Bluetooth mic in MainStage 3?

Question

Bluetooth mic in MainStage 3?

Hey Everyone,

I perform instrumental compositions and I was wondering if I bought a Bluetooth headset mic, if MS would recognize it and allow me to talk to the audience between songs using that instead of having to set up a separate stand and mic and running it directly to my JBL speakers.

Setting up an extra track ("Concert" wide) for the vocal and mixing it accordingly would be so convenient and eliminate the stand and cabling. Since I'm not singing, it doesn't need to be of the same high quality like a Countryman.

Thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Mar 31, 2015 12:42 PM

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Answer 1

Blueberry

Level 4

3,057 points

Mar 31, 2015 1:26 PM in response to RichardinConcert.com

I don't know why it shouldn't work.

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Answer 2

Mar 31, 2015 1:35 PM in response to Blueberry

That would be awesome if it does. I haven't tried using a BT device as an audio input, so I didn't know if it would be recognized. Hopefully, it won't have a distractingly long latency.

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Answer 3

Blueberry

Level 4

3,057 points

Mar 31, 2015 1:40 PM in response to RichardinConcert.com

Yes, you have to try it out. Considering that most BT devices were originally designed to be headsets for phones, it should be acceptable for talking. To merge several audio for MainStage, you can create an "aggregate device" in Audio/MIDI Setup and then control them as individual outputs in MainStage.

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Answer 4

Mar 31, 2015 1:55 PM in response to Blueberry

I wondered if I might need to create a new device. I was using a Focusrite interface but just switched to an iRig HD for my guitar input (always looking to reduce setup time and footprint). Because the iRig doesn't provide an output, everything comes out the headphone jack and then splits to L, R XLRs.

On the crazy side of things, I designed a foot control layout on my iPad using Midi Designer (see image), to control amp/effect functions and start audio tracks. The only downside is that I have to be barefoot - a little awkward when playing at church or at Children's Hospital!

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Answer 5

Apr 8, 2015 4:52 AM in response to RichardinConcert.com

How about getting a pair of those gloves which work with ipads and cutting the tips off then sticking them to your shoes for the gig??

BTW, that stand for the mac looks very useful, could you possibly provide a link of what it is please?

Also, I like the look of that app! How does the Midi Designer app talk to MS3, is it via bluetooth or wifi? Is it easy to set up?

Cheers!

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Answer 6

Madddcow

Level 2

457 points

Apr 9, 2015 6:25 AM in response to mikmanmikman

mikmanmikman, MIDI Designer is pretty powerful but very easy to use. It can connect using either Bluetooth or WiFi but if you use Bluetooth, you'll need to use an app like MIDI LE (free) to establish a Bluetooth MIDI connection with your Mac first....then you simply choose the Bluetooth connection in MIDI Designer.

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Answer 7

Apr 10, 2015 2:10 PM in response to mikmanmikman

My stand is an Ultimate Support HyperStation - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HyperStatQR?adpos=1o1&creative=5567477688 1&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj…

It is very handy and versatile in its many configurations.

Madddcow is correct regarding Midi Designer. I use Bluetooth because I it's available anywhere, whereas WiFi may not be. I use BluePort Host to make the connection with my iPad.

I did think about cutting up gloves!

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Answer 8

Apr 10, 2015 2:25 PM in response to Madddcow

Madddcow, I'm not having any luck with my new BT mic. It's a Plantronics Voyager Edge and I paired it with my MacBook Pro just fine. I created a aggregate device that included my iRig HD but it doesn't provide any sound within MainStage or Logic. Very disappointed so far.

I downloaded a voice memo app to test it and it works there.

Here's a screen shot of me adding an audio track in Logic and how my aggregate is set up ("Mic and iRig"). Can you see something that I'm missing?

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Answer 9

Apr 17, 2015 7:32 PM in response to RichardinConcert.com

It does not work. MS doesn't recognize any BT mic.

Found a workaround though:

I installed Audacity and set it up with a Jabra Supreme HD mic, which uses a USB adapter. It plays in the background when I switch to MS.

It works with BT as well but latency is much lower with the adapter version.

Cheers.

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