MainStage 3 User Guide For OS X
KKApple Inc. Copyright © 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Your rights to the software are governed by the accompanying software license agreement. The owner or authorized user of a valid copy of the MainStage software may reproduce this publication for the purpose of learning to use such software. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this publication or for providing paid for support services.
Contents 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 Chapter 1: Introducing MainStage 13 13 14 14 15 15 17 17 18 18 18 19 20 21 21 Chapter 2: Set up your system 22 22 23 24 25 26 Chapter 3: The MainStage interface 27 27 27 29 30 31 31 33 34 34 36 36 Chapter 4: Get started with MainStage What is MainStage? MainStage for keyboard controllers MainStage for electric guitars MainStage for vocals, drums, and other instruments How to use MainStage in your music setup MainStage in live performance Setup overview Connect MIDI d
37 37 38 38 39 39 40 40 40 41 42 42 42 43 45 45 46 47 47 48 48 49 50 50 51 51 52 55 56 57 58 59 59 59 61 61 62 64 65 65 65 65 66 66 67 68 Chapter 5: Work in Edit mode Edit mode overview Work with patches in Edit mode Select items in the Patch List Copy, paste, and delete patches Reorder and move patches in the Patch List Create a patch from several patches Set the time signature for patches Change the tempo when you select a patch Set program change and bank numbers Defer patch changes Instantly silence t
69 69 69 71 73 74 74 75 75 75 75 76 76 77 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 79 80 80 81 81 82 83 83 83 83 83 84 84 84 84 85 85 86 86 Map screen controls Screen controls overview Map screen controls to channel strip and plug-in parameters Map screen controls to actions Map a screen control to multiple parameters Edit the saved value for a mapped parameter Set drum pads or buttons to use note velocity Use parameter mapping graphs Map screen controls to all channel strips in a patch Undo screen control parameter mappings
87 87 88 89 90 90 90 91 91 92 92 92 92 93 94 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 Chapter 6: Work with concerts 101 101 102 102 103 104 105 106 106 107 108 109 110 111 111 111 112 113 113 113 114 115 115 116 116 117 117 117 Chapter 7: Work in Layout mode Open and close concerts Save concerts How saving affects parameter values Set the time signature for a concert Use tempo in a MainStage concert Tempo overview Tap the tempo Get the tempo from MIDI Input Define the source for program change messages Set the pan law f
118 118 119 119 How MainStage passes through MIDI messages Export layouts Import a layout Change the aspect ratio of a layout 120 120 120 121 121 121 121 122 122 122 122 123 123 124 125 126 126 126 Chapter 8: Perform live with MainStage 127 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 136 137 138 138 139 140 140 Appendix A: The Playback plug-in Before the performance Use Perform mode Select patches in performance Select patches in performance overview Select patches using key commands Select patches by t
141 141 142 143 143 144 145 145 146 147 Appendix B: The Loopback plug-in 148 148 148 149 151 151 Appendix C: MainStage preferences 152 152 152 153 153 153 154 154 154 155 155 Appendix D: Key commands Loopback plug-in overview The Loopback interface Loopback waveform display Loopback transport and function controls Loopback information display Loopback Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters Use the Loopback group functions Loopback Action menu Add a Loopback plug-in Preferences overview General pre
1 Introducing MainStage What is MainStage? MainStage is a music application designed for use in live performance. MainStage turns your computer into a powerful multi-instrument and effects processor that you can use on stage when you perform. Whether you sing or play a keyboard, guitar, or another instrument, you can use MainStage when you perform live.
You can also map screen controls to actions, which provide the ability to select patches, control the Tuner or metronome, provide visual feedback, and perform other functions. MainStage lets you quickly and easily make controller assignments and parameter mappings to speed your workflow. You can customize your layout to match the controls on your MIDI hardware, to optimize the use of available screen space, or in other ways that suit your needs.
How to use MainStage in your music setup You can add MainStage to your music equipment setup by following these steps: Create a concert from a template You start by creating a new concert from a template for keyboard, guitar, vocals, or another instrument. MainStage recognizes many popular MIDI controllers and automatically assigns hardware controls on the controller to corresponding screen controls in the workspace, simplifying hardware setup. For more information, see Choose a template.
MainStage in live performance After you have created your custom patches in a concert, you’re ready to play. In Perform mode, you can select patches and start playing instantly. MainStage switches seamlessly between patches and sustains notes from the previous patch while you start playing the newly selected one. You can view patch names, parameter values, and audio output levels in real time, adjust concert-wide effects, and control other concert-wide settings.
Set up your system 2 Setup overview You can use MainStage with a wide variety of MIDI controllers and Core Audio-compliant audio devices. The following sections provide basic information about using MIDI and audio devices with MainStage. Real-time generation and processing of digital audio requires intensive processing by your computer.
Connect MIDI devices MIDI devices overview MainStage works with many USB and MIDI keyboard controllers as well as with MIDI devices such as foot pedals and switches. To work with MainStage, MIDI devices must send standard MIDI control messages. MainStage receives standard MIDI messages and can be used to control external MIDI devices using external MIDI instrument channel strips.
Connect a USB music keyboard You can connect a USB music keyboard to your computer to play software instrument patches or to use with external MIDI devices such as synthesizers or sound modules. Connect a USB music keyboard to your computer mm If the keyboard has a USB port: Connect the USB cable from the keyboard to your computer. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the keyboard, which may include installing the correct driver on your computer.
mm For keyboards with tone generators: You should also connect the MIDI Out port of the MIDI interface to the keyboard MIDI In port. If your MIDI interface offers more than one MIDI output, connect any other tone generators (or other MIDI devices, such as control surfaces that require bidirectional MIDI communication) to these.
Multichannel MIDI devices Multitimbral MIDI devices can simultaneously receive MIDI data on multiple MIDI channels. Each MIDI channel can be assigned a tone or sound, such as piano, strings, bass, and so on. To take full advantage of the capabilities of such multitimbral devices, you should use separate MIDI Out ports (from the computer MIDI interface to the MIDI In ports) for each device.
Connect audio devices Audio devices overview MainStage works with Core Audio-compliant audio devices, including FireWire, USB, ExpressCard, and PCI audio interfaces. You can connect microphones, electronic musical instruments, and other musical equipment to your computer, or to an audio interface or other audio device, and use them with MainStage. For information about choosing audio drivers, see Audio preferences on page 149.
mm If your computer has an audio input port, connect the microphone to the audio input port, then choose Built-in Input as the audio input source in the Audio preferences pane. Stereo miniplug connector (unbalanced) mm If you are using your computer’s built-in microphone, choose Built-in Microphone as the audio input source in the Audio preferences pane. No additional steps are necessary to connect the microphone.
