Mainstage 3- Fully Automated with Logic Pro X

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey everyone. There’s still a bunch of good tips in this video, but I recently discovered an automation method that’s a little more elegant, efficient, and is self contained in MainStage. If you’d like to check that click on my channel and look for the video titled “Optimize Episode 3.”

[@5h4rk1337]

You have to search for "Optimize Ep. 3".

[@Solo-X]

I love your videos! You are very easy on the ears to listen to as an instructor & my favorite...

[@stephenfroeber]

Much appreciated!

[@WadsworthMusicShop]

Very well done!!! You presented the magic of this music eco-system beautifully. Wonderwall was wonderful as well. I like your version very much!!!

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey thanks! I'm glad it helped...and yeah, I've been wanting to flesh out that Wonderwall arrangement as its own video. Maybe I'll knock it out soon.

[@megalove_music]

Hey Stephen! Thanks for this video! Lots of cool ideas! Have you got a tutorial on how to trigger playback from logic with control changes somewhere? I'm trying to find a way to be able to improvise by moving to and /or loop different sections and do patch changes at the same time.

[@bettertoolatethannever]

Spin out Stephen, thanks man!

[@patrickdwyer320]

well done bro, I'm a subscriber for life, keep it coming

[@chaddonal4331]

Thanks so much. Very helpful. Sweet vocals too!

[@stephenfroeber]

Cheers! Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Awesome video! It helped me out a lot! One question: You mentioned that the 4th thing you wanted to do was to maintain flexibility and be able to change the set order each time. How do you do that with this set up? Ideally, I'd like to have say 10 tracks laid out, and have a midi controller (FCB1010 or keyboard) that tells logic/mainstage what track to start at (and start playback, click, and automate my fx changes). So pressing C1 would start track 1, C#1 would start track 2, D1 would start track 3, etc. Is this possible with this set up? Or there another way that you do this? Thanks again for tutorial!

[@timbald]

Clearly not the first to find your videos really helpful - thank you very much. One comment, when making new videos in the future, please use a smaller Mac screen size because watching your tutorials on a smaller macbook or iPad screen is very hard because your iMac screen is so vast. Or use a screen recorder that magnifies the part of the screen the mouse is in or something. But despite this, these videos were superb and after 20+ years of Logic you have opened my eyes to yet more features and ways to use it. Thank you very much.

[@timbald]

Have a great weekend.

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey, sorry for the late reply on this, but yes! Great feedback. I actually incorporated this into some of my more recent tutorials, so thanks for the help!

[@mygoogle1525]

Is it possible to use Logic in tge same manber ,as Mainstage?

[@stephenfroeber]

Yes it can, with the caveat that you'll have to come up with work-around screen sets to replicate what MainStage shows you.

[@Extaduck]

Thanks for your video, it's exactly (audio part) what I want to do. I followed all the steps several times and I can't manage to have a signal incoming in MainStage (program change nor light signal activity). I must have a setting somewhere that is the cause of the problem...

[@stephenfroeber]

Vincent ROBIN oh, that's frustrating. If you tell me a little more about your setup I might be able to help?

[@Extaduck]

Stephen Froeber I only have one keyboard connected in USB. I activated Rewire in preference panel on both sides. Do I have to link the two softwares ? (Except with IAC) ? I don't understand too how if you hit "play" it could play the two softs in sync. I think I'll try with a new MainStage project and I'll tell you if that works ;)

[@stephenfroeber]

What does MIDI Monitor tell you? That really helps to determine where the problem is. If you see MIDI outputting in Logic, but it doesn't appear in MM, then you know the problem is in Logic somewhere. If you see the Logic output in MM, but not in Mainstage, then you know there's an input problem within Mainstage. Also, just checking, did you check the MIDI Activity object to listen only to the IAC bus? (As in, it's not still set to all channels?)

