Nile guitarist – Karl Sanders
This episode of Backstage with Gig Performer features Karl Sanders, guitarist and founding member of the death metal band Nile. The conversation explores his journey with music, the evolution of his live guitar rig, and how he integrates Gig Performer into his touring setup to manage VST effects efficiently.
Key Highlights:
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Evolution of the Rig (6:15 - 12:00): Karl discusses his transition from traditional, bulky rack-mounted gear—including multi-effects units like the Alesis Quadroverb and Lexicon units—to a streamlined system using a laptop. (7:36).
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Modern Live Setup (14:15 - 23:15): Karl details his current signal chain, which includes:
- Maxon ST9 Plus Overdrive: Used for fine-tuning mid-range frequencies (15:42).
- Sound Sculpture 8-way Analog Matrix: Allows for MIDI-controllable routing, effectively acting as the “central nervous system” for his rig (14:56).
- Synergy Preamp: Handles tone shaping in a modular rack format (17:43).
- Focusrite Interface: Bridges his analog gear to the laptop for VST processing (20:25).
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The Role of Gig Performer (25:40 - 42:00): Karl explains how Gig Performer allows him to apply complex, high-quality effects (like Lexicon reverbs and Eventide harmonizers) to his leads without compromising the dry, raw signal of his rhythm tone (24:28)
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Practicality and Workflow (48:06 - 52:15): Karl highlights that using a laptop is a necessity for international touring, significantly reducing the weight of his fly-rig. (50:56)
Advice for New Users:
Karl notes that Gig Performer is incredibly intuitive, requiring no manual-reading to get started (53:35). He encourages guitarists to view it as a powerful tool that can adapt to any existing rig, regardless of how traditional or “analog-focused” it may be (55:05).