Connecting some electric instruments, such as electric guitars, to your computer’s audio input port may result in a low-level input signal. To increase the input signal, you can connect the guitar to a preamplifier and connect the preamplifier to your computer. Connect an audio interface Using an audio interface, you can connect microphones, instruments, and other music equipment to your computer to use with MainStage.
Speakers and other audio devices You can connect speakers or monitors to your computer to hear your projects with better audio quality. A variety of speakers is available that you can connect to your computer or to your audio interface. How you connect them depends on your system and the type of speakers you use. After connecting speakers or monitors to your computer, be sure to set them as your audio output. For details, see Audio preferences.
3 The MainStage interface The MainStage window You do all your work in MainStage in a single window. The MainStage window makes it easy to work with your patches and your concert’s layout. When you open MainStage, the workspace fills the center of the window, with inspectors and other editing areas on the sides and below. When you are ready to perform, you can choose Perform mode to maximize computer performance and display space for easy viewing on stage.
•• Inspectors: Inspectors appear below (in Edit mode) or along the left side of the MainStage window (in Layout mode) when you select different items onscreen. The inspectors allow you to edit parameters and attributes for patches, sets, screen controls, channel strips, and the concert. Most inspectors feature tabs that make it easy to quickly access the parameters you want to edit. To make working easier, MainStage features three different modes, each suited to a different task.
Edit mode Edit mode is where you create, edit, and organize your sounds. You can add patches, add and edit channel strips, create keyboard layers and splits, and edit channel strip and plug-in parameters. You also map screen controls to channel strip parameters and actions and edit patch, set, and concert-level parameters in Edit mode. Patch List Inspector (changes depending on the selection) Channel Strips area •• Patch List: Shows the patches and sets in the concert.
Perform mode By default, Perform mode opens in full screen. The workspace fills your entire computer display so that your screen controls are as large as possible for maximum readability. Perform in Full Screen optimizes your display for live performance when you want to use MainStage exclusively while you play. You can choose to have Perform mode open in a window rather than full screen.
Resize the workspace You can adjust both the horizontal and vertical size of the workspace to give more room to the Patch List, the inspector, and the Channel Strips area. Resize the workspace horizontally 1 Move the pointer to the space between the workspace and the inspector. The pointer becomes a resize pointer. 2 Drag up or down to resize the workspace. Resize the workspace vertically 1 Move the pointer to the space between the workspace and the Channel Strips area.
Get started with MainStage 4 Before you start You can quickly start working in MainStage by choosing a concert template and trying out the patch settings in the concert. This chapter provides a brief guided “walkthrough” you can follow the first time you open MainStage. Before you start working in MainStage, you should connect the hardware equipment that you plan to use, such as your keyboard controller, audio interface, instruments, or microphones, to your computer.
Open MainStage mm Double-click the MainStage icon in your Applications folder, or click the MainStage icon in the Dock. Choose a concert template 1 Choose File > New (or press Command-N). 2 In the Choose Template dialog, choose the devices you want to use for audio input and output from the Audio Input and Audio Output pop-up menus. 3 Click the instrument category on the left you want to view templates for.
Select patch settings in the Patch Library When you open a concert or select a patch, the Patch Library opens in the Patch Inspector below the workspace. The Patch Library contains a variety of patches optimized for the instrument the concert is designed for. You can quickly audition patch settings in the Patch Library and choose a setting for the selected patch. You can also search for patch settings by name.
Add a patch You can add patches to the concert and organize them in the Patch List. The number of patches is limited only by the amount of available memory in your system. When you add a patch to a concert, the patch is selected so you can easily audition and select a patch setting from the Patch Library. When you add a patch, by default it takes the name of the channel strip added with it. You can give each patch a custom name to make it easier to identify and distinguish between them.
Select and play patches You access the patches in your concert by selecting them in the Patch List. •• Using a MIDI controller, you can play patches that have a software instrument channel strip. •• If you are playing an electric instrument connected to an audio interface, or are using a microphone, you can use patches that have an audio channel strip.
8 For audio and external instrument channel strips, gradually raise the volume fader until you hear sound on the channel. You can adjust channel strip output using the Volume fader, adjust pan position using the Pan knob, and mute or solo the channel strip using the Mute and Solo buttons. For audio channel strips, you can switch between mono and stereo format using the Format button. For software instrument channel strips, you can choose a different instrument from the Input pop-up menu.
Change a channel strip setting You can quickly change the instrument, effects, and other parameters for a channel strip by selecting a new setting from the Channel Strip Library. The browser shows available settings for the currently selected channel strip. Select a new channel strip setting 1 Make sure that the channel strip you want to change is selected (highlighted). 2 In the Channel Strip Inspector, click the Channel Strip Library tab.
Learn 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.
Map a screen control to a parameter 1 In the workspace, click the screen control you want to map. The screen control is highlighted in blue. The Screen Control Inspector appears below the workspace, showing the parameters for the selected screen control. The Screen Control Inspector includes Attributes and Mapping tabs as well as a tab labeled Unmapped (until you map the screen control). 2 Click the Map Parameter button (or press Command-L).
Try out Perform mode After learning controller assignments and mapping screen controls, you can try playing your patches as you would in a performance. You can have the workspace occupy the entire screen, presenting the screen controls as large as possible for easy viewing in concert environments, or you can view the workspace in a window, so you can use the toolbar buttons and access other applications.
Work in Edit mode 5 Edit mode overview In Edit mode, you add and edit patches to create your custom sounds, choose patch settings in the Patch Library, organize and select patches in the Patch List, edit patch parameters in the Inspector, and map screen controls to parameters and actions. You can create custom patches in Edit mode and organize them in the Patch List so that you can easily access them when you perform.
Work with patches in Edit mode Select items in the Patch List All of the patches and sets in a concert appear in the Patch List. To select an item in the Patch List in Edit mode, you can click the item, use key commands, or type its patch number or the first few letters of its name. The patch number appears to the left of the patch icon in the Patch List. You can also skip patches or sets in the Patch List.
