I know that MainStage doesn't do MIDI playback, but it occurred to me that there might be some software that played MIDI files and simulated a MIDI device. Does anyone know of anything that presents itself as if a MIDI controller has connected? You could then play a MIDI file through MainStage patches by setting MainStage's MIDI input to the simulated device.
MainStage, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
timothyfromguildford wrote:
I know that MainStage doesn't do MIDI playback,
Hi
Mainstage 2.2 does have a (very basic) MIDI File output capability. You may be able to route the output back in to MS via the IAC bus?
CCT
CCTM wrote:
Mainstage 2.2 does have a (very basic) MIDI File output capability. You may be able to route the output back in to MS via the IAC bus?
CCT
Forgive me for butting in... but could you explain how to play midi files from MS with the IAC bus please, that sounds like it could solve a problem for me 🙂
With IAC enabled in Audio MIDI Setup you should be able to choose it for the destination of an external instrument channel strip in MainStage. Seems that the fMIDI file playback is best suited for SysEx type files, for say configuring external gear, as opposed to playing a MIDI backing track.
Cool thank you for the response - my midi files wont have any musicial information in them, no notes or instruments, just patch changes to 3-4 different instruments during each song. Would the IAC system work in this case and do I need to create an IAC driver from Mainstage to some other program to play the midi file?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Seems that it should work. IAC is handled in Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) which is in Applications/Utilities. If you don't see the MIDI window you can get to it via the Windows menu in AMS. Double click the icon for IAC Driver and make sure that the 'Device is Online' checkbox is checked. You can name the IAC port in here to make things clearer.
In MainStage add an External Instrument channel strip and then in the MIDI Out popup above the Expression dial choose the IAC driver! You'd then choose that IAC bus as the input in the software you're sending program changes to.
aerol wrote:
Seems that the fMIDI file playback is best suited for SysEx type files, for say configuring external gear, as opposed to playing a MIDI backing track.
Hi
To expand on this a little:
The SMF playback 'facility' within MS 2.2 does do exactly what it's supposed to (plays back SMF's when you switch patches). You should be able to route the transmission back to MS via an IAC bus (but you may need to be careful to avoid 'feedback' loops.
The basic problems with it could be:
a) when an SMF is "activated", the file is sent to a buffer and transmitted. This happens when you 'load and select' the file, and also when you change patches (with files associated) in MS.
b) There is NO way to stop transmission of a file, other than quitting MS entirely. There is no way to clear the buffer either.
c) If you happen to select several files, either when setting up the patches in the first place, or whilst auditioning the Concert, the files are sent to the buffer sequentially, and they will continue to play all the way through (unless you quit MS)
CCT
MIDI file playback
