Setting up a dedicated GP PC

Gig Performer on Windows
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Hi all,
I’m a relative newbie to GP and currently in process of setting all my patches on GP platform. I love the software and wonder why the heck I stayed with hardware for so long…

I’m currrently using my everyday laptop to run GP which seems to work just fine. However, I plan to set up a dedicated mini-PC rig just for GP. I have a couple of very basic questions related to Windows setup, so if there are any best practises or things to avoid, I’d be glad to get your feedback!

  • Are you using a dedicated Microsoft account on your GP machines, or do you use the same as on your home PCs?
  • Windows Pro or Home, any material difference from GP point of view?
  • Are you somehow bypassing the Windows logon screen on your GP machine, to go and load GP automatically on startup?

Any other best practises are also highly appreciated!

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  • I don’t use Microsoft accounts - I use a local account.
  • Windows Pro, because it provides you with a bit more controllability of some aspects (e.g. Windows Update)
  • I have the log on screen, just security concerns. But as soon as you log on, you can configure the Task Scheduler to run Gig Performer on startup.

Here there are :slight_smile: FREE e-book by Deskew - Optimize your Windows PC for the stage!

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  • I use Microsoft accounts.
  • One computer (for development) has Windows Pro, the other one (the laptop I use for performances) has Windows Home.
  • Logon screens are active.

Neither of these two computers is dedicated for GP, however.

I don’t care for automatically starting GP: * One reason is that the systems are not dedicated for GP

  • Another is that it is not a huge time saver.
  • I don’t like the possibility of creating a boot loop if GP would cause a bsod, for example because of a bad audio driver.
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That is not going to happen.

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It can. Not GP by itself, because it operates in the ‘user’ ring of the cpu, but audio drivers don’t. These operate probably in the ‘supervisor’ mode of the cpu. Let’s say I’ve updated the audio drivers and these have a flaw (it happens). Then I start GP (or Reaper, or a media player), and because of that flaw the audio drivers cause a bsod.

I had a situation like this with VB-matrix: when I used my Focusrite Scarlett in its configuration, the 64 bit edition caused a bsod once I activated the VB-matrix application. Luckily I didn’t have it starting at logon. Updating the Focusrite driver solved it in this case.

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That may happen :slight_smile:

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Personally I would go for Pro - licenses can be bought very cheap online.

  • More control over when updates happen
  • Option to use remote desktop
    • I actually use a cheapo laptop to remote (via ethernet) onto the mini pc tucked away in my rack case. Provides a compact keyboard / screen / mouse all in one, and practically any laptop has enough power for remote desktop and the laptop doesn’t have to be tuned for audio performance.
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I’m also thinking seriously about buying a mini PC for gigging.
I wonder if I would need a keyboard or mouse to enter the security info. I wonder if they connect that also during gigs, or only one time to startup the mini PC and then disconnect it.

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An interesting discussion, @Michelkeijzers, on this is going on here: Lights out / headless GP system?

But concerning your specific question: How I did it was

  1. to sync, load and check the files I used a remote desktop app on the tablet that serves and my OSC controller during the gig
  2. for situations where remote desktop doesn’t work (BIOS etc.) I had this (15 €):
    Bildschirmfoto 2024-08-23 um 19.26.55
    Bildschirmfoto 2024-08-23 um 19.26.55672×608 254 KB

    Of course, you’d need a screen, too, in this case. For these emergency situations I would have used the TV screens that we happen to have on stage.
    Did I ever need it? No, but it gives you a good feeling.

I’ll add why I don’t want a headless gig file any longer soon in the other thread.

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@Florian that looks like a nice keyboard/mouse device. Could be useful to start up and entering credentials and after that disconnect or just put aside during a gig.

I always will use a monitor, so I don’t play headless. I want to see chords, the current song and the status of certain controllers like Leslie speed.

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To start up your pc without having to type in anything, get a USB fingerprint reader. They’re super cheap from Amazon, you plug them in any USB port and you can turn on your PC, let it boot for a minute, authenticate with your finger and then it will run GP automatically or let you interact via any touchscreen.

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Thanks, that seems like a very good idea.