MainStage 3 Explained®
Chapter 1 : Getting Started
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1:05 Introduction
Mitchell welcomes you to the series and explains what you’ll learn in the videos to come.
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2:01 Downloading & Launching
his video guides you through downloading MainStage 3 and it’s additional content, as well as launching the application for the first time.
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5:09 Setup
Setup for MIDI devices and Audio devices are explained. After that, we’ll explore setup for both MIDI and Audio devices. Firewire vs USB is also explored here.
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2:32 Keyboard Templates
The keyboard templates are explored here, with an overview of some of the presets.
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1:47 Guitar, Drums & Vocals Templates
The remaining four templates are explored and explained.
Chapter 2 : Interface
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5:59 Menu Items Pt. 1
The contents of the main menu items 'MainStage' and 'File' are explained.
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5:18 Menu Items Pt. 2
The contents of the main menu items 'Edit', 'Action', 'View', 'Window' and 'Help' are explained.
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2:56 The MainStage UI
The Toolbar, Activity Monitor, Workspace, and Channel Strips are explained here.
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1:33 MainStage Modes
MainStage’s three modes, layout, edit, and perform, are discussed in brief here.
Chapter 3 : Layout Menu
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5:54 Layout Menu Pt. 1
This is one of two videos which will cover the Layout menu. We’ll talk about the items in this view including panel controls, shelf controls, and grouped controls.
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7:10 Layout Menu Pt. 2
This video looks at how to set up the layout menu GUI to represent your physical hardware controller. The screen control inspector is also explored here.
Chapter 4 : Patch Creation
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4:35 Patch Creation Pt. 1
This video will look at the different “levels” of patch creation in MainStage 3, including the concert, set, and patch level. We’ll also learn how to create a single layer patch, how to name it, and how to rearrange patches. We also take a look at the patch inspector window.
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6:36 Patch Creation Pt. 2
This video will explain the channel strips in relationship to the patch level, and complexity of the patch. We’ll discuss all the feature of the channel strip layout including EQ, Audio FX, Input, Pan, Level, and Labeling.
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7:03 Patch Creation Pt. 3
This video will demonstrate how to make a multilayered patch with splits, including floating split points. We take a look at the instrument channel strip editor and discuss the channel strip library, attributes, layer editor, and MIDI input panels.
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5:52 Patch Creation Pt. 4
This video explains the assignment, screen control, and mapping column as it applies to the concert, set, and patch levels. We’ll also explain how to edit and delete assignments.
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6:17 Patch Creation Pt. 5
This video takes an in depth look at the screen control inspector window when using assignments and mappings. An explanation of some of the most important mappings are discussed here.
Chapter 5 : Advanced Patch Creation & Actions
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4:23 Click Tracks
This video shows how to set the time signature for a concert and individual patches, as well as how to send a click to a dedicated output.
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4:46 Playback Plug-In
This video demonstrates how to integrate the playback plug-in inside of your concert and get set up for backing tracks.
Chapter 6 : Performance & Wrap Up
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8:42 Putting it All Together
We begin building a concert using a fictitious set list and incorporate everything we’ve learned so far in the edit menu.
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3:04 Troubleshooting
This video goes through a handful of troubleshooting tips including loss of sound and inconsistencies with MainStage performance.
Product Overview
Apple's MainStage 3 turns your Mac into a complete live rig, and expert MainStage performer Mitchell Alpaugh will show you how to bring all your studio tools onstage, in any configuration you can dream up, and make a truly complete live performance package!
Mitchell starts out with the basics, downloading MainStage and setting up your Audio and MIDI Devices. Then, he jumps right into the Factory Templates for Keyboards, Guitars, Drums, Vocals, and so on, designed to get you up and running immediately.
From there, Mitchell dives into the real creative potential of MainStage. Starting with an explanation of the menu items, over a series of five videos, Mitchell offers you a thorough guide to creating Concerts, Sets, and Patches from scratch, covering everything from the basics, to advanced patch creation features and techniques.
Mitchell also makes sure you're ready for the band, exploring playing backing tracks and setting up Click Tracks and Multiple Mixes. Finally, Mitchell ends with some Troubleshooting Tips to help insure that the show can go on. Whether you're new to MainStage 3 or an experienced user looking to get more out of it, "MainStage 3 Explained" can help you get your rig ready for the gig!
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Reviews
Submitted 8 months ago
So far, it's good
Presenter is fast which I like because I need to compare the instruction to the software to really gain an understanding of the software.
I am a: Hobbyist
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
It's factually accurate—but dull and unhelpful.
There's a ton of "what", but no "why". Instead of leading with "Here's a bunch of great ways you might use MainStage", it's more of a "Here's every option in the file menu. And now, here's every option in the Edit menu. Now, here's every option in the toolbar..."
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Needs improvement
I found these videos to be cursory and of mediocre production value. The course needs to be rethought and reorganized perhaps with more real world examples and attention to good naming and labeling habits and better explanations. It was at times difficult to see where the instructor was pointing his cursor which could have been easily fixed with highlights and magnification. Overall a pretty uninspired effort.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Good examples of setting up patches
Found the videos on setting up patches with midi controllers very useful
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
A good introduction
This is a new concept to me and it was well explained. I would have liked more insights into memory management and practical examples of how people use Concert, sets and patches.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Cubase
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
I like the pace of these tutorials. Full in description, yet prompt to the point.
I like the pace of these tutorials. Full in description, yet prompt to the point.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Very Helpful
Very informative. No button left unpressed.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Basics
Much shorter than the MainStage 2 vids. There are 20 vids in this one vs 47 in MainStage 2. The material covered is pretty basic, but would probably be helped by spit screen showing what's being done when mapping etc. Not needed but helpful to some just for reference.