[@Extaduck]

When there is a Program change from Logic, there are hundreds lines showing in Midi Monitor. Indeed, there are 3 lines repeating randomly a lot of times (Source always "Fom Logic --> Mainstage") : Message "Control", Chan "1" Data "Bank select 0" Message "Control", Chan "1" Data "Bank select (fine) 0" Message "Program", Chan "1" Data "0"

[@stephenfroeber]

Vincent ROBIN ok, so you've got the Logic side setup correctly to transmit. Do you have an activity monitor in Mainstage set to listen specifically to the Logic->Mainstage pipe? (Set in the layout tab)

[@dendijohn]

Thanks for the great video. One of your desired functions is to display lyrics but you didn't touch on that. I've heard that lyrics can be displayed in MainStage by adding them to Marker name and the file type is CAF to do that. Probably it works the same with your LogicPro project file open?

[@gobrad]

Hi Steven will this world with the Apollo MKII interface?

[@stephenfroeber]

It should be interface agnostic for these techniques, so yes.

[@greshlaing6476]

Excellent video. Very helpful. I'd like to take it to the next level and would love to ask you questions. How can I reach out to you?

[@joemurphy8613]

Awesome job with this topic! One question, for lighting I use D-pro with the an Enttec DMX USB ProMk2 interface. Can I control this via your methods

[@stephenfroeber]

I don't see why not. As long as it has a MIDI port that Logic can see, then you can send and receive messages from it. Also, you may want to check out the other video I did on the Mainstage Scripter plugin, which accomplishes this same thing in a different way. It takes some setup time, but once it's in place, you get the benefits of Mainstage's display, plus the automation.

[@AyeItsJT]

Hi I'm having trouble automating specific parameters. For example using Logic to automate a channel strip mute or EQ bybass, etc. I use Logic Pro X for Backing Tracks and Mainstage for my live synths/guitars/basses etc. I have had no luck in trying to use Logic to automate parameters rather than a full patch change. Can anyone help?? Thanks!!

[@PsyckadeliTV]

Great video but where can I see the "Optimize Episode 3" video?

[@stephenfroeber]

I updated the video description with the link. Also: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpubdp-VgJ2feNk

[@PsyckadeliTV]

Great thanks...

[@EllisGeiger]

Great informative video, thank you Stephen

[@stephenfroeber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joachim595]

I want to do two things: 1) Start to play a Playback sound file in MainStage when I hit play in Logic. 2) I want tempo change information in Logic to change in MainStage alongside the song progressing in time, at the same time as I hit play in Logic. How do I do this?

[@joachim595]

I managed to start playback in MainStage from the play button in Logic, but it’s not entirely in sync. It starts after 1 beat or so. I used a network session in the Logic project settings for midi clock sync. Didn’t dive into iac.

[@stephenfroeber]

The key here will be whether or not you will need smooth tempo changes or not. (i.e. tempo ramping using curves) If you need smooth tempo ramps, then you are probably better off using Logic for live performance. I made a separate tutorial on my channel for how to do that called "Live Performance with Logic Pro Part 1". If the tempos just change directly on the downbeats of specific points, then it is doable, and I actually found a way to do that without using Logic at all. It's also a tutorial on my channel called "Optimize Ep. 3"

[@joachim595]

Stephen Froeber ok! Because I have a temp change between intro and verse 1 that changes directly, but it doesn’t matter, because the metronome between Logic and MS aren’t on time. I’ve tried with IAC too. Doesn’t matter. I press play in Logic and MainStage starts everywhere between one beat to one bar later.

[@stephenfroeber]

Check out my video called "Optimize: Ep 3" and it will show you a way to do what you describe using only MS3.

[@ChuckGoehler]

Hi Stephen, this is a great video...I am trying to following this, as it will help with my bands live performance. I am having a small issue and hoping that you can help...In Mainstage 3, when I add text for the lyrics, the text wraps instead of using the full text block. Thanks...

[@SWis4k]

Hi Stephen, great video! One question. In my current situatie I create backing tracks in Logic, export them as CAF-file, create a set list in Mainstage where each song uses the Playback plugin. From there I select the CAF file.So my question is how does your solution works if you've one Logic file per backing track?

[@SWis4k]

In case I choose option 1 and I select in Mainstage a song from the setlist, how does Logic know where to start and to stop the backing track?

