For guitarists seeking sonicLimitless possibilities, the world of digital audio offers an unprecedented playground. Imagine a setup where your creativity, not hardware limitations, dictates your sound. This is the reality one guitar player has crafted using Gig Performer, a MacBook Pro M1, an AXE I/O one audio interface, and a Line 6 FBV3 MIDI controller, effectively building a powerhouse guitar modeller and multi-effects unit on a budget. This innovative approach delivers real-time MIDI control over every chosen function, with all parameters meticulously mapped to widgets for instant access and preset saving.
The core strength of this setup lies in its unlimited guitar routing flexibility. Every plugin operates in parallel, ensuring seamless spillover when effects or amp routings are toggled on and off. This means no abrupt cuts or awkward silences, just smooth transitions between sonic textures.
What’s under the hood? This single, streamlined rig boasts over 20 active plugins, not even counting mixers. The plugin roster is a testament to sonic ambition:
- Neural DSP Archetype Series (Rabea & Petrucci): Multiple instances of Archetype Rabea handle compression, fuzz, octaver, gate, transpose, amp sections, and even synth modules. Archetype Petrucci takes charge of wah, amps, and preamp effects. This ensures a meticulously crafted and correctly routed signal chain.
- Valhalla DSP Powerhouse: ValhallaDelay (x2) provides two independent delays per preset, while ValhallaVintageVerb (x2) delivers two distinct reverbs. ValhallaSuperMassive and ValhallaSpaceModulator add further dimensions of modulation and expansive soundscapes.
- ToneX Amp Modeling Mastery: Multiple instances of ToneX are employed for amp models, including four mono amp setups and four stereo amp setups, all active simultaneously and selectable per preset. Stereo amp setups can be mixed with varying balances for ultimate control.
- Neural Amp Modeler (NAM): For capturing and deploying stompbox drive tones, including a prized KLON capture, adding boutique flavor to the digital domain.
- Creative Effects & Tools: An isolated Neural DSP Rabea Freeze section allows for modulated freeze effects, with live MIDI pitch shifting for dynamic textures. MODO Drums provides drum accompaniment with live MIDI control. Nembrini Doubler adds width and thickness, and dedicated Parallel Shimmer and Icicle sections offer ethereal and crystalline effects.
Despite this plugin army, the entire rig runs within a single Gig Performer instance, consuming only 35–45% CPU on the MacBook Pro M1. Set at 256 samples and 48kHz, the system operates without crackling or noticeable latency. The initial load time for this sonic behemoth is a mere 19 seconds. A small green button on each widget provides instant access to plugin editors for quick tweaks.
Widget setup 1
The beauty of this setup is that imagination becomes the only limitation. Any sonic idea can be realized within this unlimited guitar effects environment. While the initial setup requires time and dedication, the resulting flexibility and power are transformative.
To showcase the sonic potential, here are some audio examples, recorded live in standard tuning (with occasional use of the transpose feature):
- 0:00 → 0:47 Ambient Clean Textures: Experience lush clean tones with shimmer and octaver effects, transposed down a semitone for added depth.
- 0:47 → 2:43 Freeze Jam Session: Dive into an improvisational jam with a MIDI pitch-shifted freeze backing track and dynamic drums. Transposed down three semitones for a darker vibe.
- 2:43 → 4:29 Driven Fuzz Mayhem: Explore aggressive fuzz tones with a simple freeze layer in the background, demonstrating the rig’s versatility.
- 4:29 → 4:50 Synth-Infused Lead Tone: Hear a lead tone blended with a synth slap-back delay, showcasing unique sonic layering.
- 4:50 → 5:47 Ambient Lead with Long Decay Reverb: Immerse yourself in a slightly fuzzed lead tone with a spacious, long-decay ambient reverb, creating vast soundscapes.
- 5:47 → 6:20 Stereo Dual Amp High Gain: Experience a powerful stereo dual amp setup with a high-gain sound, transposed down four semitones for a heavier, detuned feel.
Routing 1
This unlimited guitar rig has been road-tested in live performances for six months without a single issue, proving its reliability and stability in demanding situations.
The creator’s journey highlights a common evolution for guitarists. Moving from bulky hardware racks in the 2000s to exploring modern digital solutions, this setup represents a return to music-making with a fresh perspective. Starting with a Squier Strat and a Headrush MX5, the exploration of digital possibilities led to this custom Gig Performer rig, proving to be a more affordable and significantly more flexible alternative to high-end hardware modelers.
Routing 2
This inspiring setup is a testament to the unlimited guitar potential within the digital realm. For guitarists seeking to break free from traditional limitations and explore a universe of sonic possibilities, this Gig Performer rig offers a powerful and cost-effective path. If you’re intrigued and want to learn more, don’t hesitate to ask questions and delve deeper into the world of unlimited guitar sound design.