Select a patch or set by typing its name 1 Click the border of the Patch List to select it. 2 With the Patch List selected, start typing the name of the patch. Once you type enough letters to uniquely identify its name, the patch or set is selected. You can also select a patch by typing its name in Perform mode. For information, see Select patches by typing on page 121. Skip a patch or set 1 Select the patch or set in the Patch List. 2 Choose Skip from the Action pop-up menu for the Patch List.
Create a patch from several patches You can create a patch by combining several existing patches. The new patch contains all of the channel strips of the selected patches. Create a patch from several existing patches 1 In the Patch List, select the patches you want to use to create the new patch. 2 Choose Create Patch from Selected Patches from the Action pop-up menu at the upper-right corner of the Patch List. The new combined patch appears in the Patch List, labeled “Untitled Patch.
Set program change and bank numbers When you add a patch to a concert, the patch is given a MIDI program change number (the lowest available number) until all available program change numbers are taken. You can select patches using program change numbers in performance by assigning buttons on a MIDI device to send program change messages. The program change number can be edited in the Patch Inspector. To select more than 128 patches, you can also set the bank number for a patch.
If you edit a program change number so that it is the same as an existing program change number, the word “Duplicate” appears in red next to the Program Change value slider. If two or more patches have the same program change number, and the numbers are active, the patch that appears first (highest) in the Patch List or patch selector is selected when you send the program change message with the corresponding value. Using Reset Bank and Program Numbers sets the bank automatically based on sets.
Change the tuning for a patch By default, patches use the same tuning method as the concert (or the set, if they are in a set with its own tuning method). You can change the tuning for a patch so that it uses a different tuning. When you change the tuning for a patch, it overrides any concert- or set-level tuning method. Available tuning methods include: •• Use parent tuning: The patch uses the same tuning as the set (if it is in a set with its own tuning method) or the concert.
•• Pop/Jazz (3/5/7-all): 5ths, 3rds, and 7ths are changed in this mode. It is great for Pop and Jazz styles, especially when using sustained chords. It is less suitable for polyphonic music because the detuning of the natural 7th is significant. This mode should always be used with a Depth of 90% or 100% because other values will render the natural 7th acoustically ineffective. •• Baroque (3/5-adaptive): This mode tunes pure 5ths and 3rds (with changing characteristics).
Work with channel strips in Edit mode Channel strips overview Channel strips are the building blocks of your patches. They contain the instruments and effects for the sounds you use in performance. MainStage channel strips use the channel strip interface common to many DAW and mixing applications.
•• Volume fader: Sets a channel strip’s playback volume. •• Mute button: Mutes and unmutes the channel strip. •• Solo button: Solos and unsolos the channel strip. •• Level meter: Displays a channel strip’s playback level. •• Peak level display: Updates during playback to show the highest peak level reached. In MainStage, you can use audio, software instrument, and auxiliary (aux) channel strips in your patches and sets, and also at the concert level.
Show the metronome channel strip You can show the metronome channel strip in the Channel Strips area, where you can change its volume or change the metronome sound. Show the channel strip for the metronome mm Choose Show Metronome Channel Strip from the Action pop-up menu in the upper-right corner of the Channel Strips area. To hide the metronome channel strip, choose Hide Metronome Channel Strip from the Action pop-up menu.
Add a patch bus In addition to the 64 global busses available for concert-wide routing, you can add patchspecific busses for routing inside a patch—using patch busses does not contribute to the global maximum. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a local volume control for layered patches. A patch bus is available only for the patch you add it to. Patch busses for each patch are numbered sequentially starting from 1.
Surround effect plug-ins cannot be used with MainStage. If you choose a channel strip setting containing a surround effect, the unused effects are shown disabled (gray, with a diagonal line running through the effect name). Choose channel strip settings You can quickly change the instrument, effects, and other parameters for a channel strip by choosing a new channel strip setting.
5 To change the channel strip setting, click the name of the new setting in the Channel Strip Inspector. The Channel Strip Library shows all available channel strip settings, including settings that may not be useful in MainStage. If you choose a channel strip setting containing plug-ins not usable in MainStage, the plug-ins appear with a bold diagonal line in the Channel Strips area. Rename channel strips When you add a channel strip to a patch, the channel strip has a default name.
Change channel strip icons When you add a channel strip, the channel strip has a default icon, which appears above the Settings pop-up menu. You can change the icon to help visually distinguish channel strips with different instrument types or uses. Change the icon for a channel strip mm In the Attributes tab of the Channel Strip Inspector, choose an icon from the Icon well. Choose an icon from the menu.
Work with software instrument channel strips Set keyboard input for a software instrument channel strip In the Channel Strip Inspector, you can choose the keyboard controller from which the channel strip receives MIDI input. If you are using a multitimbral instrument, you can also choose the input for each MIDI channel. For example, you can use the EVB3 instrument as a multitimbral instrument and send input to the upper and lower register and the foot pedal using three separate MIDI channels.
Filter MIDI messages You can filter some MIDI messages for a channel strip in the Channel Strip Inspector. When you select one or more MIDI message types in the Filter section of the Channel Strip Inspector, the corresponding MIDI message types are filtered out of any incoming MIDI data and are not sent to the channel strip.
Set channel strips to ignore Hermode tuning If a patch (or the concert or set containing the patch) is set to use Hermode tuning, but the patch contains a channel strip (for example, one with a drum or percussion instrument) that you do not want to use Hermode tuning, you can set the individual channel strip to ignore Hermode tuning. Set a channel strip to ignore Hermode tuning mm In the MIDI Input tab of the Channel Strip Inspector, select the Ignore Hermode Tuning checkbox.
Use the EXS24 mkII Instrument Editor in MainStage For channel strips using the EXS24 mkII sampler instrument, you can edit sampler instrument zones and groups in the EXS Instrument Editor. However, you cannot open the Sample Editor to edit individual audio samples. In an EXS24 mkII instrument, a zone is a location into which a single sample (an audio file) is loaded from a hard disk. You can edit zone parameters in Zone view.
Use multiple instrument outputs MainStage supports the multiple output versions of the EXS24 mkII, Ultrabeat, and some Audio Units instruments. You can insert multi output instruments and use them to route different outputs to different physical outputs, to apply different plug-ins or processing to different outputs, or for other uses. If an instrument supports multiple outputs, one or more multi output versions are available in the Instrument Plug-in pop-up menu for the instrument.
