How to Setup Simple Backing Tracks in MainStage 3 using the Playback Plugin

While most of us are leading worship from home we've seen many of you relying on the help of backing tracks to fill out your sound. This tutorial shows the simplest way to load a single track into a MainStage patch. We've done all the work for you in our new Sunday Keys expansion Live Tracks, or you can learn how to set this up yourself!
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[@UltimateJuji]

Thanks for this! It really helped with ensuring that I correctly recorded and imported a song loop so that the tempo remained intact and in sync. Keep up the great work on your channel!

[@jhamesalmeda9961]

I gotta try this out, thanks!

[@klaedrums1502]

Do you have or can you do a video on how to run multiple stereo outs and have them synced via MainStage? I've never really like having a stereo submix of all of the tracks, I like to be able to send them separately.

[@LanePittmanFloridaMan]

How would I run backing tracks to a song that has multiple tempos? I play in a metal band lol

[@SundaySounds]

That would be challenging in MainStage - you might want to look into Ableton where you can do more automation.

[@steevidrums]

If your arrangement is set and doesn't need to be sync'd, mix down your main track as one stereo file and a click track as a separate file and have two playback channels. Have them both on the same group in the playback plug in. Route your main track to your main stereo out and your click to a second output. Note, you'd need an interface capable of more than a single stereo out. I have done this with my band tracks, it just means track won't sync to mainstage's clock, but they'll play fine. If you have location markers in the arrangement, mainstage player will display these markers too. i.e. Intro, Verse, Chorus, Solo etc.

[@meaviad]

I think this video is one of the most important ones I've seen about modern live performance. I was looking for this content for a long time. Thank you very much!

[@SundaySounds]

So glad it's helpful for you!

[@PVaillancourt26]

What about playing MIDI loops ? Can it be done with the same plugin ?

[@roccogreen3]

Where is the clock? Is it the same as the metronome? TIA

[@nigeldsouza6088]

How do we set this up in a way where we can choose certain sections mid song? Like what if I want to repeat a chorus but it isnt part of my backing track. What do I do that? Only arranger keyboards can do this?

[@JherekLazo]

I still don’t get why would you use this instead of simply playing the track on logic or any other audio player, what does make MainStage an option?

[@SundaySounds]

If you are using MainStage for your keys sounds, you might want to.

[@JherekLazo]

@@SundaySounds thank you for the answer, appreciate it.

[@betsyandme]

Thank you, love your videos. Playback is an area I am currently struggling and have been for the past week. However, my sync and flex-mode options are grey'd out. Been several days trying to figure out why. It appears that if there are any tempo changes, then flex/sync options are not available.

[@SundaySounds]

If you need further help, feel free to reach out to us directly: sundaysounds.com/contact

[@Ambientes]

Thank you for this amazing tutorial. It really helped me learn how to set up backing tracks in MainStage 3 using the Playback Plugin.

[@TinoSchulz1990]

So, how would i go about loading multiple backing tracks (lets say 50 files) into the sample player, so that i can switch between them via a midi controller? (+ start / pause / stop) ?

[@ShanesQueenSite]

Great video. I didn’t even Consider MainStage. I had the old version of MainStage on the previous Mac but I have a MacBook Pro M1 now and want to use backing tracks. Can you recommend a 4 channel audio interface for the Mac. (Without breaking the bank)

[@SundaySounds]

Behringer probably makes the cheapest. Focusrite is a good mid-range option.

[@jezzriqkeys1611]

hi ! this is very useful. But I would also like to know how to set up a stereo backing track with an additional output for click and voice cue, and to assign play button for the tracks and metronome/click to PLAY all together. Would you be okay to do another video for this? thank you Sunday Sounds!

[@illiabalaban7953]

Hello! Please, let me know if you figured it out)

[@einar_stray]

I'm also trying to figure that out. Please help

[@drummerbishwanth]

Hey quick question. I'm using playback plugin to trigger my loops by striking my drum midi controller (dtx m12). But I'm getting a flam delay while triggering it. I have made by buffer size very low. But still no improvement. Is there any other plugin to trigger my loops?. And can we have a choke group for pads? Where I transition from one to another pad then the previous pad has to stop the loop automatically and the new one should start playing the loop.

[@danydhondt4677]

this is a great video! Thanks a lot! I have a specific question: I have a live track which I want to start in the middle of a live performance . Can I setup MainStage to SEE the tempo without hearing it? So when I push my pedal to start the backing track, I know I'm playing at the right tempo. Thx

[@neonhoneymusic]

Hello, I’m really struggling to locate a tutorial that will help me learn how to set up MainStage so I can play 6 backing tracks for a show, sing and play layered midi keys over the top. There is literally no information anywhere and as soon as I think I am getting somewhere there will be some limitation. For example, there is an option at the beginning called “vocals and one backing track.” I managed to layer midi keys in the patch list and allocate a backing track to play in the “perform” section but when I attempted to set another patch for my next song by selecting “new set” and creating a similar set up with vocals, keys and backing track in a new channel strip using the “playback” plugin it wouldn’t play in the perform option. Only the first patch I created would play the backing track. I have also attempted this method using the “keyboard minimalist” option. I have a show in the next couple of weeks and I’m just feeling depleted after 5 days of troubleshooting :(

[@centar07]

Nice tut but I have a question about mainstage 3.4.3. I have a project with 4 different patches, and in each patch I have loaded multiple audio files (.wav). I consolidated the project with all the audio files copied inside the project. But, randomly, when I open the project audio files are mixed up in the wrong channel strip. Could you help me to fix this? Is this a bug about this 3.4.3 version? Thank you very much...

