click on the chameleon block, then select Replace plugin and choose
the existing alternative reverb plugin on your machine.
Gig Performer lets you see the list of used plugins for the loaded gig file. Refer to this
chapter to learn more.
If you disable your plugin through the Plugin Manager, it becomes a chameleon plugin.
This feature is also useful for troubleshooting; check this blog article to find out how you
can identify a plugin that crashed.
Refer to the Built-in plugins chapter to learn more about the plugins integrated with Gig
Performer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 70
To access the Plugin Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) or choose Plugin
Manager from the Window menu. Click on the column name, such as "Name" or "Format"
to sort the column alphabetically by that category. Click that category a second time to
reverse the alphabetical order of the column.
The Filter field (1) allows you to filter the plugins list by the desired query:
With (2) is represented the total number of plugins, followed by the number of failed
plugins.
Note: Windows users can install and use VST and VST3 plugins; examples are indicated in
(3). MacOS users can install and use VST, VST3 or AudioUnit plugins.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 71
However, be aware that a plugin's manufacturer might report the wrong category or even
not report it at all.
Right-clicking on any plugin name opens a pop-up menu (4) that allows you to:
· Enable or Disable any plugin; alternatively, right-click on the plugin entry, the Enabled
column and select Enabled or Disabled, indicated with (5). Note: when you disable a
plugin, you will need to reload your gig file for the changes to take effect. When you
disable plugins you don't need, the only benefit will be finding plugins much faster —
the contextual menu will be smaller, and the Quick Plugin Finder will return a shorter
list. It won’t impact loading time at all - Gig Performer only loads plugins needed for
the gig.
· specify its Loading type - "Normal" or "Delayed"; alternatively, right-click on the plugin
entry, the Load Type column and select the desired option, as indicated with (6). If you
encounter third-party plugins that regularly fail to reinitialize successfully (i.e. they
don't launch or display with the last saved value when recalling a .gig file), try
designating them here as "Delayed" (they will be overlaid with a dark brown see-
through bar). Gig Performer will slightly delay their loading time the next time it is
launched, which may help solve the problem.
· Define custom user keywords; alternatively, right-click on the plugin entry, the
Keywords column (or simply double-click the Keywords area) and type in the desired
keyword (7). As shown in the screenshot above, you can filter your plugin list by these
keywords.
· Copy as tab delimited, if you want to copy all column values of the entry as tab-
delimited values, which can be easily pasted into a spreadsheet program. You will
usually use this feature on several plugins or all plugins from the list.
· Locate plugin, i.e. open its containing folder. If you see duplicates of your VST plugins
in the list, use this feature and review your duplicates locations to determine where
they are installed. Afterwards, remove the unnecessary plugins.
· Determine the plugin architecture (Windows only), which is useful for troubleshooting
purposes, i.e. determining whether the failed plugin is 32-bit.
· And finally, see more information about the selected plugin, i.e. visit plugin developer's
website.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 72
Plugins labeled "Disabled" in the Plugin Manager are overlaid with a brown see-through
bar and will not appear in the list of available plugins when you right-click in the Wiring
view surface area. This enables you to reduce clutter if you are sure you won't need to
access particular plugins when creating a rackspace.
The Plugin Manager includes the Widget Refresh column that allows you to explicitly
refresh mapped widgets after loading a GP User Preset. This feature is rarely needed and
is useful for plugins that don't notify a host for their parameter changes.
At the bottom of the Plugin Manager window are two buttons named Manage... and
Scan... :
· Clear list - clears all plugins from Gig Performer's Plugin Manager. Note: this
operation will not erase any plugins from your computer; it simply makes them
unavailable to Gig Performer until you perform a new scan. Click on the Scan -> Scan
for new or updated plugins menu item to begin the scan.
· Remove selected plugin from list - removes the plugin from the Plugin Manager list
(note: select a plugin first to make this option operational). This menu item does not
remove the plugin (and its files) from your operating system. Note: to remove a
plugin from the list permanently, find the desired plugin that you want to remove
and then delete its files (you can use the Locate Plugin contextual menu item) from
your drive (alternatively, move them to another folder location that is not already
specified in the Plugin Manager) and then select the Remove Plugins Whose Files No
Longer Exist option.
· Copy selected plugin information to clipboard - clicking this menu item copies
selected entries in the Plugin Manager to the clipboard in the tab-delimited format.
Afterward, simply paste the clipboard contents into a (say) spreadsheet application
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 73
Gig Performer also copies custom keywords (if defined) and the file information (i.e.
plugin file path) to the Clipboard.
Note: the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) also works to copy selected
plugin information to the clipboard in CSV format. To select all plugins and then
copy plugin information for all validated plugins, you can press Ctrl+A and then
Ctrl+C (Cmd+A and then Cmd+C on Mac).
Note: in the Plugin Manager window, the Info column also contains version numbers
of plugins.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 74
· Locate plugin - opens the folder containing the selected plugin (note: select a plugin
first to make this operational - this only works for VST plugins).
· Plugin Architecture... (Windows only) - allows you to easily see not only whether the
plugin is 32-bit or 64-bit, but also the plugin file path. This feature is useful for
troubleshooting failed plugins and determining their architecture - as already
mentioned in this chapter, only 64-bit plugins are supported.
· Remove plugins whose files no longer exist - use this option to update the Plugin
Manager to reflect the accuracy of what plugins are available.
· Set VST folders for scanning... - opens the window which allows you to change, add,
or delete the VST plugin folders to be scanned (see the Troubleshooting section for
more information).
· Set VST3 folders for scanning... - opens a window allowing you to change, add, or
delete the folders to be scanned for VST3 plugins (see the Troubleshooting section
for more information).
· Export user keywords - easily export all your defined keywords into a .userkeywords
file. The best practice is to create a backup of your keywords occasionally.
· Import user keywords - allows you to import a .userkeywords file, which contains all
your defined keywords.
· Scan for new or updated plugins - this causes Gig Performer to immediately scan
your system for any newly installed or updated plugins; any plugins found will be
added to the Plugin Manager list.
· Rescan failed plugins - rescans any failed plugins. Note that Gig Performer supports
only 64-bit plugins; any 32-bit plugin found will fail to initialize.
· Rescan all plugins - this option will go through your drive again, looking for all
plugins in specified folders.
For more information on how to download and use plugins in Gig Performer, check this
blog article: Top websites for free audio plugins and how to use them in Gig Performer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 75
Note: double-clicking a plugin in the Plugin Manager inserts that plugin in the Wiring
view.
Refer to the chapter Plugins in Use to see a detailed list of plugins used in the current gig
file.
1. Bypass - places the plugin in bypass mode. Plugin blocks that are bypassed are overlaid
with a red transparent rectangle, as shown in the illustration below:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 76
For virtual instrument plugins, bypassing turns off processing for that plugin, thus
stopping the sound from being generated.
Muting, which is accomplished by inserting a Gain Control, Gain and Balance, Gain and
Balance (m->s), or one of the audio mixer plugins and clicking the Mute button or setting
its volume slider to 0, causes an audio signal to continue to be generated, but with the
output silenced.
For example, if you are playing back a loop or click track during a live performance but
you don't want the audience to hear it for a period of time, mute the plugin instead of
bypassing it. That way, it will continue to play (in your headphones, if so routed) until
you're ready for the audience to hear it again.
In contrast, bypassing an effects plugin causes incoming signals to pass through the plugin
unchanged.
2. Rename... - renames the displayed name (useful if you use the same plugin more than
once).
3. Show Plugin Editor - opens the plugin's editor (same as double-clicking on the plugin
block).
4. More About This Plugin... - opens the default Web browser and loads the plugin's
homepage (an Internet connection is required to load the plugin's homepage).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 77
7. Duplicate - creates a duplicate of the plugin. Note: check the Additional tips chapter to
learn how to duplicate a plugin with inputs.
8. Remove - removes the plugin from the Wiring area surface. You can also select one or
more plugin blocks by dragging over them with your mouse and removing them from the
Wiring area surface by pressing either the Delete or Backspace keys on your keyboard.
10. Extract from path - extracts this plugin block from the audio or MIDI path; see the
following example (A):
Clicking this menu item will extract the current block (Gain and Balance block) from the
audio path, i.e. connect the KeysOfThe70s block with the To Global Rackspace block (see
(B)).
11. Replace Plugin - choose a plugin from the menu that pops up to replace the current
plugin with another.
12. Quick Replace... - opens a new window that allows you to find plugins quickly based
on partial names:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 78
Type in a search query, such as "gg" to quickly find all plugins with that name or their
developer's name. You can also type in "synth" to display all your synth plugins.
13. Bus Layout... - opens the Channel and Bus Layout dialog:
Some plugins support multiple configurations of inputs and outputs, usually mono and
stereo, and sometimes multichannel. In a DAW environment, the DAW configures these
input and output buses. In Gig Performer, you can access a plugin's bus options directly in
the Channel and Bus Layout dialog.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 79
Many plugins will simply show a stereo input/output bus, but some plugins, such as the
eight-channel Voxengo Overtone GEQ, shown in the screenshot above, offer many more
configurations.
14. Max visible audio channels... - this feature allows you to set the maximum number of
visible audio pins for the selected plugin block:
The global maximum setting (for all plugins) can be changed in Display Options. This
setting can be overridden for the selected block; the default current maximums for the
override are 256 input/output pins, and their number can be set up independently if you
turn off the Use same values for inputs and outputs toggle button. This feature is very
useful for certain plugins that expose a large number of channels (64 or even 128),
making the plugin block extremely wide. In such cases, you can use this option to force
the plugin to display only the first few channels.
Note: this feature doesn't change the number of audio channels in the plugin; it just
changes how many of them you can see. It was designed to prevent plugins (such as
Kontakt) from displaying all 32 or 64 channels and taking up a lot of horizontal space in
the Wiring view, when you may only need e.g. 2 or 4 channels. Therefore, this feature
applies to channel visibility and does not add more channels than a plugin provides.
15. OSC/GPScript Handle - allows you to set a handle to be used by GPScript and OSC,
and to enable OSC and GPScript.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 80
Click on the Set Handle... menu item (1); a new window appears, where you can type in a
name of the handle (2), and then activate Enable OSC (3) and/or Use in GPScript (4) if you
want to use these advanced features. Refer to OSC and Gig Performer and GPScript
chapters to learn more.
16. Save as Favorite... - allows you to save a plugin as a favorite. Refer to the Save one or
more plugins as favorites section for more information.
17. Presets - allows you to load the plugin's integrated (factory) presets or custom user
presets. See the Plugin Editor More menu section to learn more.
Note: the MIDI In plugin block right-click menu is the same as other plugins, but with the
addition of:
Change MIDI Input Device - reassigns the MIDI In or MIDI Out block to the MIDI controller
chosen from the popup menu.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 81
The displayed menu items have the same purpose as described in the Plugin contextual
menu chapter; the new menu items are Center and Evenly Distribute.
When you hover over the Center menu item, two sub-items appear - Vertically and
Horizontally - allowing you to center all selected plugin blocks vertically or horizontally.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 82
The Evenly Distribute menu item will be enabled if you select at least three plugin blocks;
when you hover over the Evenly Distribute menu item, two sub-items appear - Vertically
and Horizontally, allowing you to distribute all selected plugin blocks evenly, either
vertically or horizontally respectively.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 83
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 84
Clicking on the "..." button (indicated with the red arrow) opens the More menu:
Load GP User Preset… - loads a Gig Performer user preset file (gpp_audiounit, gpp_vst or
gpp_vst3).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 85
Save GP User Preset… - saves a Gig Performer user preset file (gpp_audiounit or gpp_vst
or gpp_vst3, where the extension depends on the plugin type). User presets are saved in
corresponding subfolders under the Presets folder based on their manufacturer name
and the actual plugin name (refer to the File locations in Gig Performer chapter for more
information). The resulting subfolder where user preset files are saved is in the following
folder tree: Presets\Plugin_Manufacturer_Name\Plugin_Name. Tip: to easily access your
Presets folder, click Window -> Open Content Folders; open the Presets folder and browse
its sub-folders (organized by plugin manufacturers' names) to find preset files and to
perform other file operations on them (rename, delete, etc.).
Import FXP/FXB File… - imports an FXP/FXB preset file. FXP is an individual preset, FXB is a
bank of presets. This feature is for legacy support and may disappear in a future version
of Gig Performer. Not all VST plugins are compatible with the FXP/FXB format. Most of
those that are compatible are audio plugins.
Refresh Widgets From Plugin - use this command to refresh all widgets that are mapped
to this plugin. This feature is useful for a small number of plugins that do not notify their
host when a new preset is loaded. If you notice that widgets in your rackspace are not
updated when you change this plugin's preset, you can manually refresh widgets mapped
to this plugin with this command. Check out this blog article to see this feature in action.
GP User Presets - this menu item is disabled if you have not previously saved any user
presets for the current plugin. It will list the names of your saved user presets if it is
available.
Plugin Presets - some plugins include predefined presets, most commonly factory presets.
If a plugin has any such built-in presets, then they will show up in this sub-menu.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 86
1. Choose the desired parameters - simply click on a desired control in the plugin
editor window (i.e. Gain, Low, or other) and move it, and the corresponding
parameter will be automatically recognized and captured (make sure that the
Capture Parameters toggle button is turned on). The knob's positions in the plugin
editor and the Probabilistic Sound Designer will be automatically synchronized.
2. Randomize - when you select the desired parameters, click the Randomize button
to generate random values for the chosen parameters. Every time you click this
button, it creates new values for the chosen parameters. Note: if the Hold check
box is ticked, a random value for that parameter will not be generated (e.g. the last
parameter in this list will not be randomized).
3. Capture Parameters - this toggle button is turned on by default; if you turn it off,
new parameters will not be captured.
5. Load... - clicking on this button allows you to load a previously saved Probabilistic
Sound Designer configuration (gppsd_audiounit, gppsd_vst or gppsd_vst3).
6. Save... - clicking on this button allows you to save the current Probabilistic Sound
Designer configuration to a file (gppsd_audiounit, gppsd_vst or gpp_vst3, where the
actual extension depends on the plugin type). By default, these files are saved in
corresponding subfolders in the PSD folder (refer to the File locations in Gig
Performer chapter for more information).
7. Remove button - clicking this button will remove the current parameter from the
list.
8. Hold - check this checkbox if you don't want the corresponding parameter to get a
random value. In the screenshot above, all knobs will get the random value except
the output volume.
9. Curve - allows you to control the range of possible values and the probability of
particular values for the parameter. Refer to this chapter for more information on
curves.
For example, if you're randomizing a low-pass filter cutoff and there is no other
modulator (e.g. no ADSR applied), then it's useful to prevent the filter from getting
too low a value as that will just block all audio:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 87
So the graph above says, produce any value equally likely from within the range of
30.25 to 100. The filter value, therefore, will never be set lower than about 1/3 from
the bottom.
More about this plugin... - opens the homepage of a plugin's manufacturer in the default
Web browser.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 88
This window displays all incoming MIDI messages received by Gig Performer (the first
column represents time in milliseconds); you can optionally turn on the SysEx indices
toggle button to see the position of each byte of a SysEx message or turn on the MIDI Out
toggle button to display outgoing MIDI messages, as well.
Clicking the Copy button copies this window's contents to the clipboard. To clear the
window, click on the Clear button.
You can set the colors for different MIDI messages in the Display Options window.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 89
A MIDI Input Device is a physical controller, which may include a keyboard, multiple
knobs, sliders, buttons, or other individual controllers. If the device does not include a
keyboard, it is normally referred to as a control surface. In the Rig Manager, you define an
alias for a MIDI device.
Aliases can also be set to MIDI Controls, representing the virtual controllers mapped to
parameters.
Once the lists of MIDI Device Aliases and MIDI Control Aliases are established, they
appear as drop-down menus in fields where they are used, for example, as MIDI sources
in plugins (see the How to use aliases chapter for more).
The Rig Manager is designed to speed your workflow by eliminating the need to teach
controllers to Gig Performer every time you use a different keyboard or controller setup
(provided that you created aliases and saved your setup). Note: when you use a
completely new MIDI device, you will need to map aliases to the desired controllers, but
only once, since you can save them. Afterward, simply switch between the saved rigs.
The Rig Manager constructs a map of physical input devices like keyboards and the
controllers they host, like sliders, buttons, faders, and knobs, to aliases (virtual
controllers) that are linked to widgets. Virtual controllers decouple the physical controller
from the control paths in Gig Performer, which makes it easier to swap out different
physical controllers while maintaining your usual controls.
Say, for example, that you're sharing backline instruments with another performer, and
so have to use someone else's keyboard controller for your performance. The Rig
Manager's controller mapping means that you only need to map the new physical
controllers to the existing virtual ones and reestablish all of your widget controls. This
can be accomplished in a few minutes, even at soundcheck. As an aside, this feature was
implemented after one of the developers was on tour and ran into a problem when he
had to use a different controller than normal.
Similarly, if you use one controller for rehearsal and a different one for gigs, the Rig
Manager can make it much easier to switch between them.
Also, if you play multiple identical keyboards, the Rig Manager can let you quickly
designate which keyboard is which. For example, one of the developers often uses three
identical controllers, named Top, Middle, and Bottom, in the Rig Manager. When the
keyboards are plugged in, he can quickly visit the Rig Manager, and play a note on each of
these keyboards so as to tell the Rig Manager which one is now Top, Middle or Bottom.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 90
1. Rig list - clicking this drops down a menu of currently available rigs. Choose one
from the list.
2. Rename this rig - click this to customize the name of the current rig.
3. Add a new rig - click this button to open a menu that allows you to duplicate the rig
(the Duplicate current Rig option) or add a new one (the Add new Rig option). The
difference between creating a new rig and duplicating the current rig can be seen on
the left side of the Rig manager - MIDI Device Aliases; when a new rig is created,
aliases are not associated with MIDI devices and when the current rig is duplicated -
aliases are associated with MIDI devices (the same as in the original rig). Note: MIDI
Control aliases are defined globally and are present in newly created rigs.
4. Remove this rig - click this button to remove the current rig. If you change your
mind, a confirmation dialog offers you the chance to cancel.
5. Add a new MIDI device alias - click this to add a new MIDI device alias in the list.
When you add a new MIDI device alias, it is not associated with a MIDI device (like
in (9)). See the point (11) to see how to associate it. After you successfully associate
the MIDI device alias with the desired MIDI device, it is highlighted green like in (8).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 91
6. Add a new MIDI control alias - click this to add a new MIDI control alias to the list.
When you add a new MIDI control alias, it is not associated with a MIDI control (like
in (13)). See the point (15) to see how to associate it. After you successfully
associate the MIDI control alias with the desired MIDI control, it is highlighted green
like in (12).
7. MIDI Input Device with no defined alias - indicates that Gig Performer recognized
this MIDI input device, but no MIDI device alias has been defined for it yet. Gig
Performer automatically detects all available MIDI input devices. Note: the Local GP
port is a special MIDI device, so check the Local GP port chapter to learn more.
8. Associated MIDI Input Device alias - indicates that the MIDI Input Device alias is
successfully associated with this MIDI device and that this MIDI device is connected
to the computer.
9. Unassociated MIDI Device alias - indicates that the MIDI Device alias is created, but
it is not associated with a MIDI device.
10. Missing MIDI device - indicates that this MIDI device is associated with the
corresponding alias but is disconnected. Connecting the corresponding MIDI device
will change the display to green, as indicated in (8).
11. Manage this entry button - clicking on this button (or right-clicking on any MIDI
device alias) opens the contextual menu, where its menu items depend on whether
an alias is undefined (screenshot to the left) or already defined (screenshot to the
right):
a. Define alias for this MIDI device... - clicking on this menu item opens the Define
MIDI device alias dialog, which allows you to enter a new alias for the
corresponding MIDI device.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 92
c. Remove this MIDI device alias... - removes the MIDI device alias. The MIDI device
will display "(no alias)" when connected (as shown in (7)).
d. Associate MIDI Device - allows you to manually select a MIDI device from the list
and associate it with the MIDI device alias.
e. Learn MIDI device - allows you to quickly assign a MIDI device by simply moving
the desired control. The MIDI device alias will be automatically mapped to the
detected MIDI device.
f. Remove MIDI device association - clears the MIDI device association for the MIDI
device alias.
g. Responds to MIDI Clock - sets the MIDI device associated with this alias to
respond to MIDI Clock messages. (if you set a MIDI device to respond to MIDI
Clock messages, don't forget to save the changes to the Rig Manager
configuration) To check what other MIDI devices respond to MIDI Clock
messages, go to the MIDI Ports Options and check where the Rx Clock button is
lit.
h. Remap all channels - allows you to remap all channels of the MIDI device under
this alias to the desired channel from 1 to 16.
i. Associate MIDI output device - allows you to select the desired MIDI output
device from the list:
This is used when the Sync option is enabled for a widget in the Widget
Properties Inspector controlled by a MIDI event from an Input device. The Sync
by default goes back to the same MIDI device, which is what you would want in
most cases. Still, sometimes you may want to Sync or "send out" those MIDI
messages to a different MIDI device so it can display the values (as indicated
with the red rectangle in the screenshot above). Note: this is a widget option
and not a permanent one; if you don't enable the Sync option for a widget, then
selecting a different Out device has zero impact on your setup.
12. Associated MIDI Control alias - green background indicates that the MIDI control
alias is associated with the physical MIDI control.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 93
13. Unassociated MIDI Control alias - indicates that the MIDI Control alias is created,
but it is not associated with a MIDI control.
14. Missing MIDI device - indicates that this MIDI control is associated with the
corresponding alias, but the MIDI device that hosts this control is disconnected.
Connecting the corresponding MIDI device will change the display to green, as
indicated in (12).
15. Manage this entry button - clicking on this button (or right-clicking on any MIDI
control alias) opens this menu:
a. Rename... - allows you to change the name of the MIDI control alias.
b. Remove this MIDI control alias... - removing the MIDI control alias also removes
this entry from the MIDI Control Aliases list.
c. Control mode - allows you to select between an absolute mode and one of four
relative modes:
- Absolute - use this option if you don't have endless encoders (default). An
endless encoder doesn't have a "stop" point, so it keeps turning until you stop
moving it.
- Relative Offset - positive offsets are sent as offset plus 64, and negative offsets
as 64 minus offset. 64 is zero, 65 is +1, 63 is -1.
- Signed 1 Bit - if the most sign bit is set, Then the offset is positive. The lower 6
significant bits are the offset.
- Signed Magnitude - if the most sign bit is unset, Then the offset is positive.
The lower 6 significant bits are the offset.
- Two’s Complement - positive offsets are sent as normal from 1 to 64, and
negative offsets are sent as 2s complement negative numbers. This is a signed 7-
bit int.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 94
Widget Properties Inspector and in the MIDI tab and refer to the control by its
alias name.
e. Learn MIDI control - allows you to quickly assign the physical control on a MIDI
device by simply moving the desired control. The MIDI control alias will be
automatically mapped to the detected control.
f. Remove MIDI control association - removes the association with the physical
MIDI control.
16. Export... - click this button to save the state of the rig to a rigsetup file. This file can
be moved and imported to a new computer.
17. Import... - click this button to load an existing rig file. Note: changes will not take
effect until you click Apply or Save.
18. Apply - click this button to apply the changes you have made.
19. Close - clicking on this button closes the Rig Manager window.
20. Save - click this button to save the state of the rig to the current rig file and close
the Rig Manager window.
Note: the Rig Manager associations are not part of the gig file. If you are moving your
hardware from one computer to another, you should export your rig from the computer
where things work and import it from other computers where you plan to use that
hardware. Also, refer to this chapter if you want to export all the options for Gig
Performer.
4.10 ChordPro
ChordPro is a file format that allows you to represent lyrics and chords using text markup
that can then be displayed in a form suitable for performing musicians. Although initially
intended for guitarists, it can be used for all kinds of musical purposes.
Gig Performer supports the ChordPro lead sheet file format, and ChordPro files can be
created, edited, saved, and imported into Gig Performer. A ChordPro file can be linked to
a song in the Song Lyrics/Chords Editor. The assigned ChordPro file can be seen in the
Song Properties dialog (it also allows you to clear the association to the ChordPro file).
For more information on ChordPro, please visit www.chordpro.org. For more information
on its file format specification, click here.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 95
Note: any text editor can be used to create and maintain ChordPro files. These files may
have arbitrary types (extensions), and common file name extensions for ChordPro files
are .cho, .crd, .chopro, .chord and .pro. Gig Performer will also list and import the most
common .txt file extension, so you don't have to change the extension of your ChordPro
files that you save with your editor.
In Gig Performer, ChordPro files are created and modified in the Song Lyrics/Chords
Editor:
1. Song list button - click this to show the current setlist (indicated with (11)) and its
songs. When the song list button is clicked, a song browser will appear to allow you
to select the song for which you want to work on a ChordPro document. Click the
Songs button again to close the song list.
2. Make the song list narrower button - allows you to reduce the width of the song
browser pane.
3. Make the song list wider button - allows you to widen the song browser pane.
4. Load from a file button - clicking this button brings up an Open dialog for loading
Chord Pro files. Note: files can only be opened if they are in the root folder named
Gig Performer Song Lyrics-Chords by default; you can specify a different root folder
in the Locations Options. Refer to the File locations in Gig Performer chapter to see
the default location for this folder.
5. Save to a file button - saves the current contents of the editor to a ChordPro file.
Files can be saved anywhere, but can only be opened directly from the root
directory.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 96
8. Save transposition button - clicking this button commits the transposition and
makes it permanent in the ChordPro file.
9. Make all chords sharp/flat buttons - when there are chords whose root contains an
accidental, choosing one of these commands causes those chords to be displayed
enharmonically.
10. Font size larger/smaller buttons - these buttons enlarge or shrink the font size on
everything in the View mode. Clicking this button in Edit mode will switch you to
View mode, where you can size the font.
11. Setlist chooser - a drop-down menu for choosing a setlist. All the songs in the active
setlist are included below. If one is assigned, clicking on a song displays the linked
ChordPro file.
12. View tab - this tab enters the View mode, which interprets the code from the Edit
mode and displays the result.
13. Edit tab - this tab (indicated with the blue arrow) enters the Edit mode, where
ChordPro coding is done.
14. Auto Fit Images - clicking this button automatically fits images to the dimensions of
the Song Lyrics/Chords Editor window.
15. Keep on top button - when this button is clicked the Song Lyrics-Chords Editor
window is always in the foreground and cannot be obscured by another window.
When engaged, the button turns green.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 97
16. Editing area - a simple text editor for entering lyrics, chords, and ChordPro directives
(read more about ChordPro directives here). The chords representation in the Edit
and View modes is indicated with the green arrow. Tip: to place a chord over the
middle of a word, simply insert the chord in its brackets in the middle of the word,
immediately in front of the letter you want the chord to appear over, with no
spaces. For example, see the word "th[B7]ere" in the first screenshot.
A special directive named songpartname is used to link a part in the ChordPro file
with a corresponding song part.
Note: a ChordPro file can be loaded into the song lyrics/chords editor ONLY from the root
directory; to load a ChordPro file not made by Gig Performer or not stored in the root
directory, use the File -> Import ChordPro files... command.
For example, if you have a song with three song parts - Intro, Verse, and Chorus - as in
the screenshot above, simply open the Song Lyrics/Chords Editor, click on the Edit tab
and enter the corresponding directives:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 98
Next, click on the View tab and click on one of the song parts - you will notice that your
lyrics file automatically scrolls to that part.
The Song Lyrics/Chords Editor also supports the marker directive. For example, if you type
in {marker: "verse2"} as indicated with the red rectangle in the screenshot below:
then you can automatically scroll to that marker from the Action Management window.
Simply add a Go to ChordPro Marker action and enter the marker name without quotes.
When the playhead reaches this marker, it will move the ChordPro file to the specified
position (in this example, to show Verse 2).
Note: if you don't have a ChordPro file linked to your song, you have to find it or create
your own ChordPro file.
There are many chord-oriented websites for musicians that support ChordPro files. Refer
to this blog article, How to use ChordPro files in Gig Performer for more information on
obtaining ChordPro files from these websites or creating your own ChordPro files and
how to use them in Gig Performer.
For PDF support, please visit this chapter to learn about the free PDFToGPChordPro utility
to make your PDF usable in ChordPro.
Tip: To learn how you can automatically scroll your lyrics, refer to the blog article Scrolling
your lyrics or lead sheets.
4.10.1 PDFToGPChordPro
PDFToGPChordPro is a free tool that will convert PDF files into a format suitable for use
within Gig Performer's ChordPro.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 99
First, download PDFToGPChordPro: Mac version or Windows version. Extract the ZIP
archive where desired (Mac users may prefer to put it in their Applications folder, and
Windows users might prefer to put it in their C:\Program Files folder) and start the
application.
Drag the desired PDF file and drop it into the applications's window:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 100
The conversion process takes place automatically. Upon completion, the ChordPro
directives needed to display the converted PDF file are automatically copied to your
clipboard. Wait until you see this progress message:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 101
Click on the Window menu and select Song Lyrics/Chords... to open the Song Lyrics/Chord
editor window, switch to the Edit tab and paste the clipboard contents:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 102
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 103
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Gig Performer user interface and concepts 104
Note: if you examine the ChordPro directives that were pasted into the Edit tab, you'll
notice songpartname directives with numbers as arguments, as already mentioned in this
chapter. Therefore, unless you name your song parts 1, 2, 3 ... you will want to change the
entries for each songpartname directive in the ChordPro text file to match whatever song
part names you have used in your song to enable automatic lyrics scrolling to the
corresponding song parts.
Of course, you can insert other ChordPro directives if you need them.
Make sure to check our blog article, Converting PDF files for use with Gig Performer
ChordPro.
Tip: you can find this tool and other additional tools that we developed on our
Additional Downloads page.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 105
Gig Performer supports 64-bit VST, VST3 and AU (Mac only) audio plugins. Before you
proceed, make sure that you have installed the 64-bit version of your audio plugins and
that plugin directories are properly specified in the Plugin Manager.
For more information on downloading and using plugins in Gig Performer, check this blog
article: Top websites for free audio plugins and how to use them in Gig Performer.
Note: make sure that your audio interface is connected. Gig Performer will try to use your
computer's built-in input and output if no audio interface is connected. See the
Troubleshooting section in this user guide if an audio interface is connected but does not
appear.
Let's get started! Create a new empty gig and enter the Wiring view by clicking on the
Wiring button:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 106
Various elements in this screenshot are explained in detail in the Wiring view chapter.
Note: your screen may look slightly different from the one shown above, since the audio
input and output blocks will reflect the name of your connected audio interface as well as
the number of inputs and outputs it provides.
Right-click (or two-finger tap if you are using a trackpad) on the empty surface to bring up
the contextual menu and select the desired plugin under the Installed plugins section,
e.g. a reverb plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 107
Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to open the Quick
plugin, favorite or preset finder window to search for a particular plugin by part or all of
its name and insert it.
As soon as you insert the desired plugin block (or double-click on it), Gig Performer, by
default opens the editor window for that plugin, allowing you to edit its parameters
immediately (note: you can turn off this default behavior in the Display Options). Make
the desired adjustments, or select a preset, and close the window.
Afterward, simply click on the desired plugin block and drag it to change its position on
the design surface. By default, the plugin's name is displayed. Still, you can easily rename
it with something that represents the actual sound, which is very useful for distinguishing
among multiple copies of the same plugin. Accordingly, right-click on the newly inserted
plugin block and select the Rename... option, then type in the name, i.e., "Reverb":
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 108
To hear the resulting sound, we need to provide an audio source. If you are a guitarist or
vocalist, you might connect an Audio In pin directly to the Reverb input pin and a Reverb
output pin to the Audio Out block. See the next section if you are a keyboard player using
a synth plugin. To make these connections, simply click on an output pin and, while
holding down the mouse button (or keeping your finger on the trackpad), drag the cursor
over the desired input pin and then release the mouse button (click here for a shortcut
method of making stereo connections):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 109
Note: make sure you connect the right Audio In pin, as your audio interface has multiple
audio inputs where sources, i.e. microphones, instruments connected via DI (such as
electric guitars), or other line-level sources can be connected.
Notice that there are blue and orange plugin pins and connections; click here to find out
more.
If you use a MIDI keyboard or a MIDI controller, you can use it immediately thanks to the
MIDI In (OMNI) block, which is available by default when creating a new empty gig (see
the first screenshot). This block receives MIDI messages coming from any MIDI Input
device on your system.
