Possible to use Mackie Logic Control to control volume faders in MainStage

Question

Level 1

44 points

Possible to use Mackie Logic Control to control volume faders in MainStage

Hi, is it possible to get Mackie Logic Control to work with the volume faders of the various channel strips in MainStage. Is seems Mackie Control is automatically mapped when using Logic - but MainStage doesn't seem to automatically map faders unless I am missing something. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

MacBook Pro 2.33 ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Logic 9, Final Cut Studio 3, Airport Extreme, Airport Express

Posted on Jan 16, 2010 5:31 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

dhjdhj

Level 2

174 points

Jan 16, 2010 6:59 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

Assuming the Mackie device generates MIDI data, just create slider objects in MainStage, and associate them with Mackie sliders (via the "Learn" mechanism in MainStage).

Then, in a patch or at concert level, simply assign those sliders to the volume slider (or whatever you want) of the channnel strips.

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Answer 2

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 16, 2010 7:18 PM in response to dhjdhj

Hello, when I try to use the 'Learn' function MainStage changes the 'Type' field automatically in the Screen Control Inspector Hardware Input area to 'Note on/off' and the 'Number' field to E7 (the device is properly detected at 'Mackie Control' in the Device field.

In short, it appears to see the Mackie Control and responds to the movement of the 'Master' volume fader on the Mackie however, it isn't mapping it properly or perhaps not mapping it to the proper type.

If you have done this properly - can you tell me what values in the Hardware Input of the Screen Control Inspector should be:

Device:
Channel:
Type:
Number:
MIDI thru
Send Value to:

Thanks!

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Answer 3

dhjdhj

Level 2

174 points

Jan 16, 2010 7:21 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

I don't know anything about the Mackie device. When you do "Learn" in MainStage, MS should detect what the physical device is sending.

You can use the free midi monitor app (www.snoize.com) to see exactly what the Mackie is sending into your machine.

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Answer 4

gilapuki

Level 3

530 points

Jan 17, 2010 2:47 AM in response to Joseph Rizzo

Joseph Rizzo wrote:
Hello, when I try to use the 'Learn' function MainStage changes the 'Type' field automatically in the Screen Control Inspector Hardware Input area to 'Note on/off' and the 'Number' field to E7 (the device is properly detected at 'Mackie Control' in the Device field.

Go to 'Type' & change the setting from 'Note on/off' to 'Absolute'. Everything else should be set up correctly.

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Answer 5

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 17, 2010 4:18 PM in response to gilapuki

Hello, thanks you guys for the help - but for some reason MainStage is still not mapping or detecting the Mackie Control properly (and I even when I configure it manually it is still not working) - not sure why (works fine with Logic).

Here are the settings I see in the Screen Control Inspector when I highlight the Output 1-2 volume slider:

Device: Mackie Control
Type: Absolute ( I changed this manually to Absolute)
Number 112 (Ctrl 112)
Midi Thru: automatic
Send Value to: None

Originally when I click the 'Learn' button... the fields are automatically detected as below:

Device: Mackie Control
Channel: Channel 1
Type: Note On/Off
Number: E7
Midi Thru: Automatic
Send Value to : None

For some reason - Mainstage is autodetecting the volume slider as a type Note On/Off. When I switch it to 'Absolute' it still does not work. I am using a Motu Fastlane Midi/USB device to connect the Mackie to the Macbook Pro. If anyone is using a Mackie Board with mainstage I would be curious to know your settings above to get the volume faders to work properly. Thanks

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Answer 6

dhjdhj

Level 2

174 points

Jan 17, 2010 4:57 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

To repeat my previous comment, please install the MIDI Monitor from www.snoize.com and see EXACTLY what the Mackie is sending into your computer. Let's understand what's actually going on rather than speculating.

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Answer 7

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 17, 2010 5:04 PM in response to dhjdhj

Hello, I installed 'Midi Monitor' and when I slide the 'Master Volume' fader on the Mackie Control, Midi Monitor reports the following:

