It receives audio from the first computer, mixes them, might handle reverb and final limiting, etc. It just sits there ready to play sounds from MIDI. There could be risk of the systems getting out of sync, so use hard numbers, rather than ‘next’ and ‘prev.’Īnother solution would be to use the secondary PC as a sound module or effects box that is essentially downstream of the primary box. This would require two audio interfaces (another backup!) and a mixer. Just null out certain sounds in the A and B computers so they complement each other. A fully parallel approach would be to replicate set lists and everything in the two systems.
The question is how to best configure Gig Performer on two computers.
(If you don’t buy a full backup system, you spend time building and testing a “limp home” config, or compromise by playing from a limited set list from a primary-only computer.) it’s not for everyone, but Mac users (who are limited to 16 GB) who have backups could effectively double their capacity without breaking the bank. If a computer fails, load ‘Gig-lite” in the remaining computer and survive the night, even if you have to play Cassio sounds, rather than your boutique B3. You could buy a third computer as a backup (that could run either the primary or secondary config), or devise a “Gig-lite” strategy where one cuts down their samples and processing to get through the performance. Your build requires more RAM/CPU, so you get a Mac Mini to run more sounds. We should have a backup anyway, so why not put it to work? You start with one computer, say an M1 laptop. So I was thinking… what about multiple Gig Performer machines? You can build a PC with more RAM, but not necessarily small, light, cool, and quiet. The Mac M1 computers are small, powerful, efficient, and quiet, but expensive and limited to 16 GB. Such a strategy could maximize quality and performance per cost, while still providing a way to complete a performance if one of the computers fails.Ĭomputers with tons of RAM (as needed by many-sample users) continues to be a challenge. It also explores the idea of using the backup computer for such expansion, noting that we would need a fallback plan in case of a failure. This post explores the use of multiple computers in order to expand memory and CPU capacity.
OVERVIEW: We should have at least one main computer and a backup computer for live performance.