Note that you cannot hear the resulting sound immediately, since this block needs to be
connected to the sound generating block first, and then to the Audio Out block:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 110
If you play a few notes on your controller (assuming your audio system is turned up), you
hear a sound coming from your connected audio interface.
While the OMNI version of the MIDI In block is convenient when just getting started, if
you have more than one keyboard or multiple surfaces, we recommend that you use MIDI
In blocks specifically associated with those devices rather than the generic OMNI block as
this will give you more control over your MIDI signal flow.
To receive MIDI messages from a specific MIDI device, right-click on the MIDI In (OMNI)
block, expand Replace Plugin, and select the desired MIDI device from the MIDI Inputs
list. All connected MIDI devices are listed in this menu. Alternatively, select the MIDI In
(OMNI) block and press the Delete key (or the Backspace key) to remove the MIDI In
(OMNI) block; afterward, open the contextual menu, insert the desired MIDI device from
the MIDI Inputs list and connect its output pin to the orange input pin of your sound-
generating plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 111
Note: if you previously created an alias for your MIDI device in the Rig Manager, it will
show up in the parenthesis (otherwise, the name of the selected MIDI device will be
displayed).
In addition to passing MIDI messages generated by your connected MIDI controller, MIDI
In plugins provide a virtual keyboard, so you can play your plugins even if you are not
using an external MIDI controller. To do so, double-click the MIDI In block to open its
editor, then play the sound by clicking notes on the virtual keyboard.
To remove all connections from a plugin block, right-click on the block and select
"Disconnect" (note: removing a plugin block also removes all its connections; right-click on
it and select "Remove" or press either the Delete or Backspace key).
The Wiring view features, such as zooming, scrolling, multi-selection, zoom to fit, etc. are
useful while creating your plugin layout. Learn more about these features here.
Tip: to learn how to easily insert a plugin block into an audio or MIDI path, check the
Additional tips chapter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 112
With (1) are indicated input pins (or input plugin ports), and with (2) are indicated output
pins (or output plugin ports). Note that pins can be blue or orange (indicated with orange
and blue arrows); blue pins indicate audio ports, and orange pins indicate MIDI ports.
Plugin blocks are connected by virtual wires, where an output pin of one plugin is
connected to an input pin of another plugin. Note that orange pins cannot be connected
to blue pins (and vice versa). For example, you can connect directly the Audio In block to
the Audio Out block, but cannot connect directly the MIDI In block to the Audio Out
block.
Likewise, orange connections (orange virtual wires) represent MIDI connections and blue
connections (blue virtual wires) represent audio connections:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 113
The power of Gig Performer lies in the fact that you can connect plugins any way you like,
e.g. you can control multiple synths with one keyboard (you can connect an output pin to
multiple input pins), or you can connect multiple output pins to a single pin:
When you connect multiple output pins to a single pin, signals are mixed automatically
(A); to have more control over your sound, use the built-in Audio Mixer plugin (B).
The number of input and output pins depends on the plugin manufacturer and provided
bus layout settings; in the screenshot below, note the difference between mono input
and output buses and 7.1 Surround input and output buses for the same plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Inserting and Wiring your plugins 114
Gig Performer lets you set a maximum number of pins as a global option (see Display
options -> Maximum number of audio channels to display in blocks) and control the
maximum number of pins on each plugin individually.
Refer to the Plugin contextual menu chapter to learn more about bus layout and max
pins in plugin blocks.
Check out this blog article to learn more about plugin pins: My plugin has so many output
ports - which ones do I use?
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 115
In this chapter, you will learn more about panels and widgets.
The screenshot above shows a rackspace ("Blues Keyboard" with the "Delay off" variation,
as indicated with the red rectangle) with two panels (indicated with the letters A and B).
In normal operation (i.e. when not in Edit mode), dragging a widget with your mouse (or
by remote control from your keyboard or control surface) will change the value of that
widget, thereby updating whatever parameter is attached to the widget. If you want to
make changes to panels and widgets, activate Edit mode. Refer to the Panels view chapter
for more information. In Edit mode, note the following options as depicted in the
screenshot below:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 116
· click on the New panel button (1) and then select the desired option from a drop-
down menu (this drop-down menu has the same menu items as the sub menu (4).
· or right-click on the empty panel surface (2) to open the panel contextual menu (3),
then expand Add new panel and choose the option from the sub menu (4).
Every time you enter into Edit mode of the Panels view, tips appear in the Properties
section: you can click on a panel or a widget to show their properties or add new widgets
by dragging them onto a panel surface. When you click on a panel you can see Panel
properties (5). Here, you can change the background style of the current panel. To change
a panel's background, click the panel to select it and then either click one of the textures
displayed in this area or choose a custom color.
See the Widgets chapter to learn more about widgets and how to add them to a panel.
Note: you can move a widget across panels in Edit mode. Simply drag a widget from one
panel to another. This feature currently works only for single widgets, and all assignments
to parameters are kept.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 117
Copy - copies the widget into the clipboard (alternatively, click on the Edit menu and
select Copy).
Paste - pastes the widget from the clipboard (alternatively, click on the Edit menu and
select Paste).
Duplicate - duplicates the currently selected widget (alternatively, click on the Edit menu
and select Duplicate).
Unlock all widgets - unlocks all locked widgets on the current panel.
Remove this panel... - clicking on this menu item allows you to remove the current panel
from the rackspace.
Add new panel - allows you to add a new panel; expand this menu item to see items in
the sub-menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 118
· New 1U panel - clicking on this menu item allows you to create a new 1U panel; "U"
is an abbreviation for rack unit
mm).
· New 2U panel - clicking on this menu item allows you to create a new 2U panel. If
you create a new empty gig in Gig Performer, the default panel size is 2U.
· New 3U panel - clicking on this menu item allows you to create a new 3U panel.
· New 4U panel - clicking on this menu item allows you to create a new 4U panel.
· Load panel... - clicking on this menu item allows you to select a gppanel file and load
the panel.
Extensions - this menu item is hidden by default and shows up if a third-party extension
is enabled and provides one or more custom panels. Refer to the Extensions chapter for
more information.
Save panel... - clicking on this menu item allows you to save a current panel as a gppanel
file, which can be easily reused. Widgets and their MIDI mappings are saved as well.
Move UP - moves the current panel one place higher to the beginning of the rackspace.
Move DOWN - moves the current panel one place lower to the end of the rackspace.
Convert to 1U/2U/3U/4U panel - clicking this option converts the current panel to a
1U/2U/3U/4U panel, respectively. Note that converting the unit size (e.g. from 2U to 1U)
may reposition and reduce the size of your widgets.
6.2 Widgets
Basic information about widgets is available in the main Widgets chapter. This chapter
will cover widgets in more detail, providing in-depth explanations of various widget
operations.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 119
To add a widget to a panel, first ensure you are in Edit mode (1). Once you enter Edit
mode, you can either immediately drag a widget (4) from the widgets list (3) onto a panel
(also note the tip indicated with the red rectangle) or click on the Widget types list (2) to
restrict the list to a particular class of widgets:
For example, if you want to add a label widget, simply select Labels from the drop-down
box and then simply drag the desired label widget from this list to the panel.
To add multiple copies of a widget at once, drag a widget onto the surface, but don't
release the mouse button (1); while holding the mouse button, type the number of
copies (up to 9) you want onto the panel (2). A message will flash at the top of the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 120
window (indicated with the red rectangle) to confirm the number of copies that will be
made:
Then release the mouse button. Note: press the desired number again, e.g. 3 while
dragging to drop 3 widgets vertically.
Tip: if you add 9 drawbars at once, you will get the perfect combination of a black, white,
and brown 9 drawbar set.
Existing widgets already placed onto the panel can be easily duplicated, copied or pasted
by clicking on the Edit menu and selecting the Duplicate, Copy or Paste menu items,
respectively. Alternatively, use key combinations Ctrl+D (or Cmd+D), Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C) or
Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) respectively.
Note: A confirmation message flashes when copying a widget or panel. MIDI associations
are preserved whenever you copy and paste a widget or a panel.
You can resize a widget by dragging any corner points (the smaller section directly
beneath the white rectangle displays a caption for the widget).
As you may notice, a name of more than a few characters may not display properly within
the default caption space; as mentioned earlier, the white rectangle that appears around
the selected widget (and caption below) in Edit mode allows you to resize it (and the
accompanying caption) by dragging any of the corner points.
To replace an existing widget with another one, simply drag the widget over the existing
one and when the REPLACE label appears, release the mouse button:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 121
In the screenshot above, the Blue Knob (the existing widget) is being replaced by the
Plastic Blue Knob. Note that you cannot replace knob widgets with buttons, switches etc.
If the replace operation is not supported, the REPLACE label will not appear.
All MIDI and Parameter mappings and other widget settings are saved when replacing a
widget.
Note: moving a widget across the panels is also supported. While in Edit mode, simply
drag a widget from one panel to another. This feature currently works only for single
widgets, and all assignments to parameters are kept.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 122
Click the associated button or use the displayed key shortcut to apply the alignment or
distribution function to the selected widgets:
Align left (l) - align the left sides of the selected widgets.
Align right (r) - Align the right sides of the selected widgets.
Center horizontally - aligns the selected widgets so they are all lined up on the X axis at
the same value of Y.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 123
Center vertically - aligns the selected widgets so that they are all lined up on the Y axis at
the same value of X.
Distribute horizontally (d) - the selected objects are moved to have even horizontal
spacing between them. Note: the widgets are distributed evenly across the space
between the left side of the leftmost widget and right side of the rightmost widget.
Distribute vertically (D) - the selected objects are moved to have even vertical spacing
between them.
Make same size (=) - clicking this button makes all of the selected widgets the same size
as the first selected widget.
Make captions same size - this button changes the size of the caption text areas for all of
the selected widgets to match the size of the first selected widget.
Same (=) - make all selected widgets the same size as the first one selected.
H closer (c) - move the selected widgets closer to each other horizontally (along the X
axis).
V Closer (C) - move the selected widgets closer to each other vertically (along the Y axis).
H further (f) - move the selected widgets further from each other horizontally (along the X
axis).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 124
V Further (F) - move the selected widgets further from each other vertically (along the Y
axis).
Similarly, suppose you insert another widget, e.g. a horizontal black slider and place it at
the same place where are the existing widgets are located. In that case, you'll notice that
the horizontal black slider overlaps the existing ones. The most recently inserted widget
will be positioned above earlier widgets at the same location. Note that the hierarchy is
preserved here: you can drag the gold widget away, but the horizontal black slider will
remain above the plastic knob; dragging the gold knob back to the same place will place it
between the plastic blue knob and the horizontal black slider.
This order can be controlled by right-clicking on a widget and selecting one of the
following contextual menu items:
· Bring forward - places the currently selected widget one place higher in the order.
· Bring to front - places the currently selected widget in front of all other widgets.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 125
· Send backward - places the currently selected widget one place lower in the z-order.
· Send to back - places the currently selected widget behind all other widgets.
Widget properties
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 126
The Widget properties section is divided into four tabs - General, MIDI, Value and
Advanced.
General tab:
The number of options and their availability depend on the type of widget. The
screenshot above shows available options for a button. We'll describe all the options
below.
Customize caption - enable this toggle button to have the widget display a custom
caption and then type in a new name. If this toggle button is disabled, the default
caption is defined by the selected parameter name (refer to the Mapping section below
for more information).
Note: if you add the "[value]" tag (without quotation marks) to your caption, then the
parameter value will also be included in the caption:
If you add the "[variation]" or "[rackspace]" tag (without quotation marks) to your
caption, then the name of the corresponding variation or rackspace, respectively, will be
included in the caption. Finally, if you add the "[notename]" tag (without quotation
marks), then values from 0 to 127 will be converted to note names, from C2 to G8,
respectively.
Display range - this option applies to knobs and sliders and is enabled by default; when
disabled, the widget doesn't show the ring around the outside of the knob or slider:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 127
When this toggle button is enabled, you can notice two colors: the total range (dimmed)
and the scaled widget value (brighter color).
Show value in caption - this option is disabled by default; when enabled, it overrides the
defined caption and displays only the parameter value.
Momentary touch - Sustain pedal, Buttons and Switches include the Momentary touch
option to control the momentary behavior on mouse clicks or touch. Disabling this
property will keep the sustain pedal up or down until you click on it again. Enabling this
property will keep the pedal pressed until you release the mouse click.
Lock - this feature allows you to lock a widget so that it cannot be adjusted using a
computer mouse, touch screen or trackpad. Locked widgets have an overlay in the upper-
left corner:
By default, this overlay is just displayed in Edit mode. If you want to show it always, turn
on the Always indicate locked widgets toggle button in the Display Options.
Note: Label widgets are locked by default. If you unlock a label widget and map it to a
plugin parameter (e.g. Channel 1-2 volume from an Audio Mixer plugin), then clicking on
that label widget when you're not in Edit mode allows you to change the parameter value
for that plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 128
This way, it's easy to enter a specific value that you want a parameter to have and always
set it to that value. Additionally, entering MIDI values is also supported so as to make it
easy to set some parameter to a MIDI value - if a plugin supports program change as a
host parameter, you could easily specify MIDI value 42m rather than having to turn a
widget to find the value.
Widget link - each widget can only be associated with a single plugin parameter. However,
the 26 widget link groups (from A-Z) enable you to control multiple parameters from any
or all widgets assigned to that link group. Click on the dropdown list (right to the "Widget
Link") and select a letter ranging from A to Z to assign a widget to that link group (e.g.
"V"). All widgets with the same letter are linked together so that moving one widget will
cause all the other widgets in that link group to move as well, adjusting various plugin
parameters simultaneously:
Note: each widget can have its own scale curve so that the actual values sent to the
individual plugin parameters do not have to match. Check the How to add a widget to a
Widget Link group chapter for more information. A widget cannot be a member of both
radio group and a widget link group.
If you want the widget link and radio group labels to stay always, i.e. even if you are not
in Edit mode, then turn on the Always show Widget Link and Radio Group labels toggle
button in the Display Options.
Tip: Pressing a character (A-Z) while holding the Alt key (or Option on Mac) down will
assign all selected widgets to that character's widget link group. Alternatively, select the
desired widgets and add them to a link group using the Widget Contextual Menu.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 129
Show back plate - this option is enabled by default on widgets that support it; when
disabled, the "back plate" information such as numbers, Min/Max or an "on/off" legend
is not displayed:
Note: this option is enabled only when you are editing a label, a knob, a toggle switch or
a LED button.
Hide temporary value - when this toggle button is turned on, the parameter value is
never displayed when a widget changes.
Hide - clicking this toggle button will hide the widget when Edit mode is inactive. Note:
hidden widgets are semi-transparent in Edit mode for easier identification.
Radio group - allows you to group multiple widgets where only one widget in the group is
turned on at a time. Supported widgets are buttons, LEDs, switches, and the Sustain
pedal. You can define up to 99 radio groups. A widget cannot be a member of both radio
group and a widget link group. To learn more about this feature, visit the chapter How to
add a widget to a Radio Group.
Some widgets include the additional properties in the General tab; these are:
1. Shape widget - this widget includes additional properties: Fill Color, Outline Color,
Roundness and Thickness (of the border):
Simply click on the corresponding buttons and then pick fill and outline colors (as
well as their transparency).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 130
2. Label widgets - these widgets (Text Label and Tape Label Horizontal/Vertical) include
properties described in 1. plus additional properties:
- Font - clicking on the Font button allows you to select the desired font, bold and
italic styles and font size. By default, only Gig Performer standard fonts are listed; to
allow the use of other fonts from your computer, turn on the Allow local fonts toggle
in labels toggle button in the Display Options.
- Font Size - allows you to select the desired font size between 4 and 256.
- Text Position - allows 9 text positions: Centered, Centered Left, Centered Right,
Centered Top, Centered Bottom, Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, and Bottom Right
alignment.
- Text Color - allows you to select the desired text color and the transparency.
MIDI tab:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 131
Learn button - click on this button to have Gig Performer learn the physical control you
want to associate with the selected widget. When actively in Learn Mode, the button is lit
red; to exit Learn Mode, click on it again, and it will return to its normal gray color. Refer
to the How to connect a widget to a MIDI device chapter to learn more.
Note: the only CC messages that Gig Performer cannot learn are CC 0 and CC 32, as these
two messages are reserved for bank selection.
Drop-down menu - clicking this drop-down button (indicated with the red rectangle)
opens a menu allowing you to select a MIDI control alias. Check the How to use aliases
chapter for more information.
Edit button - click on this button to manually associate a MIDI device, MIDI message type
and other parameters (depending on the message type, e.g. Note, Channel, CC number)
with the selected widget.
Clear button - click on this button to clear the current controller assignment.
Invert button - when turned on, the widget's behavior is reversed; for example, a switch
or a button will cause a parameter to go to minimum when in the ON (lit) position, and
vice versa.
Sync button - pressing this button engages bidirectional communication between Gig
Performer and the controller mapped to the control. This lets physical controls on control
surfaces reflect changes executed in Gig Performer, and Gig Performer widgets show
changes made on the physical control to which it is linked.
Controller polarity - displays the polarity (+ or -) for a controller. To invert the polarity of
a MIDI controller such as a sustain pedal, first create a MIDI Control alias in the Rig
Manager and set the desired polarity (click here and check point 15 d) to learn more).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 132
Afterward, select that MIDI control alias by clicking on the red rectangle (see the
screenshot above).
Momentary to latching - this toggle button is displayed only when editing switches,
buttons, LEDs or a sustain pedal. When checked, the widget remains ON until you click on
it (or touch the associated physical controller) a second time. This is useful when you
want to have a widget carry out an operation until stopped, i.e. staying at a fast Leslie
speed until you are ready to return to a slow Leslie speed.
Behavior - this drop-down menu allows you to choose between Jump and Catch modes.
When a widget is in Jump mode, moving the associated physical controller will cause the
widget to jump to the position of the controller immediately. When a widget is in Catch
mode, the widget will not respond to the associated physical controller until the
controller's value matches the widget's current value, at which point the widget will
follow the controller. Note: if the Follow Hardware toggle button is turned on, this menu
will change to Initial Behavior.
Follow Hardware - to enable this toggle button you must learn or manually assign a MIDI
device and a CC message. This feature allows you to set a widget to the last seen value of
the hardware (pedal, slider, knob, etc.) when you switch to the rackspace that contains
this widget. When you turn on this toggle button, then:
- Ignore Variations toggle button in the Value tab will be hidden,
- Also Reset on Rackspace Activation toggle button in the Value tab will be hidden.
Control mode - allows you to set either absolute (default) or relative control mode for a
widget. There are 4 different relative modes: Relative Offset, Signed 1 Bit, Signed
Magnitude, and Two's Complement.
Note: If you previously selected a MIDI control alias (using the drop-down button
indicated with the red rectangle), the Control mode is managed in the Rig Manager. Refer
to the Rig Manager chapter to learn more about the Rig Manager and various control
modes.
Thru - by default, this toggle button is turned off, so a MIDI message learned by a widget
will not be forwarded to plugins. Turn on this toggle button to send out the learned MIDI
message to plugins. For example, you can both play a note and have that note turn on
your Leslie effect.
Value tab:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 133
Widget value - each widget has a range of 0 to 100. Note that this is a percentage, not an
absolute value. For example, suppose the plugin parameter it is controlling has an
absolute range from 0.0 to 1.0. When the widget is at its "100" setting, it actually changes
that parameter to 1.0 (i.e. 100% of 1.0). The value of widgets from the Buttons category
(buttons, switches, and LEDs) can only be 0 or 100 - there is nothing in between, and the
only values that a button can emit are the values at those positions. Anything in between
will be ignored. You can also directly enter values using MIDI numbers by adding the
letter "m" at the end of the value. For example, if you type in "64m", Gig Performer will
interpret it as an exact value of 50.39 (roughly 50% of the maximum MIDI value of 127).
Default value - continuous widgets allow changing the default value; this value cannot be
set on others. When you double-click on the widget (when not in Edit mode), the widget
value is reset to the specified default value.
Scaled Value - this value is the actual value that is sent to the plugin parameter. The
default scaling for a newly inserted widget is the same as the actual widget value, as
shown by the triangle shape of the curve. Scaling is based on the defined curve; find out
more about curves in the How to control the widget value scaling chapter.
Reverse button - inverts the current curve horizontally. For example, if your curve has a
default linear shape where widget value 20 results in scaled value 20, clicking the Reverse
button will scale the widget value 20 to be sent out as the value 80.
Ignore variations - this toggle button is turned off by default; when turned on, the
selected widget will be excluded from variation changes and will remain at its current
value. This is useful if you have, for example, several different variations that change the
widget settings controlling effects such as phasing or flanging. Still, you want the widget
controlling overall volume to remain constant. Note: if this widget is part of a radio
group, turning on the Ignore variations toggle button will also apply to all widgets in the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 134
radio group. Also note that this toggle button will be hidden if the Follow Hardware
toggle button is turned on in the MIDI tab.
Send on Radio button off - this option is displayed only on widgets in a radio group; it
allows you to send out the value when this (currently selected) widget turns off.
Initial value on gig load (variation_name) (not available in the Global rackspace) - Gig
Performer by default restores all widgets to their last positions in variations when a gig
file is saved (the Last saved toggle button will be enabled in this case).
You can, however, click on the This value toggle button to take a snapshot of the current
position of the selected widget so that position gets recalled and loaded instead. This can
be useful if you are playing, for example, a song where the volume of your piano always
starts softly but gets quite loud by the end. When you come back to that song again, you
don't want the piano to still be loud - you want it always to start soft. The concept is
that, even if you play around with widgets during your live performance, your originally
stored values will return when you next reload a gig file.
Click on the Copy Current button (it is enabled only when the "This value" toggle button
is enabled) to take another snapshot of the current widget position.
Additionally, clicking the Also reset on rackspace activation toggle box resets the widget
value to "This value" on the rackspace activation. Note that this toggle button will be
hidden if the Follow Hardware toggle button is turned on in the MIDI tab.
Note: Widget values are always automatically saved and reloaded in your gig file per
variation. Using the explicit load value, the current widget will be reset to a specific value
when your gig loads, even if you change it later and save the gig file.
Advanced tab:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 135
OSC/GPScript Handle - allows you to set a name for use in GP Script and OSC.
Enable OSC - click on this toggle button to make the OSC/GPScript Handle field available
to OSC. For more information on OSC, click here.
Invert OSC value button - clicking on this button inverts the OSC value. Click again to
revert.
Direct Addressable OSC (this section is only visible when the Enable Widget Direct OSC
option is enabled in OSC Options and is intended for advanced control of remote
devices):
· Target - type in a valid target IP of the remote device and afterward type in the
listening port of the remote device. Clicking the Select... button allows you to easily
select an OSC target from the list that must be previously set in OSC Options.
· Type - allows you to set the type of the argument for an OSC message (Default, Float,
Integer, and String).
· Enable Widget Direct OSC - clicking on this toggle button allows you to send out
widget values as OSC messages for external processing. Note: OSC Address and
Target must be defined to enable this toggle button.
Note: global widgets (widgets in the Global rackspace) have one additional setting -
Global Parameter Assignment:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 136
Mapping section
Plugin - click on this drop-down to view the list of plugins in the current rackspace, and
then select the plugin you want the widget to control.
Open plugin button - click this button to open the editor for the selected plugin.
Parameter - parameters are displayed only when a plugin is selected; select the one from
the list of available controllable parameters that you want to have the widget control.
Alternatively, you can search the parameter name by typing a partial parameter name in
the search param name search box or, even easier, use the Learn Parameter button.
Learn Parameter button - click this button to have Gig Performer learn the plugin
parameter you want to associate with the widget. This button is displayed only when a
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 137
plugin is selected. When in Learn Mode, the button is lit red; to exit Learn mode, click on
it again, and it will return to its normal gray color.
Note: widget assignments to physical controllers in the Widget Properties area override
the Global MIDI Options assignments.
Refer to the How to connect a widget to a plugin parameter chapter for more widget
mapping and parameter learning information.
Alternatively, you can use the Quick Plugin, Favorite or Preset Finder to add plugins in the
Wiring view. Afterward, switch to the Panels view, Edit mode and drag the desired widget
onto a panel surface (e.g. a Plastic Blue Knob, as indicated with the red arrow):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 138
Click on the plugin drop-down menu in the Mapping section of the Widget Properties
inspector, (as indicated with the red rectangle) and select the desired plugin (in this case,
the Gain and Balance plugin, as indicated with the red rectangle):
1. Simply navigate through this list using the scroll bar and select the desired
parameter (e.g. Gain),
2. Start typing part of the parameter name into the search box to restrict the visible list
of parameters to those matching what you have typed so far:
3. Click on the Learn Parameter button; a plugin's editor opens automatically and the
background of this button turns red, indicating that you entered into the Learn
mode. Simply click on the desired control (indicated with the red arrow), and the
parameter will automatically be selected in the parameter list:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 139
Click on the Learn Parameter button again to turn off the learning mode.
Note: every time you move the widget control, its parameter number displays, e.g.
"Param #0" (indicated with the blue rectangle); this means that this parameter is the first
in the parameter list (counting starts from 0) and below the common parameters "Bypass
Plugin" and "Open/Close Plugin Editor". This display is specifically intended for advanced
users wishing to control a parameter directly from GPScript or OSC and need to know the
actual parameter number.
Test your configuration by moving the Plastic Blue Knob widget - if you successfully
learned the parameter, the gain control in the plugin window should move accordingly
(and vice-versa).
Tip: you can use a Text label widget to display a transparent note. Leave the "no plugin"
mapping and change the widget value to 0 for the highest transparency; increasing this
value (up to 100) decreases the transparency effect.
To clear the parameter mapping from a widget, simply select "(No Plugin)" from the
combo box in the Mapping section.
If Gig Performer detects unnamed plugin parameters, it displays them as e.g. Param 5,
Param 6, Param 7 (visit this KB article to learn more).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 140
To associate a widget with a MIDI device, first enter into the Panels view, Edit mode, and
click on the desired widget (e.g. a Plastic Blue Knob, if you followed the example from the
previous chapter; if you created a new empty gig, drag the Plastic Blue Knob widget onto
a panel surface and click on it):
Click on the MIDI tab (indicated with the red rectangle) in the Widget Properties inspector
and note that no MIDI assignment has been made yet (2). If you defined MIDI control
aliases in the Rig Manager, you can easily click on the drop-down menu (3) and select the
desired alias:
Note how the "(no MIDI In assignment yet)" message changes to match the name of the
selected alias.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 141
To have Gig Performer learn the physical controller you want to associate with the
widget, click the Learn button (1); when actively in Learn Mode, the button is lit red.
While in Learn mode, move the physical controller. If you already have an alias defined in
the Rig Manager for that control, that alias will display; if you didn't define an alias (such
as "Slider1" in the screenshot above), then the name of your MIDI device will show up, as
well as the associated MIDI controller and the channel:
Ensure that you exit the Learn Mode by clicking on the Learn button again (1), and it will
return to its normal gray color.
If you already know what MIDI message you need and/or don't have immediate access to
your controller to use Learn mode, you can define your message manually by clicking on
the Edit button (4):
Simply select a MIDI device, MIDI message type and other parameters (depending on the
message type, e.g. Note, Channel, CC number) and click the OK button to confirm.
Clicking the Clear button (5) clears the current controller assignment.
Note: if you assign a MIDI message to a widget in the Global rackspace, and you assign
the same MIDI message to a widget in a local rackspace, the local rackspace will override
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 142
the Global rackspace, which will not respond to the particular message while the local
rackspace is active. If you switch to a different rackspace that does not use that MIDI
message - the Global rackspace assignment will work again.
Chorus volume and Flanger volume are Gain Control (mono) plugins. You can easily
create a Widget Link group to crossfade between the chorus and flanging effects.
First, we insert three widgets: a Plastic Blue Knob, a Plastic Green Knob and a Black Slider
(Horizontal) and then map the Plastic Blue Knob to the Gain parameter in the Chorus
volume plugin and map the Plastic Green Knob to the Gain parameter in the Flanger
volume plugin. The Black Slider (Horizontal) will not be mapped to any of the plugins, and
serves only to display the chorus/flanger ratio better (see this chapter for more
information on how to map a widget to a plugin parameter). Note: you can assign a
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 143
widget to a Widget Link group without mapping it to a plugin parameter; you can add the
mapping later.
Customize the caption of the Plastic Blue Knob, the Plastic Green Knob and the Black
Slider (Horizontal) widgets to "Chorus intensity", "Flanger intensity" and "Chorus <->
Flanger" respectively (see this chapter for more information).
Make sure that you click on the Reverse button in the Value tab in the Widget Properties
inspector for the Plastic Blue Knob widget.
There are 26 different Widget Link groups available in each rackspace (A-Z); to quickly
assign all the widgets to the Widget Link group "N", select all the widgets and then press
the keyboard key N while holding the Alt key (or Option on Mac). Alternatively, select the
desired widgets and add them to a link group using the Widget Contextual Menu. You
can set the Widget Link group for each widget in the Widget Properties inspector
separately. If you move the black slider (or any other widget in this group), you'll notice
how the widgets' values change:
Note: we inverted values for the Plastic Blue Knob, but you can select a different curve for
each widget in a group to scale their values (see this chapter for more information).
Because all three widgets are assigned to the same Link group, they will all move
together. When the green knob widget is turned up, it will, as expected, cause the volume
of the flanging effect to increase, but turning up the blue knob widget will do the
opposite because it is set to reverse value: it will cause the volume of the chorus effect to
decrease, and vice versa.
As a result, when you move the horizontal slider from left to right, you'll hear the
chorusing effect crossfade into the flanging effect, and vice versa.
There are two other ways to control multiple plugin parameters simultaneously:
- one is to assign the same MIDI control to multiple widgets,
- the other is using GPScript to control any number of parameters with a single widget.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 144
There are several main use case scenarios for radio buttons:
1. Multiple radio buttons attached to the same parameter — In this case, you use the
scale curve to set a specific value for each button. As you pressed different buttons,
the parameter value would be changed. In this case, when you press one radio
button, you do not want the previous button to send an Off value when it pops out
- you only want the button you press to send a value - so the option "Send value on
on Radio Off" would be disabled in the Widget Properties inspector, the Value tab.
2. Multiple radio buttons, each one attached to a different parameter, often associated
with different plugins — For example, you might have two radio buttons, each
associated with the Bypass of two different plugins. In this case, when you press the
Bypass on one radio button, you want the other Bypass to be turned off — in that
case, you want "Send value On Radio Off" to be enabled because you want the radio
button that turns Off to send an Off message to its associated Bypass parameter.
To add, for example, a LED button to Radio Group 1, simply select it in Edit mode and in
the General tab of the Widget Properties Inspector, select Radio Group 1 (as indicated
with the red rectangle):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 145
Tip: to easily have multiple widgets in the same group, simply add the first widget to the
desired radio group and then duplicate it any time you wish - all widgets will be in the
same radio group. Afterward, map all widgets to the desired plugin parameters (refer to
this chapter for more information). Alternatively, select the desired widgets and add
them to a radio group using the Widget Contextual Menu.
To remove a widget from a radio group, ensure the Radio Group value is 0.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 146
Here it is important not to confuse the widget value with the scaled value. The widget
value is used as the input to the scale component and it is not sent to the plugin
parameter. The scaled value is the output from the scale component, which is the value
sent to the plugin parameter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 147
1. Curve - the scaling curve is used to transform the widget values into scaled values.
To define a curve:
a. select one of the supplied basic shapes (3) (you can also reverse or invert them),
2. Reverse and Invert buttons - click on the Reverse button to reverse the curve (invert
it horizontally), for example:
Click on the Invert button to invert the curve vertically, for example:
3. Basic curve shapes - the provided shapes are linear, sine, Log, and X2:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 148
4. Indicator and values - if you hover with your mouse over the curve, a vertical
indicator will appear, and the corresponding value will be displayed: Widget Value
=> Scaled Value (e.g. 27 => 75, as shown in the screenshot). The shape of the curve
defines what value will be output for any widget value. The vertical indicator lets
you easily see what values will be used.
5. Max and Min fields - you can set a maximum and a minimum value for your curve by
entering the desired values in the Max and Min fields or by adjusting the sliders
(indicated with the blue arrows). Besides knobs, defining Min and Max values is also
useful for the momentary widgets, i.e. buttons or switches. Although their widget
value can be only 0 or 1, you don't necessarily want the "on" to always set the plugin
parameter to 1.0. For example, you might want the button to cause the plugin
parameter to toggle between 0.4 and 0.8 (you can define a min and max volume
between which you could toggle):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 149
You can also directly enter values using MIDI numbers in the Min and Max fields by
adding the letter "m" to the end of the value. For example, if you type in "64m", Gig
Performer will interpret it as an exact value of 50.39 (roughly 50% of the maximum
MIDI value of 127).
