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Playback MIDI file ? What solution for that ?

Hi all !

I have the problem... I use MainStage and all ok, exept one - i can't play MIDI file inside MainStage. Playback plug-in can play sound files only.
How can i workaround that ? Of course i have Logic, but starting 2 apps in same time - is a not good idea for live performance..


I need send that MIDI to Synth plug-in and change parameters on the fly (for example "Cut", or "FM depth") while it playng...

Playback plug-in is good but i can't change anything on it... Just volume.


What the way for playing MIDI file on MainStage ?

Thanks for possible help..

MainStage, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 2, 2013 10:17 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Feb 3, 2013 2:59 AM

Hi


Mainstage 2.2 does have *very limited* MIDI file player capabilities: but they are not going to help you much. You can set up a MS Patch to transmit a MIDI file to an external device on a Patch Change, but youu cannot control Start/Stop etc (the file simply buffers and plays through to the end). The only way to stop the file mid stream is to quit MS!


If you want to send MIDI data to a Synth plugin, you would have to run the plug outside Mainstage (possibly using the IAC bus to route the MIDI data).


Frankly, I'd find another way of achieving the result you want.



CCT

12 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Feb 3, 2013 2:59 AM in response to Roman Che

Hi


Mainstage 2.2 does have *very limited* MIDI file player capabilities: but they are not going to help you much. You can set up a MS Patch to transmit a MIDI file to an external device on a Patch Change, but youu cannot control Start/Stop etc (the file simply buffers and plays through to the end). The only way to stop the file mid stream is to quit MS!


If you want to send MIDI data to a Synth plugin, you would have to run the plug outside Mainstage (possibly using the IAC bus to route the MIDI data).


Frankly, I'd find another way of achieving the result you want.



CCT

Feb 3, 2013 3:42 AM in response to CCTM

CCTM wrote:


Hi


Mainstage 2.2 does have *very limited* MIDI file player capabilities: but they are not going to help you much. You can set up a MS Patch to transmit a MIDI file to an external device on a Patch Change, but youu cannot control Start/Stop etc (the file simply buffers and plays through to the end). The only way to stop the file mid stream is to quit MS!


If you want to send MIDI data to a Synth plugin, you would have to run the plug outside Mainstage (possibly using the IAC bus to route the MIDI data).


Frankly, I'd find another way of achieving the result you want.



CCT


CCTM


Thanks for answer !!


"The only way to stop the file mid stream is to quit MS!" - .. i'm afraid this is are not useful for live performance... For example i want use MIDI sequence for Bass, and Drums - but every time when i need stop - i must close MS.. omg :/


Is really strange - why Apple can't add MIDI playback plug-in to MS, like Audio playback.. This would be Really simplifier and not memory-greedy feature, but we can play MIDI file and use it as MS internal sequencer... Why not ?! It's really strange. I try to find good AU sequencer (i don't mean JUST sequencer - i mean sequencer that can handle note lenght, or saved PithBend data and send it trought IAC to AU synths) - and can't find nothing... Ok. I will continue searching..


CCTM very big thanks for help!

Feb 3, 2013 3:45 AM in response to Roman Che

Roman Che wrote:

"The only way to stop the file mid stream is to quit MS!" - .. i'm afraid this is are not useful for live performance... For example i want use MIDI sequence for Bass, and Drums - but every time when i need stop - i must close MS.. omg :/


Yep!


Roman Che wrote:


I try to find good AU sequencer (i don't mean JUST sequencer - i mean sequencer that can handle note lenght, or saved PithBend data and send it trought IAC to AU synths) - and can't find nothing... Ok. I will continue searching..

It would probably be easiest/quickest just to use Logic for this (or Ableton etc).



CCT

Feb 3, 2013 3:54 AM in response to CCTM

CCTM wrote:


It would probably be easiest/quickest just to use Logic for this (or Ableton etc).

Good sounding, of course Logic have all needed power for that..
But somebody use Logic for live performanse ? Of course - just as sequencer with IAC connection to MainStage ? Really interesting.. I always thought that Logic is only for studio. I was wrong ? It possible use Logic on Live ?


p.s. (Ableton prices slightly confuse me)

Feb 3, 2013 7:05 AM in response to Roman Che

Roman Che wrote:



But somebody use Logic for live performanse ? Of course - just as sequencer with IAC connection to MainStage ?

Before Mainstage was released, many used Logic for live performance.