For more information about using multiple instrument outputs, see MainStage Help and the MainStage Instruments manual. Information about specific instruments (for example, Ultrabeat) can be found in the chapters covering those instruments. Use external MIDI instruments in MainStage You can add an external MIDI instrument channel strip to a patch and use it to play an external instrument, such as a hardware synthesizer. You can also use an external instrument channel strip to “play” a ReWire application.
4 If you want to send a Bank Change message, select the Send Program Change checkbox, then set the most-significant byte (MSB) and least-significant byte (LSB) of the bank change number using the Bank MSB and Bank LSB value sliders. When you select the patch, the program change and bank change messages are sent to the external instrument.
Create keyboard layers and splits Layers and splits overview If you play a keyboard controller, you can easily create keyboard layers and splits in your MainStage patches. You create layers and splits by adding two or more channel strips to a patch and setting the Low Key and High Key for each channel strip to define its key range. The key range defines the range of notes on a keyboard controller that trigger sound from a software instrument or external instrument in the channel strip.
7 On your keyboard controller, press the key you want to set as the highest key in the key range. 8 To turn off Learn mode for the High Key, click the Learn button again. When you play the patch, you hear the channel strip when you play notes inside the key range. When you play notes outside the key range, no sound is generated from the channel strip. Define a key range using the value sliders 1 In the Channel Strips area, select the channel strip.
Set floating split points When a key range has a floating split point, the notes that define the boundaries of the key range ends change depending on the keys you play as you approach the boundary of the key range. You set floating split points in the Layer Editor tab of the Channel Strip Inspector. Floating split points can be explained using an example.
Work with graphs Using graphs, you can graphically remap the values for some MIDI control messages so that input values from your controller produce different output values for the channel strip or plug-in parameter. Graphs make it easier to see and modify a range of values for a parameter, such as velocity or filter cutoff.
Copy and paste values 1 In the graph window, click the Copy button. 2 Open the graph you want to paste the values into, and click the Paste button. Invert the values of the graph Do one of the following: mm In the graph window, click the Invert button. mm In the tab for the mapping, select the Invert Parameter Range checkbox. Reset the graph to its default values mm Click the Revert to Default button at the top of the graph window.
Create controller transforms Using a transform graph, you can remap the values for some MIDI control messages so that input values from your controller produce different output values for the channel strip. A common use of the transform is for expression scaling, where input MIDI expression values are mapped to different output values on a graphic curve. In addition, you can transform input values for one message type to output values for another message type.
Work with plug-ins in Edit mode Work with plug-ins overview MainStage includes a full collection of professional-quality instrument and effect plug-ins as well as utility plug-ins such as the Tuner. MainStage also includes a set of MIDI plug-ins that you can use in software instrument and external MIDI instrument channel strips for real-time MIDI processing. In a channel strip, MIDI plug-ins appear below the EQ display and above the instrument slot.
Use Channel EQ The Channel EQ plug-in allows you to sculpt the sound of the channel strip before applying other effects. Use the Channel EQ plug-in 1 Double-click the EQ icon at the top of the channel strip. The Channel EQ plug-in is added to the first available Insert slot and the plug-in window opens. 2 Do one of the following: •• Choose a Channel EQ setting from the Settings pop-up menu at the top of the plug-in window.
Save changes to a plug-in setting Do one of the following: mm To save the current plug-in parameter values as the setting: Choose Save Setting. This overwrites the existing setting. mm To name and save a setting, including its folder location: Choose Save Setting As. You can create a new folder in the Save As dialog, if you wish. Note: Subfolders must be located in the folder for the corresponding plug-in.
Use other plug-in window controls All MainStage plug-ins share a common set of controls. In addition to the Settings pop-up menu, plug-ins include controls for switching between views, bypassing the plug-in, and comparing plug-in settings before and after adjustments. You will also find extended plug-in parameters at the bottom of some plug-in windows.
Map screen controls Screen controls overview After you have created your patches and learned controller assignments for the screen controls you want to use, you can map MainStage screen controls to channel strip and plug-in parameters to modify the sound of your patches while you perform, or map them to MainStage actions to control other functions. You map screen controls to parameters in Edit mode.
4 To map the screen control to a plug-in parameter, double-click the plug-in in the Inserts section of the channel strip to open the plug-in window, then click the parameter in the plug-in window. Click the screen control you want to map to a parameter. Click the parameter in a channel strip or plug-in window. The screen control is mapped to the selected parameter, and the Unmapped tab takes the name of the parameter.
4 Select the parameter you want to map. Click the channel strip or plug-in with the parameter you want to map. Click the parameter to which you want to map the screen control. The screen control is mapped to the selected parameter, and the Unmapped tab takes the name of the parameter. You can continue mapping additional screen controls by clicking them in the workspace and then choosing parameters in the Parameter Mapping browser.
Map a screen control to an action 1 In the workspace, click the screen control you want to map. The Screen Control Inspector appears below the workspace, showing the settings for the selected screen control. If the screen control is currently mapped, a tab with the name of the mapping is visible in addition to the General and Mapping tabs. If the control is unmapped, the tab is labeled “Unmapped.” 2 Click the Unmapped (or name of mapping) tab. The Parameter Mapping browser appears below the workspace.
Map a screen control to multiple parameters You can map a single screen control to multiple parameters and control how the screen control modifies each mapped parameter. Mapping a screen control to multiple parameters is also referred to as multimapping. You map a screen control to up to eight parameters by adding mappings in the Screen Control Inspector. If you create multiple mappings for a screen control, you can define the relationships between the first mapping and subsequent mappings.
Edit the saved value for a mapped parameter Each mapped parameter has a saved value. If you set the Parameter Values: On Patch Change pop-up menu to “Reset to saved value” in MainStage General preferences or in the Attributes tab of the Screen Control Inspector, the parameter value for a patch returns to the last saved value when you change patches. You can view and edit the saved value for each parameter mapping in the Screen Control Inspector.
Use parameter mapping graphs Each parameter mapping has a Parameter graph. You can edit the graph to remap input values to different output values for the parameter. Open the Parameter graph for a mapping mm In the tab for the mapping or in the Mappings tab, double-click the Graph button for the mapping you want to edit. The Parameter graph window opens. The title of the graph window shows the parameter name. For information about editing graphs, see Work with graphs on page 62.
Work in the Assignments and Mappings tab Assignments and mappings overview You can view and edit assignments and mappings for the selected patch, set, or concert in the Assignments & Mappings table, and create and edit assignments and mappings without leaving Edit mode. For the selected item, the Assignments & Mappings table shows the following: •• Assignment column: Lists the assignments in the patch, set, or concert by device and MIDI channel.