Note: holding the Alt key (or the Option key on Mac) while moving Min or Max
sliders allows you to fine-change the values. Holding the Shift key while moving min
or max sliders allows you to move both sliders simultaneously.
6. Curve Designer - clicking on the EXP button opens the Curve Designer:
Type in the desired function or click one of the provided buttons (sin, log, or sqrt) to
insert a supplied function. You can also use other functions, such as cos, tan or cot.
Move the provided knobs (x, y, a, b, or c) or type in the values directly to adjust your
curve. If you want to create a curve with multiple points, simply click on the Add
New Point button and enter the desired function. Click on the Trash can button
(indicated with the red arrow) to remove the point. Click on the up/down arrows
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 150
(indicated with the red circle) to move the point up or down. When you finish
adjusting the curve, click on the Save button.
7. Color selector - click on this button to choose the desired color for the scale curve:
8. Smooth button - clicking on this button smooths the curve a little bit:
9. Load and save buttons - clicking on these buttons allows you to load a previously
saved gpscale file or to save scale values to a gpscale file. This file can also be used in
the scaling component found in the MIDI In block or the Probabilistic Sound
Designer.
Tip: holding the Alt key (or the Option key on Mac) while creating a curve with your
mouse constrains the horizontal position, thereby producing a flat horizontal line as you
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 151
6.2.10 How to control widgets from the Global rackspace in a regular rackspace?
In this chapter you will learn how to configure global and local widgets so that changing
widget values in a local rackspace also change widget values in the Global rackspace (and
vice versa).
First, create a simple layout in the Wiring view in the Global rackspace; for this example,
we assume that you will use an Audio Mixer (4ch) in your configuration. While you are
still in the Global rackspace, open the Edit mode in the Panels View and insert two knobs
(e.g. a Green knob and a Blue knob):
Click on the Green knob; note that the Widget Properties inspector includes one
additional setting for the global widgets: Global Parameter Assignment. Select a value
from the drop-down menu (from Param 0 to Param 127), e.g. Param 1 (as indicated in the
red rectangle). In the mapping section, choose the Audio Mixer (4ch) plugin (as indicated
in the blue rectangle) and select the Channel 1-2 volume parameter.
Click on the Blue knob; in the Widget Properties inspector, select a different Global
Parameter assignment, e.g. Param 127. In the mapping section, choose the Audio Mixer
(4ch) plugin and select the Channel 3-4 volume parameter.
Now switch to a local rackspace (click on View -> Show/Hide Global Rackspace), and in the
Wiring view, insert the From Global Rackspace block. Then switch to the Panels view, Edit
mode and insert two knobs (e.g. a Plastic Green knob and a Plastic Blue knob):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 152
Global parameters are exposed to a local rackspace as parameters of the From Global
Rackspace plugin (alternatively, you can also use the To Global Rackspace block, provided
that you had inserted it in the Wiring view). Therefore, in the Mapping section for both
knobs, select "From Global Rackspace" (as indicated with the blue rectangle).
Select the Channel 1-2 volume parameter for the Plastic Green knob and the Channel 3-4
volume for the Plastic Blue knob.
Note: the actual parameter position in this list depends on what you selected in the
above-mentioned Global Parameter Assignment setting. Since Param 1 and Param 127
were selected for the green and blue knob, respectively, these positions become available
in the From Global Rackspace plugin. If you want to prefix parameter positions in these
parameter lists, enable the Show parameter numbers in widget parameter selection list
toggle button in Display Options.
Finally, switch to the Panels view and move local knobs - the corresponding global knobs
will move, as well (and vice versa).
Note: if the Global Parameter Assignment parameter position (e.g. Param 126) is not
assigned to a global widget, the From Global Rackspace block will display "<not
assigned>" for that position (see the screenshot above). If a global parameter position is
assigned, the parameter name that you will see in the From Global Rackspace block
depends on the global widget settings in the Widget Properties Inspector:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Panels and Widgets 153
You can copy widgets from the Global rackspace and then paste them into a local
rackspace using the Copy and Paste menu options. Suppose a global widget is mapped to
a parameter in the plugin in the Global rackspace. In that case, the pasted widget will be
automatically mapped to the actual parameter values of the widgets in the Global
rackspace. If it doesn't already exist, this action will automatically insert a "To Global
Rackspace" plugin into the local rackspace.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 154
A song part is basically a reference to a specific variation in some rackspace that will be
used when the part is selected, though there are other song part settings, as well:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 155
The screenshot above shows how two song parts (Verse and Chorus) refer to two
variations (Basic and Delay+Reverb), respectively.
Note: Gig Performer remembers the variation selected when you switch away from a song
part, so if you are trying different variations, be sure that the correct variation for the
song part is selected before you switch away.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 156
connect your plugins); in this blog article, you can see an example setup, or use one from
the built-in templates.
Afterward, switch to the Setlist view and press Ctrl+Shift+N (or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac) or
choose the Create New Song... menu item from the Setlists contextual menu. The Song
Properties dialog appears; enter a name in the dialog that appears (i.e. Forever young)
and click on the OK button. Notice that three song parts are automatically created for
your song - Intro, Verse, and Chorus:
You can easily create new songs/song parts, rename or remove the existing ones, and
perform other operations by clicking on the "More..." button (indicated with the red
circle) or by right-clicking on a song/song part; learn more about supported operations in
the Manage setlists contextual menu chapter. Also, rearrange song parts by simply
dragging them to positions you prefer.
Note: you can set the default parts created with a new song by choosing Setlist/Song
Settings from the Options menu:
In the screenshot above, the Solo song part has been added (make sure to separate song
parts with the comma or the semicolon).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 157
The new song has also been added to the All Songs list.
- Click on a tile in the part bar at the top of the Setlist/Song view.
- Select a song part with a MIDI program change message assigned in the Song Part
Properties dialog. Refer to the blog article Program Change Management to learn more
about the program change messages.
- Use the up/down arrow keys on your computer keyboard to select the song part
above/below the current one respectively.
- Use parameters of the System Actions plugin such as Next Song, Next Songpart,
SelectPartOrVar. Refer to the System Actions chapter to learn more.
Click on the variation you want attached to the song part to select it:
Note: click here to find out more about how song parts and variations are related.
When you select a song, the first song part will be active. Note that rackspace variations
have different behavior (if explicit PC numbers are not used in variations, the last
selected variation will be called when using the PC for that rackspace).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 158
Gig Performer supports the ChordPro lead sheet file format with both an editor/viewer to
enable creating, editing, and viewing ChordPro documents, and the ability to attach a
ChordPro document to a song, so that selecting the song opens the ChordPro document
to put the chords and lyrics right in front of you. Refer to the ChordPro chapter for more
information. Make sure also to check this blog article, How to use ChordPro files in Gig
Performer, for detailed guidelines.
Make more songs and song parts: create new songs, song parts, and assign ChordPro files
to your songs by following the guidelines above.
Note: although a song can have as many parts as you need, you can only assign MIDI
events to the first 24 parts. Click here to learn more.
In the next chapter, you will learn how to create a setlist of your songs.
Artist - type in the name of the artist/band who performed the song.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 159
Key - choose the key center (root note) and quality (major/minor) of the song from the
drop-down menus. These entries are for your information only.
Tempo - allows you to set a tempo for the song. Turn on the Override toggle button to
make this active tempo when the song is selected.
Time signature - allows you to set the desired time signature for the song; click on the
numerator, select the desired value and then choose a value for the denominator from
the drop-down menu. Turn on the Override toggle button to make this the active time
signature when the song is selected.
Override global tempo - when this toggle button is turned on, the selected song tempo
will override the global tempo. This tempo will be applied to all song parts of the current
song if they do not have their own overrides - a tempo for a song part (specified in the
Song Part properties dialog), if turned on by its Override toggle button, has a higher
priority and will override the song tempo.
Send program change number when song activates - clicking on this toggle button
enables you to send a MIDI program change number when the current song activates; set
the desired program change number and bank (MSB and LSB) values. When the song is
selected, the program change number is sent out using the MIDI Device and Channel
selected in the Setlist tab of the Options dialog.
Lyrics/Chord (ChordPro) File - displays a file in ChordPro format. Use the Song
Lyrics/Chords viewer to load your lyrics/chords file for this song. Gig Performer will
automatically remember and auto-load that file when you switch to this song again. Refer
to the ChordPro chapter for more information. Note: files can be loaded only from the
root directory specified in the Locations tab of the Options dialog. If the file you want to
use is not in that directory use the File -> Import ChordPro Files... command.
Clear - clicking on this button clears the association to the ChordPro file.
"i": (information) - clicking this button opens a dialog stating that ChordPro documents
must be opened and assigned in the Song Lyrics/Chords Editor.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 160
A song part consists of a rackspace variation plus a collection of properties. The variation
may be as stored, or it may have been edited just for that song part.
Name - displays the song part name (type another one if preferred).
Tempo - allows you to set a tempo for the song part. Turn on the Override global tempo
toggle button to activate this tempo when this song part is selected.
Time signature - allows you to set the desired time signature for the song part; click on
the numerator, select the desired value, and then choose a value for the denominator
from the drop-down menu. Turn on the Override global tempo toggle button to activate
this time signature when this song part is selected.
Override global tempo - when this toggle button is turned on, the selected song part
tempo will override both the global tempo and the song tempo (see the Song Properties
dialog for more information). Hence, the Song part tempo is the highest priority.
Assign program change number for this part - clicking on this toggle button enables you
to assign a MIDI program change number to the current song part; set the desired
program change number and bank (MSB and LSB) values.
MIDI messages to send when this song part gets activated - allows you to send MIDI
messages to one or more physical MIDI Out devices. Click on the Edit... button to open
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 161
the MIDI Helper Tool and click on the Send Now button to send the selected MIDI
messages to the selected physical MIDI out devices.
The MIDI Helper tool allows you to specify an arbitrary sequence of MIDI events to be
sent out to MIDI Out devices:
1. Add New MIDI Event - clicking on this button adds a new MIDI event placeholder.
3. MIDI Output device - click on this drop-down list to choose a MIDI Out device.
4. MIDI event - click on this drop-down list to choose the desired MIDI event. Check this
chapter for a list of events.
5. Event parameters - depending on the type of the event, there are different
parameters (or no parameters at all) for an event.
6. Navigation arrows - click the up/down arrows to move the current event placeholder
up/down.
7. Placeholder number - simply displays a number for the current MIDI event.
8. Remove event - clicking this button removes the current MIDI event.
9. Duplicate event - clicking this button duplicates the current MIDI event.
When you finish adding your MIDI events, click on the close button; selected events can
be seen in the list:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 162
This window allows you to define actions that will be executed when this song part is
activated. Refer to this chapter to learn more about the Action Management window and
its elements.
Note: if you add the Set Global BPM action, it will override the Override global tempo
setting described above in this chapter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 163
The newly created setlist is automatically selected but with no songs. To add songs to the
setlist, open the Add songs to setlist window either by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F (or
Cmd+Shift+F on Mac), by choosing the Add Song(s) to Setlist... command in the Setlists
contextual menu or by choosing the Add Song(s) to Setlist... command in the Edit menu:
This window lists all available songs. To add a song from this window to the setlist, select
it and press the Enter key (or double-click it). Songs that are added to a setlist are
automatically grayed out. You can also find a song by entering search terms in this field
to filter the view. When you are finished adding songs, press the Escape key to close the
window:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 164
You can easily re-arrange songs by dragging them and placing in the desired position.
Furthermore, you can sort them by name or by their program change numbers - click on
Edit -> Sort Songs by Name or Edit -> Sort Songs by PC Numbers, respectively.
Setlists can be duplicated and modified for gigs that vary only slightly from a usual song
order, or a custom setlist can be created for a specific gig. For example, if tomorrow’s
setlist is just a little different than this, the quickest thing is to duplicate this setlist and
then modify it. Setlist operations (i.e. rename, duplicate, or remove) are easiest to select
in the setlist contextual menu; to duplicate a setlist, choose the Duplicate Current
Setlist... menu item, type in a name (i.e. Rock Setlist LA) and press Enter:
As seen from the screenshot above, the program change assignment for a song part is
specific to the setlist; the same song can have a different program change assignment in
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 165
each setlist. This lets you have consistency even when the setlist changes from gig to gig.
Refer to the Song Part Properties chapter for more information on how to assign a
program change number to a song part.
Another way to add a current song to a setlist is to right-click on a song, expand Add This
Song To Setlist and choose one of your defined setlists.
Let's assume that (A) shows widget values when you first select a song part. If you want to
increase a delay a bit more (B) and select another view (i.e. Panels view), the delay value
will be reset to (A).
However, Gig Performer provides a mechanism to capture these changes and save them
to the currently active song part. So, if you want to retain the amount of delay as shown
in (B), click on the Capture variation icon (indicated with the red arrow - refer to the
Setlists view chapter for more information):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 166
Clicking on this button allows you to save edits you have made to a variation into the
currently selected song part only. Note: the changes are not saved to the underlying
variation in the rackspace itself.
Notice that additional buttons are available. When the LED is red, it indicates that the
song part has saved values different from the underlying variation. Click and hold the
COMPARE momentary button to display the original widget values in the corresponding
variation; release to see captured changes in the song part (click and hold will display
widget positions as shown in (A), and widget positions indicated with (B) will be displayed
when you release the mouse).
Click on the Revert to original variation button (indicated with the trash can icon) to
remove captured changes and match the variation values.
If you like how your song part sounds with the increased delay (as shown in (B)), you can
apply this change to the underlying variation so that all song parts associated with that
variation have this amount of delay. From the Setlist contextual menu, choose the Push
Song Part Changes to Rackspace menu item. Notice that the LED indicator is no longer
red, and the Compare and Revert buttons disappear. Switching to the Panels view shows
that the widget's value (i.e. the amount of delay) has been updated and now has the
value indicated with (B). All song parts attached to this variation will have a higher
amount of delay (except for those with their own captured changes).
Note: If you edit values on the fly and like the changes, this is how you update the
original variation with the changes. If you want to keep the original variation, duplicate it
before pushing song part changes.
Tip: The System Actions plugin provides you with the parameters TakeSnapshot,
CancelSnapshot, and PushSnapshot allowing quicker control of managing variation edits.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Songs and Setlists 167
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 168
8 Rig Manager
Basic Rig Manager concepts are covered in the Gig Performer user interface and concepts
section. In this chapter, you will learn more about the Rig Manager, how to create rigs,
define aliases and associate them with your MIDI controllers.
Tip: Read this blog article if you are dealing with back-lined or rented keyboards.
8.1 How to create an alias for a MIDI device and a MIDI control?
Let's assume that you start with a clean slate. Open the Rig Manager and rename the
default rig to a custom name, i.e. Rehearsing (refer to this chapter for more information
about the Rig Manager window):
The main area of the window is divided into two columns. The MIDI Device Aliases are on
the left - the list of aliases for physical control devices like keyboards, pad controllers, and
control surfaces. In the screenshot above, none of the connected MIDI devices shown
have been given aliases.
An alias is simply a name you can designate to represent a physical device (on the left) or
a control (a knob, slider, button, etc.) associated with some device. If you use aliases for
your MIDI In blocks and your widgets in your rackspaces instead of the actual devices,
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 169
then you can easily switch your entire gig file to use a different set of physical controllers
without having to update individual rackspaces.
Note: the Local GP Port is an advanced feature in Gig Performer. Refer to this chapter for
more information on how to use it.
The column on the right is MIDI Control Aliases - the list of aliases for controls, i.e. sliders,
buttons, faders, and knobs. In the screenshot above, no MIDI Control aliases have been
defined yet.
To create an alias for a connected MIDI device, click the plus button at the top of the MIDI
Device Aliases list. In the dialog that appears, give the desired MIDI device an alias (i.e.
Main Keyboard):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 170
Click on the "three dots" button or right-click on the alias and choose a MIDI device from
the Associate MIDI Device sub-menu; alternatively, you can click on the three dots button,
then click on the Learn MIDI device menu item and use any control on your MIDI device
to learn the desired MIDI device (instead of selecting it from the list). After you
successfully associate an alias with a MIDI device, it will be highlighted in green:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 171
Another way to assign an alias to the specific MIDI device is to click on the "three dots"
button for the desired MIDI device and select the Define alias for this MIDI device... menu
item or right-click the MIDI device and select the Define alias for this MIDI device... menu
item.
Defined MIDI device aliases are listed in the plugin contextual menu for a MIDI In block:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 172
To create an alias for the desired MIDI control, click the plus button at the top of the MIDI
Control Aliases list. In the dialog that appears, give the desired MIDI control an alias (i.e.
Pitch-Bend):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 173
When you create a MIDI Control alias, it needs to be associated with a MIDI control:
To map the newly created alias (virtual controller) to a physical control, double-click this
alias to enter the Learn mode, or right-click it and choose Learn MIDI control from the
popup menu. Move a knob, fader, pitch-bend or other physical control, and it will be
mapped to the alias:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 174
Note: you can create a MIDI Control alias before creating a MIDI Device alias; in that case,
the full MIDI device name will be displayed in the MIDI control alias entry. The
corresponding MIDI Control alias entry will be updated when you assign an alias to that
particular MIDI device.
Create other MIDI Control aliases and repeat the Learn MIDI control process for other
controls:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 175
Don't forget to save your rig by clicking on the Save button. The best practice is also to
export your Rig Manager configuration once you're done editing. Click the Export...
button to export your configuration to a rigsetup file.
Note: the defined aliases in the Rig Manager don't apply to the MIDI outputs, only to
MIDI inputs.
Open the Rig Manager, click on the "plus" button and click on the Add new Rig... menu
item. Give it a custom name, i.e. Home:
Note that previously defined aliases are preserved while creating new rigs. You only need
to remap them, and you are all set.
First, right-click on the Main Keyboard alias, then expand the Associate MIDI Device sub-
menu and select the desired MIDI device:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 176
Each MIDI Control alias must be trained for a new physical controller. Double-click on the
first MIDI control alias and then move the desired physical control to learn it (note: you
can also enter the Learn mode for a control by clicking the "three dots" button to the
right of a control and choosing Learn MIDI control):
When MIDI events from the physical control are detected, the item lights up in the MIDI
Device Aliases and MIDI Control Aliases lists, and the events that came in will be
displayed at the top of the window.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 177
Repeat this step for the remaining aliases in the list to associate them with the desired
controls:
You can switch easily between your rigs by clicking on the rig drop-down menu:
You can create new rigs for any environment you like i.e. Performing, Studio, or Local Gig
and easily switch between them.
If you're sharing instruments with another performer and so have to use someone else's
keyboard controller for your performance, simply remap the defined aliases as shown
above, and all of your widget controls and MIDI In blocks are reestablished (refer to the
How to use aliases chapter for more information). That can be accomplished in a few
minutes, even during the sound-check if necessary.
Save your work when you finish with your rig configuration.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 178
When you create an alias for this MIDI device (as shown in this chapter) in the Rig
Manager, then the alias will be displayed instead (as indicated with B).
The benefit of using aliases for your MIDI devices (e.g. Main Keyboard, Controls Left, etc.)
is that you don't need to rewire or replace your MIDI blocks to adapt to different MIDI
devices, provided that you created rigs for them. Simply select the desired rig, and you're
all set. The Rig Manager will automatically arrange the corresponding alias <--> MIDI
device associations.
You can use the Rig Manager to help distinguish between identical MIDI controllers. For
example, if you use three Roland A800 keyboard controllers, they all have the same ID (as
far as USB device names are concerned), and so when you power up, you don't know
which keyboard will be associated with which device in Gig Performer. So if you name
them (i.e. define MIDI device aliases) "Top", "Middle" and "Bottom" (describing where the
three keyboards are located relative to each other), then when you show up at a gig and
power up, you can just quickly re-associate each physical controller with the appropriate
aliased name.
As for the MIDI control aliases, you can easily use them with widgets in Edit mode of the
Panels view; select a widget in Edit mode and click on the MIDI tab in the Widget
Properties inspector:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Rig Manager 179
Click on the arrow to display the drop-down menu and choose one of the aliases (see the
previous two chapters for more information). The benefit here is when you switch your
rigs, this widget remains assigned to the corresponding MIDI control alias (e.g. Button1).
Thus, name your controllers (one per physical MIDI port) and your knobs/sliders, and
then when you create new rackspaces, you can just select a knob or slider from the drop-
down menu in the MIDI tab (Learn area) so you don't have to keep relearning widgets,
even if you're just using a single set of controllers - which is a time saver in itself.
It also makes it easier for you to change your associations, even for the same rig setup.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
The Tuner 180
9 The Tuner
Gig Performer includes a built-in tuner:
1. Tuner button - click this button to show/hide the tuner. Alternatively, use the
keyboard shortcut Shift + T or map a button widget to the Tuner parameter of the
System Actions plugin.
2. Channels list - click here for a drop-down menu to have the Tuner "listen" to a signal
coming from a specific input channel of your connected audio interface. The default
is to have it listen to signals coming from all channels and auto-detect the input
channel.
3. Show tuned within +/- - allows you to specify a range within which the main display
changes from yellow (out of tune) to green (in tune). Available values are +/- 1 cent
to +/- 5 cents; default is +/- 3 cents.
4. 2 cents columns - these smaller columns represent 2 cents (-2, -4, -6, -8 cents are
pointed out with red arrows).
5. 10 cents columns - larger columns represent 10 cents (-10, -20, -30, -40, -50 cents are
pointed out with red arrows).
7. Input pitch - a large input pitch value. Yellow color indicates that your current pitch
value is out of tune, and green indicates that it is in tune:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
The Tuner 181
Note: you can change the A4 tuning frequency (indicated with the red rectangle) between
400 Hz and 480 Hz. The default value is 440 Hz.
To exit the tuner, click on the Tuner icon or click (or touch) anywhere on the tuner or
press any key on the keyboard.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 182
10 Built-in Plugins
This chapter covers all the plugins that are bundled with Gig Performer. To find out more
about each built-in plugin, refer to the corresponding subchapter. All built-in plugins are
shown in the screenshot below:
1. Audio Mixers: Audio Mixer (4ch), Audio Mixer (8ch), Audio Mixer (16ch), Audio
Mixer (20ch), Audio Mixer (24ch), Audio Mixer (32ch).
2. MIDI Processing and Monitoring: Envelope Follower, MIDI Channel Constrainer, MIDI
Chord Maker, MIDI Filter, MIDI Monitor, MIDI Rechannelizer, MIDI Transposer,
Scriptlet.
4. MIDI Inputs: MIDI In (OMNI), MIDI In (Local GP Port), MIDI In (OSC), and any other
MIDI devices that are attached to your computer will also be available as MIDI
inputs.
Note: "MIDI In (Controls Left)" indicates that the alias "Controls Left" is created for
this MIDI input device in the Rig Manager. When no alias is defined for the
connected MIDI input, then the full name of that MIDI device appears (e.g. "CASIO
CT-X5000").
5. Media Players: Audio File Player, MIDI File Player, Streaming Audio File Player.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 183
6. MIDI Outputs: MIDI Out (Local GP Port), MIDI Out (OSC), and any MIDI output
devices present on your computer.
Note: defined aliases in the Rig Manager don't apply to the MIDI outputs; they only
apply to MIDI inputs.
7. Gain Controls: Gain and Balance Control, Gain and Balance Control (mono to
stereo), Gain Control (mono).
8. Audio Out and Audio In - audio outputs and inputs of the connected audio
interface.
Additionally, there are two built-in plugins that are available only in the Global rackspace
- From Rackspaces and To Rackspaces:
To add a built-in plugin onto the design surface, first, make sure that you are in the
Wiring View, and then either right-click to open the contextual menu or press Ctrl + P (or
Cmd + P on Mac) to open the Quick Plugin, Favorite or Preset Finder, and then add the
desired plugin onto the Wiring view surface.
Note: not all built-in plugins can be added to the design surface in the Wiring view. Check
the subchapters to find out more about each plugin. To learn how to insert a plugin, refer
to the Inserting and Wiring your plugins chapter.
The common parameters for most plugins are Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin
Editor; there are plugins that cannot be bypassed (i.e. Audio In plugin). Check
corresponding subchapters to find out more about parameters available for each
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 184
supplied plugin.
10.1 Audio In
The Audio In plugin represents the current connected physical interface used to receive
audio or a virtual device, aggregating two or more physical interfaces (depending on your
operating system):
Each plugin port represents one audio input. The actual number of these ports is a
function of the capabilities of the interface connected to your system. For example, in the
screenshot above, 16 ports are shown.
Double-clicking on the Audio In plugin opens its editor window, as indicated by the blue
rectangle. You can adjust input levels by moving the corresponding sliders. The number of
sliders matches the number of input ports. Moving any of these sliders will automatically
update the corresponding slider in the bottom toolbar, and vice-versa.
However, as a matter of course, we encourage you to not adjust your levels through these
global controls. It is usually better to insert Gain Controls or Audio Mixers into the Wiring
view. The global input and output levels are intended for emergency adjustments should
you have a problem with FoH audio.
Note: when you create a new gig, this plugin is present by default in the Wiring view and
cannot be removed from the design surface. However, you can specify different audio
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 185
interfaces for Audio In. Navigate to Options -> Audio Setup to configure your audio
interfaces.
Tip: if you need to change the selected interface or even the buffer size or sample rate,
open or create an empty gig file first and change the audio interface there. This will be
much faster as Gig Performer will not have to reset and possibly reload all your plugins.
Further, some plugins don't "like" having their buffer size or sample rate changed after
being loaded and may consequently crash when receiving such a request.
Audio In parameters
· Number of channels - allows you to get the current number of audio input channels.
· Input Gain (Channel #) - allows you to control each channel's input gain.
· Input Level (Channel #) - allows you to display the input level for each input channel
available (use with meter widgets).
· Overall Input Level - allows you to display the overall input level for all channels (use
with meter widgets).
· Channel # Muting - mutes the specific channel (# represents the number of the
channel).
Note: not all parameters are suitable for the widget control. Parameters such as Number
of channels are suited for GPScript or OSC applications. Scripting can determine how many
channels the Audio In plugin offers, and then the result can be used for other functions.
Using OSC, you can, e.g. create the exact number of VU-meters dynamically (if your OSC
application supports this feature).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 186
Each plugin port represents one audio output. The actual number of these ports is a
function of the capabilities of the interface connected to your system. For example, in the
screenshot above, 16 ports are shown.
Double-clicking on the Audio Out plugin opens its editor window, as indicated by the blue
rectangle. You can adjust output levels by moving the corresponding sliders. The number
of sliders matches the number of output ports. Moving any of these sliders will
automatically update the corresponding slider in the bottom toolbar and vice-versa.
Note: when you create a new gig, this plugin is present by default in the Wiring view and
cannot be removed from the design surface. However, you can specify different audio
interfaces for Audio Out. Navigate to Options -> Audio Setup to configure your audio
interfaces.
The following parameters are available for the Audio Out plugin:
· Number of channels - allows you to get the current number of audio output
channels.
· Output Volume (Channel #) - allows you to control the output volume for each
output channel available.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 187
· Output Level (Channel #) - allows you to display the output level for each output
channel available (use with meter widgets).
· Overall Output Level - allows you to display the overall output level for all channels
(use with meter widgets).
· Channel # Muting - mutes the specific channel (# represents the number of the
channel).
Note: not all parameters are suitable for the widget control. Parameters such as Number
of channels are suited for GPScript or OSC applications. Scripting can determine how many
channels the Audio Out plugin offers and then the result can be used for other functions.
Using OSC, you can, e.g. create the exact number of VU-meters dynamically (if your OSC
application supports this feature).
There are six versions of the plugin, with 2 inputs (4 channels), 4 inputs (8 channels), 8
inputs (16 channels), 10 inputs (20 channels), 12 inputs (24 channels), and 16 inputs (32
channels):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 188
The screenshot above shows different versions of the Audio Mixer plugin and the plugin
editor of the Audio Mixer (8ch) plugin; it has 4 stereo inputs and 8 channels. Elements in
the plugin window are:
1. Mono/Stereo channel switch - click this icon to toggle the channel strip between
mono (left channel) and stereo input.
2. Channel level meter - displays the post-fader output level from the channel.
3. Channel level fader - adjusts level from the channel to the selected output pair.
Double-click the fader to return it to the 0 dB position (alternatively, press Alt + click
on Windows or Option + click on macOS). Press Ctrl (or Cmd) and drag the fader to
adjust the level in 0.1 dB steps.
5. Channel Solo button - solos the channel, effectively muting all others.
7. Channel Balance/Pan knob - for stereo channels, this is a left/right balance control,
while on mono channels it is a pan control. Double-click on this control to return it
to center (alternatively, press Alt + click on Windows or Option + click on Mac).
8. Output channel select - click this field to choose an output pair for a strip from the
drop-down menu.
Tip: if you connect multiple plugins' audio outputs to another plugin's input, the signals
will be mixed automatically. To create custom blends, insert one of the Audio
Mixer/Router plugins and balance as desired. Audio Mixer/Router plugins can also be
used to create reverb sends, where the signal is routed to a reverb (or other type of signal
processing plugin) from multiple sources. Simply insert an Audio Mixer/Router plugin and
route the output of each source to its inputs and a pair of outputs to the reverb plugin.
Parameters
· Channel # volume - adjusts the channel volume (indicated with (3) on the screenshot
above).
· Channel # balance - adjusts the channel balance (indicated with (7) on the
screenshot above).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 189
· Channel # solo - toggles Soloed/Not soloed modes (indicated with (5) on the
screenshot above).
· Channel # mute - toggles Muted/Not muted modes (indicated with (6) on the
screenshot above).
· Channel # output - changes the output channel (indicated with (8) on the screenshot
above).
· Channel # left meter - displays the left meter (indicated with (2) on the screenshot
above).
· Channel # right meter - displays the right meter (indicated with (2) on the screenshot
above).
Note: names of these parameters may differ depending on the channel label (4); for
example, if you rename the channel label from "Channel 1-2" (default) to
"Guitar" (indicated with the red rectangle), then corresponding parameters will be named
like shown in the screenshot below:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 190
Simple Mixer
This example has four synths with stereo pair outputs that feed the audio mixer's eight
inputs. Each input has gain and balance controls in the Audio Mixer plugin (so it is
unnecessary to add gain and balance plugins on each synth output). All the inputs
feeding the audio mixer are then routed to outputs 1 and 2 of the mixer plugin, which is
connected to the first stereo pair of audio interface outputs.
Each channel pair can be soloed or muted as desired, and of course, these can be
controlled from front panel widgets (and so from your keyboard controller once you map
them to those widgets) as needed.
Input router
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 191
On the right, in the Wiring view of a rackspace, you can see that we have a single synth
(the KeysOfThe70s) connected to the Audio Mixer (8ch). The four output pairs of the
Audio Mixer are connected to the inputs of four different effects. If you look at the first
channel strip in the Audio Mixer editor window (on the left), the KeysOfThe70s is
currently being routed to Output 3-4, which feeds the Flanger plugin. By changing the
output routing, you can quickly switch from one effect to another. Output routing also
can be attached to a slider, knob, or switch widget, letting you control effects switching
from your controller.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 192
Assigning the source synth plugin to all of the inputs turns the mixer into a bank of aux
sends. Each channel sends the source signal to one pair of outputs, with a separate level
control for each. In this case, the outputs of the effects and the original synth source are
all mixed at the end through another eight-channel mixer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 193
Since inputs can be independently assigned to outputs, a single 16-channel mixer can be
used as if it were a few small submixers in one package.
The first and third channel strips (channels 1-2 and 5-6) feed one mix; the second and
fourth strips (channels 3-4 and 7-8) feed another mix. The fifth strip (channels 9-10) is
routed to the third output pair that feeds an effect:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 194
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 195
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 196
It allows the gain and Left/Right balance of a stereo audio signal to be adjusted. Clicking
on the Mute button or setting the Volume slider to 0 causes the plugin to be muted (not
bypassed). Click here for more information on the difference between muting and
bypassing a plugin.
Besides the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the
following parameters are provided for the Gain and Balance Control plugin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 197
· Channel # Magnitude - magnitude parameters are used for level metering. Metering
can be very helpful in verifying proper gain structure and ensuring that a signal is
not overloaded and distorted.
It allows the gain of a mono audio signal to be adjusted. Clicking on the Mute button or
setting the Volume slider to 0 causes the plugin to be muted (not bypassed). Click here
for more information about the difference between muting and bypassing a plugin.
