As the lines between music production and broadcasting become ever more blurred, we are seeing an increasing number of products come to market that aim to be a one-stop shop for digital creators. Gigcaster 5 is a powerful all-in-one audio command center purpose-built for musicians who livestream and create audio and video content. It provides a host of advanced features in a space-saving desktop interface, including premium audio connectivity and live operation via hands-on controls and a vivid color touchscreen. Buy with confidence: We're the only UK guitar retailer to offer a 3-year warranty & extended Christmas exchange as standard.

I currently control it with a Boss FS-5 2 button pedal but I've decided to get the GA-FC 6 button pedal to have control over more functions with my feet. Here's how the Gigcaster 5's USB channels are routed and how a DAW or audio software will "see" the Gigcaster 5's audio channels come in: A touchscreen on the front panel opens up the compact mixer’s functionality. The operating system is well-designed and easy to follow, even if you’re not an experienced mixer; clear icons and bright colours help to guide you through the various processes of assigning inputs and changing things like EQ and effects. Speaking of which, there’s a generous amount of built-in processing available, starting with a selection of amps and guitar and bass effects taken from the acclaimed GT-1000. So you’re able to plug in and play with no extra gear, whether it’s for jamming, recording or broadcasting. BOSS Gigcaster 8. Image: BOSS The Gigcaster 8 is equipped with nine faders, each with their own mute and cue mix buttons, and there are also eight pads which can be programmed to trigger sounds and control effects. The device also allows users to connect a footswitch or expression pedal for further hands-free control over a range of functions. Gigcaster 5 With the new Boss Gigcaster 5, you have a range of creative and convenient features to up the quality and interactivity of your live streaming output. However, when you integrate it with your DAW, it also functions as a 16×12 USB interface.From assembling a setup to getting onto social media platforms, here’s what every singer needs to know before livestreaming. Read more… The Guitarist’s Guide to Livestreaming

The Gigcasters are designed to be pretty much self-contained, and to that end, each one comes with a colour touch display and plenty of hands-on controls. Audio sources can be mixed with faders and mute buttons, signal levels can be viewed on screen, and we’re promised easy access to routing options. The assignable pads, meanwhile, can be used for triggering sounds and tweaking the effects. Number of Effects: GUITAR: 1 CH (DISTORTION, PREAMP, EQ, NS, PEDAL FX, FX1, FX2, FX3, DELAY/REVERB) In Boss’s parlance these aren’t just mixers, of course - they’re “all-in-one command centres”. Each model offers multiple input channels for plugging in XLR mics and instruments, along with Bluetooth connectivity so you can mix in audio from a mobile or other device. If you’re recording directly to the SD card slot, you can drag the audio files across to your computer afterwards and into a DAW or other editor to work on them. Though we don’t find any issues streaming directly into Cubase, you might arguably reduce the complexity of a session by using the SD card – if nothing else, it allows you to do your recording without even needing a computer, which can be a bonus if you’re travelling or are short on space.

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