Response from Customer Service:
Thanks for your review! You are correct, we made this version shorter than the 47 videos in the previous version to offer a much more digestible and condensed version. You may have noticed that you still get all the ins and outs of the program, just with less videos to pour through.
And the training continues with the other MainStage tutorials that focus on more specific subjects like eDrums and the AutoSampler. Check them out!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Easy to understand and comprehensive
I am a beginner level synth/MIDI operator. MainStage is my first "real" live sound software to play with, and this tutorial is making everything so much easier to understand, in much less time than it would've taken to learn on my own and for a very good price!
I am a: Beginner, Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
One of the better tutorials
Different tutorials I have viewed have all had their good and bad points but this one - for me at least - seems to be at the right speed while covering all of the right topics. It's relatively basic but at the same time has the right amount of buried detail over and above those basics. I guess the only downside is I would say it's not for the experienced main stage user but it's good at what it does
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 8 months ago
So far, it's good
Presenter is fast which I like because I need to compare the instruction to the software to really gain an understanding of the software.
I am a: Hobbyist
Submitted 1 year ago
It's factually accurate—but dull and unhelpful.
There's a ton of "what", but no "why". Instead of leading with "Here's a bunch of great ways you might use MainStage", it's more of a "Here's every option in the file menu. And now, here's every option in the Edit menu. Now, here's every option in the toolbar..."
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
Submitted 1 year ago
Needs improvement
I found these videos to be cursory and of mediocre production value. The course needs to be rethought and reorganized perhaps with more real world examples and attention to good naming and labeling habits and better explanations. It was at times difficult to see where the instructor was pointing his cursor which could have been easily fixed with highlights and magnification. Overall a pretty uninspired effort.
Submitted 1 year ago
Good examples of setting up patches
Found the videos on setting up patches with midi controllers very useful
Submitted 1 year ago
A good introduction
This is a new concept to me and it was well explained. I would have liked more insights into memory management and practical examples of how people use Concert, sets and patches.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Cubase
Submitted 2 years ago
I like the pace of these tutorials. Full in description, yet prompt to the point.
I like the pace of these tutorials. Full in description, yet prompt to the point.
Submitted 2 years ago
Very Helpful
Very informative. No button left unpressed.
Submitted 2 years ago
Basics
Much shorter than the MainStage 2 vids. There are 20 vids in this one vs 47 in MainStage 2. The material covered is pretty basic, but would probably be helped by spit screen showing what's being done when mapping etc. Not needed but helpful to some just for reference.
Response from Customer Service:
Thanks for your review! You are correct, we made this version shorter than the 47 videos in the previous version to offer a much more digestible and condensed version. You may have noticed that you still get all the ins and outs of the program, just with less videos to pour through.
And the training continues with the other MainStage tutorials that focus on more specific subjects like eDrums and the AutoSampler. Check them out!
Submitted 2 years ago
Easy to understand and comprehensive
I am a beginner level synth/MIDI operator. MainStage is my first "real" live sound software to play with, and this tutorial is making everything so much easier to understand, in much less time than it would've taken to learn on my own and for a very good price!
I am a: Beginner, Musician
Submitted 2 years ago
One of the better tutorials
Different tutorials I have viewed have all had their good and bad points but this one - for me at least - seems to be at the right speed while covering all of the right topics. It's relatively basic but at the same time has the right amount of buried detail over and above those basics. I guess the only downside is I would say it's not for the experienced main stage user but it's good at what it does
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started dabbling in music when I was around six. I distinctly remember a car ride where my Mom asked me if I wanted to learn to play the piano like my Dad. It sounds cliche, but I said “sure,” and the rest was history.
2. What training have you had?
I’ve been a keyboard player for over twenty years now, which saying that makes me feel old. I went on to get my bachelors degree in Music ed, and after that, I received consistent and valuable o
3. When did you get into recording?
I got in to recording when I was in middle school. I started dabbling with Virtual Instruments on my first generation iMac when a lot of the popular VI developers were still in their infancy. It’s hard to afford pro audio equipment by just mowing the lawn!
4. People you have worked with/for?
I had the pleasure of working a job where I provided pro audio remote help and consultation for people hundreds of times over. I helped a handful of notable during my tenure there, from live musicians, to studio guys, to voice over artists. It was actually pretty cool to be a resource for the people you grew up admiring, if even for one conversation.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I think I’m good at training people because every part of my professional development has involved teaching. My formal degree is in Music ED, and I taught middle school and high school for a few years before deciding to move on. After that, I started working in pro audio tech support which certainly had a lot of parallels to the education field. I suppose everything I’ve done in my career has been a continual refinement of my teaching skills.
Products by Mitchell
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tutorial videoMainStage 3 Explained
Apple’s MainStage 3 turns your Mac into a complete live rig, and expert MainStage performer Mitchell Alpaugh will show you how to bring all your studio tools onstage, in any configuration you can dream up, and make a truly complete live performance package!
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tutorial videoNovation Launchkey Jump Start
Did you just get a Novation Launchkey keyboard controller, or are totally new to it? Well studio expert Mitchell Alpaugh gives you the down and dirty on this awesome DAW controller, guiding you through setup, registration, and ways to creatively use the Novation Launchkey fast!
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Doug Zangar walks you through Apple’s MainStage 3’s new secret weapon, Auto Sampler. See how to sample any hardware or software instrument and create the perfect EXS instrument for the studio or live gig!
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