GuitarMage

Very true. He can layer sounds any way he like, as well as create keyboard and velocity splits.

In my book, it is always better to use a plugin inside a VST host than a standalone app. Why? Because your needs develop over time. For example, you'll want to: - make keyboard splits layering two different plugins - create velocity splits - modify a response from your keys using scaling curves - automate things using markers and Timeline - use audio and MIDI backing tracks - record your inputs, record all MIDI, record your outputs, or part of a signal chain - process MIDI events (isolate bass notes, highest notes, filter MIDI events, remap, etc.) - control external hardware - use a Stream Deck device in your setup ... ... ... This will happen sooner or later. This is my own experience, I first used hardware, then standalone versions of plugins and finally, plugins. The needs develop over time.

For what is worth, in Gig Performer you have lots of flexibility when transposing. You can set up song in one transpose value, and tempo, and then set up individual 'overrides' for each song part. You can set up the Global transpose (or global tempo), or you can transpose only one MIDI device (or all). Basically, you can do whatever you think of in terms of MIDI, transposing and changing the tempo. And all of that you can map to your pad, or a key on your MIDI controller.

This is also very true

For what is worth, Gig Performer has a MIDI File Player that you can use for various use cases, ranging from playing MIDI files, automating patch changes through MIDI files, routing instruments to high quality VSTs, etc. There is also a feature to record all generated MIDI data in the Gig Performer Recorder. Creating splits is also straightforward; you can not only set each split to be one block, and you visually connect that block using virtual wires, but also do some other stuff such as isolating bass notes, MIDI merge, separating your sustain pedal, completely inverting the keyboard, visual routing the MIDI flow to different places (say, external hardware devices) and much more.

Some ground loop/electrical noise recommendations: https://community.gigperformer.com/t/laptop-power-supply-electrical-noise/2577/5?u=npudar

Gig Performer will serve you very well on this machine.

Take a look at this ~100 pages free guide: https://gigperformer.com/docs/ultimate-guide-to-optimize-windows-for-stage/index.html

I hope Nikola Jokić and Denver make it to the playoffs.

This guide is updated for Windows 11 and more tips are included

It's just that Steinberg dropped support for VST2. Steinberg is forcing new plugins to be available ONLY in VST3 format but of course there are huge numbers of VST2 plugins out there that are not going away.

You can easily compare features of these, there are comparison charts on the Internet. I'd always buy the most features for the reasonable money (licensing plans).

Although a DAW can be used for live performance, I recommend all gigging musicians to use an audio plugin host that is specialized for live performance. Why? The focus is live performance and addressing unique needs of live performers. Plus, there are many things to have in mind, e.g. integration with your FoH engineer, advanced MIDI manipulation, possible lights control, application stability and other.

Gig Performer 4 is announced for June, 2021 --> https://gigperformer.com/gig-performer-4-available-june-2021.html It is equipped with undo and easy widget grouping this time Check out other features - Global rackspace, Scriptlets, and many more. .

Provided that you also "want to connect to whatever keyboard/controller you rent locally", Gig Performer provides the Rig Manager, so you can easily switch to whatever MIDI controller you want/rent (e.g. during a sound check).