3.5

121MainStage Effects
• Apply slider and field: Determine the impact of the filter curve on the signal.
• Values above 100% magnify the effect.
• Values below 100% reduce it.
• Negative values (−1% to −100%) invert the peaks and troughs in the filter curve.
• A value of 100% has no impact on the filter curve.
Use MainStage MatchEQ
These tasks are those commonly used with Match EQ to match the frequency spectrum
of a mix with the spectrum of a source audio file. You can adapt some, or all, to your own
workflow.
Learn or create a MatchEQ template
You can drag an audio file to the Current or Reference Learn buttons for use as either the
current material or template material. A progress bar appears while MatchEQ is analyzing
the file. You can also load a previously saved plug-in setting, or you can import the settings
of another unsaved MatchEQ instance by copying and pasting.
In MainStage, do one of the following:
• Drag an audio file from the Finder to the Reference Learn button, and select the source
channel strip as a sidechain.
• Use MatchEQ on the source channel strip and save a setting. Import this setting into
the target MatchEQ instance.
The filter curve is updated automatically each time a new Reference or Current material
spectrum is learned or loaded when the EQ Curve Match button is turned on. You can
alternate between the matched (and possibly scaled or manually modified) filter curve and
a flat response by turning the Match button on or off.
Match the EQ of a project mix to the EQ of a source audio file
1. In MainStage, in the project you want to match to the source audio file, insert MatchEQ
(typically on Output 1-2).
2. Drag the source audio file to the Reference Learn button.
3. Return to the start of your mix, click the Current Learn button, and play your mix (the
current material) from start to finish.
4. When you are done, click the EQ Curve Match button.
When you click either of the Learn buttons, the main display shows the frequency curve for
the function. You can review any of the frequency curves when no file is being processed
by choosing one of the other view options or modes.
Note: Only one of the Learn buttons can be turned on at a time. For example, if the
Reference Learn button is on and you click the Current Learn button, analysis of the
(Reference) template file stops, the current status is used as the spectral template, and
analysis of the incoming audio signal (Current Material) begins.