[@punchespilot]

Hey Steven, great video. I’m just having some trouble getting a sound out of my midi controller once everything is set up, it sounds a bit like a school of angry whales. I’m wondering what version of logic you used for this video. Thanks

[@Timonius93]

Great video, I think I followed all the steps but it does not work just yet. I have the Logic project all set up and when I click play the activity light in Mainstage tells me that the messages are arriving. No Program change takes place though... I must be missing something. I hope I can get it running somehow. Thank you very much for your video. It set all the basics for exactly what I want to do.

[@Timonius93]

+Stephen Froeber Ty for your reply. I have all the patches set to bank 1 and have program numbers from 1 to ... assigned. For some reason it does not allow me to choose 0. I opened the monitor window and pressed play. 3 Messages are entering MainStage: 1. "Logic -> Mainstage IAC | Chanel 1 | Control Change: Bank MSB (0)" 2. "Logic -> Mainstage IAC | Chanel 1 | Control Change: Bank LSB (32)" 3." Logic -> Mainstage IAC | Chanel 1 | Program Change 1". I have a patch set to B1/P1, Mainstage does not switch though.

[@Timonius93]

+Timon Lapawczyk Haha, I just answered my question my self :). My Mainstage starts counting from 1 and my logic starts from 0. No idea, what's wrong with my MS ...

[@Timonius93]

+Timon Lapawczyk It's just a setting in the preferences ...

[@AviGhosh]

+Timon Lapawczyk where did you change this in the preferences. I'm having the EXACT same problem. :(

[@Timonius93]

Just open the preferences, choose Midi and then you can choose: "Program Change Range" it offers 0...127 and 1...128. Hope that helps :)

[@VictorVillavisencio]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I want to ask you a few questions (sorry for my bad english people, my Spanish is much better). I am helping a young folk band, and they use mainstage 3 for keyboard live performing. I'm also the producer of the band, and I want to trigger some Voices and percussion samples used in the recording sessions, all made in Logic X. Would be great if I can tap tempo 2 bars before any bridge or song chorus and trigger those samples from any controller. I was thinking in put all the info in Bandhelper and use my iPad or iPhone over Bluetooth LE to make program changes, automation, and other stuff. But the Tempo never is the same performing live. What will be the simple way? Just Mainstage with playback plugin and tap tempo? Logic X IAC driver with mainstage? Thanks for your time

[@savagetofu1]

How do I run a mic (vocals) and guitar through mainstage3 on two different channels? I want two different effects for each instrument... on the same program.

[@savagetofu1]

I’ve got a focusrite 18i8

[@Dylan_Black]

This video is super helpful, but how to you get mainstage synced with logic so there is no latency when you hit play? I just have the same button mapped to play both but there's still a latency issue with the lights and music.

[@AugustoAniano]

Any thought on how to be able to repeat a chorus on the fly in MainStage and get Logic to follow your automation? That would be just perfect!!!

[@greebo_d_alias]

Thank you for this!!! I’m working on learning to do this with a similar setup and what you’ve shown me is invaluable?Do you have any other videos of yourself performing live with this setup?

[@particle-dots]

is it possible to synchronize 2 logic audio programs on 2 different computers? if so, what cabling is needed to do that? what i want to do is press play on logic audio on computer 1 and have that stop/start logic audio on computer 2 - almost like having 2 reel to reels playing together via SMPTE - if this is indeed possible (with 2 computers) can the concept be expanded to synchronizing 3 or 4 (or more) computers?

[@nativeband6083]

Hi Stephen, I hope you can help me. I need to run Logic and MainStage side by side and found your video very useful however I am having great difficulty with triggering patch changes from Logic in MainStage. Logic has been updated since this this video was uploaded so it doesn't quite match up where the banks and programs are concerned. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@stephenfroeber]

Yep. Actually, if you look in the description, I put an update with a link to a new method that doesn't require Logic at all. Check that out and see if it works for you. It's *way* more efficient.