Create and delete assignments and mappings The Assignments & Mappings tab includes an Assign & Map button so you can quickly create new assignments and mappings. You can also create assignments and mappings independent of any screen control, allowing you to use a hardware control to adjust the value of a parameter or action for which there is no screen control in the workspace. You can also delete assignments and mappings in the Assignments & Mappings table.
Edit assignments and mappings Using the Assign & Map button, you can also edit existing assignments and mappings in the Assignments & Mappings table. Edit an existing assignment or mapping 1 In the Assignments & Mappings table, select the assignment you want to edit. 2 Click the Assign & Map button. 3 To change the assignment, manipulate the hardware control you want to assign. The table is updated to show the new assignment.
Edit screen control parameters in Edit mode Screen control parameters in Edit mode overview In Layout mode, you edit basic screen control parameters that are constant throughout the entire concert. In Edit mode, you can edit screen control parameters for a specific patch or set, including editing parameter labels, choosing custom colors, and changing the appearance of the background or grouped screen control. You can also override concert- and set-level mappings for an individual patch or a set.
Set screen controls to show the hardware value By default, screen controls show the value of the parameter the control is mapped to. In some cases, for example, when the screen control is assigned to a foot pedal or when the screen control is mapped to multiple parameters, it may be better to show the value of the hardware control assigned to the screen control. Set a screen control to show the hardware value 1 Select the screen control in the workspace.
Set hardware matching behavior for screen controls Some hardware synthesizers and music workstations let users control what happens when you move a physical control that is set to a different value than the parameter it modifies. The parameter value can instantly change to the position of the physical control (sometimes called jump), it can change by the same amount (called relative), or it can not change at all until the physical control matches its current value (called snap).
Override concert- and set-level mappings By default, mappings you make at the concert level (to parameters and actions) take precedence over mappings to individual patches or sets in the concert. If you map a screen control to a parameter at the concert level (for example, to Master Volume), that screen control cannot be mapped to a parameter or action in a patch or set unless you override the concert-level mapping.
Work with sets in Edit mode Work with sets overview Sets are like folders that let you organize patches you want to keep together. Using sets, you can organize patches in any manner. For example, you can put all the patches you want to use in the first part of a performance together or keep all your lead synth patches together. Sets are flexible, so you can use them in whatever way suits your method of working.
Change the tempo when you select a set You can give a set its own tempo setting so that when you select the set, the tempo changes to the set tempo setting. MainStage uses the new tempo until you select another patch or set with its own tempo setting, tap a new tempo, or until MainStage receives tempo information from incoming MIDI messages. For more information about using and changing tempo in MainStage, see Tempo overview on page 90. Change the tempo using a set 1 In the Patch List, select the set.
Delete sets You can delete a set if you decide you no longer want it in the concert. Delete a set 1 Select the set in the Patch List. 2 Choose Edit > Delete (or press the Delete key). When you delete a set, the patches in the set are also deleted. To delete the set without deleting the patches, move the patches outside the set before you delete it. Add a channel strip at the set level You can add channel strips at the set level and play the set-level channel strips together with every patch in the set.
Share patches and sets between concerts You can export patches and sets from a concert and import them into another concert. When you import a set, all the patches in the set are imported. Export a patch Do one of the following: mm Drag the patch from the Patch List to the Finder. The patch appears as a .patch file in the Finder. mm Select the patch, choose Save as Patch from the Action pop-up menu in the Patch List, then click Save. The patch is exported to the ~/Music/Patches folder.
Work with concerts 6 Open and close concerts You can create a new concert from a template, open an existing concert to continue working, and close and save concerts. You can add patches to a concert and organize them in the Patch List. The number of patches is limited only by the amount of available memory. You can add channel strips to an existing patch or to new ones you create and can organize patches into sets. For information about patches and sets, see Edit mode overview on page 37.
Save concerts When you save a concert, changes to mapped parameter values are saved only for the selected patch or set but not for other patches or sets. Some patches or plug-ins may use assets such as audio files, virtual instruments, Ultrabeat samples, and Space Designer impulse response files. You can save the assets used in a concert with the concert, so they will be available if you copy or move the concert file. Save a concert 1 Choose File > Save.
How saving affects parameter values In MainStage preferences, you can set whether changes to mapped parameters are kept when you change patches or are reset to their saved value. By default, when you select a patch, the mapped parameters in the previously selected patch return to their saved value (as defined in the Screen Control Inspector). When you save the concert, changes to mapped parameters for the currently selected patch are saved (but mapped parameters for other patches retain their saved value).
Set the time signature for a concert You can set the time signature for a concert. Time signatures can be used with the Playback plug-in and also affect the operation of the metronome. When you set the time signature for a patch or set, it overrides the concert-level time signature while the patch or set is selected. When you select a patch or set without a time signature, it uses the concert time signature. Set the time signature 1 In the Concert Inspector, select the Has Time Signature checkbox.
Tap the tempo MainStage includes a “tap tempo” feature that allows you to set the tempo in real time while you perform. Tap the tempo on your computer keyboard mm Press Control-T several times at the desired tempo. You can also tap the tempo using a screen control mapped to the Tap Tempo action. For information about mapping screen controls to actions, see Map screen controls to actions on page 71. Get the tempo from MIDI Input You can also have MainStage receive tempo changes from incoming MIDI messages.
Define the source for program change messages By default, MainStage receives and responds to program change messages from all connected MIDI controllers. Some MIDI controllers, however, send program change messages while performing other operations. You can define the source for program change messages for a concert, so the concert responds to messages for only one MIDI device, port, or channel.
Mute audio output Sometimes when you are playing or editing sounds, you may want to quickly mute (silence) all audio output for the concert. MainStage includes a Master Mute button that silences the output from every patch in the concert. Quickly mute all sound Do one of the following: mm Press Control-M. mm In the toolbar, click the Master Mute button. mm If you have mapped the Master Mute function to a screen control, press or move the corresponding controller.
Work at the concert level Concert level overview You can control the overall volume for a concert and make other changes at the concert level. You can use busses at the concert level to control concert-wide effects or to control the output of multiple channel strips assigned to the bus. You can also add channel strips at the concert level and have the concert-level channel strips available with every patch in the concert.
