How do I use the Playback interface?

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Level 1

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How do I use the Playback interface?

How do I open it? How do I upload wav files to it? How do I use a foot switch to change from one song to the next in a live setting?

MainStage

Posted on Apr 6, 2014 8:47 PM

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Answer 1

lifenoise

Level 4

1,019 points

Apr 7, 2014 5:38 AM in response to calebic

Create an instrument cahnnel strip. Select Input>Playback. Then click on Playback to open the Playback plugin. Click on the cog wheel in the upper right area to open a file. To select a song with a footswich, send program change messages to Mainstage. Select the patch and make sure the program change box is selected in the patch inspector>attributes. See below.

Above: click on the left "button" to turn off input, center to open plugin, right(up/down arrows) to select a different plugin.

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Answer 2

lifenoise

Level 4

1,019 points

Apr 7, 2014 5:43 AM in response to lifenoise

Program change:

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Answer 3

calebic Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 7:49 AM in response to calebic

Thanks! Will I be able to upload a full set of lets say 10 songs and set it up as a playlist? I want to be able to be on stage, step on the footswitch to begin the first song then once it's finished maybe tune my guitar or talk to the audience before stepping on the footswitch again to start the next song. And continue on like that until the end of the show.

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Answer 4

lifenoise

Level 4

1,019 points

Apr 7, 2014 2:47 PM in response to calebic

Yes. You can do that. Be sure to select start on patch/set change in the Playback plugin.

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Answer 5

calebic Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 4:28 PM in response to lifenoise

This is my first time using Mainstage and I'm still a little confused. I havent yet purchased a footswitch for this. Do you know of one that would be good for the simple purpose? If you could also explain how to set things up a little clearer, I'd greatly appreciate it. I feel a little overwelmed.

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Answer 6

lifenoise

Level 4

1,019 points

Apr 7, 2014 4:56 PM in response to calebic

Just about any MIDI footswitch/pedal controller will do the job. It will need to be able to send program change commands, and pretty much all of them do. Study the Mainstage online manual. Click on "Help" and type Playback in the search box. Set up you playback tracks first and get the pedal later. Many of them, like the Rolls MIDI Buddy or the Behringer FC1010 have switches set for program change right out of the box. If you only want to press program change up/down, check out the MIDI Mouse by Tech 21. After you read the instructions in the MS online manual, study the snapshots I sent. If you still have questions, get back to me. I believe it will make sense once you get familiar with it.

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