BOSS Gigcaster 8 | 8-Channel Audio Streaming Mixer with Direct Guitar/Bass Input | 4 XLR/TRS Combo Inputs | Built-In Stereo Mic | 8 SFX Pads | 20x14 USB Audio Interface | Onboard Recording | Bluetooth

Product Information

The Gigcaster 8 has eight touch pads (again, a coincidence, I’m sure) to trigger sounds and effects, while on the 5, the same functionality is controlled via the touchscreen after pressing the ‘Effects’ button. The effects button takes you to – you guessed it – the effects page, which gives you buttons on the touchscreen in a similar setup to the coloured buttons on the bottom of the Gigcaster 8.

Although the smaller size means the hardware pads are not present, users are still able to trigger sounds and control effects thanks to the inclusion of virtual pads which utilise the device’s touchscreen.Keep your streams engaging with a range of creative tools, including music playback via Bluetooth® or wired connection and automatic volume reduction with the ducking function. Livestreaming, podcasting, and audio/video content creation are essential to building your brand and promoting your music online. You must be employed at least 16 hours per week, self-employed, retired in receipt of a pension or receiving disability payments. I think the advantages of using the Gigcaster as a USB interface are more relevant to musicians rather than podcasters. Or use Gigcaster 5 and its latency-free effects as a multi-channel front end for recording tracks and building songs in your favorite music production software.

The best way to set up each sound on its pad is to use the Gigcaster software, which you can download for free from Boss. Adding in external control support, recording to microSD media, and more, Gigcaster 8 is an essential partner for music performers, remote educators, podcasters, and anyone creating music-focused media. The twin headphone ports mean I can not only monitor levels without needing an external sound desk, but it also means I had a line out to record performances onto my Tascam DR40. The Boss GCS-5 Gigcaster 5 Livestreaming Audio Mixer is a powerful, all-in-one USB interface for streaming musicians.Dedicated instrument and stereo line-level inputs are also provided on the front panel, with the former utilising a quarter-inch TS socket, and the latter employing a 3.