Control the overall volume of a concert A MainStage concert contains Output and Master channel strips that you can use to control the overall volume of the concert. The Master channel strip always controls the output volume of the entire concert. If the concert has multiple Output channel strips, each Output channel strip controls the volume level for a particular (mono or stereo) physical output. You can use the Output and Master channel strips to control the overall volume of a concert.
When you map a screen control at the concert level, you cannot map the same screen control at the patch or set level unless you override the concert-level mapping. For information about overriding concert-level mappings, see Override concert- and set-level mappings on page 82. Add concert-wide effects You can add concert-wide effects such as reverb and delay using auxiliary (aux) channels. When you choose a bus from the Send slot on a channel strip, a corresponding aux appears at the concert level.
Use auxes to control channel strip output You can send the output of multiple channel strips to an aux (auxiliary channel strip) and then use the aux to control the volume level and pan position of the channel strips. Sending the output to an aux is also useful for adding EQ or compression to a group of patches. When you send channel strip output to an aux, the volume fader of the channel strip controls how much of the signal is sent to the aux.
Add channel strips at the concert level You can add a channel strip at the concert level and use the concert-level channel strip for a software instrument or audio input you want to use in every patch in the concert. Important: When you add a channel strip at the concert level, it takes precedence over the channel strips in the patches and sets in the concert.
The MainStage clock Some plug-ins, including the Playback and Ultrabeat plug-ins, require a time source, and use beat and tempo information in order to play in time. Additionally, some third-party applications and plug-ins using their own sequencer or playback engine may behave differently than the included plug-ins.
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.
Work in Layout mode 7 Layout mode overview You cannot change the position of physical faders, knobs, and other controls on your instruments and other music hardware, but you can arrange the screen controls in your MainStage concert in any order you like by editing the layout. You can modify an existing layout or create one from a template, and you can export a layout and import it into another concert.
Work with screen controls in Layout mode Screen controls overview Screen controls are objects in a MainStage concert that correspond to the physical controls on your music hardware. Screen controls can also display patch numbers, parameter values, and other information and update the displayed information in real time. You can add screen controls to the workspace of your concert, where you can move and resize them, group them together, and edit their appearance in different ways.
Screen control types Panel controls Panel controls appear on a two-dimensional plane (or panel) in the workspace. You can move a panel control to any position in the workspace, except onto the shelf of a shelf control.
Grouped controls Grouped controls consist of individual controls that are grouped together to make them easier to work with as a single unit.
Mod/pitch wheel screen controls When you add mod/pitch wheels to a layout, by default they are configured to receive the following MIDI message types: •• The first mod/pitch wheel is configured to receive pitch bend messages. •• The second mod/pitch wheel is configured to receive modulation messages. •• The third mod/pitch wheel is configured to receive aftertouch messages.
Move screen controls You can move screen controls to a new position whenever you are in Layout mode. You can use the alignment guides to help align and position screen controls in an orderly arrangement. Move a screen control Do one of the following: mm Drag the screen control to a new position in the workspace. mm Select the screen control, then press the arrow keys to move it in the workspace.
Resize the text display area of a screen control 1 Select the screen control in the workspace. 2 Drag the inner resize guide to increase the area of the text display. 3 Drag the outer resize guide to increase the overall size of the control. Drag the inner resize guide to resize the text area. Notice that when you resize the text display area, the rest of the screen control becomes smaller. You can first resize the overall control, and then resize the text display area using the inner resize guide.
Adjust the shelf for a shelf control When you add a shelf control such as a keyboard to the workspace, it appears at a default angle, creating a three-dimensional appearance. You can adjust the angle of the shelf control so that it appears more or less three-dimensional. This can be useful, for example, if you want to see more of the keys on the keyboard or minimize the amount of space it occupies onscreen. You can also move the shelf vertically to change its position in the workspace.
Move a shelf vertically 1 Select one of the screen controls on the shelf. The alignment guides for the shelf appear. Drag the rear (upper) guide to move the shelf vertically. 2 Place the pointer over the upper alignment guide (the one aligned with the rear of the shelf control). The pointer becomes a move pointer (a horizontal bar with up and down arrows). 3 Drag the upper alignment guide to move the shelf to a new position.
Group screen controls using a background screen control 1 Drag a background screen control to the workspace. 2 Size and position the background screen control. 3 Drag the screen controls you want to include in the grouped control so they are within the borders of the background screen control. Ungroup screen controls 1 Select the grouped control. 2 Click the Group button again (or press Command-Shift-Option-G). Add a screen control to a group mm Drag the screen control into the group.
Assign hardware controls to screen controls Controller assignments overview To use MainStage with a MIDI controller, you assign hardware controls on the controller (such as faders, knobs, buttons, drum pads, and pedals) to screen controls in the workspace. After you assign a hardware control to a screen control, the screen control receives the MIDI messages from the hardware control. You only need to make controller assignments once for a concert as long as you use it with the same hardware.
Button assignments MIDI controllers can have different types of buttons. Some buttons send a single value each time you press them, while others alternate between two values when pressed. Other buttons can send separate values when they are pressed and released (this type of button is called a momentary or temporary button).
Edit screen control parameters Screen control parameter editing overview When you select a screen control in Layout mode, the parameters for the screen control appear in the Screen Control Inspector where you can edit them. Most screen controls share the same common parameters, but some types have different parameters according to their function. The parameters for each type are described in the following sections.
Common screen control parameters You can edit the following common parameters for button, fader, knob, pedal, footswitch, mod/pitch wheel, meter, VU meter, organ drawbar, progress indicator, and parameter text screen controls. Hardware Input •• MIDI Port pop-up menu: Shows the name of the device containing the assigned control. The device name may correspond to the name of a keyboard controller, or to a port on the controller, if it has multiple ports. You can choose another device, All, or Unassigned.
Keyboard screen control parameters If you are using a keyboard controller or another MIDI device that sends MIDI note messages, your layout should include a keyboard (or MIDI activity) screen control. You can edit the following parameters for keyboard screen controls. Hardware Assignment •• Device pop-up menu: Shows the name of the learned keyboard. The device name may correspond to the name of the keyboard controller, or to a port on the controller, if it has multiple ports.
Drum pad screen control parameters You can use drum pad screen controls with hardware drum pads. You can edit the following parameters for drum pad screen controls. Hardware Input •• Device pop-up menu: Shows the name of the hardware device with the drum pad control. You can choose another device, All, or Unassigned.
Selector screen control parameters You can use selector screen controls to display and select patches and sets, or to display and select markers in audio files used by a Playback plug-in. You can edit the following parameters for selector (patch or marker selector) screen controls. Appearance •• View Patches and Sets button: When active, both patches and sets are shown in the selector.
