KVR Audio

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:21 pm

Hi there - hope this is the right forum section, as these are sort of plugin hosts..

I've been living under a rock, using Element to chain synths and effects in a modular way, and then I found there is something like Gig Performer.

The thing is, Gig Performer is quite expensive, while you can get some version of Element for free.

Could anyone who knows both tell me the difference? I can already make complicated modular arrangements in Element, and if I combine it with the free Piz MIDI plugins, I can change from one setup to another via MIDI messages anyway...
I mean you can have sessions including other sessions, so you can change between setups...

Why would I buy Gig Performer? What are the main benefits I'd get over Element?

mgw38 · Post by **mgw38** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:26 pm

I found Gig Performer to be a lot more stable. If you are happy with Element and nothing bothers you there is no reason to switch to Gig Performer imho. But even if you feel that you need to upgrade away from Element, I would rather go with Plogue Bidule than Gig Performer.

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:28 pm

Thank you for your reply, but I can't really remember when I had Element crash on me!
Already know about Bidule

great stuff, it's on my get later list.

gentleclockdivider · Post by **gentleclockdivider** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:05 pm

Don't rule out cantabile
The free versions is pretty future rich , and now there is a handy 'modular/connect with wires' view option

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:12 pm

there is a modular part in Cantabile??
I've really been living under a rock!!!
also a free version?

deskew · Post by **deskew** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:18 pm

I'm one of the developers of Gig Performer and so while wearing that hat, I can't really comment on other products other than to say that if all you need is "to chain synths and effects in a modular way" then there are plenty of products out there that will do this. Perhaps take a look at this article (https://gigperformer.com/gig-performer- ... n-chainer/)

However, wearing my touring musician hat (US, Canada, Europe, Japan with multiple bands, so pretty serious), before we decided to create GP, we looked hard at all the competitors out there and I will tell you that had one of these other products worked for me, we would not have bothered to create GP. If you're performing live (either on stage or in a recording situation) there's a lot more needed than just the ability to chain stuff together.

As for pricing, to avoid any bias on my part, I would encourage you to ask users on our forums why they chose GP over other possibilities. Perhaps watch a couple of our recent interviews with well known musicians who have switched to GP

- Robert Martin (Frank Zappa)
- Joel Brazy (Kenny G, Guns and Roses, Beach Boys, Metallica)
- Mogg (Caffeine Kill)

By the way, GP4 has been available since June and has a huge number of new features over GP3.

Take care

mgw38 · Post by **mgw38** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:22 pm

gentleclockdivider wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:05 pm Don't rule out cantabile
The free versions is pretty future rich , and now there is a handy 'modular/connect with wires' view option

Still stereo only though.

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:28 pm

mgw38 wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:22 pm
gentleclockdivider wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:05 pm Don't rule out cantabile
The free versions is pretty future rich , and now there is a handy 'modular/connect with wires' view option
Still stereo only though.

For my current needs, stereo is fine

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:29 pm

deskew wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:18 pm Perhaps take a look at this article (https://gigperformer.com/gig-performer- ... n-chainer/)

Thanks, I'll read the info!

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 3:09 pm

deskew wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:18 pm I'm one of the developers of Gig Performer and so while wearing that hat, I can't really comment on other products other than to say that if all you need is "to chain synths and effects in a modular way" then there are plenty of products out there that will do this. Perhaps take a look at this article (https://gigperformer.com/gig-performer- ... n-chainer/)

I read the article, but didn't really find much useful information.
While I understand that you want to promote your product, and you probably worked very hard to get where it is today, I actually think you should strive to know each and every competitive program out there.

Saying you will not comment on other products will not help anybody with a decision. An objective comparison in features, such as "this and this feature" is easier, more robust, different from how it is done in a competition product, and being able to give succinct and concrete / direct points (instead of linking to 1h long youtube videos) about what differentiates your product to be a better product is something a promoter should be able to do.

I personally do not care which "famous" people have used it and how.
Please understand I am not bashing your program in any way, and actually looking for information. But just saying your product has "a gazillion other features" on your website also gives very little information for somebody who likes to have a fast overview.

deskew · Post by **deskew** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 3:40 pm

Not trying to promote GP on this site --- I explicitly suggested that you should ask our users.

As for saying "a gazillion", at the time that was written, that was a reference to an unbiased report from a well known reviewer that was on another site where the headline was "Deskew Gig Performer 4 Brings 49 Billion Enhancements" (https://synthandsoftware.com/2021/05/de ... ancements/)

Also, the link I gave you was specifically written to to dispel the perspective that GP is just another plugin-chainer as some people look at the visual routing we use in Gig Performer and just assume that the primary purpose of GP is to be a plugin chainer. It seemed to me that you were most interested in plugin chaining and I just wanted to point out that plugin chaining is NOT what GP is about. The visual routing is simply a means to an end.

Our main website is the place to go to get more general information - as are our numerous videos, online documentation, blog articles, etc.

As for the "famous" people, the "fame" was not the issue -- I simply thought the examples of how they USED it might have been useful for you. Those users have had access to pretty much every available tool on the planet and so have lots of insights.

If you are not a live performing musician, then GP is probably overkill for you.

El°HYM · Post by **El°HYM** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:23 pm

Is Element/Kushview still active?

Somehow lost Access to my Updates & Site seems inactive for quite a while now, same with support. Was actually a pretty good Software imho.

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:31 pm

Seemingly not so much. But I'm not even using the latest version, just the purely free 0.41 (I think still available at github).
Latest version seems to be 0.46.2, but I've no idea how old that is.

But I still love it!!

mgw38 · Post by **mgw38** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:04 pm

The developer stopped selling it but moved it open source and updates it once in a while. Still an outstanding piece of software.

El°HYM · Post by **El°HYM** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:10 pm

Yes I know. Was an early adaptor and also had some contact with Michael in the Past. I just somehow cannot access the current Updates anymore (v0.46.3). But anyway I might just pay another 2 Bucks to get the recent Version and hope that the Development continues.

Gig Performer vs. Kushview Element