You could use Logic-IAC-Mainstage, but it would probably be easier to do all that you need within Logic.



CCT

Feb 3, 2013 10:13 AM in response to CCTM

CCTM wrote:

Before Mainstage was released, many used Logic for live performance.

Nice. But (of course this is just discussion question) - why Logic is not used for live like Ableton ? Stability problems ?



CCTM wrote:


You could use Logic-IAC-Mainstage, but it would probably be easier to do all that you need within Logic.

Thanks for hint. But i work with MainStage not for myself I create scenes for professional keyboardist. We play together. And we both agree - MainStage has a Great tools for ... UI building, interface, feedback. All very useful. Patch programming is really fast, and i say more - it's really interesting. Then you can just open Cmd+4 and play. All what you need - on UI.


I really like it. Thanks, i will try to use both - Logic + MS. I thinks is not good idea - start 2 linked apps in same time.. But may be it would be a stable tandem.

Jul 24, 2013 7:32 PM in response to Roman Che

I was also disappointed that MS3 did not address MIDI playback - as CCTM knows. I suspect it comes down to the fact that MS has no kind of timeline coded in like Logic does. MS is designed for live use, and truly live musicians create their own timeline, but increasingly many are locking themselves down to a MIDI click track with song markers, and so it would make sense for MS to keep up with developments like these.


I would really like this functionality so that I can use sequenced Program Change messages to change my guitar effects as I play along with backing tracks in MS.


For my part I've been looking into AU sequencers that I could load up as a plugin in MS. So far Numerology (by Five12) and Thesys (by Sugar Bytes) look like strong contenders, but they are not cheap. MIDIPatterns is only $12 at the App Store but it neither sends nor receives Program Change messages, does only very limited CC messaging, and the dev has not updated since early 2012. Still looking for the right solution at the right cost.

Jul 26, 2013 11:02 PM in response to erikbojerik

erikbojerik,


You and I are asking for "production value" not further sound enhancements. I, and I suspect many others, would like to concentrate and give full energy to producing live entertainment, without worrying about 'directing'. Automation in MS is a must. And whether it is through choreographed DMX lighting, or automated MIDI guitar patches, the result is professional live performance without the "paid hands". Isn't that what MS is all about?


As far as "timeline" is concerned, samples can stay where they are needed in the studio, but as Playback lets you do, as I understand, insert markers which represent real time. So isn't that already a timeline? Adding another 'MIDI' player would easily do what we are requesting...


Yes, the other options you suggest are far too burdensome and third party for me is almost out of the question as far as reliability is concerned. Can you say "single point of failure"?


Regretfully I will be staying with LP for my live performance until MS evolves.

Nov 19, 2015 6:52 AM in response to Roman Che

Midi file playback is a feature I've been waiting for since version 1. I too was extremely disappointed to see it still hasn't been added.


I can't use logic pro for a live set up because I have too many songs to do that with. over 250 and I can easily play as many as 60 songs in one night. Opening and closing logic files between songs is just unrealistic.


I don't know why they haven't implemented this. They have a bpm parameter and the metronome syncs up to the audio files. Surely it's not that big a step to include midi files. I used to use a program called show controller from alien apparatus. But this program is buggy and although you can add midi files to audio files it's only really good for program changes and cc changes. Note information just doesn't sync up.


Another feature that would make ms complete is a pdf viewer. I know you can put pdfs on a background but that's only one page. I would like to be able to see my scores on the screen and scroll to the next page.

Nov 19, 2015 11:15 AM in response to danois

Hi danios, sorry for no answer, i just change my plan, and switch to live acoustic for the long time. I has no luck with midi plug-ins. IAA method is work nice (as i can remember), but you got a two not small applications in memory. You need to start one, then two, and you will need the way for switch songs in logic and MS in one click.


In my best expectations - we want just a small midi player for MS. Like BackTrack but for MIDI. Of course , then someone ask about "small midi editor" and after that "small automation editor", i think MS team has a some problems with implementation of that. The best way i think is using backTrack.

Nov 20, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Roman Che

Yep, definitely time for a midi player in MS. This would be a killer feature, say for triggering beats or sequences on a key/note press or when changing patches etc.


And also I like the idea of 'playing' PDFs as well. I've sometimes needed to scroll though a PDF during a song and to have this automatically synced to the song BPM or from midi patch changes say would be brilliant.

Playback MIDI file ? What solution for that ?

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