Besides the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the
following parameters for the Gain Control plugin are available:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 198
· Magnitude - the magnitude parameter is used for level metering. Metering can be
very helpful in verifying proper gain structure and ensure that a signal is not
overloaded and distorted.
The meter widgets provided by Gig Performer (available in both vertical and horizontal
configurations) allow you to visually monitor levels at any point in the signal chain.
It converts a mono audio signal to stereo and allows its gain to be adjusted. Clicking on
the Mute button or setting the Volume slider to 0 causes the plugin to be muted (not
bypassed). Click here for more information about the difference between muting and
bypassing a plugin. A balance control enables the incoming mono source to be panned
across Left/Right channels.
Besides the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the
following parameters for the Gain and Balance (m->s) plugin are available:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 199
· Channel # Magnitude - magnitude parameters are used for level metering. Metering
can be very helpful in verifying proper gain structure and ensuring that a signal is
not being overloaded and distorted.
The meter widgets provided by Gig Performer (available in both vertical and horizontal
configurations) allow you to visually monitor levels at any point in the signal chain.
To Global Rackspace is used to send audio and MIDI from regular rackspaces to the
Global rackspace. From Global Rackspace is used to receive audio and MIDI from the
Global Rackspace to rackspaces.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 200
Double-clicking this plugin opens its editor window, where the number of channels can be
selected. You can select up to 64 channels for this plugin.
Important note: changing the number of channels will update all the global plugin blocks
in all rackspaces. Affected plugins are:
- To Global Rackspace
- From Global Rackspace
- From Rackspaces
- To Rackspaces
From Rackspaces and To Rackspaces plugins are present in the Global rackspace only, and
will be addressed separately since they are not the part of the Global Processing plugins'
group.
See more information on how to connect To Global Rackspace plugin in the Global
Rackspace chapter.
Parameters
The To Global Rackspace plugin provides 256 available and initially empty slots; to occupy
a specific slot, you have to set the Global Parameter Assignment in the Widget Properties
inspector for a global widget. Refer to this chapter to learn more.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 201
Double-clicking this plugin opens its editor window, where the number of channels can be
selected. You can select up to 64 channels for this plugin.
Important note: changing the number of channels will update all the global plugin blocks
in all rackspaces. Affected plugins are:
- To Global Rackspace
- From Global Rackspace
- From Rackspaces
- To Rackspaces
From Rackspaces and To Rackspaces plugins are present in the Global rackspace only, and
will be addressed separately since they are not the part of the Global Processing plugins'
group.
Parameters
The From Global Rackspace plugin provides 256 available and initially empty slots; to
occupy a specific slot, you have to set the Global Parameter Assignment in the Widget
Properties inspector for a global widget. Refer to this chapter to learn more.
Tip: Read this blog article to learn about the Gig Performer features that make it a
powerful tool for backing track users.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 202
It allows you to load and play up to eight audio files (in AIF, FLAC, MP3, OGG or WAV
formats), either one at a time or simultaneously. You can use this plugin as a backing
track player or for looping short samples, switching seamlessly from one to another while
running. Up to eight audio output channels are available, singly or in pairs.
The Audio File Player plugin provides eight "lanes" for playback. You can think of these as
roughly equivalent to tracks on a DAW although each lane could have an entire song on
it. Its editor provides controls that enable the following operations:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 203
1. Single/Multi - allows you to switch between playing back one audio file at a time
versus multiple files simultaneously.
5. Play/Pause - allows you to start or pause file playback. The "pause" function does
not return the file to the beginning - it simply pauses it wherever it is. Clicking on the
button a second time resumes playback from the point at which it was stopped.
6. Sync - when turned on (lit green), Gig Performer will play and pause the Audio File
Player automatically when its button is engaged. This allows you to begin playback
of audio files at the same time you start a drum machine emulation plugin, for
example.
7. Load Full Directory - loads a full folder of audio files at once, up to the number of
available (empty) lanes. If, for example, you have six empty lanes and you try
loading eight files using this button, only the first six files will get loaded, into lanes
3 - 8. With this feature, you can create a directory with all of the files you will need,
then load the entire player with them at the gig by invoking only a single command.
In addition, the Audio File Player editor offers the following lane-specific controls:
9. File name - displays the name of the file currently loaded in the lane.
10. Play/Silence this lane - enables or mutes playback of the file loaded into the lane.
11. Load New Audio File (file cabinet icon) - click this to load an audio file into the lane.
12. Remove Audio File (trashcan icon) - click this to delete the audio file from the lane.
13. Master indicator - when lit, indicates that the file in the lane is being used as the
Master, determining the actual playback length of all other files. Note that this is
not a parameter that can be changed; instead, Gig Performer automatically
designates the lane loaded with the longest audio file as the Master. If you load
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 204
other lanes with new files, the Master designation may change accordingly (if the
new files are longer than the one in the currently designated Master lane).
14. Output assignment - allows you to set the output for that lane's playback. A stereo
file should ideally be set to a pair of outputs (i.e. Output 1&2, Output 3&4, etc.), but
if it is sent to a mono output, the two channels will automatically be mixed to
mono. Conversely, sending a mono file to a pair of outputs will result in the same
signal being routed to both outputs.
15. Level indicators - shows the current playback level for that lane.
16. Volume control - allows you to adjust the volume of the lane.
17. Oneshot on/off - allows you to turn looping off for that lane, even if the master
Loop button is on (lit). Clicking on the Oneshot button (causing it to light) during
playback will cause the file in that lane to play to the end and then stop. If you then
turn Oneshot for that lane off again, the file will resume playback when the file
loaded into the Master lane ends.
18. File duration - displays the duration in seconds and samples of the file currently
loaded in the lane.
· Click the Load New Audio File button in a lane and navigate to the desired file.
· Drag and drop the file from the macOS Finder or Windows Explorer onto the lane
into which you want it loaded.
· Click the Load full directory button and navigate to a source folder of audio files to
be loaded in the Audio File Player.
a) to play a single audio file, be sure the Single/Multi button is set to single and that the
lane is play-enabled, then click the Play/Pause button to start playback.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 205
ii. Set the Single/Multi button to Multi. This allows you to enable or mute multiple
lanes.
· The Audio File Player designates the longest file loaded as the Master, whether or
not it is play-enabled. The duration of the Master track becomes the loop length
when loop playback is enabled.
· The MIDI metronome is generated based on the length of the Master track and
information you supply about the number of bars in the loop and the number of
beats in each bar.
· Lanes can be muted and enabled in real-time while the player is in playback. As this
is muting, not stopping playback, all files always stay in sync with the master track's
location, so if a lane is muted during playback and then enabled 10 seconds later, it
resumes playing 10 seconds later than the point at which it was muted.
· When a file is muted, you will still be able to see "ghost" meter activity for it.
· Beneath the file duration on the right of each lane is a progress bar that turns blue
as the file plays. The length of the bar represents the full duration of the file in that
lane and the progress through it of the play cursor. So, while working in Multi mode,
in 10 seconds, the blue bar in a lane with a 20 second-long file is filled to one-half,
where as the blue bar for a two-minute loop running at the same time in another
lane is only filled 1/12th of the way across, just a small chunk.
· To move the playhead to different locations in the Master file other than the start,
create a knob or slider widget and map it to the Playhead position parameter of the
Audio File Player.
· The Audio File Player allows files of different sample rates to be loaded into
separate lanes and played simultaneously.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 206
The following parameters are available for the Audio File Player plugin:
· Play From Beginning - causes playback to start from the beginning in response to a
widget movement.
· Play From Marker - causes playback to start from the marker position (see the
"Marker position" below) in response to a widget movement.
· Playhead position - allows you to change the playback start point from a widget.
Using a continuous widget (such as a knob or a slider) for this purpose enables you
to seek particular points or even to "scrub" one or more tracks while they are
playing.
· Marker Position - allows you to change the marker position from a widget.
· Set Marker now - allows you to set the marker position "on the fly" from a widget.
· Click Generation On/Off - allows you to use a widget to turn the MIDI click track on
or off.
· Play Mode (single/multi) - allows you to use a widget to switch between Single and
Multi playback.
· Lane 1-8 Playing - allows you to use a widget to enable playback from the specified
lane (1-8).
· Lane 1-8 One Shot On/Off - allows you to use a widget to turn the Oneshot mode on
or off for the specified lane.
· Lane 1-8 Volume - allows you to use a widget to adjust the volume of the specified
lane.
· Lane 1-8 Output Assignment - allows you to use a widget to change the output
assignment for the specified lane.
· Lane 1-8 Filename - displays the name of the song (file name without path or
extension).
· Lane 1-8 Length - displays the lane length in seconds (the underlying parameter -
always between 0.0 and 1.0 - represents a percentage of 10 hours).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 207
· Largest Lane Length - displays the length of the largest lane in the Audio File Player
(the underlying parameter represents a percentage of 10 hours).
Note: we recommend the use of on-off widgets, such as one of the LED buttons, for real-
time control over most Audio File Player parameters. However, Playhead position, Marker
position, Lane 1-8 Volume, and Lane 1-8 Output Assignment are better controlled with
continuous widgets such as knobs and sliders.
MIDI metronome settings can be seen on the screenshot below (indicated with the yellow
rounded rectangle):
1. Click on the Metronome button (1) to show MIDI channel and note settings for the
metronome (indicated with the yellow rounded rectangle).
2. Load a sound file into the audio player (2). You can either load a single sound file
(indicated with the blue arrow) or load a full directory of audio files into sample
lanes (indicated with the red arrow). Note: if you want to play multiple sample lanes
in parallel, click on the Multi button (3). In Multi mode, the longest file will be
designated as the Master and used to calculate the metronome.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 208
3. Enter the duration of the loop in bars into the Bars field (4) on the lane of the
Master track, by typing it in directly or using the +/- arrows beneath the field.
4. Enter the number of beats per bar in the loop into the Beats field (5) on the lane of
the Master track by typing it in directly or using the +/- arrows beneath the field.
5. Choose or add a plugin as the sound source for the metronome. Choose the sound
you want to use for the metronome and set a MIDI channel for it. Don't forget to
make an audio connection from the sound source to your interface outputs.
6. In the Wiring view, connect the MIDI Out port of the Audio File Player to the MIDI In
port of the plugin you want to use to generate the metronome sound.
7. Define the MIDI note, velocity, and duration (Length) for both the Accent and Beat
metronome sounds (6).
8. Set the MIDI Channel field to the channel number of the metronome sound (7).
9. Click the Play/Pause button and the metronome will play, along with the audio files
(8).
Note: The MIDI metronome assumes the loop contains an exact number of bars, with the
beginning of the file being bar 1, beat 1. If this is not the case, the metronome may not
sync correctly with the Master track.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 209
The MIDI File Player plugin can load up to 128 songs. For each song you can easily select
which tracks to play and optionally map them to specific channels. A looping feature is
also supported, where you can further specify both start and stop positions.
Double-clicking this plugin opens its editor window, which provides controls that enable
the following operations:
1. Information display - displays the information about the selected song (and its
corresponding MIDI file):
c. Length - displays the total length of a song, expressed in bars and beats (e.g.
288:4 implies 288 bars and 4 beats).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 210
g. BPM - displays the initial beats per minute of the current song. This field can be
edited with a custom value (up to 640 BPM).
2. Play MIDI file - clicking this button plays the current song. Click again to stop playing
and go to the beginning of the song.
3. Loop - clicking on this button enables you to loop the MIDI file continuously; for this
feature to work, you need to specify the loop length - clicking on the Stop button
and specifying the stop position is mandatory (see (4)).
4. Sync - clicking this button synchronizes playback with the global playback in the
main toolbar. Use this feature If you use multiple MIDI and/or audio file players and
you want them to play or stop at the same time. Find out more about the global
play button in this chapter.
5. Start/Stop - this section enables start and stop options for the song. If the Loop
option is not enabled, specifying the Stop position will stop the MIDI File Player
when that position is reached. Start and stop positions are expressed in bars and
beats (5:1 implies 5 bars and 1 beat). If you specify the stop position, e.g. at 5:1, the
playing stops at the last "tick" before 5:1 (i.e. 4:4). Note that you only need to
specify the end position for the loop feature to work. In that case the loaded MIDI
file will be played from the beginning of the file until the specified End position.
6. Quantization - clicking on this drop-down list allows you to choose the desired
quantization (None, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16). If you need a more sophisticated
quantization function such as triplets or a certain amount of "humanize", then you
should perform such operations on the MIDI file using your DAW and set the
Quantization in this plugin to None.
a. Song Tempo - allows the MIDI file to be played at its own tempo without
impacting anything else.
b. Song -> Global BPM - clicking on this option sets the global tempo from the song
tempo.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 211
c. Global BPM -> Song - selecting this option sets the song tempo from the global
tempo.
d. Manual BPM - selecting this option allows you to set a custom BPM value for a
song.
e. Manual BPM -> Global BPM - selecting this option sets the global tempo to the
manually defined tempo.
8. Block PC messages - checking this option blocks program change events found in
tracks from being sent out.
9. Show GM Instruments - a General MIDI file typically has 16 tracks for various
instruments, and there is a convention about the channel numbers. For example,
drums are always on the channel 10. This option assumes the loaded MIDI file is a
GM file and will display GM instrument names based on the program changes found
in the tracks.
10. Load a new MIDI file button - loads a new MIDI file (both .midi and .mid file
extensions are supported).
11. Location display - displays a location of the loaded MIDI file for the currently
selected song.
12. Unload selected file - clicking on this button unloads the selected MIDI file.
14. Songs list - the MIDI File Player plugin supports loading up to 128 songs.
15. Track name - shows the track name in the current song. By default, all tracks are
enabled in the loaded MIDI file. Click on the corresponding checkbox to
disable/enable a track.
16. Map channel - checking this option allows you to map all MIDI events to the
specified channel (by default, channel 1).
17. Channel information - shows the assigned channel per the loaded MIDI file. You can
remap this channel by checking the Map channel check box (16).
18. Enable all tracks - clicking this button enables all tracks in the selected song (by
default, all tracks are enabled).
19. Disable all tracks - clicking this button disabled all tracks in the selected song. Use
this feature if you want to select only a few tracks to play.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 212
The following parameters are available for the MIDI File Player plugin:
· SongNumber - allows you to select one of the available songs in slots 1-128.
· SongDisplayMode - allows you to select how the song name will be represented. You
can choose between "Song name" (e.g. Won't be fooled again), "Song index" (e.g. 1)
and "Both" (e.g. 1 - Won't be fooled again).
· MidiTempo - allows you to select the desired tempo option (see the bullet item (7)).
· Quantization - allows you to choose the desired quantization (see the bullet item
(6)).
· StartStopSync - starts or stops the Sync feature (see the bullet item (4)).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 213
· StepForward - allows you to step forward a MIDI file (so-called the Finger Tap
feature). Click on this video to see this feature in action.
· ManualBPM - allows you to set the BPM value in the MIDI File Player when the
tempo options are set to Manual or Manual BPM -> Global BPM.
Tip: Read this blog article to learn how to improve the sound quality of instruments in
your MIDI files.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 214
1. Mini display - represents a small display of the Timeline, along with loops, markers,
and the playhead position.
2. Current section - represents the currently visible portion of the Timeline indicated
with (4). Scrolling up or down with your mouse will move this selection to the right
or left, respectively. If you hold down the Ctrl key (or the Command key on Mac)
while scrolling up or down, then the selection will be zoomed in or out, respectively.
Alternatively, you can set the zoom level using the buttons indicated with (10). Click
on any part of the Mini Display (1) or simply drag it to move the current selection.
3. Handles - by clicking on the right or left handle and dragging right or left, you can
adjust the displayed portion of the Timeline indicated with (4).
4. Visible portion of the timeline - in this area you can create markers and loop points.
The size of this portion depends on the current selection, indicated in (2).
5. Playhead - indicates the playhead of the Streaming Audio File Player. The Playhead
can be moved across the timeline when the track is not playing. The Playhead
position is indicated with (8). To change the playhead position, you can:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 215
a. click anywhere on the Timeline; right-clicking on the timeline will have the same
effect and also open a menu allowing you to add a marker or a loop point at the
playhead's position.
6. Loop selection - this area represents the loop selection and is defined by two loop
points (indicated with two red arrows). You can change the loop selection by
dragging the loop points. Alternatively, you can edit the loop point values manually
in the Marker List View. Clicking on a loop point switches the view to the Marker List
View (15).
7. Marker - indicates a marker, a point in the timeline that can contain multiple
Actions, triggered when the playhead reaches the marker. Clicking on a marker
switches the view to the Marker List View (15). Double-clicking a marker opens the
Action management window, which allows you to define the desired actions for that
marker. To change the marker's position, you can drag the marker across the
timeline or edit the marker's position manually in the Marker List View. Double-
clicking a marker while holding down the Shift key allows you to execute all actions
defined for that marker. Right-clicking the marker opens the contextual menu that
allows you to Copy marker actions, Paste marker actions, and Duplicate marker.
8. Playhead position - displays the current position of the playhead (5). You can click
on this display and change the playhead position in the
minutes:seconds.milliseconds format.
10. Zooming and following the playhead - this section contains four buttons that allow
you to:
c. Zoom 100% - zooms the Timeline so the entire Timeline is displayed on the
screen.
11. Track name display - displays the name of the currently loaded track.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 216
12. Add marker at playhead - clicking this button adds a new marker at the playhead's
position. Note: markers at the same location are not allowed.
13. Add loop point at playhead - clicking this button adds a new loop point at the
playhead's position. Currently, it is only possible to define one loop area (i.e. to
create two loop points). Simply click on this button to add the first loop point; click
on this button again to add the second loop point. You can manually edit the time
of loop points in the Marker List view (see (15)).
14. File List View - this view allows you to see the list of all audio files added to the
player. To add files you can drag and drop audio files onto this window section or
click on the Add new audio files button (see 16)). You can drag added tracks to re-
order them. Double-click a track to load it.
15. Marker List View - Each track has its own list of markers. This view allows you to see
the list of all markers and loop points associated with the currently selected track.
The marker symbol is indicated with the light green rectangle and the loop symbol is
indicated with the light blue rectangle.
16. View-specific buttons - the button layout in this area depends on the current view.
If the File List view is active, then the following buttons are available:
- Add new audio files - click this button to add new audio files to the player.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 217
- Shuffle track list - allows you to randomly rearrange the track list.
- Sort by name - allows you to sort the track list by name in ascending or descending
order.
- Copy all markers to clipboard - the main use for this feature is to copy all markers
from one track to another or to copy the markers, delete the track and replace it
with an updated version of the same track and then put the markers back.
- Paste all markers from clipboard - pastes all markers from the clipboard.
- Remove all tracks - click this button to remove all tracks from the player.
If the Marker List view is active, then the following buttons are available:
- Add marker at playhead - allows you to add a new marker at the playhead's
position.
- Add loop point at playhead - allows you to add a new loop point at the playhead's
position.
- Remove all markers - click this button to remove all markers from the list.
17. Track - the currently loaded track. You can see the BPM of this track (e.g. 130 BPM in
the screenshot above), the duration for this track, edit the dB (volume) value or
remove the track from this player by clicking the X button.
18. Rewind - clicking this button allows you to rewind the track by 10 seconds. Hold
down the Shift key to rewind to the beginning.
19. Play/Pause - clicking this button allows you to start or pause playing the currently
loaded audio track. This button is disabled when the Sync with host feature is
enabled.
20. Fast Forward - allows you to fast forward the track by 10 seconds.
22. Previous Track - click this button to load the previous track in the player. When the
first track is reached, clicking this button will load the last track in the player.
23. Next Track - click this button to load the next track in the player. When the last
track is reached, clicking this button will load the first track in the player.
24. Play Loop - when this button is turned on, clicking the Play button will start playing
the defined loop.
25. Previous Marker - clicking this button allows you to position the playhead to the
previous marker.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 218
27. Next Marker - clicking this button allows you to position the playhead to the next
marker.
28. Auto Play Next Track - click this button if you want the next track to play
automatically when the current track ends.
29. Speed - move this knob to change the speed of the loaded audio file (from 33% to
150%). Double-clicking this knob resets the value to the default (100%).
30. Pitch - move this knob to change the pitch of the loaded audio file (from -12 to +12).
Double-clicking this knob resets the value to the default (0).
31. Sync with host - clicking on this button synchronizes the playhead with Gig
Performer's Global playhead. When this button is enabled, the player's playhead is
disabled, and the Global playhead controls play/pause operations.
32. Sync BPM with host - this feature allows you to detect a song's BPM and sync that
tempo with the Global BPM.
33. Level meters - allows you to see the audio levels in real-time.
34. Volume slider - use this slider to set the desired volume value in dB. Double click
this slider to reset to 0 dB.
The following parameters are available for the Streaming Audio File Player plugin:
· Loop - allows you to play the loop specified by selected loop points.
· Auto Play Next - allows you to automatically play the next track when the current
track finishes.
· Next Track - goes to the next track. When the last track is reached, it goes to the first
track in the player.
· Previous Track - goes to the previous track. When the first track is reached, it goes to
the last track in the player.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 219
· Notify Playhead Position - this parameter is implemented for cases where you don’t
need to track the the playhead's position. If you don’t need the player to send out
the position on every process block call (for example, every 2.9 milliseconds if you’re
running at 44.1 kHz with a 128 sample buffer size), you can turn it off.
· Position - allows you to control the position of the player’s playhead. If you need to
track the position explicitly (i.e. so it is synced with the playhead), make sure that
the Notify Position parameter is On.
· Track Number - allows you to select the desired track in the player, up to 1000
tracks; the widget value 0 corresponds to the first track, 0.1 to the second track, and
the maximum value 100 corresponds to the 1000th track.
· Track Name - shows the name of a currently loaded track. Attach it to a label widget.
· Number Of Tracks - displays the current number of loaded tracks in the player, up to
1000 tracks.
· Sync to Host - allows you to sync the player's playhead to the Gig Performer's Global
playhead.
· Next Marker - goes to the next marker on the timeline relative to the current
playhead position.
· Previous Marker - goes to the previous marker on the timeline relative to the
current playhead position.
· Trigger Marker Actions - allows you to manually execute the actions defined for the
desired marker number. The widget value 0 corresponds to the first marker, 0.1 to
the second marker, and the maximum value 100 corresponds to the 1000th marker.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 220
Even if you are not playing an audio track, this is a convenient way to trigger an
arbitrary sequence of actions.
· Number Of Markers - displays the current number of markers for a track, up to 1000
tracks.
· Player Speed - allows you to change the speed of a loaded audio track.
· Player Pitch - allows you to change the pitch of a loaded audio track.
Use parameters such as Mute, Loop, Auto Play Next, Play and Notify Position with button
widgets. Parameters such as Volume and Position should typically be mapped to knobs or
sliders. Finally, parameters such as Number Of Tracks and Number Of Markers should
typically be mapped to label widgets.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 221
This window allows you to manage actions for each marker. Actions allow you, for
example, to switch rackspaces, switch songs, set widget values and captions, start or stop
the Metronome, go to a specific position in your lyrics file, send MIDI events, or simply
display a message in the main Gig Performer window.
Note: the Song Part Properties window also allows you to trigger actions when that song
part is activated.
There are 21 action types supported, and they can be combined. All actions include the
Comment field, where you can optionally include a hint for the desired action. This hint is
shown in the 'Jump to action' combo box (indicated with the red rectangle).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 222
1. Delay
The intent of this action is to interact with external synthesizers that can't handle
receiving multiple MIDI messages (such as bank select followed by program change or a
program change followed by a CC message to adjust the volume) that arrive too quickly.
Note: this action is synchronous; all subsequent actions processing will be delayed as
well.
2. Display Message
The Display Message action simply flashes the specified message in the main Gig
Performer's window:
If there are multiple messages on a single marker, then only the last message will be
displayed.
3. Go to ChordPro Marker
This action assumes that you have the marker directive defined in your ChordPro file, e.g.
{marker: "verse2"}, as indicated with the red rectangle in the screenshot below:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 223
In the Go to ChordPro Marker action you need to enter the marker name without quotes.
When the playhead reaches this marker, it will move the ChordPro file to the specified
position (in this example, to show Verse 2).
4. Metronome Click
5. Metronome On/Off
This action starts the Gig Performer Metronome feature when the check box is ticked, or
stops the Metronome when the checkbox is not ticked:
6. Playhead On/Off
When the check box is ticked, this action starts the Gig Performer Global playhead. When
the checkbox is not ticked, the Global playhead stops playing:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 224
7. Previous or Next
While the Panels view is displayed, this action allows you to go to the previous or next
rackspace or variation.
If the Setlist view is displayed, this action allows you to go to the previous or next song or
song part. Note that the check boxes are mutually exclusive, i.e. you cannot go to the
next and previous rackspace simultaneously, and you cannot go to the next rackspace
and the next variation simultaneously.
8. SAFP - Go to Marker
This action allows you to jump to the desired marker that is specified in a Streaming
Audio File Player block.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 225
This action allows you to select the desired track in the desired Streaming Audio File
Player block.
Supported track operations in this actions are Play, Stop, and Pause.
After you enter the SAFP handle, simply check the desired operation.
This action allows you to send a program change message with optional bank select
messages to external hardware.
Type in the desired program change number and optionally select bank values (MSB and
LSB). Afterward, specify the desired MIDI channel and a MIDI target. Supported targets
are: Physical MIDI Out devices, Local GP Port, MIDI Out blocks with handles, MIDI In blocks
with handles, Global MIDI Out blocks with handles and Global MIDI In blocks with
handles.
If your plugin block is in the Global rackspace, be sure to check the Global Rackspace
checkbox.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 226
This action allows you to send a MIDI message to a specific block in a rackspace:
Supported MIDI messages are: Note On, Note Off, Control Change, Program Change,
Aftertouch, Pitch wheel, Polytouch, SysEx, Song Position, Song select, Tune request, RT
Timing clock, Start, Continue, Stop, and Reset.
Supported blocks are: Physical MIDI Out devices, Local GP Port, MIDI Out blocks with
handles, MIDI In blocks with handles, Global MIDI Out blocks with handles and Global
MIDI In blocks with handles.
Check the Use blocks in the Global Rackspace check box if your MIDI block is located in the
Global rackspace.
This action allows you to send the desired OSC message to the desired target (defined
with the IP address and the port).
For example, if you add a label widget and give it the OSC name Text1, then you can
easily change its caption to Hello Gig Performer users! using the OSC message in the
screenshot above (provided that OSC is enabled in the OSC Options and that Gig
Performer listens at the port 5000) when the playhead reaches the marker that contains
this action.
An OSC message can contain an arbitrary number of integer, float or string arguments.
You can trigger arbitrary GPScript functions from the timeline by sending OSC messages
into Gig Performer scripts. That's why the Actions Management window can easily
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 227
Simply type in the desired program change number and optionally select bank values
(MSB and LSB); if you want to send a program change message to an external device,
check the External check box and then specify the desired MIDI channel and a target.
Supported targets are: Physical MIDI Out devices, Local GP Port, MIDI Out blocks with
handles, MIDI In blocks with handles, Global MIDI Out blocks with handles and Global
MIDI In blocks with handles.
Further, if you want to send a PC message to a block located in the Global rackspace,
check the Global rackspace check box.
This action allows you to set the desired Global BPM value:
This action allows you to set the desired Global BPM value:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 228
This action allows you to set a plugin's parameter value directly, i.e. without using
widgets.
Enter the plugin's handle, select the desired parameter from the list, and then specify the
desired value for that parameter.
If you want to bypass the selected plugin, check the Bypass check box.
To set a widget caption, you must first define a widget handle, i.e. the OSC/GPScript name
in the Advanced tab from the Widget Properties Inspector. If the widget is located in the
Global rackspace, make sure to click on the Global check box.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 229
To set a widget value, you must first define a widget handle, i.e. the OSC/GPScript name
in the Advanced tab from the Widget Properties Inspector.
If the widget is located in the Global rackspace, click on the Global check box. Tick the
Reset if momentary check box if your widget is set to be 'Momentary' in the Widget
Properties inspector and you want to reset its value.
Simply select the desired rackspace and variation from the combo boxes. The selected
rackspace and variation will be displayed in yellow color.
Select the desired song and song part from the combo boxes (the first song part is
selected by default).
By default, songs from the current setlist will be displayed. If you want to display all songs
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 230
(from the All Songs setlist), check the All songs checkbox. The selected song and song part
will be displayed in yellow color.
These controls allow you to remove an action, duplicate an action (in case you want to
add similar actions, such as sending multiple MIDI messages), move an action up, move
an action down, and enable an action. If you want to disable an action, untick the check
box.
Note: you can also define action in the Song Part Properties window. Refer to this chapter
to learn more.
The image above will be different for your setup as it depends on the currently connected
MIDI devices and aliases that you might have configured for your currently connected
MIDI devices.
1. MIDI In (OMNI) - receives MIDI messages coming from any MIDI Input port on your
system. The MIDI In (OMNI) is a generic plugin that "listens" to all incoming MIDI
messages from all connected controllers, on all channels, and on all ports. It is the
default MIDI input block in any new rackspace. You can delete it if you don't need it
(for example, if you are using plugins to process incoming audio signals only from a
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 231
guitar or a microphone) and add it later if needed. You can also duplicate this plugin
if needed. This block is designed for simple setups - use this when you're getting
started. Once you start working with multiple keyboards and/or control surfaces,
you should switch to MIDI In blocks associated specifically with each device to route
MIDI appropriately.
Note: if you are using a virtual MIDI Port (such as the built-in IAC port in Mac), you
must not use OMNI blocks as you will get feedback (click here to learn more).
2. MIDI In (Controls left) - "Controls left" is a custom alias that this author defined in
the Rig Manager for the specific MIDI input device. This alias is tied to the specific
MIDI Input port on this author's computer, and this block receives MIDI events only
from the that input port. Refer to the Rig Manager chapter to find out more about
aliases.
3. MIDI In (CASIO CT-X5000) - for this connected MIDI input device, an alias has not
been defined. The text in brackets is the full name of the MIDI device and it depends
on the MIDI device's manufacturer. This block receives MIDI events only from the
specific input port where this MIDI device is connected.
4. MIDI in (OSC) - receives MIDI messages only from OSC sources. For more information
on OSC, click here.
5. Local GP Port - this block is intended for very advanced setups. Check the Local GP
Port chapter to learn more.
If you connect one or more MIDI controllers to your system, Gig Performer automatically
generates additional controller-specific MIDI In blocks; right-click on the empty surface in
the Wiring view to open the contextual menu:
Then expand the MIDI Inputs sub-menu to see the list of all connected MIDI In devices.
On the screenshot above note the state before (A) and after (B) connecting your MIDI
device. The actual name of your connected MIDI device (indicated with the red rectangle)
depends on the device's manufacturer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 232
These can (and, in most cases, should) be substituted for the generic MIDI In (OMNI)
plugin. Because they "listen" to specific MIDI controllers and/or ports, their usage is
generally preferable, especially if your rig contains multiple keyboards or controllers.
Using specific MIDI In blocks makes it easy for you to route incoming MIDI from each
device to different plugins.
1. Key transposition - transpose incoming note messages over a range of +/- 127
semitones. Each MIDI In block can set its own transpose value. This is particularly useful
when you use keyboard splits where you want to position (say) a piano at the bottom
two octaves of your keyboard but obviously you want the actual notes to be pitched at
higher octaves. Normally the MIDI In block's transpose value is added to the global
transpose since you generally want to transpose all your instruments by the same
amount.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 233
2. Ignore global transpose - checking this option ignores the global transpose that is set in
the upper toolbar of the main Gig Performer window (refer to The main Gig Performer
window chapter, bullet item 8 for more information). For example, suppose you are using
a particular MIDI In block to control percussion or sound effects in a sampler. In that case,
you generally do not want the transpose to be changed, so you can configure individual
MIDI In blocks to ignore the global transpose value.
3. Enable MIDI merge - this option has a very specialized purpose as it lets you feed in
MIDI events from other plugins that produce MIDI (arpeggiators, MIDI file players, MIDI
sequencers etc.). After this point, they can be processed using other parameters available
here and by GPScript, for example.
After you enable this option, a MIDI input block (e.g. the MIDI In (OMNI) in the screenshot
below) will display the MIDI input pin:
This way you can leverage some of the MIDI In block's functionality. For example, it's an
easy way to do channel remapping (instead of using multiple MIDI Channel Constrainer
plugins) and you can use it to block certain kinds of events, etc.
4. Channel blocking - specified MIDI channels can be blocked by simply unchecking the
box above the desired source channel. Hold the Shift key and click on a channel to
disable/enable all other channels.
