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Different plug-ins can make use of the MainStage clock in different ways, depending on
what information they require and what mode they are set to. Some plug-ins may only
make use of the beat information, while others may only make use of tempo information.
For example:
• The Playback plug-in can start immediately (if Snap To is set to Off), at the beginning
of the next bar (if Snap To is set to Bar), or at the next beat (if Snap To is set to Beat).
It can also start when you start the MainStage clock (if “Start with Play Action” is selected
in the Action menu).
• UltraBeat starts when you start the MainStage clock if its sequencer is turned on, except
in Pattern mode.
• Reason and other ReWire applications start when you start the MainStage clock, and
stop when you stop the MainStage clock.
• For plug-ins with synchronizable LFOs, the LFO can oscillate at the tempo set by the
MainStage clock.
You can view the beat information of the MainStage clock using a Parameter Text screen
control mapped to the Beat Count action. When the MainStage clock is running, the
current bar and beat are displayed in the screen control.
Important: When you start the MainStage clock, the audio engine is reset, causing a brief
interruption in the audio output from MainStage. In some cases, you may want to start
the MainStage clock at the beginning of a song or performance and use screen controls
mapped to individual plug-in parameters to start and stop those plug-ins to avoid an
interruption in the audio output while you are performing.
Controlling the Metronome
MainStage features a metronome that you can use to play in time with the concert tempo.
The metronome always plays at the current tempo of the concert.
You can start the metronome in one of several ways.
To start the metronome
Do one of the following:
µ
Click the Metronome button in the toolbar, if it is visible.
101Chapter 6 Working with Concerts