17:02:29.250 From Port A Note On 1 E7 127
17:02:29.251 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7888
17:02:29.254 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7824
17:02:29.264 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7696
17:02:29.274 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7520
17:02:29.285 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7392
17:02:29.295 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7232
17:02:29.305 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7040
17:02:29.315 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6896
17:02:29.326 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6704
17:02:29.336 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6528
17:02:29.346 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6304
17:02:29.356 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6128
17:02:29.367 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5808
17:02:29.377 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5696
17:02:29.387 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5520
17:02:29.397 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5264
17:02:29.407 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5056
17:02:29.418 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4800
17:02:29.428 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4592
17:02:29.438 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4320
17:02:29.448 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4112
17:02:29.459 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3904
17:02:29.469 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3632
17:02:29.479 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3424
17:02:29.489 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3168
17:02:29.500 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2960
17:02:29.510 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2720
17:02:29.520 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2528
17:02:29.530 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2320
17:02:29.541 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2080
17:02:29.551 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1888
17:02:29.561 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1648
17:02:29.571 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1472
17:02:29.582 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1248
17:02:29.592 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1072
17:02:29.602 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -864
17:02:29.612 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -720
17:02:29.623 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -576
17:02:29.633 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -384
17:02:29.643 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -224
17:02:29.653 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -48
17:02:29.663 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 96
17:02:29.674 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 304
17:02:29.684 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 448
17:02:29.694 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 592
17:02:29.704 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 784
17:02:29.715 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 928
17:02:29.725 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1104
17:02:29.735 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1248
17:02:29.745 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1440
17:02:29.756 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1584
17:02:29.766 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1728
17:02:29.776 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1904
17:02:29.786 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2048
17:02:29.797 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2208
17:02:29.807 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2352
17:02:29.817 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2512
17:02:29.827 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2640
17:02:29.838 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2832
17:02:29.848 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2960
17:02:29.858 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3104
17:02:29.868 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3280
17:02:29.879 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3424
17:02:29.889 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3600
17:02:29.899 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3744
17:02:29.909 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3920
17:02:29.920 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4096
17:02:29.930 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4256
17:02:29.940 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4464
17:02:29.950 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4624
17:02:29.960 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4832
17:02:29.971 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4992
17:02:29.981 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5184
17:02:29.991 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5328
17:02:30.001 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5520
17:02:30.012 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5664
17:02:30.022 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5808
17:02:30.032 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6000
17:02:30.042 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6144
17:02:30.053 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6320
17:02:30.063 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6464
17:02:30.073 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6640
17:02:30.083 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6800
17:02:30.094 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6960
17:02:30.104 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7168
17:02:30.114 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7328
17:02:30.124 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7520
17:02:30.134 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7680
17:02:30.145 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7872
17:02:30.155 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8000
17:02:30.165 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8144
17:02:30.176 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8176
17:02:30.453 From Port A Note Off 1 E7 0
17:02:31.298 From Port A Note On 1 E7 127
17:02:31.299 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8176
17:02:31.384 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8176
17:02:31.394 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8080
17:02:31.404 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 8000
17:02:31.415 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7888
17:02:31.425 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7760
17:02:31.435 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7552
17:02:31.445 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7392
17:02:31.456 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 7216
17:02:31.466 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6976
17:02:31.476 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6800
17:02:31.486 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6576
17:02:31.497 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6400
17:02:31.507 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6176
17:02:31.517 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 6000
17:02:31.527 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5808
17:02:31.537 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5568
17:02:31.548 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5360
17:02:31.558 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 5104
17:02:31.568 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4896
17:02:31.578 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4592
17:02:31.589 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4352
17:02:31.599 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 4048
17:02:31.609 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3824
17:02:31.619 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3552
17:02:31.630 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 3216
17:02:31.640 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2960
17:02:31.650 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2656
17:02:31.660 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2432
17:02:31.671 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 2112
17:02:31.681 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1856
17:02:31.691 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1584
17:02:31.701 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 1232
17:02:31.711 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 944
17:02:31.722 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 576
17:02:31.732 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 304
17:02:31.742 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -80
17:02:31.753 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -368
17:02:31.763 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -672
17:02:31.773 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1056
17:02:31.783 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1360
17:02:31.793 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -1712
17:02:31.804 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2000
17:02:31.814 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2352
17:02:31.824 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2624
17:02:31.834 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -2960
17:02:31.845 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3232
17:02:31.855 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3520
17:02:31.865 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -3872
17:02:31.875 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4160
17:02:31.886 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4480
17:02:31.896 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -4736
17:02:31.906 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5088
17:02:31.916 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5392
17:02:31.927 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -5680
17:02:31.937 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6064
17:02:31.947 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6368
17:02:31.957 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -6752
17:02:31.967 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7040
17:02:31.978 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -7392
17:02:31.989 From Port A Note Off 1 E7 0
17:02:32.045 From Port A Note On 1 E7 127
17:02:32.046 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -8192
17:02:32.203 From Port A Pitch Wheel 9 -8192
17:02:32.225 From Port A Note Off 1 E7 0

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Answer 8

dhjdhj

Level 2

174 points

Jan 17, 2010 5:15 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

That's very interesting --- it looks like they are using "NoteOn" events to indicate which slider was moved and then they are using pitch wheel messages which have DOUBLE the resolution (i.e, 14 bits rather than 7) to provide very acurate positioning. I wonder what happens if you move multiple sliders simultaneously, since pitch wheel events are not tied to particular notes. I bet that pitch wheel events just get bracketed between NoteOn/NoteOff events.