[@nativeband6083]

Thanks for the speedy response! I still need to run logic as i am doing other things too. I don't suppose there is any chance you could do the part of the video for triggering the patch change in MainStage from Logic for the the latest version of the software? It's really bugging myself and a few other bands I know that we can't figure it out. Cheers!

[@CenterEverywhere]

Great Video! I Just learned about MainStage. What computer do you use for playing live? I play an instrument called the NS/Stick which is like playing bass and guitar at the same time with two handed tapping. I then play and sing along to a drum backing track. At home I have a nice Mac Mini that works great but I think that I would need a laptop for live playing. Thinking to use a Resident Audio T4 thunderbolt interface since I need at least three channels of conversion (Bass, Guitar, Vocals). I've been using the TC-Helicon Voicelive3Extreme but with the NS/Stick I have another signal chain for bass side and have to mix that all together... PLUS I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate lighting into my rig! Your video just put all of what I've been conceptualizing into one nice packet! Thank you! But I need to make sure that I have a computer which will process it all. Your setup seems pretty similar to what I will do so just wondering what you use live or if you take your iMac with you. I'd love to just get the newest and greatest from Mac but I can't afford that and will need to sell what I have for a used Macbook. Thanks!

[@CenterEverywhere]

+Stephen Froeber Thanks for the reply. This gives me a good place to start.

[@michaelpalombo470]

Great tutorial

[@stephenfroeber]

Glad it helped! There are some useful techniques still in this video, BUT I did want to let you know, I found a way that I think is a little better/easier. If you click on my channel and look for the video called "Optimize Ep. 3- Automating MainStage using the Scripter Plugin", you may find that to be a little better than this method.

[@BenvanGeest]

Hello Stephen and thanks for this great video. What I'd like to ask you is the following: I'd like to rehearse with a backing track I made. I also use amp sims and these are divided onto multiple tracks in Logic. Is there a way to switch between these as well in real time? In other words: can I 'jump' between different tracks in Logic where an amp sim is loaded, so I can use and access these pre-programmed amps in real-time? I suppose that every time you'd switch to a different track the input has to be armed as well, which should then be automated I suppose? Again, thanks a lot for your input!

[@BenvanGeest]

Thanks a lot, Stephen! I will look into this video right now. Much appreciated. Cheers!

[@anthonypuglisi]

This video was super informative! I was curious though, how many lights would be able to be controllable with the dmxis, is it just one or multiple and if multiple, would they all be forced to do the same thing?

[@stephenfroeber]

I'm not at my home computer, but if memory serves, I believe it has 512 Channels. Each light varies in how many channels it would use up. Complicated lights use more channels. Simple lights use less. That said, each of the 512 channels can be doing something completely different, simultaneously.

[@tracybehrman2579]

Thank you for this excellent video. My patches change during Logic projects which is fantastic. How do I control my keyboard volume while I'm playing live music? I normally use a volume pedal hooked up to my keyboard, but that won't work now that I have USB from keyboard into Mac. My keyboard has no sliders, only a volume knob which is turned off.

[@tracybehrman2579]

There is no expression pedal input I. my Casio Privia 350.

[@chaddonal4331]

How do you utilize lyrics / chord chart in MainStage?

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey Craig. You need to add a "Background" object in the layout tab. In the inspector, you can set it to one of the prebuilt backgrounds, or select your own image. When you select image, it can display .pdf, .jpg, etc.

[@chaddonal4331]

Stephen Froeber And then MS can auto advance thru various PDFs timed correctly with your arrangement (i.e. Verse 1, Chorus, V2, etc.)?

[@stephenfroeber]

Exactly. You can set each background at the Patch level, so that everytime you switch patches, a new image appears.

[@AnthonyisFrench]

Wow this is very informative. Very cool. Do you also run your vocals through mainstage when performing live?

[@itsgmani]

I have been using logic pro to run click , backing track, and inputs for our 4 piece band we do everything through my focusrite 18i20 so that we can just jam in my studio with headphones. Is mainstage worth it? my issue is we find going from track to track in the "band jam night" project ive made, our levels are chaning, one song needs more vocal level for the singer, one song needs more guitar etc... i don't understand why this is happening in logic. Is mainstage better???? we just wanna set our headphone mix levels for the whole project and just play the songs backing tracks we want to play. these constant mix changing is slowing us down

[@张皓-m1k]

Awesome! Thank you very much !

