2

Learning a Controller Assignment
When you select a patch or a channel strip setting, some channel strip parameters respond
to the controls on your MIDI device instantly. MainStage responds to notes played on a
keyboard controller, volume, pan, and expression messages, modulation and pitch bend
wheel messages, and sustain pedal messages without your having to configure any screen
controls to receive these messages. For other controls such as faders, knobs, and buttons,
you must assign these hardware controls to MainStage screen controls before you can
use them in your concert.
In MainStage, you assign hardware controls to screen controls in the Layout Inspector
using the Learn process, similar to learning controller assignments for a control surface
in Logic Pro. Learning controller assignments is a quick and easy method for assigning
hardware controls to screen controls.
Note: To be able to assign a hardware control to a screen control, the hardware control
must send standard MIDI messages. For more information, see Using MIDI Devices with
MainStage.
To learn a controller assignment
1 In the toolbar, click the Layout button.
MainStage switches to Layout mode.
2 In the workspace, select the screen control you want to learn.
The selected control appears highlighted in blue.
3 Click the Learn button in the Screen Control Inspector (or press Command-L).
37Chapter 4 Getting Started with MainStage