3.5

603MainStage Instruments
Set step length and velocity in MainStage Ultrabeat
The Velocity/Gate row lets you set the length (gate time) and velocity of notes in the
Trigger row. Both parameters are displayed as a single graphical bar.
• The bar height represents note velocity.
• The bar width indicates the note length (gate time).
Change the length and velocity values for each step
In MainStage, do either of the following:
• To change the velocity, drag the blue bar vertically.
• To change the note length (gate time), drag the blue bar horizontally.
The gate time is divided into four equal sections, making it easy to set rhythmically
accurate note lengths. For the one-shot envelope to react to gate time, it is necessary to
either turn on the Gate function in the sound itself (see Use MainStage Ultrabeat trigger
mode) or use envelopes in sustain mode (see MainStage Ultrabeat envelope parameters),
in conjunction with rhythmically useful (short) decay times.
Reset all velocity and gate values to default settings
• In MainStage, the Reset button is shown at the left of the velocity/gate row. Click to
reset all velocity and gate values.
The default velocity setting is 75 percent. The default gate value is all four sections
active.
Use the Ultrabeat velocity/gate shortcut menu
• In MainStage, Control-click any step in the velocity/gate row to open a shortcut menu
that has the following commands:
• Alter Vel(ocities): Changes the velocity values of all steps by a random amount,
while retaining the selected beats (the Trigger row remains unchanged).
• Alter Gate (Time): Changes the note lengths of all steps by a random amount, while
retaining the selected beats (the Trigger row remains unchanged).
• Randomize Vel(ocities): Creates a new, random velocity value.
• Randomize Gate (Time): Creates a new, random gate value.
Set step accents in MainStage Ultrabeat
The Accent setting can be switched on or off for each drum sound. This enables you to
turn accents on for cymbals but turn accents off for the kick drum, for example.