5. Channel mapping - a source channel (indicated with the red arrow) can be mapped to a
different destination channel (indicated with the blue arrow); click on the destination
channel and type in a number to map to the different destination channel. The Reset on
change checkbox (indicated with the red rectangle) is checked by default, allowing you to
stop all pending notes after any channel change.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 234
It allows you to quickly reset all channels to default, rechannelize all source channels to
the desired destination channel or block all channels.
6. Keyboard split - enables you to create keyboard splits by specifying the lower and
upper notes of the split. Notes below the Lower value and/or above the Upper value are
blocked; only notes between those values are allowed through. The Lower and Upper
values can be entered in one of these ways:
a) click on the Lower note or Upper note field and choose the desired note from the
corresponding drop-down menu (indicated with the blue arrow).
b) click on the Learn button (indicated with the green arrow) above the Lower note or
Upper note field and play the desired note on your MIDI controller. Click the Learn
button again to complete the setting.
c) click on the Learn button above the Lower note field and click on the desired low
note on the plugin's virtual keyboard (indicated with the red arrow); then click the
Learn button above the Upper note field and click the desired high note on the plugin's
virtual keyboard. Remember to click the Learn button again after the note is learned to
exit Learn mode.
It is easy to see the valid split range because notes below the Lower note and above the
Upper note are grayed out. Check out our blog article How to create keyboard and
velocity splits for in-depth guidelines.
Note: the keyboard in the MIDI In block plugin shows the physical key being pressed
when you play your controller rather than the output value, which might be transposed.
Ticking the Invert keyboard checkbox (indicated with the blue rectangle) allows you to
produce lower notes when playing higher up the keyboard (and vice-versa). This is a nod
to Joe Zawinul who famously inverted the ARP 2600 keyboard when he performed Black
Market. It makes it easy to do certain counterpoint as you can use the same fingering on
both hands.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 235
7. Velocity - the old Velocity Layering and Scaling options have been replaced by the
Velocity Curve which gives you much more flexibility to map your input velocities. You can
implement the following features:
a) Velocity layering - velocities below the MIN value and/or above the MAX value are
blocked; only velocities between those values are allowed through. If the same value is
entered for MIN and MAX, all incoming notes will have their velocity changed to that
value. This allows you to create velocity layers by specifying whether notes are heard
depending on how hard (or soft) you press a key.
b) Velocity scaling - by selecting "Scale" in the drop-down box and entering "From" and
"To" values, the velocity of all incoming note messages is adjusted to reduce their
dynamic range (i.e. softer notes will be heard louder, or louder notes will be heard
more softly).
The MIDI In plugin editor's velocity range control is particularly useful if you want to have
multiple sounds available but hear only some when you play softly and others when you
play harder. If connected to a piano plugin, for example, you can opt to only hear the
piano sound when you play the keyboard forcefully.
Tip: after you have defined a velocity range, you may want to change the actual velocities
that are sent to your sound-generating plugin. For example, you may have created a
piano sound that you only want to be heard if the velocity value is greater than 80.
However, you may still want the piano to respond as if it was being played quietly. In
such a case, set the Min/Max velocity values to 80 and 127 respectively so that you only
hear the piano when you hit the keys hard. Then choose Scale and set the From/To
values to 1 and 50, respectively. As a result, notes received with a velocity of 80 will
produce notes with a velocity of 1, while notes received with a velocity of 127 will
produce notes with a velocity of 50. Notes in-between those values will be mapped
somewhere in between.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 236
A common scenario is that your controller has one or more knob, button, or other
physical controls that are not being used and so not assigned to a plugin parameter. If
this unassigned control accidentally gets nudged, it could unintentionally change a plugin
value. Blocking the MIDI messages coming from that control prevents this accidental
modification. You might also want to use the Sustain pedal associated with another
physical keyboard, but you do not want notes played on that other keyboard to come
through (you'll route them to some other synth).
The Other CC events box, when checked, blocks all continuous controller messages except
for the ones that have their own boxes (i.e. ModWheel (CC1), Volume (CC7), and Sustain
(CC64)). SysEx (System Exclusive) messages are blocked by default. Uncheck this box if you
want to pass these messages to the MIDI In block.
9. Monophonic options - this area at the bottom of the editor filters the note messages
from the controller down to a monophonic stream of notes.
- The Lowest only box, when checked, produces a mono part extracted from the lowest
note as played on the instrument.
- The Highest only box, unsurprisingly, produces a mono part extracted from the highest
note as played on the instrument.
These options can be useful for doubling melodies, or extracting a bass part from what
might have been written as a piano part. Most often, users choose to check one or the
other of these boxes, but you could check both, in which case you would be extracting
lines from both the top and bottom of what is being played. Check out this blog article to
see an example using Monophonic options.
10. Enable OSC Patchbay (this section shows up when the Enable MIDI In OSC Patchbay
option is enabled in OSC Options) - turn on this toggle button if want to send out
incoming MIDI messages as OSC messages to another application to be modified. The
external application must send back modified messages, as otherwise no sound will be
produced from the MIDI In block. Type in the OSC address prefix for this patchbay and IP
address and port for the remote device (target) to which you want to send the message
(alternatively, click on the Select... button to easily select an OSC target from the list that
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 237
must be previously set in OSC Options). This is an advanced option and is not required for
normal use.
Warning: if you enable the OSC Patchbay and you do not have an external application
that is sending back modified messages, no MIDI messages will be sent to connected
plugin blocks.
11. Virtual keyboard - the virtual keyboard is used to help you set and display the current
keyboard split and to let you generate Note messages, allowing instrument plugins to be
played even when an external MIDI controller is not connected. You can click on this
virtual keyboard to play a key or use the computer keyboard instead. The MIDI channel
used for these note messages is determined by the lower field associated with channel 1
in the Channel Mapping section.
MIDI In parameters
· Channel 1-16 Output - allows you to change MIDI channel blocking or remapping in
real time.
· MinNote - allows you to change the keyboard split minimum (lower) note setting.
· MaxNote - allows you to change the keyboard split maximum (upper) note setting.
· Transpose - allows you to alter the key transposition. Caution: do not change this
setting while holding notes or stuck notes may result. If you do get a stuck note,
don't panic - just click on the Panic icon to turn all notes off.
· StopAllNotes - issues a "turn all notes off" message, along with a sustain OFF
message and a Center PitchBend message, same as the Panic button except that it
only applies to the specific MIDI In block.
· StickyNoteChannel - determines the MIDI channel for the sticky note. Sticky notes
allow you to trigger loops or sample playback from a widget. It works by sending
Note On events only, as if you played a note but didn't release it. To use sticky
notes, create an on-off widget (i.e. a switch or a button) and assign it to the MIDI In
plugin and a Note On parameter. Then add a second continuous (knob or slider)
widget and assign it to the MIDI In plugin as well, but to the StickyNoteVelocity
parameter. When you activate the switch or button widget, a note will play
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 238
· MinNoteVelocity - allows you to pass through only notes with velocities equal to or
greater than the minimum note velocity.
· MaxNoteVelocity - allows you to pass through only notes with velocities equal to or
less than the maximum note velocity.
· CC 0-127 - sends out CC (Continuous Controller) message with the value controlled
by a widget.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 239
· BlockSysex - blocks incoming SysEx messages (these messages are blocked by default
for compatibility with Gig Performer 3).
· NoteFollowValue - when on, sets the note number to the most recently played note.
Attach a widget to this parameter and then group a second widget attached to an
arbitrary plugin parameter, which will then follow the note being played.
· VelocityFollowValue - when on, sets the velocity to whatever was last played. Use
this in a manner similar to NoteFollow.
· ReleaseFollowValue - when on, sets the release value to whatever was last played.
Not all keyboard controllers support Release values.
· OSCPatchbay - toggles Off/On the OSC Patch bay (must be enabled in OSC options)
· InvertKeyboard - inverts the keyboard: higher incoming MIDI notes produce lower
outgoing MIDI notes.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 240
· StopAfterChannelChange - sends all notes off whenever you change a channel (to
prevent stuck notes).
Note: the MIDI Controller plugin right-click menu is the same as other plugins, but with
the addition of the Change MIDI Input Device sub-menu; this menu allows you to reassign
the MIDI In or MIDI Out block to the MIDI controller chosen from the menu.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 241
3. Reset on deactivation - stops all pending notes when deactivating (switching away
from) this rackspace. Note: disabling this option can lead to stuck notes.
4. Transpose all notes by - allows you to alter the key transposition of the MIDI output.
5. Pass Program Change messages - if this option is checked, then incoming program
change messages are passed through to external MIDI devices.
6. Keyboard split - allows you to set up keyboard splits for each MIDI Out block. Notes
below the Lower value and/or above the Upper value are blocked; only notes
between those values are allowed through. Note: you can use the virtual keyboard
to create a keyboard split; hold the Shift key and click on the desired key on the
virtual keyboard to set a low note. Hold the Alt key (Option key on Mac) and click on
the desired key on the virtual keyboard to set an upper note.
7. Program Change and Bank Select - allow Gig Performer to automatically transmit a
program change and/or Bank Select message every time a rackspace containing the
MIDI Out block is activated so that each of your external MIDI devices (keyboard and
rack-mount synths, drum machines, etc.) load with the correct sounds and are
instantly ready for use.
8. Set PC From Patch Name - rather than just using PC numbers, clicking on this button
allows you to select the PC number to be sent out using patch names defined in
instrument definition file (INS file) if available for your hardware synth when
switching to the current rackspace.
9. Edit... - clicking on this button opens the MIDI Helper Tool, which allows you to send
arbitrary sequences of MIDI messages (including SysEx) when you switch to this
rackspace. Basically, this is the same mechanism that is in the Song Part Properties
dialog that allows you to send an arbitrary sequence of MIDI messages when
switching to a song part; in the MIDI Out block the MIDI Helper Tool won't let you
change the output device but otherwise works the same way.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 242
10. Send Now - clicking on this button allows you to send the selected MIDI messages to
this MIDI out device.
The MIDI Out (OSC) block includes additional options, as indicated with the red rectangle:
1. OSC address - allows you to enter the OSC address for this block.
2. Target IP - address of the remote device to which you want to send the message.
3. Port - port number of the remote device to which you want to send the message.
4. Select... - clicking this button allows you to easily select an OSC target from the list
that must be previously set in OSC Options.
The MIDI Out (OSC) block is mainly intended to send OSC-wrapped MIDI messages from
Gig Performer to other applications that can respond to such OSC messages. While you
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 243
can send MIDI from and to the Global rackspace using the Global blocks, in this blog
article you can see an example of how to use MIDI OSC blocks to send MIDI to the Global
rackspace.
Note: if you use the MIDI Helper Tool in a MIDI Out (OSC) block, the selected MIDI
messages will be sent out over OSC. The output device will display OSC rather than MIDI
Out.
There is also experimental support for a MIDI Out (Local GP Port). This block is designed
to receive messages from plugins such as the MIDI File Player, Envelope Follower, or other
third-party plugins such as arpeggiators so that they can be mapped to widgets.
Important: do not connect any MIDI In (OMNI) blocks to this MIDI Out block to avoid
creating a MIDI feedback loop.
The MIDI Out (Local GP Port) does not have any parameters.
The following parameters for the MIDI Out plugin are available:
· ChannelNumber - allows you to alter the MIDI output channel number (1-16).
· MinNote - allows you to alter the Lower note setting for the keyboard split.
· MaxNote - allows you to alter the Upper note setting for the keyboard split.
· Transpose - allows you to alter the key transposition. Caution: Do not change this
setting while holding notes; stuck notes may result. If you do get a stuck note, don't
panic - just click on the Panic icon to turn all notes off.
· CC 0-127 - allows you to transmit the specified CC (control change) message as the
widget is moved.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 244
· Force MIDI Channel - causes all MIDI events being transmitted to be mapped to a
specific MIDI channel.
· Pass through incoming PC messages - toggles the Pass Program Change messages
setting in the MIDI Out plugin editor.
· Reset On Switch - allows stopping all pending notes when switching away from this
rackspace.
Refer to this blog article How to send program change messages out to hardware devices
and other applications for in-depth guidelines and examples.
Uses for electric guitar are, for example, signal-dependent Wah-wah or signal-dependent
high cut-off filtering, which would produce almost violin-like effects. Another valuable use
is for ducking audio while one is speaking. Read this blog article to see examples.
The produced MIDI CC messages are sent out through the MIDI output pin of the plugin,
which needs to be connected to the MIDI input pin of another plugin, such as an effect
plugin.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 245
You can, for example, add an equalizer plugin and let the MIDI CC values control the
central frequency of a bandpass filter to create a Wah-wah-like effect.
Double-clicking the Envelope Follower block opens its plugin editor window.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 246
Features:
• A Noise Gate (A) to prevent processing of signals below a certain magnitude.
Opening and closing of the gate is reported using MIDI CC messages.
• A Peak Detector (B) to detect if the signals rise above a certain threshold. The results
depend on the processing type and are reported using MIDI CC messages.
• The envelope follower main controls (C). This component continuously reports the
magnitude of the incoming signals. The rising and falling speed of the reported
values are independently configurable.
• The MIDI CC numbers are configurable for all three components: Noise Gate, Peak
Detector and Follower.
• Outgoing MIDI messages always use channel 1 for the left audio signal and channel 2
for the right audio signal. This applies to all three components.
• The MIDI CC number of the incoming MIDI messages (if used) must be the same as
the MIDI CC number used by the follower. MIDI channel 1 is applied to the output of
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 247
the left channel and MIDI channel 2 is applied to the output of the right channel. All
other messages are discarded.
Signal path
The signal path through this plugin is described in the following diagram:
The first stage of the plugin is the Noise Gate (A). You can set the threshold at which the
gate opens and the amount by which the signal has to drop below this threshold to close
the gate. The noise gate processes the left and right channels in a 'linked' fashion: If one
of the channels crosses the threshold, the gate opens for both channels. The gate stays
open for both channels until both channels drop below the threshold (minus a delta).
This delta makes sure that, when the signal level is just about equal to the threshold, the
noise gate really opens or closes instead of going back and forth between those two
states (flapping). Please note that the MIDI CC messages for the noise gate are sent for
both audio channels (they always come in pairs).
The next stages are the Peak Detector (B) and the Follower (C). These two stages act
independently of each other.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 248
The Peak Detector takes the audio signal, and determines if it is above the Threshold (4)
or drops below the threshold minus the Threshold Delta. The Peak Processing Control
controls the output of the Peak Detector.
Except for the Open/Close Peak Processing mode, it is possible to suppress the reporting
of CC values of zero, when the peak detector closes.
The Follower is the main part of the plugin. The audio signals are analyzed in the
following way: First the audio signal is averaged to get rid of very fast fluctuations. The
resulting magnitude is then processed by the attack/decay filters. This allows you to have
the follower output react either quickly or slowly to audio signal attacks and/or decays.
For example, if you set the attack slope to 2,000 ms, it will take 2 seconds to go from 0 to
127 in the output (if the input after gain is near 0 dB). When you use a guitar, you will
notice that you will have to play rather loudly for quite some time. However, if you set
both the attack and decay to 40 ms, the output will go from 0 to 127 on almost every
stroke.
The blue arrows indicate the audio signal path, while the MIDI CC messages follow the
orange arrows. The MIDI CC messages for the left audio channel are always reported on
MIDI channel 1 and for the right audio channel on MIDI channel 2.
The last stage is MIDI Output (D). Here the MIDI CC numbers for the three components
can be configured, as well as the frequency at which changes are reported and one
special option for the follower (minimum delta).
Noise Gate
• Threshold (1). This sets the audio signal level at which the gate should open. The
noise gate evaluates the signal level of both audio channels and if one or more of
the signals of the audio channels exceeds the threshold, both channels are opened.
• Threshold Delta (2). This sets the amount the audio signal of both channels must
drop below the threshold to close the gate. So, when the threshold is set at -60 dB,
and the hysteresis is at 5 dB, the level of both audio channels must fall below -65 dB
before the gate closes.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 249
• Indicator (3) reports whether the gate has opened (bright red) or not (dark red).
Peak Detector
• Threshold (4). This sets the audio signal level at which a peak message will be
reported. The peak detector independently evaluates the signal level of the audio
channels and reports for each audio channel when the signal exceeds the threshold.
• Threshold Delta (5). This sets the amount of audio signal that both channels must
drop below the threshold to report a 'no peak' message. So, when the threshold is
set at -12 dB and the hysteresis is at 5 dB, the level of an audio channel must fall
below -17 dB before processing stops for a particular channel (possibly also sending
a MIDI CC value, depending on the Suppress zero values (8) discussed below).
• Peak Scaling (6). This sets the value by which the MIDI CC values are multiplied. It
allows the user to increase or decrease the outputted CC values. For example, when
this control is set to 0.5 and internally the determined value is 150 (which is higher
than the allowed maximum value of 127 for MIDI CC values), the outputted value
becomes 150 * 1.5 -> 75. If this control had been set to 1.0, the outputted value
would have been 127, because the plugin keeps the CC values within the allowed
range of 0 .. 127. Note that the calculation takes place before the minimum value (0)
and maximum value (127) is applied
• Peak Processing (7). This control determines what kind of output is sent. Roughly this
output falls into two categories: Simple On/Off (127/0) or the magnitude:
- Open/Close: The output is 127 if the channel input is greater than the threshold or
0 if it drops below the threshold minus delta.
- Oneshot: The output is the magnitude of the audio signal (mapped to a range of 0
– 127) multiplied by the Peak Scaling factor (6). This only occurs once until the signal
drops below the threshold minus delta. Then it will be ‘rearmed’.
- Continuous: The output is the magnitude of the audio signal (mapped to a range of
0 – 127) multiplied by the Peak Scaling factor (6). All magnitude changes will be sent,
until the signal drops below the threshold minus delta.
- Continuous Rising: The output is the magnitude of the audio signal (mapped to a
range of 0 – 127) multiplied by the Peak Scaling factor (6). Magnitudes greater than
the previously reported magnitude will be sent until the signal drops below the
threshold minus delta.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 250
• Suppress Zero Values (8). This control simply prevents the peak detector from
sending MIDI CC values of 0 when the magnitude of the input signal falls below the
threshold minus delta. Suppressing zeros is not available for the Open/Close
processing mode.
• Indicator (9) reports whether a peak level is currently being detected for one or
more audio channels (bright red) or not (dark red).
Follower
• Smoothing Time (10). This sets the size of the window of the first stage of the
follower. Please note that the size of this window adds latency to the speed at which
the follower responds to attack and decay slopes of the follower MIDI CC messages.
Most of the time 20 ms will do nicely.
• Level Adjustment (11). This control increases the level of the signal after the
averaging filter before entering the attack and decay filters. You should adjust the
gain to have the Level Indicators (12) reach the green level. This way the timings
provided by the attack and decay controls are more accurate. Yellow means the level
is set too high, red means the level is set too low.
• The next two plugin controls are the attack and decay slope controls. These are the
most important controls, because they determine by large the character of the
eventually resulting sound, for example a Wah-wah-like effect using an attack and
decay somewhere between 40 to 200 ms combined with a steep band-pass filter or a
signal-dependent VCF effect using longer times (> 500 ms) combined with a low-pass
filter. The timings indicated by these controls are just that: indications. The true
timings are strongly dependent on the actual audio input signal levels. These
settings depend a lot on the type of audio signal: percussive sounds might benefit
from shorter times, while padding-like sounds can be used with longer times.
Ultimately, your ears will decide what works best for the effect you want to
accomplish.
- Attack (13). This control sets the speed in milliseconds at which the value of the
MIDI CC messages produced by the follower should increase from 0 to 127. For
example, when this control is set to 1,500 ms and the gain is adjusted the right way,
when the input signal level is about 0 dB it will take 1.5 seconds to have the value of
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 251
the outputted MIDI messages go from 0 to 127 (provided that this value is 0 at the
start of the measurement).
- Decay (14). This control sets the speed in milliseconds at which the value of the
MIDI CC messages produced by the follower should drop from 127 to 0. For example,
when this control is set to 3,000 ms and the gain is adjusted the right way, when the
input signal level is about infinite dB it will take 3.0 seconds to have the value of the
outputted MIDI messages drop from 127 to 0 (provided that this value is 127 at the
start of the measurement).
• Follower Scaling (15). This sets the value by which the MIDI CC values are multiplied.
It allows the user to increase or decrease the outputted CC values. For example,
when this control is set to 0.5 and internally the determined value is 150 (which is
above the allowed maximum of 127 for MIDI CC values), the output value becomes
150 * 1.5 -> 75. If this control had been set to 1.0, the output value would have been
127, because the plugin keeps the CC values within the allowed range of 0 .. 127.
Note that the calculation takes place before the minimum value (0) and maximum
value (127) are applied.
• MIDI-In processing (16). This control allows you to have an incoming MIDI CC value
added to the output.
Only incoming MIDI messages with a CC number that is the same as that of the follower
(see MIDI output below for more details) are processed.
MIDI channel 1 values apply to the left audio channel, whereas MIDI channel 2 values
apply to the right audio channel.
- Adding 0..127. This adds the incoming MIDI CC value to the output after applying
the Follower Scaling.
- Adding -64..0..63. The incoming MIDI CC values in the range of 0..127 are translated
to -64..63. So, an incoming MIDI CC value of 0 results in subtracting -64 of the output
and 127 actually adds 63. A MIDI CC value of 64 does not add or subtract anything.
MIDI Output
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 252
• The next three controls determine the MIDI CC number that is used for the various
parts of the plugin. As said before, the MIDI channel of the messages always
depends on the audio channel: MIDI channel 1 represents the left audio channel,
whereas MIDI channel 2 represents the right audio channel. You can assign the same
CC number to all messages, but then there is no way to distinguish the messages of
the three components, so it is strongly advised that you don't do that.
- Noise Gate CC (17). Sets the CC number of the noise gate reports.
Setting a value to 'Off' causes no reports to be sent for that particular component
(Noise Gate/Follower/Peak Detector).
• Follower Minimum Delta (19). Setting this value to 2 or higher sets the interval of the
MIDI CC values of the follower part. For example, if the most recently outputted
MIDI CC value is 12 and this control is set to 4, then the MIDI CC value has to rise to
16 or higher or drop to 8 or lower, before a new report is emitted.
Setting the value to 'Off' causes the normal behavior: All changes are reported.
• Reporting Frequency (21). This control sets the number of times per second the
plugin should check for changes to report. Note that there will only be a report of
this change if there is a change to a particular MIDI CC value. If the rate is set very
low (for example, 2 checks per second), the output will become rather coarse with
large jumps. Higher settings result in a much smoother response. Typically,
somewhere between 15 – 30 will do nicely, but you can crank it up to 50 checks per
second.
1. Add the Envelope Follower plugin and route the input signal from an electric guitar
(say) to the plugin's left audio input.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 253
3. Route the MIDI output of the Envelope Follower plugin to the MIDI input of the
equalizer plugin.
4. Modify the equalizer so that MIDI CC number 7 controls the central frequency of a
band pass filter.
5. Connect the equalizer plugin somewhere between the signal inputs and signal
outputs.
6. Play the instrument and adjust the Level Adjustment (11) of the plugin. If the level
indicator (12) reaches the green level (second ‘led’ from the top) rather often, then
the applied gain is right.
7. Adjust the attack (13) and decay (14) controls to your liking.
8. Have fun.
To see examples of how to use this plugin, check out our blog and this community thread.
Notes
• You can resize the plugin editor window by grabbing and dragging the lower-right
corner.
• The values of the controls can also be directly modified by clicking on the value.
• The controls without a knob can also be modified by dragging the mouse in the
value box. You can slow down the speed at which values change by pressing the Ctrl
key (or the Cmd key on a Mac) while you drag the mouse.
The following parameters are available for the Envelope follower plugin:
· Reporting Frequency - adjusts the reporting frequency in the MIDI Output section,
from 1 Hz to 50 Hz.
· Follower Level Adjustment - adjusts the level adjustment in the Follower section, 0
dB to 30 dB.
· Follower Attack - adjusts the attack in the Follower section, from 10 ms to 3000 ms.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 254
· Follower Decay - adjusts the decay in the Follower section, from 10 ms to 3000 ms.
· Follower Smoothing Time - adjusts the smoothing time in the Follower section, from
20 ms to 100 ms.
· Follower Scaling - adjusts the follower scaling in the Follower section, from 0.10 to
3.00.
· MIDI-In processing - sets the type of the MIDI-In processing: Ignore MIDI-in, Adding
0..127, or Adding -64..0..63.
· Peak Threshold - adjusts the threshold in the Peak Detector section, from -100 dB to
12 dB.
· Peak Threshold Delta - adjusts the threshold delta in the Peak Detector section,
from 3 dB to 30 dB.
· Suppress Peak Off Reports - controls the Suppress Zero Values toggle button in the
Peak Detector section (Off/On).
· Peak Detector Scaling - adjusts the peak scaling in the Peak Detector section, from
0.10 to 3.00.
· Peak Processing - sets the type of the Peak Processing: Open/Close, Oneshot,
Continuous, Continuous Rising.
· Noise Gate Threshold - adjusts the threshold in the Noise Gate section, from -100 dB
to 0 dB.
· Noise Gate Threshold Delta - adjusts the threshold delta in the Noise Gate section,
from 3 dB to 30 dB.
· Noise Gate CC - adjusts the noise gate CC value in the MIDI Output section, from Off
to 127.
· Peak Detector CC - adjusts the Peak CC value in the MIDI Output section, from Off to
127.
· Follower CC - adjusts the follower CC value in the MIDI Output section, from Off to
127.
· Follower Minimum Delta - adjusts the follower minimum delta value in the MIDI
Output section, from Off to 127.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 255
· Follower Level Channel 0 - shows the incoming audio level altered by the Follower
section, channel 0.
· Follower Level Channel 1 - shows the incoming audio level altered by the Follower
section, channel 1.
· Peak State Overall - shows the Threshold led in the Peak Detector section (Off/On).
· Peak Level Channel 0 - shows the incoming audio level altered by the Peak Detector
section, channel 0.
· Peak Level Channel 1 - shows the incoming audio level altered by the Peak Detector
section, channel 1.
· Noise Gate State - shows the state of the noise gate (Closed/Open).
The MIDI Channel Constrainer allows you to set the MIDI input channel that is allowed
through, remap the input channel, or block all MIDI traffic that goes through this plugin.
1. Input channel is the same as the output channel - this is the default setting for all
MIDI Channel Constrainer plugins and this is how they look like when you insert
them onto the design surface.
2. Input channel is remapped - X > Y (in this case 1 > 16) indicates that option (8) is
activated and the input channel is remapped to a different output channel.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 256
3. OMNI input channel is remapped - "|" indicates that OMNI input channel is selected;
it must be remapped to the desired output channel.
4. MIDI traffic is blocked - selecting the option (9) in the plugin's window causes this
plugin to change its visual representation.
5. Elliptic shape - when OSC and/or GPScript are activated for this block and with a
defined handle name, this plugin adjusts its shape to include that information.
6. Input channel - this plugin provides 16 input channels and a OMNI input. By default,
the input channel is the same as the output channel. This channel is allowed
through and all other channels are muted.
7. Output channel - ticking the option (8) allows you to remap the input to the
specified output channel (1 - 16).
8. Use a different output channel - tick this check box if you want to remap the input
to a different output channel.
9. Block all MIDI traffic - when selected, all incoming MIDI events to this plugin will be
blocked.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 257
1. Click on the left or right arrows on the keyboard to scroll the keyboard view and locate
the desired key. Click on the desired note in the Notes (In) section, for example, C3. The
key will start flashing.
Alternatively, you can connect the MIDI output pin of your MIDI controller, connect it to
the MIDI input pin of the MIDI Chord Maker, click on the MIDI Learn button in the Notes
(In) section and then play a key. The played key will start flashing.
2. While the selected key is flashing in the Notes (In) section, click on the desired notes in
the Chords (Out) section. Every clicked note in a chord will be colored green.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 258
Needless to say, you can click on the MIDI Learn button in the Chords (Out) section and
then play a chord on your MIDI controller. If the MIDI Chord Maker is connected to a
synth plugin (such as KeysOfThe70s in the screenshot above), and that synth plugin is
connected to the outputs of your audio interface, you can hear the played chord.
All notes in the Notes (In) section mapped to chords will be displayed in gray color.
To block a note, click on the desired note in the Notes (In) section and then click on the
corresponding green key in the Chords (Out) section to deselect it.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 259
Other elements in the MIDI Chord Maker plugin editor window are:
Reset All - clicking this button reverts every key to its initial (default) state. All note
assignments, and all previously blocked notes are now passed through without change.
Note: If you accidentally click on this button, or make any unwanted change in this
window, you can undo that change using Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on a Mac).
Reset Blocked - clicking this button resets all blocked notes, so all blocked notes are
passed through.
Block Unset Notes - clicking this button blocks all notes except for the notes that have
been mapped to chords.
Legato retriggers notes - turn off this toggle button if you want this behavior: if a note in
the new chord is the same as the one in the previous chord, playing the new chord before
you released the first one will not retrigger that note a second time (it will just stay on).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 260
Sync keyboards scroll - turn off this toggle button if you want to scroll keyboards
independently of each other.
Reset Chord - clicking this button resets the chord for the currently selected note (the
note that is currently flashing).
Swap Keyboards - clicking this button swaps the position if the Notes (In) and the Chords
(Out) keyboards.
Apart from the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the
MIDI Chord Maker plugin provides no other parameters.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 261
1. Passthru MIDI message - indicates that this MIDI message is passed through this
plugin.
3. Remapped MIDI message - indicates that this MIDI message is remapped (converted
into messages of another type).
4. Contextual menu - clicking on any line in the MIDI Filter plugin editor opens a
contextual menu where you can make one of four choices: Passthru, Block, Map to...
or Cancel. Hovering over the Map to... item expands the menu item, allowing you to
select the desired MIDI message.
5. Block All - blocks all MIDI messages. If you enable this option, everything, including
Notes, will be blocked. This can be very useful if you use multiple variations and
want to allow MIDI messages to go to some plugins but not others, depending on
which variation is selected. You should, however, exercise caution when doing this in
real-time as you could get left with a hanging note if you block notes before the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 262
Note Off message is sent out. If this occurs, don't panic - just click on the Panic icon
in the main toolbar to turn all notes off.
6. Allow All - allows all MIDI messages. By default, all MIDI messages are allowed.
This plugin is typically inserted between a MIDI In plugin and a sound-generating plugin,
where common usages include blocking sustain pedal messages, converting modulation
wheel messages into volume messages, and mapping aftertouch messages to mod wheel
messages.
The following parameters for the MIDI Filter plugin are available:
· Program Change - allows you to control Program Change messages (passthru, block
or remap).
· CC# (0-127) - allows you to control Control Change messages (passthru, block or
remap).
· Note Off - allows you to control Note Off messages (passthru or block only).
· Active Sense - allows you to control Active Sense messages (passthru or block only).
MIDI Filter plugin parameters can be widget-controlled. When using on-off widgets (i.e.
switches or LED buttons), the selected parameter will be passthru when in the OFF
position, and blocked when in the ON position.
The use of continuous widgets (knobs and sliders) allows you to scroll through all
remapping options in the in-between settings (the minimum setting will pass through the
selected message, while the maximum setting will block the message).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 263
Tip: refer to this chapter to learn how you can remap MIDI messages without using the
MIDI Filter plugin.
Optionally, turn on the SysEx indices toggle button to display the position of each byte of
a SysEx message (this feature is intended for advanced users as a helper when writing
GPScript functions that manipulate SysEx messages).
Clicking the Copy button copies all the contents of this window to the clipboard. To clear
the window, click on the Clear button.
You can set the colors for different MIDI messages in the Display Options window.
Apart from the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the
MIDI Monitor plugin provides no other parameters.
Note: If you want to monitor all incoming MIDI messages, see the Global MIDI Monitor
chapter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 264
All MIDI input channels are mapped to their corresponding MIDI output channels by
default.
To add another MIDI mapping, simply click on the desired field in the grid. You can also
click on the row or column number to toggle the whole row or column respectively
(indicated with the red rectangle):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 265
The Reset to default button (indicated with the blue rectangle) allows you to reset all the
mappings to their default state (as shown in the first screenshot). Clicking this button
while holding down the Shift key allows you to clear all the mappings and start with a
clean slate.
Note: If you accidentally make any unwanted changes in this window, you can undo those
changes using Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on a Mac).
This plugin includes 256 parameters, which include mappings from 1-1 to 16-16. They are
Off/On type so assign these parameters to a button widget.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 266
This plugin exposes one parameter Transpose Amount, and can go from -127 to +127
semitones.
