2

Using the Playback Transport and Function Buttons
This section covers the buttons used for playback, fade, count-in, click, and marker
navigation operations.
Return to Start button
Metronome buttonPlay/Stop button
Cycle button
Count-in buttonFade Out button
Previous/Next Marker
button
• Return to Start button: Moves to the very beginning of the audio material, but does not
start playback. If Playback is in play mode, however, playback will continue from the
start of the audio file.
• Play/Stop button: Starts or stops playback. The position playback starts from is affected
by the Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters. See Using the Playback Sync, Snap
To, and Play From Parameters.
• Cycle button: Cycles playback between the current marker and the next marker. Audio
is automatically crossfaded at the marker points to minimize clicks. If the file contains
no markers, playback of the entire file is cycled.
• Fade Out button: Gradually lowers the volume level to silence over the number of
seconds specified in the Fade Time parameter. The Fade Out button turns blue until
the fade out has completed and playback stops.
You can stop an active fade out by clicking the Fade Out button a second time. This
gradually restores audio playback to the full volume level over the same amount of
elapsed time as the fade out.
• Count-in button: Enables a one-bar count-in, using the MainStage metronome click.
The count-in always uses the concert tempo and meter, regardless of the Sync mode.
• Metronome button: Turns the MainStage metronome on or off. The metronome always
uses the concert tempo and meter, regardless of the Sync mode.
• Go to Previous Marker button: In play mode, immediately moves to the previous marker
(to the left of the current playhead position) if the audio material contains markers.
Playback continues from this position. If the audio file contains no markers, moves
backward 8 bars (if Sync is on) or 20 seconds (if Sync is off). Playback continues from
the new position.
150 Appendix A The Playback Plug-in