[@Rex.George]

This is an awesome tutorial, Stephen. I have one question: in your current workflow, don't you have to change songs on logic pro while switching songs? How do you deal with the delay in loading songs during a performance?

[@stephenfroeber]

Thanks for watching. It's a great question, and there's not really an elegant solution outside of either using a script to open up the next project, or spending some money on Fluqe's OnStageX. However, I'm in the middle of making my new tutorial on with an updated technique that uses only Mainstage (Logic not required) to automate all changes. It's pretty cool, and it involves using the MIDI FX "Scripter" to create a basic timeline based on the master clock. It's pretty elegant, and eliminates the need to have Logic projects drive the changes.

[@Rex.George]

That sounds cool. Can't wait for that one!

[@stephenfroeber]

I'll have it posted later today, and I'll comment here when it's up.

[@Rex.George]

Wow, that will be great. Thanks Stephen. You rock! 👍

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey Rex. Just uploaded the new Tutorial. It's the most recent video on my Channel, called "Optimize: Ep. 3"

[@dylancraig7011]

Hey, quick question hoping someone can help me with. I've been using Logic without any issues until I tried making a song for live performance and the CPU spikes when I switch tracks with my encoder on my komplete kontrol s49 to play the next instrument. I've tried everything and I either get CPU spikes or extreme latency if I increase the I/O buffer size, even then CPU spikes, just not as bad. Would Mainstage fix this issue or would it be just as demanding as logic when using the same plugins and software instruments??

[@iamnealcain]

What if I’m rewiring Sibelius into logic and my synths in Sibelius are being routed to mainstage, how can I get my synth sounds to play through logic?

[@Bigmojo75]

Great video, and I mean, REALLY useful. I've been wanting to sync lighting for years but not by running a 150 minute long Logic file that I need to edit for every gig or switch between logic and MS mid gig. I hope this is going to help me start using Logic to provide time keeping that I can drive without having to touch logic during the show. But, I have some questions if you have the time. The electronic band I play in run 3 x macs live with MS3. Mine is the central one, with the playbacks, track markers, effects on various input, drum triggers and very complex keyboard setups in each patch with multiple splits, layers and switchable effects from controller. I use 1 x patch per song. Firstly, I'd live to prompt our frontman with lyrics, but how are you getting the lyrics switching? By patch change. If I change the patch the playback stops (which is why I use 1 patch the per song) Second, I presume I have to use AppleScript to tell Logic to load a new Logic lighting file when I change patch on MS3. But how donI get the logic lifting file and the playback to simultaneously start. I need to switch patch in MS (loading the small Logic file) press play in MS somehow which starts Logic and the playback. How do you start Logic and tell logic to start the playback. I'm going to buy DMXis. But is it just getting individual light controls or running preprogrammed movements itself.

[@stephenfroeber]

Hey Keith, the reason why your song is stopping upon patch change is probably because your Playback instance is built at the Patch Level. The solution is to create a Set (the folder icon) for each song. Create your Playback channel strip instance at the *Set* level, and then have multiple patches inside of the Set. Now, when you switch patches, playback will continue as long as the patch is in the same set. Yes, the simultaneous playback thing is frustrating, and doesn't initially work as it it should, with Mainstage triggering Logic. My work around was to map my MIDI controllers Play command in both applications. Logic still listens to the correct port in the background, and Mainstage responds. Make sure that you do NOT send a play command through the IAC bus out of mainstage. You are mapping the physical play button, separately, within each application. Hope that helps.

[@Bigmojo75]

thank you Stephen. I've been following your directions today. I managed to get IAC driver in logic sending notes to MS in sync with a backing track served by logic. But... it suddenly stopped once I put a control in to send a midi note (via IAC midi 1) to start a playback off (which worked). I tested with logic playing a soft synth in MS and it worked in note 1, then distortion and hanging notes. Any ideas?