10.9.8 Scriptlet
The Scriptlet plugin allows you to create your own MIDI processor plugins. This plugin
provides a single MIDI input pin and a single MIDI output pin:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 267
For example, if you have a sustain pedal that is producing CC messages the wrong way
round (0 when pressed, 127 when released) then one of the solutions to fix this issue can
be a simple scriptlet:
This scriptlet receives the MIDI In events from the MIDI In block, then captures CC64,
inverts it, and lets everything else through.
If you want to see the underlying script behind this scriptlet, either click on the Edit Script
button in the Scriptlet plugin editor (indicated with the red rectangle), or hold the Shift
key while double-clicking the scriptlet block (which will open both the scriptlet's plugin
editor and the Script Editor):
Using the Script Editor, scripts can be entered or modified; refer to the GPScript chapter
to learn more.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 268
The Define User Variables button (indicated with the blue rectangle) allows you to define
up to 5 custom variables with their respective values.
For example, type in the variable name MyVar and the value KNOB1. Afterwards, add a
knob widget and in the Advanced tab type in KNOB1. Now you can use this example script
to set widget values from this scriptlet:
var ExW : ExternalWidget
W : String
You are also provided with the option Block unhandled messages that controls whether
unhandled MIDI messages are passed through (the default) or blocked (when this option
is checked).
Scriptlets can also have their parameters, which are then displayed in the scriptlet's
plugin editor, like shown in the screenshot below:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 269
Refer to the How to connect a widget to a plugin parameter chapter to learn more.
Click Help -> Community -> Community Shared Gigs, Rackspaces and More to check out
many Community generated content, including scriptlets.
10.10 System
This chapter presents the built-in plugins that belong to the System group: Auto Sampler
Generator, Auto Sampler Recorder, Comment, GP Relayer, and System Actions.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 270
various samplers, giving you a lightweight solution to play back sounds that might
otherwise be too CPU-intensive to use live. External synth sounds can also be captured.
The Auto Sampler Generator plugin produces a sequence of MIDI note messages, tailored
according to the options you selected in this plugin block such as highest and lowest
note, highest and lowest velocity and others that will be described in this chapter. The
generated Note messages will then be processed by your plugins or a hardware synth and
recorded with the Auto Sampler Recorder block. This plugin provides one MIDI output
pin:
The Auto Sampler Generator block allows you to specify the following options:
Highest and lowest note - allows you to enter the desired highest and lowest note; type
in numbers from 0 to 127 that correspond to notes from C-2 to G8 respectively.
Depending on your use case, you may want to sample only a range of notes and not the
complete set. Provided that you connected this block to a plugin and afterward the plugin
to the Audio Out block, clicking on a note name will produce the corresponding sound.
Important note: In trial mode, you cannot change any of these values. You can continue
to evaluate the usefulness of this plugin but you will not be able to create arbitrary sets
of samples.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 271
Note interval - you can select whether you want to sample every note (1), every second
note (2) or every third note (3), and so on. Depending on the sound, you may not need to
sample every single note; instead, let your sampler downsample single notes.
Highest and lowest velocity - allows you to select the desired values (from 1 to 127) for
the highest and lowest velocities for each note.
Velocity count - some sounds sound quite different depending on the played velocity, so
you can create separate samples for different velocity ranges (e.g. use one sample for
velocities between 1 and 10, another sample for velocities between 11 and 20, etc.). The
upside is that you get more accurate samples for different velocities. The downside is that
you create multiple wave files (in fact, this is why some sample banks are so huge; they
have each note sampled at almost every velocity value). Most modern samplers support
multiple velocities for the same note.
Note length - choosing the right value (from 250 ms to 60000 ms) depends on the sound
— if the sound doesn't change, then a short length may work if your sampler provides
you with tools to loop the sample. If the sound changes, or you don't want to deal with
loops, then you would want a larger note length. Note that longer note lengths also
means longer files.
Release tail - determines how long the release portion of the sound should persist (from
20 ms to 20000 ms).
Calculate using BPM - turn on this toggle button if you want to calculate the required
note length using BPM and beats.
BPM and beats - if the Calculate using BPM toggle button is turned on, you can define
BPM and number of beats to calculate the required note length automatically.
Sample group - allows you to define the group name for the sample collection. It is
optional.
Direction - suppose you're only sampling every 5th note (Note Interval = 5). Now suppose
you have the range: C C# D D# E. If you sample Down, the Auto Sampler will create the
wave file for E and the sampler will down-sample that note to produce the other four
notes below. If you sample Up, the Auto Sampler will create the wave file for C and the
sampler will have to up-sample to create the notes at higher frequencies. That requires it
to interpolate missing information whereas down-sampling lets you discard some
information. Therefore, generally you will want to use the Down direction.
Output folder - click on the "..." button to select the desired output folder for your
samples. If you want to open that folder, click the Open Output Folder button.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 272
Generate Decent Sampler XML file - turn on this toggle button to create a Decent Sampler
preset (XML file) using the just generated samples. Tip: if you need an easy way to make a
collection of sound effects easily accessible and triggerable from Gig Performer, read this
blog article where we describe how to use the Decent Sampler XML Generator, a small
free application we developed that will help you to use the free Decent Sampler plugin to
accomplish this need.
Use a template for new samples - if you have created a template XML file for Decent
Sampler presets, the Auto Sampler copy that template and insert a reference to the
newly created samples. It will be stored in the same location as the samples (check out
the Output Folder above).
Merge with an existing preset - if you have already created a preset, you can have the
Auto Sampler modify that preset to insert the sample group. In conjunction with
"Reposition samples", this gives you the ability to create multiple groups of samples
spread out to different locations on the keyboard.
Reposition samples - by default, Decent Sampler will place the samples using the note
numbers from Lowest Note to Highest note. However, if you want those samples to be
placed somewhere else, specify a new location for them.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 273
Once you are finished with setting the desired options, click on the Start button to start
the sampling process.
The screenshot below shows a simple setup that allows you to sample the sounds from
the KeysOfThe70s plugin:
If you would like to sample an external synth, this is an example setup in the Wiring view:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 274
First, connect audio outputs of the external synth to inputs of your audio interface and
then connect the Audio In block with the Auto Sampler Recorder. Afterward, connect the
Auto Sampler Generator block with the corresponding MIDI Out block. Set the desired
options in the Auto Sampler Generator and then click the Start button to start the
sampling process.
Check out this YouTube video to see the Auto Sampler in action.
Apart from the common parameter Open/Close Plugin Editor, the Auto Sampler
Generator plugin provides no other parameters.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 275
This plugin's editor window doesn't have any controls that a user can control - it only
provides guidelines on setting up and properly connecting plugins with Auto Sampler
Generator and Auto Sampler Recorder. The screenshot below shows a simple setup that
allows you to sample the sounds from the KeysOfThe70s plugin:
The auto-sampling process is started from the Auto Sampler Generator plugin.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 276
Tip: we also suggest that users place an Auto Sampler Generator and an Auto Sample
Recorder in the Wiring view, select them both and save them as a favorite. That's a
convenient way to create both plugins when you need them again.
Apart from the common parameter Open/Close Plugin Editor, the Auto Sampler Recorder
plugin provides no other parameters.
10.10.3 Comment
The Comment plugin allows you to write your own reminder, comment or note; use it to
keep notes about your rackspace design, for example. No input and output pins are
available for this plugin:
Comment parameters
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 277
Apart from the common parameter Open/Close Plugin Editor, the Comment plugin
provides no other parameters.
10.10.4 GP Relayer
The GP Relayer plugin allows you to transport audio and MIDI between Gig Performer
instances, to other DAWs for easy recording and from DAWs back to Gig Performer to
utilize their proprietary sounds and effects. This plugin provides two audio input pins, a
MIDI input pin, two audio output pins, and a MIDI output pin:
Send / Receive - 'Send' sets the GP Relayer to send audio and MIDI to another instance of
GP Relayer set as receiver; 'Receive' sets the GP Relayer to receive audio and MIDI from
another instance set as sender.
Sender Active - this indicator will light up if there is an active audio or MIDI transmission
in the selected relay.
Local host is active - this indicator will light up if there is an active sender. When this
indicator is not lit, the host (DAW, VST host or another Gig Performer instance) is not
driving the GP Relayer plugin audio/MIDI. This state can happen with certain DAWs and
plugin hosts (e.g. Logic and GarageBand) that have an optimization where they don't
process plugins unless they are actively playing and recording. In this case, select play or
record to receive audio from the GP Relayer plugin.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 278
GP Application - this indicator appears when GP Relayer is used inside a DAW or other
VST host and indicates that Gig Performer is running. It doesn't appear in the Gig
Performer internal version of GP Relayer.
The example below shows how to send audio from the main Gig Performer instance to
the second Gig Performer instance.
First, connect the audio source (in this case, a Streaming Audio File Player) to GP Relayer
in the main instance. Next, in the GP Relayer plugin editor window, make sure that
"Send" is selected and then choose the desired relay (in this example, Relay #2):
Switch to the second instance; in the GP Relayer plugin editor window make sure that
"Receive" is set, and then choose the relay number you set in the main instance (in this
example Relay #2).
To hear the audio, connect the GP Relayer outputs to your audio interface's outputs.
Note: multiple sender instances can simultaneously send audio/MIDI via the same relay,
and multiple receiver instances will receive the mix of all senders for that relay.
Tip: to see examples of how to configure GP Relayer inside various DAWs, please visit this
community thread.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 279
GP Relayer parameters
Apart from the common parameters Bypass Plugin and Open/Close Plugin Editor, the GP
Relayer plugin provides no other parameters.
The plugin editor for the Systems Actions does not have any configurable parameters.
Select parameters directly from the parameter mapping dialog in the Widget Properties
Inspector:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 280
You can, for example, set up the Red Slider widget to control your global tempo, as
indicated in the screenshot above. Using a scaling curve with a small vertical range gives
you the ability to easily push or pull the speed very slightly.
For more information, check out the blog article The System Actions Plugin and also this
blog article How to create a custom metronome with visual feedback to see an example
of using the System Actions block.
The following parameters are available for the System Actions plugin:
· Stop - turns off the global playhead (value greater than 0.5).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 281
· PlayStop - value greater than 0.5 turns on the global playhead and value less than
0.5 turns off the global playhead.
· SongpartName - displays the name of the current song part (use in a label).
· Song-Songpart-Name - displays the name of the current song and the name of the
current song part (use in a label).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 282
· Beat - value will briefly go to 1 when a non-first beat occurs (attach to a pad widget
to see a visual beat).
· Accent - value will briefly go to 1 when accent occurs, i.e. the first beat (attach to a
pad widget to see a visual beat).
· MidiBeat - controls whether MIDI Note messages should be sent out on beats.
· Next - a value greater than 0.5 moves to the next variation or rackspace (depending
on options).
· Prev - a value greater than 0.5 moves to the previous variation or rackspace
(depending on options).
· NextSongpart - a value greater than 0.5 moves to the next song part.
· PrevSongpart - a value greater than 0.5 moves to the previous song part.
· SelectPartOrVar - allows you to select any variation or song part (up to 128 values)
of the current rackspace or song, respectively.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 283
· ScrollFrontPanel - allows you to scroll the front panel. Note: attach to a global knob
widget or learn a MIDI control.
· RecordAudio - allows you to easily start or stop recording. Attach it to (say) the LED
Button Red in the Global rackspace and optionally learn a MIDI control on your MIDI
device or surface.
· TogglePanelSetlistView - allows you to toggle between Setlist view and Panels view
(note: don't use it in a local rackspace - use it from the Global rackspace).
· TakeSnapshot - when in the Setlist view, it allows you to take a snapshot, i.e.
capture a variation into a song part.
· CancelSnapshot - when in the Setlist view, it allows you to delete the previously
created snapshot.
· PushSnapshot - when in the Setlist view, it allows you to push the captured
snapshot to the underlying variation.
· CurrentBarAndBeat - displays the current bar and beat; assign it to a label and make
sure that the DisplayBarBeat parameter is on.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 284
· KioskMode - allows the Gig Performer's window to enter the full-screen mode; assign
it to a button to toggle the display.
· Save Gig File - allows you to save the current gig file.
Double-clicking this plugin opens its editor window, where the number of channels can be
selected. You can select up to 64 channels for this plugin.
Important note: changing the number of channels will update all the global plugin blocks
in all rackspaces. Affected plugins are:
- To Global Rackspace
- From Global Rackspace
- From Rackspaces
- To Rackspaces
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Built-in Plugins 285
See more information on how to connect the From Rackspaces plugin in the Global
Rackspace chapter.
Apart from the common parameter Open/Close Plugin Editor, the From Rackspaces
plugin provides no other parameters.
10.12 To Rackspaces
The To Rackspaces block is used to send audio and MIDI from the Global rackspace to any
rackspace for additional processing. By default, this plugin provides four audio input pins
and one MIDI input pin:
Double-clicking this plugin opens its editor window where the number of channels can be
selected. You can select up to 64 channels for this plugin.
Important note: changing the number of channels will update all the global plugin blocks
in all rackspaces. Affected plugins are:
- To Global Rackspace
- From Global Rackspace
- From Rackspaces
- To Rackspaces
To Rackspaces parameters
Apart from the common parameter Open/Close Plugin Editor, the To Rackspaces plugin
provides no other parameters.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Recording your performance 286
By capturing the audio and saving your gig, you can replicate the performance and modify
it in post-production. To access the Recorder, just click the Recorder button in the bottom
toolbar:
Files are recorded in WAV format. Each time you start the recorder, a subfolder is created
within the (master) recording folder and named with the date of the recording (see the
File locations in Gig Performer chapter for more information about default locations in
Gig Performer). All files from your recording are placed within that subfolder. This makes
it very easy to organize recordings made at different performances during a tour.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Recording your performance 287
1. Recording folder - all files are recorded into subfolders of this recording folder.
Subfolders are named with the date of the recording.
3. Set master folder button - clicking this button brings up a file browser that enables
you to choose the (master) folder for your recordings.
4. Available space display - shows the amount of recording space available on the
drive where the master folder is located.
5. Clear All and Select all buttons - clicking the Clear All button deselects all inputs (or
outputs) so that no channels will be recorded. When you only need to record a few
channels, it will be quicker to Clear all and then select only the ones you need.
Clicking the Select All button enables all input or output channels for recording.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Recording your performance 288
When you want to record most or all channels, it will be quicker to select all
channels and then deselect the ones you do not need.
6. Input channels - click a toggle button to select an input channel for recording. On
the screenshot above, one channel is selected for recording ("In 1").
7. Output channels - click a toggle button to select an output channel for recording. In
the screenshot above, both channels are selected for stereo recording.
8. Mono/Stereo buttons - you can record either in mono or stereo. To create a stereo
pair, click on the first of two consecutive mono channels.
9. Record MIDI Input - when checked, MIDI input from all physical MIDI devices is
recorded at the same time as audio. A separate track is created for each device. The
resulting MIDI file contains all the MIDI events separated into tracks by device name.
These files are easily imported into any DAW with MIDI capabilities or other MIDI
sequencing software.
10. Bit depth field - click this to select 8, 16, 24, or 32-bit (floating point) depth for
recording. Note that choosing a higher bit depth results in larger files.
11. Record Start mode - see the next section for more information about this option.
12. Space required - shows the amount of disk space required to record the selected
channels per minute or hour. This display adjusts as you select or deselect channels.
13. Start button - clicking this button immediately starts recording all selected input
and/or output channels.
This dialog is similar to the Recording Options window, where recording settings can be
configured.
- First, make sure that there is enough free space on the drive where the (master)
recording folder is located,
- Select the audio input and/or output channels that you want to record; if you also want
to record MIDI input, turn on that option in Recorder settings,
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Recording your performance 289
- Select the desired bit depth and check again if the space required for an hour (or a
couple of hours) of your gig can fit onto your drive,
- Choose the record start mode: Start immediately or Delayed start; the Start
immediately mode allows you to begin recording once the red Start button is clicked. The
Delayed start mode activates some extra options and allows you to enter a start time in
the minutes and seconds fields, as seen below:
This feature is useful if you want to configure and test the Recorder at soundcheck and
then set it to start recording just before the performance begins.
- Click on the Start button; note how the record button changes depending on the Record
start mode:
If Record start mode is set to Delayed start, it will blink yellow and show you how much
time remains until the recording process starts (1). If the Start immediately mode is
selected, it will blink red and show you elapsed time (2).
- Clicking on the Recorder button will either stop the recording process or cancel the
scheduled recording countdown.
- To access your recording, navigate to your master folder (see default locations on
Windows and Mac here) and then enter the subfolder with the same name as your gig file
(or Untitled, if you didn't save your gig); note that another subfolder (or subfolders if you
made multiple recordings) is automatically named with date and time, i.e. "2024-05-24 at
2019":
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Recording your performance 290
The name of each WAV file matches the name of each selected audio input and/or
output. Note: recorded inputs are prefixed with "I_" and recorded outputs are prefixed
with "O_". The name "O_Out 1-Out 2.wav" implies that outputs are recorded in stereo.
Note: incoming MIDI events from all MIDI devices known to Gig Performer are recorded,
each device to its own track in a Type 1 Standard MIDI File. Generally, each MIDI device
corresponds to a physical MIDI port. Incoming messages are recorded using a resolution
of 480 ppq (ticks per quarter note).
All real-time Gig Performer tempo changes are captured as Meta Tempo events in the
MIDI file.
Note: the System Actions block has a parameter called RecordAudio and it allows you to
easily start or stop recording. Attach it to (say) a LED Button in the Global rackspace and
optionally learn a MIDI control on your MIDI device or surface.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 291
12 Time controls
In this chapter, you will learn more about time controls in Gig Performer, how to set
tempo and time signature, use the metronome, and activate Ableton Link.
1. Dropdown menu button - click on this button or anywhere other than the actual
BPM or Time Signature edit fields to open the drop-down menu window (B).
2. Global tempo - this is the tempo of Gig Performer's playhead. It can be edited
directly in the upper toolbar (A) by typing in the desired value, or in the drop-down
window (B), where you can either type in the desired value or use -/+ buttons to
decrease/increase the tempo value. The maximum tempo value is 640 BPM. If the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 292
metronome is enabled, its speed and accents will be defined by the global tempo
and time signature settings.
3. Tap tempo - click or tap (if you are using a touch screen device) on the Tap button at
least twice to set a corresponding tempo. Keep clicking/tapping to see how the
tempo changes, based on your clicking/tapping speed. Note: once you start tapping,
the BPM display will display the detected current tempo. You can choose between
the several tap tempo algorithms; visit the Tap Tempo options to learn more.
Alternatively, you can add a button (e.g. a pad button) to a panel in Edit mode of
the Panels view and the System Actions plugin in the Wiring view; afterward, map
the button to the TapTempo parameter of the System Actions plugin so you can tap
tempo by clicking on that button (optionally, MIDI learn that widget if you want to
tap tempo from your MIDI controller).
4. Global time signature - this is the time signature of Gig Performer's audio
metronome. It cannot be edited directly in the upper toolbar (A), but only in the
dropdown menu window (B). Click on the numerator and type in the number of
beats per measure, then click on the denominator and type in the number of beats
per measure. Alternatively, use -/+ buttons to decrease/increase their values. Note:
you can choose any time signature, up to 32/64.
All plugins that respond to global tempo can be synchronized to the current tempo. For
this to work, you will generally need to enable "sync" to external tempo on individual
plugins. Please check your plugin documentation for more information.
Note: there are tempo settings in the Song Properties and Song Part Properties dialogs,
besides the global tempo, and these settings are accompanied by the Override toggle
button that makes that tempo active. Selecting a song that has a specified tempo and
turning the the Override toggle button on sets the global tempo to that song tempo. The
global tempo will revert to its default when you switch to a song part that does not
override the global tempo. A song part with a specified tempo and the Override toggle
button turned on is the highest priority, and it overrides both global and song tempos
when the song part is selected.
12.2 Metronome
Gig Performer offers two separate metronomes: Audio Metronome and MIDI
Metronome.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 293
Note: the MIDI metronome is a built-in Audio File Player plugin feature. Refer to the MIDI
metronome chapter for more information about the MIDI metronome.
Check out this blog article to learn how to create a custom metronome with visual
feedback.
The Action Management window, accessible through the Streaming Audio File Player and
the Song Part Properties window, allows you to send a single "Metronome Click" action.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 294
2. Metronome playback volume - to set the volume of the metronome, drag the slider
or click in the field and enter the value directly.
3. Metronome sound select area - click the "…" buttons to select a custom sound file
(aif, wav, mp3, flac, and ogg files are supported) for Beat and Accents sections
respectively.
4. Reset Metronome sound to default - clicking on the Reset buttons resets the Beat
and Accent sounds to Gig Performer's default sounds.
5. Metronome outputs - click on the check boxes for each output to which you want
the metronome routed.
The audio metronome is simple to use: set the outputs to which you want the
metronome routed in the General tab (refer to the screenshot above, indicated with (5)).
Then set the desired global tempo and time signature in the top toolbar, and activate the
metronome.
Note: the metronome on/off buttons in the top toolbar and on the General tab have
identical purposes; changing one changes the other as well.
To learn more about setting the tempo and time signature, refer to the Tempo and Time
signature chapter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 295
To see more about the buttons in the top toolbar, refer to The main Gig Performer
Window chapter.
To enable Gig Performer to sync to Ableton Link, click on the Link button in the upper
toolbar (A) or enable the toggle button in the drop-down menu window (B):
Visit this blog article to learn how to synchronize Gig Performer's tempo to an external
MIDI clock or Link-enabled products.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 296
When you enter the Setlists view, the global tempo and time signature can be overridden
by a custom tempo and time signature that can be set for each song:
Song parts can also have their overrides and they represent the highest priority in the
override order:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Time controls 297
Note: if you add the Set Global BPM action in the Song Part properties dialog, it will
override the Override global tempo setting described above.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
OSC and Gig Performer 298
Every parameter available in your VST, VST3 and AU plugin (if you're on macOS) can be
controlled by widgets in Gig Performer, and every widget can be controlled just with a tap
of or sliding your fingers on your favorite mobile phone via OSC protocol. Other OSC
capable devices, like various digital mixers for example, can be controlled directly from
Gig Performer using widgets and OSC. Gig Performer's proprietary programming language
(GPScript) also supports the OSC protocol.
For example, you can use OSC to change the output levels of each plugin independently
or adjust the cutoff frequency of a synth plugin. It can also be used to set Tap Tempo,
turn Tuner View on and off, and select the desired rackspace and variation. In addition to
well-known OSC products like Lemur and TouchOSC, it is also possible to use
programming tools like Max/MSP, Ableton Live, and Plogue Bidule (to name just a few) to
create very sophisticated applications that can also work interactively with Gig Performer.
For the most current version of Gig Performer's OSC implementation, see Help ->
Documentation -> OSC Messages.
Launch Gig Performer and then click Options -> OSC Setup:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
OSC and Gig Performer 299
Enable OSC by clicking on the Enable OSC button. Type in the IP address and the port of
the device running the OSC application in the Remote client IP address and Remote client
port boxes respectively. Alternatively, click on the Select... button to easily select an OSC
target from the list that must be previously set by clicking on the Manage OSC Targets...
button. Check the OSC Options to learn more.
Note that the Gig Performer IP address value cannot be changed, as this is defined by
your computer's network configuration. The address is displayed to make it easier for you
to configure your remote device to connect to Gig Performer. The Gig Performer listening
port can be changed to a custom value. Note: make sure that Gig Performer is not
blocked by any kind of software firewall.
When you perform live, you might want your FoH engineer to have access to your
controls, too. In cases when OSC applications are running on multiple devices (i.e. a
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
OSC and Gig Performer 300
tablet, a smartphone or another computer) and you want to use multiple devices
onstage, there is a simple way to accomplish that: if you simply set three last digits of the
OSC applications IP address to 255 (i.e. 192.168.0.255) then Broadcast Mode is activated.
Broadcast Mode enables Gig Performer to send OSC messages and communicate
simultaneously with all listening clients on the specified port (i.e. 4252) on the same local
network. Click here to access our Knowledge Base article with more information.
If you use an OSC application such as Lemur or another OSC application that allows
detailed control, turn on the Use Lemur augmented OSC messages toggle button.
Other advanced options include MIDI In OSC Patchbay and Direct Addressable OSC. Check
the OSC Options chapter for more information.
The Sync section is dedicated to synchronize rackspace or song changes between multiple
instances of Gig Performer. The requirement is that rackspaces and songs have the same
names across instances. Under this section there are two toggle buttons:
- Send rackspace or song changes (Tx) - allows you to send messages to other instances of
Gig Performer to switch rackspaces or songs.
- Respond to incoming rackspace or song changes (Rx) - allows you to set this instance of
Gig Performer to respond to incoming requests to change rackspaces or songs from
another instance of Gig Performer.
The example screenshot below shows the OSC options of the main Gig Performer instance
and the "OSCtest" instance:
In this example, these two instances are on the same computer. Provided that rackspace
names are the same (variation names don't need to be the same, as their index number
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
OSC and Gig Performer 301
is used for the sync), clicking on the desired rackspace in the main instance will
automatically change to the corresponding rackspace in the "OSCtest" instance.
Gig Performer's supplied MIDI In (OSC) plugin is designed to receive MIDI messages from
remote OSC sources. One of the requirements of OSC is that each object in both the host
computer and remote device must have matching unique case-sensitive names comprised
of characters only (no spaces). These names must be unique within a single Gig Performer
rackspace, although they can be reused in different rackspaces. To see an example of how
to use MIDI OSC blocks, refer to this blog article.
· How to use your mobile phone to control your guitar or keyboard effects
· Using TouchOSC app as a remote display and a touch control surface with Gig
Performer
Check out our blog for more tutorials, and also visit our Community for more tips on
using OSC.
If you want to check out our current application-specific tutorials, please visit this
community thread.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Multi-instance support 302
14 Multi-instance support
Multi-instance support means that you can run Gig Performer multiple times on the same
computer, with each such "instance" operating independently.
This has many different practical applications. For example, each band member can have
the ability to change the rackspace affecting their particular instrument without changing
the rackspaces affecting different instruments; they can even use separate MIDI
controllers or pedal-boards to do so.
There are also many advanced usages: for example, you can use a MIDI In plugin to send
program change messages from one instance to another so that one instance can be used
to change the rackspace in another instance.
The number of instances you can successfully open at any one time depends on your
system's RAM and CPU resources. Each instance can access entirely different plugins and
MIDI In blocks. Separate instances can also access different audio interfaces.
Instances are managed through the File menu, where you can create new instances, and
open or delete existing instances:
Creating another instance of Gig Performer is easy. Just select File -> Create New
Instance... type in a name, e.g. Guitar, and you are all set:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Multi-instance support 303
Note: do not open the same instance twice as both opened instances will respond to the
same MIDI and OSC commands and changing any settings in one of the instances will
change it for both, but only one will get the change immediately.
If you want to use two or more instances with the same audio interface, make sure to set
the same sample rate in Audio Options; otherwise, one of the instances will have a sound
that's slightly out of tune and will sound incorrect.
To learn more about Gig Performer instances, check out this in-depth blog article: How to
use multiple instances in Gig Performer.
Gig Performer allows you to synchronize rackspace or song changes between multiple
instances. The requirement is that rackspaces and songs have the same names across
instances. Check out the How to set up OSC chapter for an example of the sync setup.
Note: some Windows ASIO drivers still allow only one application to use the audio
interface at a time; these are known as single-client drivers. Multi-client audio drivers
started coming out years ago, but, there are still many single-client drivers in place. Two
instances of Gig Performer count as two applications, which is a problem when running
on a single-client driver. Read this blog article to find out how to run multiple instances
of Gig Performer with a single-client ASIO driver on Windows.
You can easily send audio and MIDI between Gig Performer instances using GP Relayer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Latency measurement tool 304
You can use the built-in Latency Measurement Tool to find out how much extra latency
your interface introduces. Click Window -> Measure Device Latency to measure actual
round-trip latency:
2. Connect a physical patch cable from any output from your audio interface to input 1
of the interface.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Latency measurement tool 305
Note: make sure you do not use any plugins or connections while measuring (or simply
create a new empty gig before using this tool), and that your input signal is not too low.
Find out more about latency, sample rate and buffer size in our free e-book The Ultimate
Guide to Optimize your Windows PC for the Stage.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 306
Selecting any menu item will open the Options window where you can also navigate
through tabs to configure different options. Refer to the following subchapters for more
information.
After you configure Gig Performer options and preferences to your taste, you can export
them to a gpsettings file. Simply click on the Export All Options... menu item and save
your gpsettings file; you can later import that file to any Gig Performer installation by
clicking on the Import All Options.. menu item and selecting the previously saved
gpsettings file.
Note: a gpsettings file stores not only all settings in the Options screens, but also all
global settings including global MIDI assignments, and the entire Rig Manager setup.
Visit this chapter to learn more about various Gig Performer file extensions and this
chapter to learn more about the default file locations in Gig Performer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 307
Tip: Read the blog article Gig Performer Maintenance: Save, export, and backup to learn
how to save and export various elements in Gig Performer, load and import them, and
create a backup of your important files and the whole computer.
16.1 General
The General tab appears when the General... menu item is chosen in the Options menu,
or when its keyboard shortcut is used (Ctrl + , on Windows or Cmd + , on Mac):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 308
Scan for new/changed plugins on startup - when enabled, Gig Performer will check for
new or updated plugins every time it starts. The best practice is to leave this enabled
unless you're certain that your plugins have not been updated since you last used Gig
Performer. If you're wondering why your latest plugin or update has not shown up in the
plugin list, not scanning for plugins is the most probable cause (see the Troubleshooting
chapter for more information).
Initial view - clicking on this drop-down list enables you to select the default view that
shows up when you start Gig Performer. The Last Viewed menu item is the default (the
other possibilities are the Panels view, the Wiring view, or the Setlists view).
Reload the last gig on startup - when enabled, Gig Performer will automatically load the
last gig file that was used; you can also choose whether you want to open to the last
active rackspace (default) or - if disabled - to load the first rackspace or open the
template dialog on startup. Note: you can temporarily prevent Gig Performer from
loading the last gig file by holding down the Shift key while starting Gig Performer and
turning off the Load last gig file toggle button (click here for more information).
Check for updates automatically - unless you're actually on tour, it's recommended that
you keep this option enabled so that you are informed of new updates. Note: updating
any critical software while on tour or otherwise engaged in a production project is
strongly discouraged until you have time to thoroughly test the update to ensure that it
is functioning correctly. That applies not only to Gig Performer, but to any plugin and
even other applications or operating system updates. We recommend that you do not
update anything on your computer within 2 weeks of a show so that you have time to
address any issues without stress.
Check Now - click on this button to manually check for updates. Note: this requires an
Internet connection.
Master trim level on startup - the master trim is normally reset to 0db when you start Gig
Performer. You can change that initial startup value by adjusting this slider.
Predictive loading - turn on this toggle button to activate the Predictive loading feature.
Check the Predictive loading chapter to learn more.
Limit to maximum of - this field appears when the Predictive loading feature is enabled.
Check the Predictive loading chapter to learn more.
Sync Start/Stop with Ableton Link - synchronizes start/stop with Ableton Link.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 309
rackspace. Note: if explicit PC numbers are not used in variations the last selected
variation will be called when using the PC for that rackspace (as when you click the
rackspace with your mouse).
Quit without saving - enable this if you want to quit Gig Performer without prompting
you to save any changes. This can be useful if you're running Gig Performer on a headless
computer and just need it to shut down automatically at the end of a show.
No error reports - enable this if you don't want to send error reports to Gig Performer
development team (not recommended). If you enable this toggle button, restart Gig
Performer for changes to take effect.
Metronome - this complete section is covered in more detail in the Audio metronome
chapter.
16.2 Display
The Display tab appears when the Display... menu item is chosen in the Options menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 310
Show plugin editor when inserted - when checked, the plugin editor window will open
automatically whenever a plugin is inserted. Disable this feature if you prefer to insert
and route your plugin blocks first and edit them all later.
Keep plugin windows on top - when enabled, open plugin window editors always appear
on top of other windows.
Show information on plugin hover - when enabled, moving the mouse over blocks in the
Wiring view will cause a pop-up tooltip to appear with the information about the plugin
(plugin's name, type, format and latency).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 311
Auto open/close plugin editors - enabling this toggle button opens/closes plugin editors
automatically as you switch from one rackspace to another. Note that this option doesn't
open/close editor windows of all plugins in a rackspace, but only the currently opened
ones.
