EXS24 changes samples at random

Question

Level 1

8 points

EXS24 changes samples at random

Hi

Ever since I started using MainStage about 2 year ago, EXS24 has occasionally, and seemingly at random, changed the samples I've chosen. Sometimes it will replace the sample with "no sample" (i.e. a sine wave).

I had one concert that behaved particularly badly. Exporting all the patches and reassembling in a fresh concert seemed to pretty much do the trick but the problem persists from time to time.

I've managed to capture the pesky little bug on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unS4ivWSvWU

On the video, I show how simply moving an EXS24 sampler from one channel strip to another changes the Mellotron 3 violins sample into a the Mellotron flute sample. On this video the Mac is not connected to any external hardware (no MIDI keyboards or anything)

Obviously, I don't do this sort of channel hopping in performance but I think this video shows that something ain't right!

I'm using a MacBook Pro with Sierra, 2.6GHz Intel Core i5, MainStage 3.3.2, but this bug has survived MainStage and OS updates.

Hope someone can help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 10, OS 10.12.6

Posted on Apr 8, 2018 7:40 AM

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Answer 1

Cuauhtemoc

Level 4

2,629 points

Apr 8, 2018 8:49 AM in response to RSmith321

The Mellotron inside MainStage is a hybrid using a scripted instrument front end to EXS24.

The scripted frontend is being reset when you move things around, or even when bypassing the EXS.

Logic Pro X 10.4 has mended this by creating a "real" plug-in version a mellotron instead. Sadly we are still waiting for MainStage to be updated so that we also can benefit from this solution.

Here's a screenshot of the frontend in Logic (which is also hidden):

'

Heres a small screen grab using the Smart Controls to visualize this issue.

Look how Sound 1 changes from 3 Violins to Flute:

Hope that helps.

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Answer 2

Cuauhtemoc

Level 4

2,629 points

Apr 8, 2018 12:39 PM in response to RSmith321

I'm glad that it helped spreading some light over this issue.

The other libraries that you mention do not have this exact problem but they have other sample-select mechanisms that might trip you off.

Vintage Strat uses different MIDI channels for compatibility with guitar controllers, but also responds to Mod Wheel for muted notes.

The Full Strings+ uses ArticulationID for different articulations. You can use a Smart Controls or use a screen control mapped to ArticulationID to have control over the situation.

As for the Vintage Mellotron, it gets more complicated.

You could change the Articulation switching to CC, key, or MIDI channel switching instead.

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Answer 3

Cuauhtemoc

Level 4

2,629 points

Apr 9, 2018 5:43 AM in response to RSmith321

Looks pretty buggy from what I can see.

You can report it to Apple here:

Feedback - MainStage - Apple

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Answer 4

RSmith321 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 8, 2018 9:19 AM in response to Cuauhtemoc

Wow! That does kind of make sense though I don't really understand the technical stuff.

I have certainly noticed the problem on some samples more than others. Vintage Strat is another offender, and one or two of the standard orchestral full strings patches.

So, what do you suggest in practical terms because I just can't risk using anything unstable in gig situations. Simply avoid using these "scripted" samples? If so, how do I determine in Mainstage which samples are reliable and which aren't?

I am surprised I can't find any other references to this, as - if I've understood you correctly - this sounds like a major issue of instability to those of us who rely on EXS24!

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Answer 5

RSmith321 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 8, 2018 3:17 PM in response to Cuauhtemoc

Many thanks for your help! I really appreciate it. Re. Vintage Strat and the strings, though, sometimes the sample disappears altogether, to be replaced in the drop-down window with "no sample" (or similar, I'm not in my studio right now) and sounding a sine wave. Could that possibly result from the things you're telling me?

In any case, I really need to learn more about how to just disable every auto-mapped control on these things. I rarely need those things and if I do I'd rather set them up manually rather than worry that the control's on my keyboards (even the lower octave when it comes to B3) are doing weird things!

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