FXP (short for Effects Performer) is a live audio effects performance tool designed for use in a theatre or events environment.

For a number of years I’ve been amazed at the lack of software for such a task, and what little software exists is either too complicated or expensive. What seemed to be needed was a dedicated tool focused on live performance and reliability … and so FXP was born.

In it’s simplest form, FXP is an audio player. It is designed as a direct replacement for CD or Minidisc based systems, and mimics the transport controls that so many sound engineers are used to. The interface is focused on live performance, and offers a clean and simple design with oversized buttons perfect for use with a touch-screen.

Behind the scenes, FXP is actually a very powerful program which has been designed for speed, reliability and minimal CPU usage. Unlike other audio player applications, FXP has a dedicated low-level audio streaming layer which supports many popular formats and incredible performace, as well as supporting the latest audio hardware.

FXP’s key features include:

• Simple, clean and easy to use interface.
• Clutter-free layout designed with a live sound engineer in mind – (i.e. Minimal time required to locate necessary buttons or information, so you can keep your eyes on the stage!)
• CD/Minidisc transport paridigm used throughout to keep the learning curve short.
• Supports WAV, AIFF, MP3, MP2, AAC and many other popular formats.
• 32-bit floating point audio processing.
• No fuss importing of tracks (i.e. Any resolution or samplerate … it doesn’t care).
• Low latency, instant playback regardless of filesize.
• Huge file support
• Multiple soundcard support

Version 4 is still in development, but plans currently include the following additions:

(UPDATE: Version 4 has been abandoned, but all the ideas have been transferred into a new project. See here for more info…)

• ASIO support (ultra low latency, multiple channel hardware support)
• MIDI support (assignable controllers for transport control)
• Sync playback between transports for multiple channel output
• Hotstart array
• Choose between 2, 3 or 4 players on screen (if you have the screen space!)
• Nudge sync buttons (+/- frame and second buttons) to allow you to creep FX into sync with any LX or AV.

FXP is currently on trial at a number of theatres in Yorkshire, and is being used regularly for live performances by myself, so development is a very dynamic process at the moment! Once v4.0 reaches release stage it will be available for purchase from this website.

FXP has gone through various iterations, including FXP v2.2.0 which is the version in active use:

FXP is no longer in active development, but is to be superseded by a new project called CueDeck. The idea is very similar, but focuses on configurability for each performance. The application involves a ground-up rewrite of the original code to take full advantage of technologies such as WPF and LINQ. See here for more info …