Certainly, MainStage does not have the ability to recognize this kind of "compound" event and tie it to a single controller. Indeed, neither would any off-the-shelf app know what to do with it. That mackie device must come with some kind of template system to translate those raw MIDI events.

The only thing I can think of that might work is to send those MIDI events into a 3rd party MIDI processor that can integrate those compound messages into a single message that's usable by MainStage. A toolkit like Max could do this but would require some programming abiity.

Off the top of my head, if indeed the Mackie is generating data as I hypothesized above, then a Max patch that converts each of those compound sequences into pitch bend messages on different MIDI channels (giving you up to 16 of them per port) might work for you.

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Answer 9

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 17, 2010 5:29 PM in response to dhjdhj

Hi, here is what I get in midi monitor if I move two faders simultaneously on the Mackie Control:

17:27:54.987 From Port A Note On 1 D#7 127
17:27:54.988 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8192
17:27:55.033 From Port A Note On 1 D7 127
17:27:55.034 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8192
17:27:55.103 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8192
17:27:55.113 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8176
17:27:55.124 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8144
17:27:55.124 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8176
17:27:55.134 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8112
17:27:55.135 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8160
17:27:55.144 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8096
17:27:55.154 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8080
17:27:55.155 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8144
17:27:55.165 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8064
17:27:55.175 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8048
17:27:55.185 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8032
17:27:55.257 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8128
17:27:55.277 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8112
17:27:55.288 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8016
17:27:55.289 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8096
17:27:55.298 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -8000
17:27:55.299 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8080
17:27:55.329 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7984
17:27:55.329 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8064
17:27:55.349 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7968
17:27:55.359 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7952
17:27:55.360 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8048
17:27:55.370 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7936
17:27:55.370 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8032
17:27:55.380 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7920
17:27:55.381 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -8016
17:27:55.390 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7904
17:27:55.391 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7984
17:27:55.400 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7888
17:27:55.401 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7968
17:27:55.410 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7872
17:27:55.411 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7952
17:27:55.421 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7856
17:27:55.422 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7936
17:27:55.431 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7840
17:27:55.432 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7920
17:27:55.451 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7824
17:27:55.452 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7904
17:27:55.462 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7808
17:27:55.472 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7888
17:27:55.482 From Port A Pitch Wheel 7 -7792
17:27:55.492 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7872
17:27:55.533 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7856
17:27:55.554 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7840
17:27:55.564 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7824
17:27:55.574 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7808
17:27:55.595 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7792
17:27:55.605 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7760
17:27:55.626 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7744
17:27:55.636 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7728
17:27:55.646 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7696
17:27:55.656 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7664
17:27:55.666 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7648
17:27:55.677 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7632
17:27:55.687 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7616
17:27:55.728 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7600
17:27:55.748 From Port A Pitch Wheel 8 -7584
17:27:55.995 From Port A Note Off 1 D#7 0
17:27:56.000 From Port A Note Off 1 D7 0

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Answer 10

dhjdhj

Level 2

174 points

Jan 17, 2010 5:34 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

Oh! I should have looked at your first sequence more closely....it looks like it is simply using pitch wheel messages but each slider is using a different MIDI channel.

Consequently, I do not understand the purpose of the MIDI NoteOn events.

Just for grins, it might be worth trying to manually set up a few sliders (or perhaps pitch wheel devices, if sliders don't support the higher resolution) and associate each of them with the Pitch Bend message on different MIDI channels and see if that works at all...

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Answer 11

Blueberry

Level 4

3,057 points

Jan 17, 2010 5:57 PM in response to dhjdhj

You receive a NoteOn when you touch the fader (even without moving it) and receive a NoteOff when you release the fader.

In MainStage you want the fader to listen to the PitchBend only, so you learn the assignment and when MainStage recognizes the PitchBend (while having one hand still on the fader), you exit learn mode. In the second set you set the "Send Value to" to the MIDI port of the Logic Control, so MainStage updates the motor faders.

BTW: This should work with all MIDI controllers that behave like a Logic Control, e.g. the CME VX series.

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Answer 12

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 17, 2010 9:22 PM in response to Blueberry

Blueberry,
Hello, that was very helpful. You are correct - in order to map it, you have to move the volume fader slightly first then click the Learn button and stop pressing the Learn button before you stop moving the volume fader. Also, the ''Send Value to" field needs to be manually changed to 'Mackie Control' - it won't automatically detect this and won't work without it.

Thanks a lot for both of your help, really appreciate it.

Message was edited by: Joseph Rizzo

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