[@mattiaswiborn6600]

Thanks for your content! I have a question that might be advanced, don't know haha! Is it possible to sync patch switch with playback timestamps? So that when I start the track, the patches will switch automatically at certain timestamps (that I set my self)? I seems so logical to me, but can't find any info about it! Thanks!!!

[@andreyboyko2668]

Please help me, in my MainStage 3 on playback don't work knob SINC,

[@SundaySounds]

Hi, I think your comment was cut off - what isn't working?

[@DennisBergDrums]

what exactly is the difference here? Couldn't you just play the backing straight out of logic?

[@SundaySounds]

You could! You would do it this way if you wanted to play sounds and a track at the same time.

[@sgib199]

Mainstage allows you to have backing tracks for several songs, all ready to go in a playlist. You can easily rearrange the order of the playlist. In Logic, you can get it done but with much less flexibility to deal with it in the live setting.

[@soulinspiration1]

At about 3:15 you added the Playback plugin as a software instrument to a channel strip in order to play the backing track. I have an idea I hope will work. I want to add several playback software instrument tracks, one each for bass, drum, background vocals, etc to play live as a substitute for any any performer who is absent. If the performer is present then I would simply mute the appropriate track. Will this work? Can more than one backing track be played live without latency given that I have an M1?

[@soulinspiration1]

It works!! Yes!! Thanks!

[@kherisbizabishaka6205]

Dude you are doing a great job thank you so much this is very helpful

[@mancefine]

If we have our pre-mapped clicks as audio files is there a way to sync those with a backing track?

[@SundaySounds]

you'd probably want to do that in another program and then bring it into the Playback Plugin as one audio file.

[@agelder8833]

I'm new to mainstage. Can I create a simple click/backing track within mainstage as opposed to loading in a LOGIC stereo track?

[@ironhide1975]

How do you keep the playback going as you switch patches?

[@nicolasbarbati8118]

Hi, great video. I wanted to ask you something. How do I put some vocals at the same volume as the microphone in a live performance? In order to create a lipsync track that allows me at certain times to use pre-recorded voices which, however, seem live. As Beyonce, Ariana Grande and many other singers often do

[@lab057]

PRIMEIRO... GRANDE ABRAÇO...

[@connerfennell9638]

These videos are very helpful! Thank you

[@SundaySounds]

You're very welcome!

[@kevincummings4038]

WHAT BRAND/MODEL IS THAT 8-FADER MIDI CONTROLLER BESIDE YOUR LAPTOP IN THIS VIDEO?

[@SundaySounds]

The controller on David Pfaltzgraff's desk is the Platform X midi controller by iCon. David uses it when working in Logic Pro X primarily because the faders are automatable via Mackie Control.

[@olawumialabi7298]

@@SundaySounds can this controller be used for live performance, with motorised recall on different patches, or what do you recommend?

[@SundaySounds]

@@olawumialabi7298 You could definitely test it out!

[@PaulManningg]

Just bounce the file and use iTunes for playback. There’s a reason mainstage sucks

[@SundaySounds]

Lots of ways to get it done :)

[@connerfennell9638]

Is there a way to have multiple playback files pre-loaded in one concert? I'm trying to have different backtracks in different "sets."

[@connerfennell9638]

I'm able to have multiple files loaded in different sets, but when I do this, the midi connections get messed up.

[@JimKoetting]

I am looking for the live tracks on your web page and cannot find, can you post a link?

[@SundaySounds]

sundaysounds.com/pages/live-tracks Live Tracks is also included if you are subscribed to the Sunday Keys Ultimate Subscription.

[@ash_akv2281]

what if you have tempo and signature changes in your track?

[@SundaySounds]

For songs w/ more complexity it's worth considering a more robust tool like Ableton Live for computer, or Prime for iPad.

[@ash_akv2281]

@@SundaySounds thank you!

[@shropmedia]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you!

[@gcroteau7226]

Thank You very much. You’re an excellent teacher

[@SundaySounds]

Thank you! 😃

[@aleciomora184]

Thanks. Good info

[@SundaySounds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rors4stu]

can you bounce it out Garage band instead of logic ?

[@aena7119]

i believe you could, i've tried it and its possible to export the right file format. it syncs with the tempo in mainstage.

[@SundaySounds]

It is the right file format but it still doesn't send all the same messages - David talks about that around 1:40.

[@ThomasJakobMusic]

The visual style of your video is amazing. What setup did you use for the lights? Coloured LEDS?

[@paolobelmar7374]

Do you know if there is a way Main stage can run backing tracks with different time signatures? It does not seem possible on main stage

[@SundaySounds]

I don't think so.

[@sgib199]

You don't have to put the tempo or time signature into playback...that is only to get additional features like flexing the time, or having it be synchronized with the mainstage metronome.

[@derekwood7818]

Do you transfer tempo information etc if you are importing a track from GarageBand into MainStage?

[@williamsabarca4403]

I have the same question