[@stephenfroeber]

Keith Trigwell that sounds like it could be a MIDI feedback loop, meaning Logic and Mainstage are both sending and receiving the messages that come through over and over. Make sure that you don't pass incoming messages back through the IAC bus.

[@Bigmojo75]

Stephen Froeber. It was exactly that. I used the original project file as it has track markers and a very specific tempo, but the midi regions acted peculiarly. I binned the whole thing, created a fresh file and it's better. I have resolved the whole issue now. Apple script (run from MS) loads the project in LPX and runs it. LPX then starts the playback, sending a note number via IAC... To test timing to the best I have LPX also send a C3 on the 1/4 beat to MS and I monitor using MS midi activity monitor light. I then moved the start of the playback backwards and forwards in LPX to get the exact timing. Now all I have to do is get DMXis and program lights for all 45 songs :-0 (Just a question, I have no lights yet. Is there a way of seeing what the lights will look like without having to set them up?)

[@Bigmojo75]

Do you want a copy of the Apple Script?

[@ParsevalMusic]

I think this is the most useful video ever I looked for how to change patch this way for so long tnx dude ... one question: how to automate ms3 controls with logic as input using logic data automation? is that possible? tnx

[@ParsevalMusic]

great!! following ya with pleasure bye

[@tracybehrman2579]

I can not get MS3 to change patches while Logic Pro X is playing. MS will change patches when I toggle between the patches in Edit display while playing my keyboard instrument. I see the MIDI button flash and I've checked the MIDI monitor which shows that the patch changes are being received from LPX. However, while LPX is playing, Mainstage does not change patches. I hear the same patch while playing the keyboard. I'm using Bank 0. Thanks, Stephen, for any help you can provide.

[@AquariEye]

Hey Stephen, I sent you a message through your website, did you ever get it? Besides the second scenario I was wondering how many (max) midi controllers you can hook up to Logic Pro X and MainStage 3? Also what is the max amount of midi inputs you can have? Thanks.

[@AquariEye]

Is there anyway I can play a patch and play another patch at the same time? I want to play a loop in one patch using an instrument and then create another loop over it and play them together. Is that possible. The reason the two tracks can't be on the same patch is because I want to use the two distinctive smart controls and tweak them through knobs in my live setting. This is a frustrating one.

[@AquariEye]

+Yosuf Rahmatullah Just shooting a reminder to see if you have any answers to this? Thanks for all your help Stephen, sorry for all the confusion.

[@PachMusic]

Dude this video is so awesome! Is there anyway I can use mianstage with guitars and vocals at the same time with the vocals being ON all the time??

[@tracybehrman2579]

Do you use a volume or expression pedal to adjust volume on your keyboard while playing live? I see pedals in your video. How are they hooked up?

[@durandassi]

I must be missing something, how do you start the logic track from MainStage? using the 1 button.

[@mepongo44]

Only just seen this video and have some work to do on its contents. Your question was the first thing that came to me. How to synchronise the two programs?

[@AquariEye]

After you had setup Logic Pro X do you just add tracks to the bottom of the "IAC driver" track and it will play them on 2, 4, 6? The way you had it setup in the dialog box? Basically, what would I have to do to play tracks, for instance, just like you had on 2, 4, and 6. Do the tracks have to be underneath that or on the same track?

[@AquariEye]

+Yosuf Rahmatullah Actually let me rephrase my question. What I want to accomplish is to push a button on MainStage 3 (a button that you can create, mapped to a button on a midi controller) and want it to go to a certain point on Logic Pro X. Hence, MainStage 3 and Logic Pro X working hand in hand. There is another video out there that emphasizes scripting for that purpose. I have not been successful at it because the scripting editor for me does not pick up everything. I want to use some of your techniques and I am really interested to hear you intuitive response. It is probably going to blow my mind like the way this video did. Thanks for everything, this is one of the best videos out there for MainStage 3 and LPX followers!