Touch friendly number editing - if you run Gig Performer on a device such as Microsoft
Surface, you may want to activate this option as it shows a large key pad for some dialogs
and allows you to enter the desired values easier with your finger.
Always start in full screen mode - enable this option if you want to always start Gig
Performer in full-screen mode. Press the Esc key or use the key combination Ctrl+Alt+F (or
Cmd+Option+F on Mac) to exit the full-screen mode.
Scroll bar width - sets the scroll bar width of the Rackspace list, Songs list, and Wiring
view. (from 6 to 50)
Hide all tooltips - when you move your mouse over some item (a button, a slider, or an
option, for example), a little tooltip window will pop up to explain the purpose of that
item. Once you become well acquainted with Gig Performer or if you find pop-up tooltips
annoying, you can choose to prevent them from being displayed by checking this box.
Note: all tooltips are hidden except the one that shows up when you hover over the
plugin block in the Wiring view and which can be disabled separately (see Show
information on plugin hover).
Show after X milliseconds - allows you to set the delay from 400 to 4000 milliseconds
before a tooltip appears.
Maximum number of audio channels to display in blocks - this option prevents plugins
from showing more than a specified number of audio channels. Some plugins have many
audio channels, most of which may never be used, making their blocks unwieldy to view
and causing them to take up a lot of horizontal space in the Wiring view. Note that the
value entered here does not apply to the audio interface Audio In and Audio Out blocks.
You can also configure the maximum number of audio channels available on individually
inserted plugins (check this chapter to learn more).
Name sizes - in this section you can configure the name size of rackspaces, variations,
songs, and song parts (from 12 to 48). Click the Reset to default button to reset all fields
to 24.
Show parameter numbers in widget parameter selection list - when this toggle button is
turned on, each parameter name is displayed prefixed with its unique parameter
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 312
number. This can be useful if you need to control parameters from GPScript or OSC. In
both of these cases, parameter numbers rather than names are used:
Always show Widget Link and Radio Group labels - when you gang multiple widgets
together in a Widget Link group (lettered A through Z) or a Radio Group (numbered from
1 to 99), the corresponding character (a letter or a number) is displayed on the top left of
the widget while in Edit mode. If you want the widget groups labels to stay always (i.e.
even if you are not in Edit mode), turn on this toggle button.
Always indicate locked widgets - if this toggle button is turned on, the widget lock
indicator will always be displayed (i.e. even if you are not in Edit mode).
Allow use of local fonts - clicking this toggle button allows you to use other third-party
fonts installed on your computer.
Reset widget fonts - click this button to reset all widget labels to the Gig Performer's
default system font.
Reset all warnings - clicking this button will reset all "Don't show again" warnings in
various dialogs.
Show hints at startup - by default, every time you create a new gig, a hint dialog pops up.
You can browse through many useful hints and tips in that dialog. If you disable showing
hints at startup, click this button to re-enable showing hints at startup.
Graphics engine - this section is available on Windows (macOS users always use the
CoreGraphics renderer). Clicking on this dropdown menu allows you to select the graphics
library that Gig Performer uses for its displays:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 313
· Software Renderer - this choice means that Gig Performer uses your computer's CPU
to render the display without the help of any graphics library optimizations.
Windows users without high-performance graphics in their machines will likely get
the best results with this setting.
Depending on the graphics card in their machine, Windows users may find that OpenGL
Renderer delivers better quality than Software Renderer.
MIDI Monitor Colors... - clicking this button allows you to set the colors for different MIDI
messages.
Windows:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 314
MacOS:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 315
On macOS, you can separately select the input and output device and there is no device
type selector as there is always just one type (Core Audio); on Windows, the audio device
type selector is included, and one device must be used for both input and output.
Audio device type - for best results on Windows, make sure that you always select ASIO
driver.
Device - this drop-down menu allows you to select one of the connected audio interfaces
or an aggregate device (consisting of multiple interfaces) such as ASIO4ALL or ASIO Link
Pro (if installed). On Mac this section is split into Input Device and Output Device (any
aggregate devices created in the Audio MIDI Setup utility will appear here as options as
well).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 316
Active input channels/Active output channels - determines how many input and output
channels are available to Gig Performer. If you use an audio interface with many
channels, you may not want to access them all. For example, you may have an interface
with 8 analog output channels and another 16 Lightpipe (ADAT optical) channels you're
not using. So instead of displaying audio IN/OUT blocks with 24 or more channels, you
can disable the ones you don't need by unchecking them in the list.
Tip: holding the Shift key down while clicking on an input or output checkbox will set all
of them to the inverse of the one you selected.
Sample rate - the sample rate determines the quality of the audio signal. Typical values in
the live world are 44.1kHz and 48kHz. Note that there is a tradeoff between higher
sample rates, latency and CPU utilization. To view our website article about audio
latency, buffer size, and sample rate, click here.
Audio buffer size - the buffer size determines how often samples are actually processed.
The smaller the buffer size (or the higher the sample rate), the lower (better) the latency,
but at the cost of higher CPU utilization. Depending on your plugins and your computer,
you may need to find a compromise that gives you the best tradeoff between CPU
utilization and latency. If you start using too many CPU cycles, you will begin to hear clicks
and other noise in the output. To view our website article about audio latency, buffer
size, and sample rate, click here.
Apply settings - this button will appear if you make any changes to the parameters in this
dialog. Click on it to accept the changes, or simply close the Options dialog to maintain
the current settings.
Save Audio Configuration and Load Audio Configuration buttons - Gig Performer allows
you to save your audio configurations and load them back again. This feature is useful for
supporting multiple audio configurations. Visit this chapter to learn more about various
Gig Performer file extensions and this chapter to learn more about the default file
locations in Gig Performer.
Note: changing the audio input or output device requires all plugins to be reset and so
will cause your entire gig file to be reloaded immediately. Further, some plugins don't
properly handle having their sample rate or buffer size changed after they have been
loaded, and they may crash. Therefore, we recommend that you make such changes using
an empty gig file. If you are changing your audio configuration (device, sample rate, buffer
size, etc.), it can be useful to start Gig Performer with the Shift key held down, which
opens the Temporary Startup Options dialog. Turning off the Load last gig file toggle
button temporarily prevents Gig Performer from loading your previous gig file (this
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 317
applies if the Reload last gig on startup option is enabled in the General Options).
The Global MIDI Assignments section of this dialog is where Gig Performer can learn (or
you can manually create/edit) MIDI messages, either from a continuous controller or a
momentary switch (in which case you'll normally need to click on the accompanying
"Momentary" button) to accomplish the following actions:
Next Variation/Song Part - moves to the next variation/song part in the current rackspace
(or to the first variation of the next rackspace if you are at the last variation of the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 318
current rackspace and the "Previous/Next variation stays within rackspace" toggle button
is disabled). Note: if your variations or song parts are "skipping" (i.e. advance two steps),
make sure to click the Momentary button (check out the tip number 5 from this blog
article).
Previous Variation/Song Part - moves to the previous variation/song part in the current
rackspace (or to the last variation of the previous rackspace if you are at the first
variation of the current rackspace and the "Previous/Next variation stays within
rackspace" toggle button is disabled).
Tap Tempo - Gig Performer can receive taps from a pedal or button on a connected MIDI
controller and use that information to set the tempo of delay, echo, or looping plugins so
that they can be synced to the tempo in which you are playing. To enter Tap Tempo, click
on the Learn MIDI for selected item button and tap on the button or pedal you want to
use to set the tempo (you will most likely need to enable the Momentary option as well).
Once you start tapping, the BPM display at the main toolbar will display the detected
current tempo. All plugins that respond to the global tempo will now synchronize to this
tempo (enabling "sync" to external tempo on individual plugins may be necessary. Please
check your plugin documentation for more information). Note: the tempo used by
connected plugins is always the global tempo unless it has been overridden by individual
rackspaces or songs.
Play/Stop - starts or stops the global playhead. This will typically start or stop the
playback of audio files from the supplied Audio File Player plugin or from a third-party
media player plugin.
Panic - generates "All Notes Off" messages on all MIDI channels, along with a Sustain Off
message and a Center PitchBend message, thus stopping stuck notes in their tracks. This
performs the same action as clicking on the MIDI panic button in the upper right-hand
corner of the screen.
Master Trim - Gig Performer's master trim can be remotely controlled by a MIDI controller
by clicking the Learn MIDI for selected item button and moving the physical control. Note:
when controlling the Master Trim remotely, you cannot raise the value higher than 0dB.
Variation Direct Access - Direct access allows you to use a slider or knob to switch
between variations in a rackspace. If you had a pedalboard with five MIDI switches, each
switch would be set to the same channel and controller number, but assigned a different
control value. This value would select a variation in a rackspace, so if the five pedals were
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 319
assigned values of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, they would recall the first five variations. This is a
legacy feature, and using the Setlist view and song parts is generally better.
Next Rackspace/Song - moves to the next rackspace/song. This function is useful when
you wish only to move between rackspaces, not between variations in a rackspace.
Note: double-clicking a MIDI assignment puts that assignment in the Learn mode (you'll
notice that the Learn MIDI for selected item button turns red). Double-clicking a MIDI
assignment while holding the Shift key (or clicking the Edit button) opens the Edit MIDI
message dialog where you can manually select the desired device and the desired MIDI
message.
The only CC messages that Gig Performer cannot learn are CC 0 and CC 32 as these two
messages are reserved for bank selection.
Other options:
Clear selected - clicking on this button clears the selected MIDI assignment. Note: Holding
the Shift key down while clicking on the Learn MIDI for selected item button also clears
the selected MIDI assignment.
Clear all - clicking on this button clears all learned MIDI assignments.
The Program Change Control section of this dialog provides for the following options:
Accept Program Change Messages from any Device - determines whether Gig Performer
should respond to MIDI program change messages from all external devices, or only from
specific external devices.
Pass unused PC messages - when enabled, unused MIDI program change messages will be
passed onto the active rackspace. By unused we mean that a particular program change
message has not been associated with any rackspace or song part in Gig Performer. An
unused PC message passed on to the rackspace is passed on to the MIDI In blocks as any
other message. So any OMNI MIDI In blocks or MIDI In blocks for the device that
generated the PC message will all receive the PC message and can pass it on to any
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 320
plugins connected to them. If you are having trouble getting a particular program change
message to arrive at a plugin, make sure that message is not already associated.
Use zero-based PC numbers - causes Gig Performer to display program change message
numbers in the range 0-127 instead of 1-128.
Remap incoming bank select messages - enabling this toggle button causes Gig Performer
to ignore incoming MIDI program bank select messages when selecting variations/song
parts; note that also "to banks # MSB # LSB" shows up, enabling you to manually select
the specified bank numbers that should always be used.
Note: When this toggle button is turned on, Gig Performer is not actually
converting/remapping MIDI events (you can check this with MIDI monitors). This feature
applies only in selecting variations/song parts and how Gig Performer interprets incoming
bank select messages to select variations/song parts. Therefore, if you pass PC/bank
messages to plugins these messages will not be modified in any way.
Only accept program change messages on specific channel - Gig Performer can change
variations, rackspaces, and even instances in response to incoming MIDI program change
messages. Enabling this toggle button limits Gig Performer to responding only to program
change messages using the channel specified in the box.
MIDI Song select to PC - enable this toggle button if you want to interpret incoming MIDI
song select messages as program change messages; note that also "and use MIDI channel
#" shows up, enabling you to manually select the MIDI channel that you want to use
when converting song select messages. This is because MIDI Song Select messages do not
have channel numbers. This conversion is done at a very low level for efficiency purposes
and so be aware that when this option is enabled, the Global MIDI Monitor will see
incoming Song Select messages as program changes and display them as such.
Note: mappings to physical controllers made in the Widget Properties inspector override
Global MIDI Assignments.
16.5 Setlists
The Setlist tab appears when the Setlists/Songs... menu item is chosen in the Options
menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 321
Song parts per row - choose a value (between 3 and 8) from the drop-down menu to set
the number of tiles per row in the song part bar (see the Setlist view chapter for more
information).
Number of rows - choose a value (between 0 and 3) from the drop-down menu to set the
number of rows of tiles in the song part bar. Selecting 0 removes the song part bar.
Invert rows - flips the vertical order of the rows of tiles in the song part bar; instead of 1-
2-3, when this toggle button is enabled the bar shows the rows 3-2-1.
Default parts - a semicolon or comma-separated list of song part names that will be
added automatically when a new song is created. If no names are defined here, a single
part called "Part 1" will appear instead.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 322
Learn MIDI for selected item button - setlist operations (i.e. Next Song or Next Song Part)
in the MIDI list can be mapped to MIDI controllers. Select the item in the list, click on this
button, and use the MIDI controller you want mapped to it. Clicking on this button while
holding the Shift key clears the selected assignment.
Momentary button - if the physical control you are mapping is a momentary switch
(rather than a latching/toggle switch), click on this button.
Setlist operation --> MIDI controls list - this list shows setlist operations that can be
externally controlled and the MIDI events they are mapped to. To map a control, select it
in the list and click the Learn MIDI for selected item button. Double-clicking a setlist
operation activates the Learn mode; Double-clicking a setlist operation while holding the
Shift key (or clicking on the Edit button) opens the Edit MIDI message dialog where you
can manually select the desired device and the desired MIDI message.
Clear Selected button - clicking this button removes the MIDI mapping from a selected
setlist operation.
Clear All button - clicking this button removes MIDI mappings from all setlist operations.
Next/Prev song part stays within song - with this toggle button is enabled, the MIDI
controller assigned to Next and Previous operations will never move to a different song.
When the first song part in a song is reached, the Previous operation has no further
effect; when the last song part is reached, the Next operation has no further effect. Note:
this checkbox has no effect when using arrow keys on the computer keyboard to move
between song parts; they will still move to the next or previous song.
PC and Next/Previous MIDI assignments switches to setlist view automatically - when this
toggle button is enabled, any incoming MIDI program change (PC) messages or
Next/Previous Song Part or Song commands cause Gig Performer to switch to Setlist view
immediately. Note: enabling this option will prevent you from switching your rackspaces
directly using MIDI controllers; if such a MIDI message arrives - Gig Performer will switch
to the Setlist view automatically.
MIDI Out Device and Channel - these settings define a single MIDI Output device to where
program change messages are sent on song changes. Choose a MIDI device from the drop-
down menu and a corresponding Channel from its drop-down menu. If you need to send
multiple MIDI messages to different physical devices or plugins via any MIDI In block when
you select a song part, you can do this from the Song Part Properties dialog.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 323
16.6 Recording
The Recording tab appears when the Recording... menu item is chosen in the Options
menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 324
Normally, Gig Performer will open all MIDI input and output ports automatically. On
macOS, this is never an issue. However, many Windows MIDI drivers do not allow multiple
applications (and that includes multiple instances of Gig Performer if enabled) to access
the same MIDI port. If you need to run some other application that needs access to a
MIDI port, you will need to disable that port in Gig Performer so that it can be opened by
the other application.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 325
This also applies to special plugins inserted into Gig Performer, which themselves need to
open a MIDI port to communicate with some specialized hardware.
In the MIDI Input Ports and MIDI Output Ports sections, simply uncheck the port or ports
that you do not want Gig Performer to use. Normally, you would uncheck both the Input
and Output ports but there may be special cases where you want to allow
communication in one direction.
Note that every MIDI input port (except the special Local GP Port) has the Rx Clock button
whose only purpose is to indicate whether the corresponding MIDI input port responds
to incoming MIDI Clock messages; when the Rx Clock button is lit, that MIDI port responds
to incoming MIDI Clock messages. The actual configuration is done through the Rig
Manager.
16.8 OSC
The OSC tab appears when the OSC Setup... menu item is chosen in the Options menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 326
Enable OSC - click on this toggle button to turn on the OSC functionality.
Remote client IP address - the address of the remote device that is running an OSC
application.
Remote client port - the port on the remote device that is listening for OSC messages over
UDP (User Datagram Protocol).
Select... - instead of typing the Remote client IP address and port, you can click on this
button to select one of the previously defined OSC targets:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 327
Simply select the desired OSC target from the list and click on OK. Note that Remote client
IP address (as indicated in the red rectangles) and port changed to match the selected
target. Additionally, the name of the selected target will appear under the Select... button
(as indicated with the red arrow).
Gig Performer IP address - the address of the computer on which is Gig Performer
running. Configure your remote device to use this IP address to connect to Gig Performer.
Gig Performer listening port - the port on which Gig Performer is listening for incoming
OSC messages over UDP (User Datagram Protocol).
Manage OSC Targets... - click on this button to create new OSC targets:
Type in the name of a target and then its IP address and port. Click on OK to save the
changes. Afterward, the defined OSC targets will be available when you click on the
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 328
Select... button (not only in this window, but also in other locations that provide a
selection of an OSC target).
Use Lemur augmented OSC messages - if you are using Lemur or another OSC application
that supports scripting, enable this option to cause Gig Performer to transmit
parameterized OSC messages. Disable this option if you are using TouchOSC or other
applications that are not programmable.
Show MIDI In OSC Patchbay - this concept leverages applications like MaxMSP to modify
incoming MIDI events. So, if the patchbay is enabled, an incoming MIDI message will not
be sent out. Instead, it will be wrapped as an OSC message and sent to some remote
listener (like MaxMSP, Ableton, or another OSC-supporting application). A remote listener
application could then examine the incoming message, modify it and/or create new MIDI
messages, which would then be wrapped up in OSC and sent back to the MIDI In Block
patchbay in Gig Performer, which would then extract the MIDI from the OSC wrapper and
send it on. Unless you have experience using and configuring OSC in other applications,
you should not enable this feature as misconfiguration will cause incoming MIDI events to
get lost.
Show Direct Addressable OSC - widget direct OSC enables support for the individual OSC
devices which are bound to the specific IP address/port that can be set up for each
widget. It is not bidirectional at this point. Refer to the Widget Properties inspector
chapter for more details.
Send rackspace or song changes (Tx) - allows you to send messages to other instances of
Gig Performer to switch rackspaces or songs.
Respond to incoming rackspace or song changes (Rx) - allows you to set this instance of
Gig Performer to respond to incoming requests to change rackspaces or songs from
another instance of Gig Performer.
Check out the How to set up OSC chapter to see an example of the sync setup.
16.9 Scripting
The Scripting tab appears when the Scripting... menu item is chosen in the Options menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 329
Prefix log entries with rackspace name - enabling this toggle button causes messages in
the Script Log window to be identified by the rackspace that generated them. Since there
is only one log window for all rackspace scripts, troubleshooting is greatly aided when the
log is formatted this way.
Ignore script errors when loading gig files - normally, attempting to load a rackspace with
an invalid script triggers a warning dialog. Checking this option removes this warning.
CAUTION: this is an expert function. Enabling this toggle button is not recommended
unless you know exactly what you're doing, as a rackspace with a broken script may
behave unexpectedly or fail to work at all.
Open editors at current mouse position - clicking on this toggle button centers the
window of a script editor or the log window over the current mouse position when you
open them (either by clicking the corresponding menu items or using their key
combinations).
Disable autoload warnings - turning on this toggle button disables the warning when
system scripts are not found.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 330
Enable runtime checks - adds additional safety by checking values. Note: this feature
impacts performance and shouldn't be turned on unless needed; use it only while
troubleshooting and then turn it off.
Warn if Double variables are not initialized - displays a warning if variables of type
Double have not been initialized.
Keep compiled source code map - allows for easier errors troubleshooting by including a
reference to an approximate line number of an error in the source code. Source code
maps are stored in RAM, so turn this feature on only while debugging.
File - Open Script From File (available when a Script Editor is opened)
File - Open Recent Script File
File - Save Script to File
Edit - Script Helper
Options - Recompile All Scripts
Window - Current Rackspace Script Editor
Window - Global Rackspace Script Editor
Window - Song Script Editor
Window - Gig Script Editor
Window - Log Window
Gig Performer uses a language called GPScript, which was explicitly designed for Gig
Performer. Refer to the GPScript chapter for more information.
16.10 Extensions
The Extensions tab appears when the Extensions... menu item is chosen in the Options
menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 331
This window allows you to enable or disable Gig Performer extensions easily.
16.11 Locations
The Locations tab appears when the Locations... menu item is chosen in the Options
menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 332
Content - this is the main (root) content folder of Gig Performer folder structure. In this
chapter you can see the default file locations in Gig Performer, and this main folder is
easily accessible through Window -> Open Content Folders.
ChordPro - changing the location of the root folder that contains ChordPro files is also
supported. Note that The Chords/Lyrics Editor can only open ChordPro files in this folder.
Refer to the ChordPro chapter for more information.
Audio Cache - this is the folder where your Streaming Audio File Player cached files are
stored. If you change this location, you can delete the old location to save disk space.
"…" button - opens a dialog for locating the folder you want to designate as the root
folder.
Reset button - reverts any user-defined folder path to the Gig Performer's default.
Note: Changing the default location does not move files from the corresponding sub-
folders to the new ones. Certain features such as favorites, presets, and saved widget
curves, will be unavailable until you relocate their files to the new location.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 333
1. Legacy - this is the original algorithm used in Gig Performer 4.5 and older builds.
3. Arithmetic Moving Average - the tempo is determined as the average of recent taps.
5. Exponential Moving Average - the tempo is determined as the average of recent taps,
but it is biased exponentially towards more recent taps.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Options and preferences 334
As for the new algorithms, the Instant algorithm is intended for very precise but fast
detection and is mostly suitable when used mechanically. The other algorithms depend
on how accurate one is with their tapping. Test these algorithms to determine which one
works the best for you.
When you select the desired algorithm, check out the Tempo and Time signature chapter
to see how to tap tempo.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Keyboard shortcuts 335
17 Keyboard shortcuts
In this chapter find out more about keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Gig Performer.
Besides the common keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+C, V, D (Cmd+C, V, D on Mac) for
copy, paste, and duplicate respectively (works for plugins, panels, and widgets), check
other useful shortcuts in the tables below.
File management
Screen management
Rackspace management
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Keyboard shortcuts 336
Song/Setlist management
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Keyboard shortcuts 337
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Keyboard shortcuts 338
To see in which dialogs the Undo feature is supported, check out the Additional tips
chapter.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 339
18 GPScript
Most users will find everything they need in Gig Performer's extensive feature set. Still,
some users may require sophisticated custom functions that go beyond Gig Performer's
main feature set. For those users, we have created a proprietary programming language
called GPScript. GPScript enables you to perform incredible transformations and perform
complex tasks. While any language requires some understanding of programming,
GPScript is written to be accessible. If you can program spreadsheet macros or in a
language such as VBA, you are likely to be comfortable with GPScript.
GPScript can be used to implement your own MIDI processing plugin filters using the
Scriptlet plugin. While it has always been possible to create scripts for individual
rackspaces, you can now create scripts at the song level and at the gig level. The Gig level
script has some powerful features for efficiently rerouting incoming MIDI events, creating
system-wide keyboard macro shortcuts and sending commands out to hardware when
songs or rackspaces change.
Because GPScript will not be needed by most people and requires substantial
documentation, we will not cover it in this manual in great detail. However, if you are
interested, check out this simple example to get started: How to control multiple
parameters with a single widget.
Additionally, you can find an introduction to the GPScript language in this blog entry: The
GPScript programming language.
GPScript documentation can be found here (also accessible via the Help ->
Documentation):
- System function list
- Language manual
For a discussion of GPScript and help getting it to do what you need, check out the
GPScript section in the Gig Performer Community.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 340
In this chapter, we'll focus on a simple script allowing you to control multiple parameters
with a single widget.
Start Gig Performer and create a new empty gig. First, click on the Wiring view and create
a simple layout. In this example, besides built-in plugins, we are using two plugins - Nick
Crow 8505 and OrilRiver:
Refer to this blog article for more information on how to get these plugins, insert them
and connect them.
Let's say you want to control two parameters with a single widget: one parameter from
the NickCrow plugin and the second parameter from the OrilRiver plugin. To use a plugin
in scripting, you need to define a GPScript handle for it. Right-click on the NickCrow plugin
to open its contextual menu, then expand OSC/GPScript Handle and select Set Handle... :
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 341
Type in a GPScript handle name (i.e. Nick) and check the Use in GPScript check box.
Repeat the same steps for the OrilRiver plugin, set a handle name (i.e. Oril), and check the
Use in GPScript check box. Now your layout looks like this:
The next step is to insert a widget and assign it a GPScript name so you can use it in
scripting. Open the Panels View in Edit mode and insert the Plastic Blue Knob onto the
panel (refer to this chapter for more information):
In the Widget Properties Inspector, click on the Advanced tab and enter a GPScript name
for this widget (i.e. Knob1).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 342
The last information you need is a parameter number that you want to control with this
widget. Click on the Wiring View and double-click on the Nick Crow plugin to open its
plugin editor:
Move the desired control (i.e. the Gain knob) and you'll immediately see its parameter
number (indicated with the red arrow). Repeat the same steps for the OrilRiver plugin
and note the parameter number of, for example, the Room Size knob (indicated with the
red arrow):
Click on the Window menu, select the Show Current Rackspace Script Editor menu item
and insert this code:
Var
Knob1 : Widget
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 343
SetParameter(Nick, 0, newValue)
SetParameter(Oril, 6, newValue)
End
If your script contains no errors, you'll receive a note that the compilation is successful.
Open the Panels view and move the widget; you'll notice how the chosen parameters
change accordingly:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 344
In the Var section, you simply declare your variables based on the GPScript names you
had previously given to them and specify their type (i.e. Knob1 : Widget or Nick, Oril :
PluginBlock). If you want to control more parameters from different plugins, simply give
those plugins the corresponding GPScript names and declare them in the Var section.
The section of code inside the callback simply tells the compiler what to do when the
event is detected; in this example, we want to set the parameter in the plugin with the
name "nick" and on the parameter number "0", with the value "newValue" (the current
value of the knob widget).
This basic demonstration of GPScript provides you with virtually unlimited flexibility to
create sophisticated setups for your live performance.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 345
If you are interested in learning more, join our Community to see how users incorporate
GPScript into their setups.
The Local GP Port exists only inside Gig Performer. You can create MIDI In blocks that
receive MIDI events from the Local GP Port, and widgets can be associated with MIDI
events arriving at this port, just like any physical MIDI Input port. There is also a MIDI Out
Local GP Port.
Note: this is not a virtual MIDI port visible to other applications. If you want to send
audio to other DAWs or hosts, use a GP Relayer block.
The main purpose of this feature is to allow widgets to respond to incoming SysEx
messages. GPScript lets you define a callback that will respond to incoming System
Exclusive messages. If you use this callback, you can detect the changing bytes (one, two
or more, depending on the particular message) from the SysEx message and generate
standard MIDI channel messages out of them. If you inject such messages into the new
Local GP Port, widgets can learn those messages and then control plugin parameters as
usual.
Note: this is the reason the MIDI Monitor windows have the ability to display SysEx
indices. It makes it easier for you to see which values in the incoming message need to be
detected and captured.
1. Use GPScript (in a rackspace, scriptlet or the global Gig Script) to create a MIDI
channel event (e.g. CC 42) and inject that message into the Local GP Port.
2. Open the Rig Manager and define a control that responds to that new CC event.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 346
The MIDI Out (Local GP Port) is designed to receive messages from plugins such as the
MIDI File Player, Envelope Follower or other third-party plugins such as arpeggiators so
that they can be mapped to widgets.
Important: do not connect any MIDI In (OMNI) device to this MIDI Out block to avoid
creating a MIDI feedback loop.
Note: if your trigger is another MIDI message coming from some other physical port - you
will get a popup in the Rig Manager indicating that multiple devices were detected while
learning your control:
Here is a simple script that injects everything that comes into a Scriplet plugin back into
the Local GP Port:
On MidiEvent(m : MidiMessage)
InjectMidiEvent("Local GP Port", m)
End
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
GPScript 347
If you want to name the "Local GP Port" in the Rig Manager to e.g. GP1 - you can then use
the following function:
InjectMidiEventViaRigManager("GP1", m)
Now simply drop a widget in and in the MIDI tab select the defined "Knob 3", for
example.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 348
In normal operation, Gig Performer loads all plugins for all rackspaces and does some
optimization to reduce the impact of hosting a large number of plugins simultaneously
while still allowing you to switch quickly from one rackspace to another. However, this
comes at the cost of RAM and CPU usage, which may create issues in systems with limited
resources and/or significant audio hosting requirements. The possible alternative -
loading just one rackspace (i.e. one set of plugins) at a time - would reduce RAM and CPU
requirements considerably, but at the cost of waiting while each new rackspace is loaded.
Gig Performer's Predictive loading feature provides a creative solution: preload only those
rackspaces that will be needed in the immediate future (e.g. while playing the current
song). Other rackspaces are not loaded and will, therefore, not consume any memory. As
an added benefit, startup time is significantly shortened since not all plugins need to be
loaded. You may also see some reduced overall CPU utilization.
To activate this feature, open the General Options and turn on the Predictive loading
toggle button. When this feature is activated, the Limit to maximum of field appears;
here specify the maximum number of rackspaces that will be pre-loaded around the
currently selected rackspace; you can select an odd value between 1 and 49. For example,
if you set 1, then only the selected rackspace will be loaded; If you set 7, that means that
the current rackspace as well as the next three and previous three rackspaces are also
loaded and instantly accessible:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 349
In the example above, each time you click on a rackspace the Predicting... status appears,
as indicated with (A); when seven rackspaces are loaded (the current rackspace plus three
rackspaces before and three rackspaces after) the status changes to Loaded, as indicated
with (B). The current rackspace is indicated with the green arrow, predicted rackspaces
are indicated with the blue arrow, and rackspaces that are not currently loaded are
indicated with the red arrow.
The optimal use of this feature assumes you will be moving from your current rackspace
to rackspaces that are close to it (within two, if the default value of 5 is being used). As
you move to a new rackspace, Gig Performer will then load and unload other rackspaces
so that there are always two available before and two after where you are. This happens
in the background and does not affect your audio.
When using setlists, the Predictive loading feature prioritizes what gets loaded. The
current song is always fully loaded, after that are loaded, in order: the next song,
previous song, and any further songs until the limit imposed by the Limit to maximum
setting is reached.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 350
Predictive loading provides glitch-free instant switching among those rackspaces that are
currently loaded, but with the tradeoff that you might not always be able to jump to an
arbitrary rackspace without a short delay, depending on the particular plugin
requirements. As a result, when using this option, you should configure your rackspaces
in such a way that they are in rough order of when they will be needed in a performance,
i.e. song intro -> first verse -> first chorus, etc. In that way, you can best ensure that you
will never have to "jump" to another rackspace that is farther away that the specified
number of loaded rackspaces (defined with the Limit to maximum field).
Note: rackspaces can easily be reordered by dragging them up and down using your
mouse or trackpad; holding down the Shift key while doing so results in the dragged
rackspace not being loaded, making it more efficient to do setlist reordering without
having to wait for each rackspace to load.
More details about Predictive loading can be found on the Gig Performer website: click
here.
Type in a partial string, such as "gg" to quickly find all plugins containing that name or
their developers name. You can also type in e.g. "synth" to display all your synth plugins.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 351
You can enter multiple substrings. For example, if you have the Arturia Modeling
Collection installed, you could type "art dx" to restrict the list to the Arturia DX7 plugins.
Using the substring "presets" or "favorites" will restrict the view to presets and favorites
that you have created.
Turning on the Abbreviate toggle button removes some text from the view, such as
favorites and presets, making the results easier to read.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 352
Search terms can be entered in the Filter field to help find the variation you want, as
indicated in the screenshot above.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 353
In this simple guitar layout, the audio signal first goes through the noise gate and is
converted to a stereo signal, which is then forwarded to the guitar effects plugin. Suppose
you want to re-use these three plugin blocks (indicated with the red rectangle) in other
rackspaces or in new gig files.
Simply select these plugins and right-mouse click on any selected plugin to open the
Selected Blocks contextual menu:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 354
Select the Save as Favorite... menu item, type in a name (e.g. GuitarBasic) in the dialog
that appears and click on the Save button.
Now let's create a new empty gig (File -> New -> New Empty Gig) to reuse the saved
favorite:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 355
Right-click on the empty surface to open the contextual menu, then expand Favorites and
select your favorite file:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 356
Three blocks are automatically inserted, connected to the audio input, and
interconnected as you saved them. Additionally, all parameter values in these blocks are
restored, so you can continue building your setup and connect it to the audio outputs.
Tip: you can also use the Quick Plugin, Favorite or Preset Finder, and filter for favorites:
Simply type in "fav" to show all favorites, and pick the desired from the list.
