How To Set Up Backing Tracks In MainStage

[@AlexKerski]

thank you for your time and effort - very helpful - bless

[@alanwainwright9443]

This is great thanks and really helpful for those who want to move from Logic to a simpler process for live backing tracks. It would also be great if you could explain how to then add two midi controllers to play two separate soft/vst/Au synths on top of the backing track.

[@alves220]

this video is GOLD.

[@CatherallAudio]

Thank you!

[@crownsguardstudios7492]

Hey! 🎸 Wonderfully crafted video - thanks for taking the time to explain this and your suggested workflow.

[@happylaura0]

How can I make a mapping for Start/Stop from a specific marker?

[@slypnn2833]

How do the tracks stay aligned when being put from logic to mainstage. Wouldn't they all get out of time on the switch?

[@CatherallAudio]

As long as they are all the same length audio file they will line up.

[@Anthixy]

hey mate thanks for your effort explaining all that stuff… I’m just getting into that rn because i want to setup a band with this software someday. Now it would be interesting how you root your outputs and if it’s manageable to have the backing track plus live vocals which are effected for example with correction and stereo fx. Maybe that’s a topic for another video or is there already one? Gonna check it out now. Anyways I hit your bell! 😁

[@fredhcoelho]

My backing track has time Signature change from 4/4 to 3/4. Will MainStage manage to keep correct tempo metronome?

[@CatherallAudio]

Unfortunately not, you would need to do a patch change to make the meter change on the metronome. Another solution would be to create your own click in Logic or another DAW and put that in a separate instance of the playback plugin. I talk about that method at 18:33 in this video.

[@seanashmore8785]

I notice you have removed the prev / next button to move to next song etc - if I need to assign one to a knob, where is the button? Thanks on the awesome vid!

[@PAULOCLEBER]

Hello friend! I downloaded the Backtrack Template, but it says the information is unreadable. Can you tell me if everything is ok with the file?

[@CatherallAudio]

I sincerely apologize about that. I have fixed it now, the download should work as intended.

[@PAULOCLEBER]

@@CatherallAudio It's perfect!!! Thank you very much. Your videos have helped me a lot, my friend 🙌🏼

[@architanand19]

For the markers to show in the Edit screen, does Logic need to be updated to a certain version? I'm exporting my tracks from LPX with markers but am not seeing them in the Edit screen, although the Playback plugin shows all my markers

[@hany-tawfik]

Thanks!

[@prakashalurumusic]

Can we have accompany like Arranger Keyboard in MainStage?

[@CatherallAudio]

It might be possible, depending on the keyboard. It would be set up through the external midi channel strips.

[@prakashalurumusic]

Very useful information.. ❤️

[@distortionplayer1]

Hey bud. This video was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for uploading great material. I’m really new to this. This was the first video/intro to the program I’ve watched and it was super helpful. I do have a question. If I'm going to be playing live with a backing track. I would omit some of the instrument parts that I would be playing live along with the backing track. Is there a way to program MainStage to automatically change Instruments/channels as the backing track plays and I progress further into the song? Rather than having to click on the instrument channel with the particular plug-in/synth that I would be utilizing during the backing track during a live performance. Kind of like a form automation? I’m trying to avoid having to stop physical playing, looking at my computer and moving the cursor to select the track with the desired instrument. Hopefully I explained that correctly. Cheers!!!

[@CatherallAudio]

Hey, it is not possible to change patches through automation in MainStage. The best way to achieve what you want is to assign the patch change function to a button on your MIDI controller. So when you want to change sounds in the middle of a song you can press one button on your keyboard and it instantly changes.

[@distortionplayer1]

hey dude@@CatherallAudio thanks for the response. i truly appreciate it. im new to all this so im trying to do my research. Cheers dude!

[@scottgoldstein6074]

Question for ya: I've been doing a solo act with Digital Performer for decades (Performer before that, and Vision/Studio Vision Pro before that!). I run DP on the gigs and it plays back (captured) audio from midi sequences that I have either created or purchased. The only MIDI on the gig is program changes - to the keyboard (Kurzweil SP6-7) and to a Helicon Quintet for live harmony with my vocals. Would I also be able to fly in those midi tracks to MS to add to what you've taught here? I like the Kurz sounds, but I'd like to dive into MS and use those sounds. I have hundreds of songs. Would they all live comfortably inside of MS? Finally I'm on a mid-2014 MacBook Pro running Catalina and MainStage 3.5.3. Thanks for any info you can provide!

[@Guillaume_Mllr]

Hello thank you for the video and templates ! It's awesome and very useful to learn this software. I have a problem though with Mainstage when starting the file with my backing tracks. The marker list is not showing at every song and even though I set up a new patch and put it again, when I. restart the file it disappears and I can not change it even though I can switch on the next marker if I push it. It is very annoying, do you know how to correct it ? Thank you !

[@michaeljoconnell]

How can I select a song in mainstage using midi?

[@cobby54]

I'm a total beginner & trying to use this video as a learning tool. I've downloaded the template, but I don't have the 5 tracks of the song, so I'm stuck! Please help... Where do I find the song? Where do I find 'PlayBack' plugin?