[@AquariEye]

+Stephen Froeber Thanks for the replies they were really helpful. I basically want to use Logic Pro X and MainStage 3 like this: First I am going to obviously use Logic Pro X to create my material...then I want to use MainStage 3 as a live rig to accomplish the following: 1. In one circumstance I want to go From MainStage 3 To Logic Pro X and control it. I want to basically control LPX from M3. After I create the songs I want to pin point MainStage to go to Logic and play songs at a certain (a.)point in a project and then (b.) a certain project too, even a different one...I want to do this at certain points at my show... a suggestion; without writing a script can you make a button on the template of MainStage 3 and map it to a specific point on Logic Pro X or play material from LPX? Is there another procedure for this? *when I tried writing scripts using apple's script editor it would not pick up, while recording the script, such things as opening Logic...and writing the code is not something I am familiar with, it was too hard...if that is the only way, can you link the video to me again....but, is that the only way I can accomplish this, writing scripts, is there another method? 2. The second thing I want to do is basically have a button on MainStage and have a prerecorded loop in it. I have a launchpad and want to configure it with MainStage 3 and have 64 buttons, and map all the buttons to specific tracks. Do you have any suggestions for that? Can you also configure this buttons to what I mentioned in scenario one? 3. The last thing I want to do for my live setup is this: I want to play all the material that I made in Logic and manipulate it while its playing, using your directions on scenario one, and do things like improv by tweaking certain parameters, like an smart control on an effect that I am feeling at the moment. How would you do it? If you can solve this riddle for me all the answers to my life are done. Of course, it would pretty much set the standard or basis as far as how I can finally perform in a live setting. Thanks for everything man you are saving my life and are my hero like none other!

[@AquariEye]

+Stephen Froeber Excellen! That gave me so much insight! One last request. Hopefully I haven't started bugging you since we got this started. 1. Do you have any good resources for scripting for our purposes, like videos? (pointing MainStage 3 to open songs and starting them at certain points from logic pro x)? 2. How do I create a MIDI environment?

[@AquariEye]

+Stephen Froeber Those are all great ideas. I think I am going to try to create the midi environment and just stick with that. Can you send me a link to all the information through Google +? I can't seem to find it. Thanks for all your help!

[@AquariEye]

+Stephen Froeber What do I do after I create the midi environment? What did you mean by that and how can I incorporate MainStage 3 with it? Meaning, what do I do next? Thanks again, you saving my life!

[@michaelpalombo470]

really great to follow

[@mapave123]

thanks, great video, what version of mainstage and logic are you running? sorry for my english

[@mapave123]

mmm. my mainstage is 3.0.3 and logic is 10.0.0, i think i need upgrate, do you know?

[@mapave123]

no, is only a question, i will try this later, greetings from Chile

[@mapave123]

+mapave123 mmm... i dont have de iac driver, where can i download

[@mapave123]

sorry, i found it...... i wanna try this automatization with vocals, i need some effects in a part of the song

[@AquariEye]

One last question, I promise. I think you can do this but just wanted to make sure. When you create a patch and add a set of smart controls and map them to a set of knobs. Then create a new patch with a their own set of smart controls, map them, to the same set of knobs, I will be able to toggle between each patch and be able to use tweak those patches distinctively right? You will just have to toggle between the patches and whatever patch you are the the knobs will work in that favor, right? patch 1 smart controls : knobs a-c patch 2 smart controls : knobs a-c whatever patch you are on the knobs will be mapped to the smart controls and will only work depending on what patch you are on....again i am pretty sure you can do this, it just looked like it....thanks for all your help!

[@AquariEye]

+Yosuf Rahmatullah When the patch changes the smart controls change, that way I can manipulate through the smart control to tweak the loops, sounds, live.....but how do i do this....when i change the patch over are there a seperate set of loops i can manipulate?...a set of loops for each patch? or do the loops remain in the "base" template? fyi: I noticed that each patch has its own set of tracks. Also, when I scroll over to each patch the buttons seem like they need to be assigned to a whole new parameter, do they stay the same or change? Thanks again man, I don't know how much I can thank you.

[@AquariEye]

+Yosuf Rahmatullah I figured this out.