Favorites are a very valuable workflow tool, particularly useful for musicians who do
session work and need to very quickly create certain sounds on demand. It is now easy
for a musician to create a collection of favorite sounds, made from multiple
interconnected blocks and just recall them when needed.
Note: to delete a favorite, click on the Window menu and then click on the Open Content
Folders menu item; open the Favorites folder and then delete the desired favorite file.
You can insert favorites by using the drag-and-drop technique; check the Drag and drop
support section to learn more.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 357
- Gig files,
- Rackspace files,
- Song files,
- User plugin presets,
- Favorites.
Simply click on a supported file and while holding the mouse drag it into the Gig
Performer window. One of the four screens above will appear depending on the file type.
Note: you can load songs using drag and drop in the Streaming Audio File Player and the
MIDI File Player plugins.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 358
This window displays the information from the Global MIDI Assignments section in the
Global MIDI Options, MIDI assignments in Setlist Options, and widget MIDI assignments. If
you are wondering why some note is not playing or some MIDI CC message doesn't seem
to be working as expected, check this assignment list to make sure that you didn't
accidentally assign the message to a widget, thereby preventing it from being passed
through to a MIDI In block.
Note: double-clicking a line containing a widget (see the Kind column) opens the Widget
Properties window for that widget.
Widget MIDI assignments are always displayed for the currently active rackspace (not all
rackspaces in a gig file).
Note: mappings to physical controllers made in the Widget Properties inspector override
Global MIDI Assignments.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 359
This window allows you to easily review and/or troubleshoot not only widget mappings
but also other useful information such as Widget Link, Radio groups or handles for the
current rackspace and the Global rackspace.
This list is sorted alphabetically by the Plugin name column. If a plugin is used in multiple
rackspaces (like the KeysOfThe70s in the screenshot above), then the plugin will be listed
only once, and the corresponding rackspaces will be listed below that entry. Plugins that
are disabled in the Plugin Manager or whose files are missing are displayed in yellow.
Clicking on the Copy button will copy all entries to the Clipboard so you can easily paste
the copied content into, for example, a spreadsheet application.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 360
Note: if you are using the Predictive Loading feature, make sure that you first save your
gig file to view an accurate list of plugins that have been used.
Simply move the desired controls (such as buttons or knobs) of your favorite plugin and
the corresponding parameters will be automatically captured by the Probabilistic Sound
Designer. Click on the Randomize button to create a new sound. Discover what amazing
sounds your plugin can produce. Of course, you can save your created configuration along
with the plugin preset so that you can later continue from where you left off.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 361
Refer to the Song Part Properties chapter for more information about the MIDI Helper
Tool. This tool is also used in MIDI Out blocks to send arbitrary sequences of MIDI
messages (including SysEx) when a rackspace is activated.
19.11 Remap MIDI messages without using the MIDI Filter plugin
Like other plugins, a MIDI In block has numerous parameters that widgets can control.
These parameters include any MIDI note or continuous controller message. This makes it
possible to remap MIDI messages coming from a physical controller without using the
MIDI Filter plugin. Perform these steps to remap MIDI messages:
· First, make sure that your MIDI device is connected to your computer and that you
have added the corresponding MIDI In block onto the surface in the Wiring view.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 362
· In the Panels view Edit mode, create a new widget, e.g. a Black Slider (Horizontal)
and click on it to select it (1).
· In the widget mapping area, choose the MIDI In block corresponding to your desired
MIDI device (2).
· Choose a note or continuous controller from the Parameter list in the Mapping
section (3).
· In the widget properties area, click on the MIDI tab (4), then click on the Learn
button (5) and move the physical controller.
Note that this area indicated with the red rectangle changed from "(no MIDI In
assignment yet)" to something else (depends on the MIDI device you used and what
physical controller you moved).
Incoming messages from the physical controller (e.g. Controller 6, Channel 1) are now
remapped to the note or continuous controller you chose (e.g. CC15).
Entering values
You can easily set values in various fields by clicking on the field and moving the mouse
up or down:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 363
Additionally, if you also hold the Shift key, values are increased or decreased by 0.1. Note
that the dragging speed is also taken into account; moving your mouse faster will make
greater changes in values.
By default, clicking on the field opens a mini pad for entering values:
Click on the up/down arrows to change value by 1, hold the Shift key to change the value
by 0.1, or simply type in the desired value.
Turning on the Touch-friendly number editing toggle button in Display Options shows a
larger keypad instead of the mini pad:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 364
Use this option if you run Gig Performer on a touchscreen device such as a Microsoft
Surface tablet.
Note: you can also directly enter values using MIDI numbers, by adding the letter "m" at
the end of the value. For example, if you type in "64m", Gig Performer will interpret it as
an exact value of 50.39 (roughly 50% of the maximum MIDI value of 127).
Hold the Shift key down while Gig Performer is starting and it will open the Temporary
Startup Options dialog:
This is a one-time menu, and permanent options and preferences will not be changed.
For example, if Load last gig file is turned off, Gig Performer will not load the previous gig
file, even if you have the toggle button "Reload the last gig on startup" turned on in the
General Options window. Visit this blog article to learn more about these options.
Holding the Shift key while dragging rackspaces (or songs in the Setlists view) prevents the
dragged rackspace/song from being activated (this can be very useful for adjusting your
setlist order when Predictive Loading is enabled).
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 365
To make a quick stereo connection, you can either hold the Shift key down and drag a
wire from an output port of one plugin to the input port of another plugin or hold the
Shift key down while dragging a plugin until its output pins touch the input pins of
another plugin, then release (unclick) the mouse. If there is already a connection, this
operation will cause it to be removed instead.
Fine control
Hold down the Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) key for fine control while adjusting a
widget.
In the MIDI In plugin editors, if you hold the Shift key down while enabling or disabling
individual MIDI channels by clicking on their respective check boxes, the other check
boxes will be set to their opposite states. This is a convenient way to quickly enable a
single channel while blocking all others.
Holding the Shift key while clicking on the Learn MIDI for selected item buttons in the
Global MIDI Options and Setlist Options dialog clears the MIDI assignment.
To quickly assign two or more selected widgets to a widget link group "N", select all
widgets and press the keyboard key N while holding the Alt key (or Option on Mac).
If you hold the Shift key down while clicking on the scaling curve (of a widget, Probabilistic
Sound Designer, or velocity curves in MIDI In blocks), the curve settings will be copied to
the clipboard:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 366
If you then hold down Shift + Ctrl (or Shift + Cmd on Mac) and click on another curve, the
previously copied settings will replace the settings of that curve:
If you click on a widget while holding the Shift key in the Panels view, the Widget actions
menu will appear; check the Widget contextual menu chapter to learn more.
If you right-click on a plugin while holding the Shift key in the Wiring view, you'll notice
the Duplicate with inputs menu item. Clicking on this menu item will preserve connections
with the plugin inputs. For example, if you duplicate with inputs the Gain and Balance
plugin block in (A), then the duplicate will preserve the connections, as indicated with (B):
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Important workflow tools and tips 367
Plugin blocks can be automatically inserted into an Audio/MIDI path by holding down the
Shift key while dragging the block over the connection wires. Simply hold Shift and click
on the desired plugin block (A), then drag it onto connection wires until they light up (B),
and then release the click (C).
Hold Shift and drag an already inserted block to remove that block from the path.
Undo facility
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Extensions 368
20 Extensions
This chapter is dedicated to Gig Performer extensions. You will learn about extensions
and how to enable or disable them.
Please refer to this blog article to check out what third-party extensions are currently
available for Gig Performer.
For example, if you had a keyboard with a display and the keyboard's manufacturer
created an extension for Gig Performer (with our SDK), Gig Performer would be able to
communicate directly with your keyboard, and show various parameters, such as Song
name, Rackspace name or Tempo on the display (or assign buttons and knobs with
functions in Gig Performer).
Additionally, extensions may also provide panels and menu items in Gig Performer that
may help to use them better.
Gig Performer exposes an API (application programming interface) that allows third-party
developers to create libraries that can be used to interface with Gig Performer. The
primary purpose of the API is to enable the creation of libraries to manage control
surfaces and other hardware that one might want to use with Gig Performer, but it is also
possible to create 3rd party GUI tools as well.
Extensions are developed using Gig Performer's SDK (software development kit) which is
freely available under the GPL-3.0 license and can be downloaded from GitHub. Visit that
link to learn more about SDK and fundamentals.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Extensions 369
The New External Library dialog will appear, allowing you to install the found external
library.
Installed extensions are enabled by default. To manage installed extensions open the
Extensions Options:
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Extensions 370
If you want to reload your enabled extensions, click Options -> Reload Third Party
Libraries:
If an extension provides one or more custom panels, they will be displayed under the
New panel drop-down list in the Extensions sub-menu (which is otherwise hidden if there
aren't extensions that provide additional panels):
Expand the Extensions sub-menu and select the desired panel. Alternatively, open the
panel contextual menu, expand the Extensions sub-menu (which is hidden if there aren't
extensions that provide additional panels) and select the desired panel.
Note: if you suspect that an extension is preventing Gig Performer from starting normally,
you can temporarily disable extensions in the Temporary Startup Options. Check the
Additional tips chapter to learn more.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Optimizing your computer for a glitch-free audio
performance 371
Additionally, you may want to optimize your plugins and make clever choices in their
configuration. To learn more, please refer to this blog article Clever ways to optimize your
plugin usage.
Audio latency is simply the amount of time that passes between the sound being
generated and then perceived by your brain. Basically, it is a delay.
For example, if you are 10ft away from the speakers, and since the speed of sound is
approximately 1,000 ft/s in air, it means that it takes 10 ft : 1000 ft/s = 0.1 seconds (or 10
milliseconds) for sound to travel from the speakers to your ears. The latency here is
about 10 ms.
Buffer size is basically the number of samples that will be collected before your audio
plugins get to process them. Your audio interface is an analog-to-digital as well as digital-
to-analog converter. It takes any audio input, converts that into digital form (numbers)
and then converts those numbers back to analog audio on the output side.
The Sample rate determines how many samples your audio interface will capture every
second and perform the above-mentioned conversions. A common sampling frequency
for live use is 44.1 KHz.
For example, if your buffer size is 256 and your sampling rate is 44.1 KHz (44,100 times
per second, as Hz means cycles per second) then your latency will be 256/44,100 seconds
which is 0.0058 seconds or 5.8 ms.
If your buffer size is 256 and the sample rate is 96 KHz you will get 256/96,000 = 2.7 ms
latency.
You can experiment with this: If you change the buffer size to 128 and leave the sampling
frequency at 44.1 KHz – your latency will be 2.9 ms and so on.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Optimizing your computer for a glitch-free audio
performance 372
These values directly affect the performance of your PC, as smaller latency values require
your computer to respond more quickly to process all those samples in time without
producing any glitches.
It has been shown that people can perceive differences between 3 ms – 10 ms, and that
our brain cannot distinguish anything below 3 ms.
Therefore, for live performance, many musicians use a buffer size of 256 or 128 and a
sample rate of 44.1 KHz. We are not discussing here a recording scenario, which should be
done slightly differently.
Generally speaking, using higher buffer sizes or lower sample rates lets your computer
run at lower temperatures and allows you to run more intensive plugins in parallel
without crackles or pops, but the trade-off will be higher latency or lower quality
respectively.
Another factor is the additional latency introduced by your audio interface. Not all audio
interfaces are created equal. Some have low internal latency for both A/D and D/A
conversions while others add more latency than perhaps you might like, so you have to
lower your buffer size to get the overall desired latency.
To find out how much extra latency your interface introduces - you can use Gig
Performer's built-in Latency Measurement Tool.
Note: Gig Performer also provides a feature to see how much latency every new plugin
adds to your setup. Simply hover over your plugin block to show a tooltip and look for
the Latency information. Find out more in the Plugins chapter.
The point is to create sufficient CPU headroom to ensure a glitch-free live performance.
You can also set smaller buffer sizes if that does not impact your live performance, but at
the cost of less CPU capacity for processing more plugins.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Optimizing your computer for a glitch-free audio
performance 373
Deskew Technologies, LLC provides you with a free e-book The Ultimate Guide to
Optimize your Windows PC for the Stage, that will help you to avoid issues like crackles,
dropouts, audio glitches, high latency and configure your PC to be a great audio platform.
We have compiled a list of tips to fully prepare your Mac for your live performance. Visit
this blog article to learn more: Optimize your Mac for a gig.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Join our community 374
We encourage you to join our growing community and share your experiences with the
best Gig Performer experts. Besides community moderators and our active members, Gig
Performer developers are also actively engaged in the community discussions. If you have
a problem with Gig Performer, your audio setup, or just need some advice - no problem:
many gigging musicians with ton of live performing experience will try to help you,
suggesting tips or possible solutions:
The Community is organized and split into different categories; whether you want to e.g.
discuss Gig Performer on Windows or macOS, plugins, hardware, OSC or customizing your
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Join our community 375
setup using scripts, simply select the corresponding category and create a new thread. If
you want to find a specific issue i.e. "virtual audio ports latency", use the integrated
search option.
Useful information in the Community is organized and indexed regularly; for example,
check out our complete Resources thread, where you can find all the tutorials and other
material to help you improve your setup. Save your time, learn the best practices, and
share your experiences with us at community.gigperformer.com.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
A word from the Gig Performer creators 376
· We wanted to create our "sounds" without being distracted by figuring out routings,
buses, inserts, sends, and other constraints imposed by a channel strip paradigm.
That drove our decision to use a visual metaphor for connecting plugins together.
· We wanted to ensure that Gig Performer was suitable for all kinds of musicians, and
not biased towards keyboard players.
David is primarily a keyboard player and Nebojsa was primarily a guitarist. This allowed
for two very different perspectives on how a plugin host should work to meet such
disparate needs. The combined requirements resulted in a system that can be used by
almost any kind of musician who wants to work with technology.
We feel that we have managed to stay true to these goals in Gig Performer while
providing numerous new and important features. This iteration of Gig Performer is
packed with new functionality and powerful improvements.
We are confident that you will Own the Stage® with Gig Performer®.
We could not have done this without our awesome beta group. You may recognize some
of these names / handles from our forums.
@pianopaul – Thaddäus: There's no way we could have found some of the bugs you did.
@rank13 – Kieran: Thank you for all the user interface improvements.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
A word from the Gig Performer creators 377
@David-san – David: Thank you for suggesting things and always pushing back when
needed.
@keyman – Antonio: There's no way we could have moved forward so fast without your
input.
@edm11 – Ed: Thank you for your valuable feedback and insights.
@speed12 – Mark: You've been helping us for a long time. Thanks for your support.
@tonycore – Tony: Thanks for all your efforts in bringing people aware of Gig Performer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 378
24 Appendix
In this chapter you can review the license agreement and find out more information
about the basic terminology used in Gig Performer, file extensions and many other topics
that are organized as subchapters.
1. License Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, DESKEW hereby
grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to reproduce and use a reasonable
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 379
number of copies of the Software and the accompanying Documentation solely for your
internal evaluation purposes during the term of this Agreement (as set forth in Section 3
below). You may install each authorized copy of the Software only on the computer,
workstation, personal digital assistant, pager, “smart phone”, or other electronic device
for which the Software was designed.
2. Ownership Rights. The Software is protected by United States copyright laws and
international treaty provisions. DESKEW and its suppliers retain all right, title, and
interest in and to the Software, including all copyrights, patents, trade secret rights,
trademarks, and other intellectual property rights therein. Your possession, installation,
or evaluation of the Software does not transfer to you any title to the intellectual
property in the Software. All rights in the Software and Documentation not expressly
granted to you in this Agreement are reserved by DESKEW and its suppliers.
3. Restrictions. You may not rent, lease, loan, resell, or otherwise redistribute the
Software or Documentation to any third party. You may not permit any third party to
benefit from the use or functionality of the Software via a timesharing, service bureau, or
other arrangement. You may not transfer (by assignment, sublicense, operation of law, or
otherwise) any of the rights granted to you under this Agreement; and any purported
transfer will be null and void and result in immediate termination of this Agreement. You
may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software, except to the extent
(if at all) the foregoing restriction is expressly prohibited by applicable law. You may not
modify, or create derivative works based upon, the Software or Documentation, in whole
or in part. You may not copy the Software or Documentation, except as expressly
permitted in Section 1 above. You may not remove any proprietary notices or labels on
the Software or Documentation. The Software may contain a usage tracking mechanism
for purposes of monitoring license compliance. You agree not to (a) disable or block the
operation of this tracking mechanism and (b) delete tracking information that may be
stored with the Software. DESKEW reserves the right to review such usage tracking
information for the purpose of verifying your compliance with this Agreement.
4. Warranty Disclaimer. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, DESKEW DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESSOR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE AND THE
DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON INFRINGEMENT.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Software is not fault-tolerant and is
not designed or intended for use in hazardous environments requiring fail-safe
performance, such as the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or
communication systems, air traffic control, weapons systems, direct life-support
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 380
machines, and any other application in which the failure of the Software could lead
directly to death, personal injury, or severe physical or property damage. You assume full
responsibility for the installation of, use of, and results obtained from the Software.
Without limiting the foregoing, DESKEW makes no warranty that the Software will be
error-free.
7. Export Controls. You are advised that the Software is subject to the U.S. Export
Administration Regulations. You will not directly or indirectly export, import, or transfer
Software contrary to U.S. or other applicable laws, and will not cause, approve, or assist
others to do so. You represent and agree that (a) neither the United States Bureau of
Export Administration nor any other federal agency has suspended, revoked or denied
your export privileges, and (b) you are not located in or a resident of any other country to
which the United States has embargoed goods.
8. Miscellaneous. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the United States and the
State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles. The application of the
United Nations Convention of Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly
excluded. Any dispute between the parties arising out of or related to this Agreement
shall be settled by final, binding arbitration utilizing the dispute resolution procedures of
the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in San Francisco, CA. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, DESKEW may bring suit in any appropriate forum for any breach of Sections 1,
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 381
Control Change
Most commonly referred to as a "CC". A CC message consists of a controller number and
a value between 0-127. Expression pedals, knobs, faders and buttons typically send these
types of messages. Synth modules might also send these messages out when you adjust
certain parameters.
Curves
Also known as scale curves, curves are used to adjust how widgets move as a function of
incoming MIDI messages. Curves are also used to define velocity mappings for keyboards.
Extensions
Extensions are basically external libraries that Gig Performer can load and provide the
additional functionality, e.g. support for a hardware device such as Stream Deck. Click
here to see the list of available extensions for Gig Performer.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 382
Gig
A Gig Performer file (gig file or "gig") containing all the data you have created -
rackspaces, variations, and all widgets and widget groups.
Global rackspace
A special always running rackspace that can be used to manage common plugins needed
by most or all rackspaces. For example, you might have a compressor or final EQ that you
want all rackspaces to use. Or you might want to run a looper plugin that needs to stay
running regardless of which rackspace is running. If you use the same instrument (an
acoustic piano perhaps) in almost all your rackspaces, you might insert that instrument in
the Global rackspace instead, making your other rackspaces easier to manage.
Host automation
The old approach of controlling plugin parameters is through the direct MIDI controller
mapping to these parameters. However, the modern approach of controlling plugin
parameters is through the plugin's host automation support. This means that a host (Gig
Performer) can automate (manage) plugin's parameters through widgets.
Instance
Multiple copies of Gig Performer can be launched and run simultaneously on a single
computer. Each of these independent copies, running in its own window, is called an
“instance” of Gig Performer. This is useful for applications like giving different band
members the ability to change the rackspace affecting their particular instrument without
changing the rackspaces affecting other instruments.
MIDI
An acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface—a standard protocol for the
interchange of musical information between computers, controllers, and hardware-based
electronic musical instruments such as synthesizers and samplers. Visit this blog article to
learn how Gig Performer enables you to have the most flexible MIDI processing.
MIDI controller
A physical device such as a keyboard or pedalboard typically connected to your computer
via USB.
OSC
Acronym for Open Sound Control—a communications protocol that is optimized for
modern networking technology.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 383
Panel
In Gig Performer, an area (visually similar to hardware rack-mounted sound modules and
signal processors) containing widgets used to control the plugins in the rackspace
containing the panel. A rackspace can contain multiple panels, each containing one or
more widgets.
Panels View
The Gig Performer screen containing the panels and widgets used to control your sounds
during performance.
Pin
Plugins are connected by connecting virtual wires to their pins (also called plugin ports).
Plugins may have one or more input/output pins. MIDI pins are colored orange and audio
pins are colored blue. See the chapter Wiring view for more information on plugin pins.
Plugin
Also referred to as a plugin block or just "block". A package of functionality that can be
employed by any compatible audio host software. There is a tremendous variety of
plugins available in the audio/music marketplace, but many popular plugins are software
emulations of physical instruments or hardware devices. Originally developed for use
within DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) applications, some plugins (called "virtual
instruments") generate audio, for example, emulations of musical instruments and
synthesizers, while effects plugins alter incoming audio signals, such as from a
microphone, electric guitar, or virtual instrument, offering processes like equalization,
filtering, compression, limiting, reverb, delay, flanging, chorusing, phasing, and the like.
Tip: Don't mix plugin formats from the same company. (click here to learn more)
Port
An alternate name for a MIDI input or output device.
Program Change
Also referred to as a "patch change" (or "PC", when talking about MIDI messages; don't
confuse this with "computer"). These messages are commonly used to prompt hardware
or software to change a preset (or "patch"). If General MIDI is being used, the program
change number indicates a particular sound. Since this standard isn't obligatory,
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 384
manufacturers may list patches in any order they wish. See this blog article to learn how
to manage program change events in Gig Performer.
Rackspace
A collection of interconnected plugins, along with one or more panels containing widgets
to control plugin parameters in real time. A rackspace can actually be pretty much
anything you like: It could represent a single sound or all the elements you need for an
entire song - or even just one part of a song. You can switch from one rackspace to
another instantaneously - and with no interruption of sound - either from your laptop,
with up/down pedals, or via MIDI program change messages. Click here to learn more.
Radio group
Allows you to group multiple widgets where only one widget in the group is turned on at
a time. Supported widgets are buttons, LEDs, switches, and the Sustain pedal. You can
define up to 99 radio groups. A widget cannot be a member in both radio group and a
widget link group. To learn more about this feature, visit the chapter How to add a widget
to a Radio Group.
Rig
In Gig Performer, a "Rig" is a collection of three sets of information: a set of physical MIDI
controllers, a set of virtual controllers that can be attached to widgets, and a map that
relates the two sets, thereby connecting your physical controller, through widgets, to
parameter controls.
Rig Manager
A mechanism that allows you to quickly change your connected MIDI hardware so your
rackspaces are not dependent on specific devices. The Rig Manager is also used to help
you distinguish multiple identical MIDI controllers.
Scriptlet
A proprietary plugin in Gig Performer that executes GPScript code to implement
specialized MIDI transformations. Click here to see the list of community-created
scriptlets.
Setlist
A collection of songs arranged in a desired order. Setlists are assembled from the library
of available songs; you might have one setlist for a set you perform regularly and other
setlists for individual performances requiring different songs or a different order. A song
in a setlist is made active simply by clicking on it.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 385
Song
A collection of song parts arranged in a desired order. Songs can execute actions when
they are made active, such as sending out a MIDI program change message, overriding the
current tempo with the song tempo, or opening a ChordPro file showing chords and
lyrics. A library of songs can be built up, making them available to be used in setlists.
Song Part
An individual section of a song, such as a verse, chorus, bridge, or interlude. A song part
consists of a reference to a rackspace along with some other properties. Selecting a song
part makes its associated rackspace variation active, and can perform other actions like
overriding the current tempo or sending out a custom string of MIDI messages. As the
lowest level building block of setlists, song parts can be easily accessed by MIDI program
change commands from an external controller, the large song part tiles in the Setlist/Song
view, or by song part tiles in the Gig Performer Lemur template (or another custom OSC
template).
Variation
These are essentially rackspace presets, all containing the same plugins and
interconnections, but with different widget settings. For example, you can create a
rackspace to add phasing to a piano sound, and then add several variations, each with
different degrees of phase intensity. Since variations actually store widget settings, every
parameter you want stored in a variation must be assigned to a widget on a rack panel.
As with rackspaces, you can switch from one variation to another instantaneously - and
with no interruption of sound - either from your laptop, with up/down pedals, or via
MIDI program change messages.
Widget
A virtual object (such as a knob, slider, button, or meter) used to control and/or display
plugin settings. Widgets can be operated either with your laptop’s mouse or trackpad, or
remotely from a MIDI controller. With the use of OSC, widgets can also be operated from
iOS / Android tablets or smartphones.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 386
Wiring View
The Wiring view is where you create your plugins and connect them together.
File Description
extension
gig a gig file contains all the data you have created: rackspaces, variations,
and all widgets/widget groups
gpaudiosetti exported Gig Performer audio settings are stored in this format
ngs
gpc this extension indicates a compiled GPScript file
gpfav used for storing the plugin or selection of plugins saved as favorites
gppanel a Gig Performer panel template file extension
gpp_audioun saved presets of AU plugins are stored in this format
it
gpp_internal saved presets of built-in plugins are stored in this format
gpp_vst saved presets of VST plugins are stored in this format
gpp_vst3 saved presets of VST3 plugins are stored in this format
gppsd_audio Probabilistic Sound Designer file extension addressing AU plugins
unit
gppsd_vst Probabilistic Sound Designer file extension addressing VST plugins
gppsd_vst3 Probabilistic Sound Designer file extension addressing VST3 plugins
gpscale stores the widget's curve scaled value
gpsettings exported Gig Performer settings are stored in this format
gpsong songs are stored in this format
rackspace this format is used to store the exported rackspace
rigsetup the Rig Manager setup is exported to this file format
userkeyword exported user keywords from the Plugin Manager are stored in this format
s
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 387
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 388
C:
/Users/Username/Documents Exported audio settings
\Users\Username\Documents\
/Gig Performer/AudioSettings folder
Gig Performer\AudioSettings
/Users/Username/Documents C:
Exported all options
/Gig \Users\Username\Documents\
folder
Performer/GlobalOptions Gig Performer\GlobalOptions
C:
/Users/Username/Documents Default folder where
\Users\Username\Documents\
/Gig cached audio files are
Gig
Performer/CachedAudioFiles stored
Performer\CachedAudioFiles
Similarly, if the audio interface connected to the current system does not have enough
inputs or outputs to accommodate the setup utilized by the file, Gig Performer will
prompt you to create "Virtual channels" that produce no input or output but retain all
connections. Doing so will allow you to modify the file, save it and later reopen it on a
computer that is connected to the original audio interface.
If you plan to use Gig Performer on both macOS and Windows, you may want to consider
just using VST plugins on macOS rather than AU plugins. This will make it easier for you to
use the same gigs on both platforms, assuming of course you have the plugins themselves
on both platforms.
For more information, please refer to this blog article Cross-platform usage and moving
from one platform to another.
24.6 Troubleshooting
In this chapter we present you with the most common troubleshooting tips. Also make
sure to check out our dedicated blog article Tips to troubleshoot your computer-based
setup.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 389
No sound
Test your audio system to make sure it is receiving signal from your connected audio
interface.
Make sure one or more plugins have connections from their audio output(s) to one or
more audio input(s) on your connected audio interface.
If you have multiple audio interfaces connected to your system, make sure the correct
one is selected in Audio Options.
If you are running Gig Performer on Mac OS X 10.14 or above, you will be prompted to
allow access to the "microphone"; check the Before you start chapter to learn more.
Normally Gig Performer scans only certain "standard" folders for plugins, such as (in
macOS systems) Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST or (in Windows systems) C:\Program
Files\VstPlugins. However, some plugin and DAW manufacturers install their plugins in
different folders. If Gig Performer isn't finding your plugins, that's the likely cause. To
instruct it to scan different folders, open the Plugin Manager and click on the Manage
button in the bottom left-hand corner, then select Set VST folders for scanning... and Set
VST3 folders for scanning... In these dialogs you can easily add or delete folders to the list
of those scanned by Gig Performer.
If you are a Mac user and your Mac uses the new M1, M2, or newer processors, please
check this blog article to learn more how to resolve possible problems with missing
plugins.
In most cases, Gig Performer will automatically detect all audio interfaces connected to
your system. If it does not, check to make sure that the interface is connected and
powered on, and relaunch Gig Performer. If your audio interface still does not appear,
take the following steps:
· MacOS: start up the Audio MIDI Setup app in the Utilities folder and make sure that
your interface appears in the list of input and output devices on the left-hand side
of the Audio Devices window. If it does not appear, consult the documentation for
your interface.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 390
· Windows: go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound and make sure that
your interface appears in the list of playback and recording devices. If it does not
appear, consult the documentation for your interface.
In most cases, Gig Performer will automatically detect all MIDI controllers connected to
your system via USB. If it does not, check to make sure that the controller is powered on,
and relaunch Gig Performer. If your MIDI controller still does not appear, take the
following steps:
· MacOS: go to Utilities -> Audio MIDI Setup and select Show MIDI Studio from the
Window menu, then make sure that your controller appears in the window and is
not grayed out. If it is grayed out or does not appear, consult the documentation for
your controller.
· Windows: press the key combination Win key + X and then select the Device
Manager; make sure that your controller appears in the "Sound, video and game
controllers" category. If it appears with a yellow question mark or exclamation
point, right-click and choose the Update Driver Software option. If it does not
appear, consult the documentation for your controller.
Double-click on the widget in Edit mode to open the Widget Properties inspector and
make sure that it is assigned to a plugin and a plugin parameter.
Note: If your question is not answered here, please check our Gig Performer Resources. If
your problem is still not addressed, feel free to open a new thread in our Community
forums or reach out to us through our support page.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 391
Returns a list of
/GigPerformer/GetSetLists
available setlists
Switch to a specific set
/GigPerformer/SelectSetList Integer
list
Returns a list of
/SetList/GetSongList available songs in the
current setlist
Returns a list of
/SetList/GetSongParts available song parts for
the current song
Returns a list of
/Song/GetSongParts available song parts for
the current song
Bring the main GP
/Window/ToFront
window to the front
Send the main GP
/Window/ToBack
window to the back
/Window/FullScreen Integer(0, 1) Make GP be fullscreen
/Actions/PanelView Switch to the Panel view
Switch to the Wiring
/Actions/WiringView
view
/Actions/SetlistView Switch to the Setlist view
/Actions/ShowGlobalRackspa Show/hide the Global
Integer (0, 1)
ce rackspace
/Actions/ToggleGlobalRacksp Toggle the Global
ace rackspace
Switch to a specific
/GigPerformer/SwitchToProgr
Integer(program number) rackspace using program
amNumber
number
Switch to a specific
/GigPerformer/SwitchToProgr Integer(MSB), Integer(LSB), rackspace using bank
amNumber Integer(Program number) select values and
program number
/Tap Emulate tap tempo
Set the master fader
/SetMasterFader Double (0.0 .. 1.0)
volume
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 392
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 393
in a song part
Clear the snapshot,
thereby resetting
/SongPart/ClearSnapshot
widgets to the original
rackspace values
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 394
to a variation in that
rackspace
/GigPerformer/MoveDown
/GigPerformer/MoveUp
/GigPerformer/NextRackSpac Switch to the next
e RackSpace
Switch to the previous
/GigPerformer/PrevRackSpace
RackSpace
Switch to the next
/RackSpace/NextVariation
variation
Switch to the previous
/RackSpace/PrevVariation
variation
MIDI messages - replace "oscHandle" with the handle of the MIDI In Block
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 395
/oscHandle/AT
/oscHandle/PC
Send an aftertouch
Integer(aftertouch amount),
/oscHandle/AT (channel pressure)
Integer(1..16)
message
Send a program change
/oscHandle/PC Integer(0..127)
message
Plugin parameter control - replace "oscHandle" with the handle of a plugin block
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC
Appendix 396
Switch to a different
plugin preset (NB some
/oscHandle/SetPreset Integer
plugins do not support
this)
Loads the GP preset
/OSCHandle/LoadGPPreset <preset name> specified by the preset
name
Returns the number of
/oscHandle/GetParamCount
parameters in a plugin
Get the value of the
/oscHandle/GetParam Integer(Parameter Number)
given parameter number
The value 1 will bypass
/oscHandle/Bypass Integer(0, 1) the plugin - the value 0
will unbypass it
Note: some of these commands send back a lot of information. You may want to use a
tool such as OSCShark or Max to view the response messages.
Gig Performer 5.x User Manual © 2016 - 2024 Deskew Technologies, LLC