Musical Theatre Keyboard Program

Hi Guys, this is my first post and im not really in the knowledge of Logic Studio. I just found out that instead of programming Keyboards for a musical the way forward is to use main stage.
I haven't as yet purchased the software as i would like to know a little about it first and was wondering if i could get a few tips.
My band set up is 3 keyboards, bass, guitar and drums / octipad. And was wondering if i would require 3 separate computers each running a different keyboard or if i could run 3 keyboards with the one computer all producing different sounds at the same time?
Bar the ease of use, is there any other benefits to using logic studio when performing a musical? can you pre set the balance of how the music is performed live with the keyboards etc? Is there a big sound bank to play with compared to normal synths? How easy is it pre-program the different sounds required for the show? Sorry to ask such dumb questions and so many but cant seem to find any answers on the net.

Any help to any of the above the questions would be greatly appreciated

MusicalPrincess x x

MacBook Pro, iOS 4

Posted on Nov 9, 2010 10:06 AM

19 replies

Nov 12, 2010 2:17 PM in response to Logic Expert

Thank you everyone to for thier messages, its such a help and great to know that there is so many people out there willing to help out with advice! (But have always found that to be the case with Apple based products, everyone is so helpful and excited about the products)

Hope you dont mind but i have another question i forgot to ask.

If i set up the keyboards patches on one computer, sound levels etc. is it then possible to take those files to other laptops that hold mainstage and use them on there? also is it possible to set the 3 keyboards on one computer then once all set delete the other 2 so each of the 3 computers has only one of the keyboards patches on each with all the correct sound levels still on there?

Thanks again for all your help

jimchik2

Level 1

71 points

Nov 12, 2010 3:03 PM in response to MusicalPrincess

If you're going to ultimately be using separate computers for each rig, I would start programming with separate Mainstage concerts. Of course you can move the file to any other computer with Mainstage, but be sure of your use of any 3rd party plugins. They'll of course need to be installed on any other computer using the same concert.

Dec 21, 2010 8:22 AM in response to Thomjinx

I am new to this forum, and feel I have hit the jackpot after much searching!
I am a music director for a very small community theater--all volunteer based. My history is creating accompaniment sound tracks using Logic software, a MacBook Pro, an Oxygen 49 controller, etc.
My fascination now is to use Mainstage to help me create supplemental pre-recorded string or reed tracks to sync in with a small live pit band. I am willing to attack a smallish learning curve and spend a bit of money for what is needed for this assignment, but don't need to go over the top with learning lots of stuff I would never use. These are older style Broadway musicals.

Where do I go from here?

Thank you so much in advance!
pianomama

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Dec 21, 2010 10:59 AM in response to Shirley Nebergall

Shirley Nebergall wrote:
I am new to this forum, and feel I have hit the jackpot after much searching!
My fascination now is to use Mainstage to help me create supplemental pre-recorded string or reed tracks to sync in with a small live pit band. I am willing to attack a smallish learning curve and spend a bit of money for what is needed for this assignment, but don't need to go over the top with learning lots of stuff I would never use. These are older style Broadway musicals.

Where do I go from here?

I can offer one conceptual idea, will let other chime in for additional info.

The pit band will have to sync to Mainstage not the other way around. Many of the shows I've played have the pit band sync to a click track when:
1. Prerecorded sound effets are used.
2. Timing is super critical.

This can be done in two ways:
1. Everyone in the pit has headphone monitors and can hear the click.
2. Only the pit orchestra timekeeper (usually drums) and conductor are monitoring the click track.

It's hard to advise you on what you will need, if you only use the Mac's audio output you will need to split the L/R output so that one side has click the other side music. I think a more professional audio interface might be in order as well as a separate headphone amp.

Ask questions.

pancenter-

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Musical Theatre Keyboard Program