[@ScottLindsey71]

awesomeness thanks man

[@brett-westgrove-country-music]

I'm assuming you and your band run a click to stay locked with the Logic CC changes. So, what provides your click? I would guess MS runs all audio (click, backing tracks, live audio, etc) and Logic just handles PC, CC, etc...? I like this setup but have two potential issues with it, I'd love some thoughts: 1. If I use logic to switch patches in Mainstage and Mainstage is running tracks or a click through Playback, MS is just over 0.5 seconds behind Logic (both MS and Logic set at 64 sample buffers). I'll have to figure out a test to see if the same is true for the MIDI messages being passed from Logic to MS. My concern is spending time placing sample accurate MIDI messages only to have them come through with different timing that my Playback tracks do (especially those that go directly to outboard equipment from Logic)! 2. Logic CCs can "start" MS (Playback, at set level, set to play on patch change) but if I stop Logic MS continues to play (ie: I or the band screws up, etc). Just thinking as I type but perhaps I'll need a footswitch that can stop MS and run an Applescript to stop Logic...

[@brett-westgrove-country-music]

Thanks for your response Stephen! Yeah, I have ReWire enabled. I was surprised, too, because I used to use methods like this in the recording studio I ran and sync was perfect. It's strange, it's working, just slower than I'd expect. I take it from your message that you're not having this problem. Anyway, with regards to 2: I now have Logic also sending a CC that is assigned to start my "click Playback" from start which is grouped to my other Playbacks so sync in general is actually fine (a workaround for the above) and I have some applescripts assigned to my FCB1010 foot switches for loading/starting/stopping Logic as needed.

[@brett-westgrove-country-music]

ahhh, jk. I just noticed that I had ReWire enabled on MS but not Logic! I am actually having coffee before hitting the gym so I can't check this but I will later today! Hopefully this solves it!

[@brett-westgrove-country-music]

Much better. Down to about 46.4 ms, measured between the click from Logic and the click *exported from Logic playing from MS3. Now if only MS3 has a Playback for midi, so I could sequence midi, with markers and use CCs natively! :P

[@avalonpractice]

great…thanks for sharing

[@peted4937]

Thanks!!

[@AquariEye]

Stephen, look what I found on this video tutorial. This guy has the top two rows with clips that he triggers to launch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZXFd2eVdtKUjq8 Do you have any idea how he did this?

[@AquariEye]

+Yosuf Rahmatullah Also I had another question for you. I figured out how I can do some live improv with my mainstage rig. I am going to select the instrument in the patch and use the smart controls for tweaking. The only question is that if I tweak the smart controls, while I have the loopback plugin selected, if it is going to tweak the sound while it is looping. Do you think that is a possibility? Right now I don't have my rig setup. Is there anyway you can test that out real quick? Thanks for all your help!

[@AquariEye]

+Stephen Froeber Sweet your the man, AGAIN! Thanks so much for your help. The reason I have so many questions is because I am just starting up and wanting to learn more. One last question and then I will leave you alone. I am trying to understand the backing tracks/8 track mixer template that is there by default. This is the format I think and I want to know if it is compatible or the way MainStage 3 wants you to think. Basically how u use the template. The way I look at is that there is a set>song>tracks..... mainstage wants you to have 8 tracks per song right? so does that mean if want to add another song I am going to have another 8 tracks and create that myself? you catch my drift?... MainStage seems to have you thinking like this if i am not mistaken set songs: 8 tracks: 8 channel strips but, can you have more than 8 tracks and hence have a ton of songs in a set? is there a limit to how many channel strips you can have? That way I can have and play like 8-10 songs per show with 8 or more tracks which comprises the song - unless its limited? Correct me if I am wrong but, I am able to have 8 songs each with 8 tracks or how ever many I can have, again if I am not limited, I will have like 60+ channel strips. thanks, i promise you that this is my last question...haha..thanks homey

[@igorzhoglo1]

i love u boo

[@TheTinkywinky3]

a bit complicated

[@andrewrwhitfield]

Awesome. Thanks very much for sharing!