How MainStage passes through MIDI messages Some MIDI messages sent by your keyboard controller (or other MIDI device) are “passed through” to any channel strips in the MainStage concert that are mapped to the same controller (or device). Whether or not MIDI messages are passed through depends on the following conditions: •• If there is no screen control in your layout assigned to receive the message type sent by the controller, the messages are passed through.
Import a layout You can import an exported layout into another concert, and then adjust it to work with the mappings in the concert. When you import a layout into a concert, MainStage analyzes the layout and attempts to convert the assignments and mappings in the layout to work with the concert. It uses the following rules to convert imported assignments and mappings: •• Screen controls are assigned and mapped to screen controls of the same type if they exist in the imported layout.
Perform live with MainStage 8 Before the performance Now that you’ve created and organized your sounds and set up your layout, it’s time to play! MainStage features Perform mode that optimizes your display for live performance. Here are a few things to check before you begin performing: •• Make sure your MIDI controllers, instruments, microphones, and other music equipment are connected to your computer and are working.
Switch to Perform in Window mm Choose View > Perform in Window (or press Command-3). In Perform mode (both Perform in Window and Perform in Full Screen), Time Machine backups are disabled automatically. This avoids any impact on your performance. Select patches in performance Select patches in performance overview In Perform mode, you can view and select patches using the patch selector screen control in your layout.
Select patches using actions If you have mapped screen controls to actions for selecting patches, such as selecting the previous or next patch, you can select the patches using the physical controls assigned to those screen controls as you perform. You can also select sets or the concert using actions. Buttons are particularly useful for selecting patches, sets, or the concert using actions. When selecting patches using actions, skipped patches are also skipped.
Tips for performing with keyboard controllers If you are using one of the Keyboards templates designed for use with a MIDI-compatible keyboard controller, you can play your keyboard and use MainStage as a sophisticated sound module and multi-effects processor. The patches in the template make extensive use of the software instrument plug-ins included with MainStage as well as a wide range of effects plug-ins.
Tune guitars and other instruments with the Tuner MainStage includes a Tuner that you can use to tune guitars and other instruments you play through an audio channel strip. The Tuner shows pitch on a circular scale with the note name and octave displayed in the center of the scale. When you play a single note on your instrument, the pitch is shown in relation to the correct pitch for the note displayed. You can use the Tuner on an instrument connected to the first audio channel strip in a patch.
The Playback plug-in in performance You can use the Playback plug-in to play backing tracks or other audio files while you are performing. Playback can be triggered either when you select a patch or set or by using a button or other screen control. You can control other Playback parameters to which you have mapped screen controls, including fading out the sound and looping playback. For files containing marker information, you can also use markers to switch playback to different sections of the audio file.
Record your performances You can record a performance to an audio file. Before you record a performance, you can choose the file format of the recorded audio file. If you choose AIFF as the file format for recording, the maximum file size for the recorded file is 2 gigabytes. If you choose WAVE as the file format, the maximum file size is 4 gigabytes. If you choose CAF as the file format, there is no practical limit to the file size.
A Playback plug-in overview The Playback plug-in is an audio file player that you can use to play backing tracks, song stems, and other audio files. The Playback plug-in supports uncompressed mono or stereo audio files in the AIFF, WAV, and CAF formats with a bit depth of 16 or 24 bits. You can bounce a single stem from a Logic Pro project or a set of stems from individual tracks. You can use Playback to jump to song sections and repeat them.
The Playback interface The Playback interface resembles a hardware tape player. This section will familiarize you with various areas of the Playback plug-in window. Transport buttons Waveform display Sync, Snap To, and Play From pop-up menus Information display Action menu Function buttons •• Waveform display: The waveform display shows the waveform of the currently loaded audio file, the current playback position, and the ruler. See Use the Playback waveform display on page 129.
Use the Playback waveform display The waveform display shows the waveform of the currently loaded audio file. The vertical line in the center of the display indicates the current playback position as the waveform scrolls from right to left. Above the waveform, the time ruler displays time in either hours, minutes, and seconds (when Sync mode is off) or bars and beats (when Sync is on). If the audio file contains marker information, the marker names and positions appear below the time ruler.
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 Cycle button Play button Count-in button Undo button Fade Out button Previous/Next Marker button Transport and Function parameters •• 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 continues from the start of the audio file.
Playback information display The information display shows information about several key aspects of your audio material and lets you edit some of the displayed values. Information Display parameters •• Position field: Shows the current position in hours, minutes, and seconds (when Sync is off), or in bars and beats (when Sync is on). •• Length field: Displays the overall length of the loaded audio file in hours, minutes, and seconds (when Sync is off), or in bars and beats (when Sync is on).
Playback Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters The Sync, Snap To, and Play From pop-up menus control various aspects of playback and synchronization of the audio file. Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters •• Sync pop-up menu: Controls whether playback is synchronized with the concert tempo. When Sync is off, the audio file plays at its recorded tempo. When Sync is on, the file plays at the current tempo of the concert.
Use the Playback group functions If you have multiple instances of the Playback plug-in in a concert, you can use groups to control which instances play together and which instances operate independently. Any Playback instance can either be assigned to one of 100 groups, or not be a member of any group. The linked operation of multiple instances can be used for creative playback purposes, such as alternative versions of a song verse or chorus. Only one group can be active at a time.
Use the Playback Action menu and File field The Action menu is found to the top right of the waveform display and contains the following items: •• Open File: Opens a dialog from which you can preview and choose a file to load into the Playback plug-in. •• Remove File: Removes the file currently loaded in the Playback plug-in.
Use markers with the Playback plug-in You can add an audio file containing markers, and use the markers to move to different parts of the audio file. You can also add markers in the Playback plug-in. The Playback window includes a shortcut menu that lets you add, name, and remove markers in the waveform display. If Sync is on when you add a marker, the marker snaps to the closest beat to the left of the point where you click the waveform display.
Use the Playback plug-in in a concert Add a Playback plug-in The Playback plug-in is an Instrument plug-in and is available only for software instrument channel strips. To use the Playback plug-in, you add it to a software instrument channel strip, then select an audio file to play. You can add a Playback plug-in to a channel strip in a patch or at the set or concert level. Where you add an instance of the Playback plug-in depends on how you want to use it.
