Deskew Technologies has announced the release of an entry-level, budget-friendly edition of its acclaimed live performance plugin host.
Designed for musicians who want to spend less time configuring and more time performing, Gig Performer Essentials delivers the flexibility of the full version in a more focused, streamlined package.
“Gig Performer Essentials is built for musicians who want simplicity without compromise,” said David Jameson, co-founder and CEO of Deskew Technologies. “It offers the same rock-solid reliability and intuitive workflow, graphic matrix interface, plugin flexibility, and powerful performance engine that made Gig Performer a standard among touring professionals—just with a curated feature set that delivers a more focused, immediate experience.”
Inspired by Professionals. Refined for Everyone
Gig Performer was originally developed a decade ago by dedicated touring musicians to address the shortcomings of existing products and to create workflows that could only be achieved by awkwardly combining multiple tools.
Today, Gig Performer is trusted by thousands of performing artists worldwide as an all-in-one VST/AU plugin host, setlist manager, audio mixer, backing track player, sound design tool, MIDI patch bay, and much more.
Its distinctive visual approach to routing enables musicians to effortlessly create sophisticated performance setups with clarity and control, whether on macOS or Windows.
Over time, many Gig Performer users have evolved into power users—exploring deep customization through features like GPScript and advanced widget behavior. However, Deskew recognized that not every performer requires that level of detail and customization, making Essentials 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,” added Jameson.
Gig Performer Essentials features
- 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.
And 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.
Gig Performer Essentials is available at an entry-level price of USD $59 USD. A trial version of the new software is available.
More information: Deskew Technologies
