Deskew Technologies has released Gig Performer Essentials, an entry-level, budget-friendly edition of its live performance plugin host. Designed for musicians, Gig Performer Essentials delivers the flexibility of the full version in a more focused, streamlined package.
Inspired by Professionals. Refined for Everyone. Gig Performer was originally developed by touring musicians to address the shortcomings of existing products and to create workflows that previously could only be achieved by awkwardly combining multiple tools. Over ten years later, Gig Performer is used by thousands of performing artists worldwide as an all-in-one VST/AU plugin host, set list manager, audio mixer, backing track player, sound design tool, MIDI patch bay, and more.
Gig Performer’s distinctive visual approach to routing enables musicians to easily create sophisticated performance setups with clarity and control, whether on macOS or Windows. Many Gig Performer users have evolved into power users—exploring deep customization through features like GPScript and advanced widget behavior. However, for users who do have no need for that level of detail and customization, Essentials serves as a logical extension of the Gig Performer family.
“By having a more streamlined experience, Gig Performer Essentials users will enjoy the benefits of our flagship platform but with a more plug-and-play approach,” said David Jameson, co-founder and CEO of Deskew Technologies.
Gig Performer Key Essentials features include:
- Plugin Hosting (VST/AU): Use your favorite virtual instruments and effects on stage, with no limits on how many VSTs you can host.
- Unlimited Rackspaces: Create reusable sound setups and switch between them instantly.
- Global Rackspace: Keep key sounds and effects running across your whole set.
- Multi-Song MIDI Player: Add backing tracks, automation, or MIDI control seamlessly.
- Streaming Audio File Player: Load thousands of songs into your Gig files without depleting RAM resources, removing the ceiling on backing tracks available during a show.
- Unlimited Setlists: Organize your songs and switch on the fly.
- Visual Signal Routing: Intuitive drag-and-drop connections for audio and MIDI.
- MIDI Controller Support: Integrate your hardware naturally and efficiently.
- Community Access: Tap into an active user base for support and ideas.
When Essentials users are ready to expand or get more granular, they can upgrade to the full version of Gig Performer at any time, with credit applied. All rackspaces built in Essentials are fully compatible with the full version, ensuring a seamless transition.
Pricing and Availability. Gig Performer Essentials is available starting today at an entry-level price of $59 USD. Learn more about Gig Performer Essentials on the Gig Performer blog, or purchase or download a trial version of the new software at www.gigperformer.com.
The awesome VST host, Cantabile, has always had three versions:
A free, a mid-tier lower-priced, and a full version.
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/compare
Only for Windows. GP runs on Mac.
Trying to understand what the limitations are. Allegedly, the (Old School) User Guide labels which features are stripped from Essentials yet a search for “essentials” returned nothing.
This page has a broad description:
https://gigperformer.com/essentials-why-upgrade
Audio/MIDI Activity Monitoring
Levels and activity (Activity)
Song Part Actions (7 actions instead of 17)
Easily Manage Multiple Rigs
Record Incoming/Outgoing Audio/MIDI
Ableton Link
Multiple Instance Support
Save/Load Audio Configuration
Custom Fonts
Customizable Random Sound Creation
Audio Mixers (4 and 8 channels only)
Audio File Time Stretching and Pitch Shifting
Timeline and Actions (Limited action support)
MIDI Finger Tap
MIDI Merge for MIDI Inputs
Share Real-time Audio and MIDI with DAW
Auto Sampler
System Actions (Limited support)
Envelope Follower
MIDI Clock Support
Predictive Loading
GPScript Programming Language
Scriptlets
OSC Support
Third-Party Extension Support
Apple Mainstage has done this for years, for free.
From Apple nothing is free.
You pay in form of hidden “subscription” fee when, after a few years, you are unable to update your machine, and are therefore forced to make a new purchase.
Apart from this folkloristic detail about Apple, there are several alternative for live laptops out there, but I’m glad that Gigperformer has realised that spending £170 isn’t appealing to everyone. Especially when you clearly state that you will never offer a discount…
I have a laptop from 2014. Still runs every bit of software now that it did then. I’ve paid nothing extra.
I have a laptop from 2014. Still runs every bit of software now that it did then. I’ve paid nothing extra. Don’t get me wrong – Gigperformer is great for people without a Mac that needs performance software. It’s just what I did claim.
MainStage is $29.99 from the App Store. Maybe it was initially free but hasn’t been for years, now.
According to their website, Gig Performer can run perfectly well on a Mac dating back to 2012 with macOS 10.9, or even on a low-cost Windows 7 Intel NUC costing just a few hundred euros.
Apple, on the other hand, is valued at over €2.82 trillion. With resources on that scale, they’re able to offer Logic Pro and MainStage at prices far below those of independent developers—not because the software is cheaper to develop, but because Apple can make up the difference by encouraging users to upgrade their laptops every few years. New features are often tied to newer hardware or operating systems, rendering older machines obsolete.
While Logic Pro and MainStage aren’t technically free, given Apple’s vast financial resources, they may as well be. It’s somewhat surprising that Apple hasn’t faced legal challenges from other audio software companies over what could be considered anti-competitive pricing strategies.
Gig Performer Pro and Essentials v5.2.2 are available as a free update for all Gig Performer 5 users. This release expands what song part actions can do, introduces practical tools for building and managing your setup, and brings additional mixer and audio capabilities to Gig Performer Essentials. Many enhancements from user feedback have also been added.
Gig Performer Pro: $169
Gig Performer Essentials: $59
Academic 50% and Partner 10% discounts available.