The Playback plug-in is added to the channel strip, and the plug-in window appears over the MainStage window. Add an audio file to the Playback plug-in After you add an instance of the Playback plug-in, you select and add the audio file you want to play using the plug-in. You can add an audio file to a Playback plug-in in one of several ways: by dragging an audio file, by clicking in the File field, or by using the Action menu in the plug-in window.
Set the Sync mode for the Playback plug-in When you add an audio file to the Playback plug-in, MainStage looks for tempo information in the file. For audio files containing tempo information (including Apple Loops and files exported from Logic Pro), the file is scanned for transients (short bursts of audio energy that usually occur on rhythmic beats).
Choose the flex mode for a Playback plug-in mm Choose Flex Mode from the Action menu at the upper right of the plug-in window, then choose the flex mode from the submenu. Note: For audio files that do not contain tempo information, the Flex Mode menu item is unavailable. Add screen controls for the Playback plug-in You can use screen controls to control the parameters of the Playback plug-in, display parameter values and the name of the audio file, and display the audio waveform of the audio file.
Tips for using the Playback plug-in The design of the Playback plug-in allows you to use it in many different ways. You should plan how you intend to use the Playback plug-in when you are designing your concert to use it most effectively. You can try out different placements and settings to decide how you want to use the Playback plug-in in your concerts.
B Loopback plug-in overview The Loopback plug-in lets you record virtual “tape loops,” play them back repeatedly, and overdub new recordings while previous ones continue playing. You can use the Loopback plug-in to create simple loops, recurring motifs, or complex, evolving textures. Using Loopback as an insert plug-in in an instrument channel strip, you can create looped performances with a single instrument, your voice, or other audio material.
The Loopback interface The Loopback interface resembles a hardware tape-loop device. This section will familiarize you with various areas of the Loopback interface. Transport buttons Waveform display Sync, Snap To, and Play From pop-up menus Information display Action menu Function buttons •• Waveform display: The waveform display shows the waveform of the recorded audio material, the playhead position, and the ruler. See Loopback waveform display on page 143.
Loopback waveform display The waveform display shows the waveform of the recorded audio material. The waveform display updates in real time as you record new material. The vertical line in the center of the display is the playhead, which shows the current playback or recording position as the waveform scrolls from right to left. The ruler appears above the waveform, showing bars and beats (musical time).
•• Undo button: When pressed during playback or when stopped, removes the most recently recorded take from the tape loop. Pressing Undo during the first beat of a new take removes the previously recorded take. Loopback information display The information display shows information about several key aspects of the audio material in the tape loop and lets you edit some of the displayed values. Information Display parameters •• Position field: Indicates the current playhead position.
Loopback Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters The Sync, Snap To, and Play From pop-up menus in the bar at the bottom of the window control various aspects of playback and synchronization of the audio material. Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters •• Sync pop-up menu: Enables or disables synchronization with the MainStage tempo and clock. •• •• Snap To pop-up menu: Determines how Loopback starts, in play or record mode, when stopped.
Important: Editing a parameter in one member of a group does not automatically update the parameter value in other group members. To change the parameter value in all group members, hold down Shift while you edit the parameter in any group member. You need to set Sync to the same mode for all group members or you will hear playback drift between grouped instances. Assign a Loopback instance to a group mm Choose a letter from the Group pop-up menu at the lower right of the window.
Add a Loopback plug-in The Loopback plug-in is an insert plug-in. You can use it in any type of channel strip. Add a Loopback instance to a channel strip 1 Click one of the Insert slots in the channel strip you want to use Loopback on. 2 Choose Delay from the shortcut menu that appears, choose Loopback from the submenu, then choose Stereo from the second submenu.
C Preferences overview You can set a variety of preferences in the MainStage preferences window. The preferences window includes tabs for general, audio, MIDI, and display preferences, which are described in the following sections. General preferences These preferences let you set the tuning of software instruments, set the volume and output for the metronome, choose what happens when you open MainStage, reset alerts, and set whether screen controls highlight when their parameter values change.
Parameter Values •• On Patch Change pop-up menu: Choose whether parameter values change or remain the same when you change patches. By default, the On Patch Change parameter for individual screen controls is set to Preference, in which case they follow the preference behavior. If this parameter is set to another value for a screen control, the control follows the value of its individual setting.
•• Alert me: Displays an alert when a device is hot-plugged. The alert includes buttons allowing you to use or ignore the device. •• Automatically Use Device: Switches the audio drivers to allow immediate use of the hotplugged device for audio input and output. •• Do Nothing: Does not switch the audio drivers. •• Display audio engine overload message checkbox: When selected, an alert appears when the audio engine overloads.
MIDI preferences These preferences let you view the current status of MIDI inputs and choose which note appears as middle C. MIDI •• MIDI Status field: Displays the number of detected MIDI inputs. •• Setup button: Click to open the Audio Devices pane of Audio/MIDI Setup Utility. Display •• Display Middle C pop-up menu: Choose whether middle C is displayed as C3 or C4. •• Program Change Range pop-up menu: Choose whether program changes use the range of 0–127 or 1–128.
Concerts and layouts Includes key commands for creating, opening, and saving concerts and for exporting and importing layouts.
Editing Includes key commands for cutting, copying, pasting, and other common editing functions. Default key command Function Command-Z Undo the last command Command-Shift-Z Redo the last undone command Command-X Cut Command-C Copy Command-V Paste Command-D Duplicate Command-A Select all Actions Includes key commands for some MainStage actions.
Channel strips (Edit mode) Includes commands for adding channel strips.
Window and view Includes key commands for switching modes and for showing inspectors and other areas of the interface.
Actions overview In addition to mapping screen controls to channel strip and plug-in parameters, you can map them to MainStage actions. Actions let you select patches and sets, silence MIDI notes, control the Tuner and the metronome, tap a new tempo, display information about patches, MIDI messages and other information, and perform other functions using screen controls.
Action Description Usage Prev Set Selects the set above the current patch in the Patch List. Button screen control Current Set Displays the name of the current set. Parameter Text screen control Next Set Selects the set below the current patch in the Patch List. Button screen control Concert Displays the name of the concert. Parameter Text screen control Tuner Shows or hides the Tuner.
In addition to the actions in the Actions folder, there are two actions in the Send to All > Destinations > Actions folder. Action Description Usage Transpose Octave Up Transposes the software instrument played by the keyboard up one octave. Button screen control Transpose Octave Down Transposes the software instrument played by the keyboard down one octave.
