Conquering MainStage 3: The Fool-Proof Guide & iPad Tutorial

Sound as great on stage. As you do in the studio. Turn your Mac into a live rig. Transform your keyboard, guitar, or vocal performance with an enormous collection of plug-ins and sounds. And give your audience a show they’ll never forget. Download MainStage from the Mac App Store for $29.99.

Computers have revolutionised many elements of themusic industry, including live rig performance. Musicians can now loop, use samples, add effects, trigger backing tracks and utilise a host of new sounds via MIDI to recreate the huge timbre of modern albums (for inspiration on what’s possible – check out some of Imogen Heap’s live shows).

• I'm currently running Mainstage 2.2 on a 2008 black Macbook with 4gb ram, and a 500gb/7200rpm HD. I record using Logic Pro 9 and perform on a weekly basis, and since upgrading to the 2.2 version via iTunes store, I've had almost no problems. My laptop does run a little hot, when i'm pushing it to the limits.
• MainStage 2 for PC is the stay overall performance tool that ships with Logic Studio. If you are a musician, and mainly a keyboardist, MainStage 2 will become your new secret weapon With the release of MainStage 2, Apple has blessed all guffawing musicians with a brand new and progressed arrow for their stay overall performance quiver.

You may be wondering, whats the deal with Mainstage 3 vs Ableton Live? Well, lets talk about it.

When talking about Mainstage 3 vs Ableton Live, more often than not, Ableton tends to be the market leader here. However, for the past few years Apple had their own performance software available and with the advent of a new and improved Logic Pro X, they released MainStage 3 for all your live performance and recording needs.

Tools like these can help you take your first step towards yourmusic career.

Keep reading this Mainstage 3 tutorial to find out everything you need to know about using Mainstage 3 and also how to use mainstage 3 live!

What is Mainstage 3?

Personally, I’ve always seen Apple’s MainStage 3 as a back-pocket kind of tool. I’ve played around with it with grand ideas of enhancing our live show but I’ve typically defaulted back to my comfort zone of live guitar, banjo and lap steel in a fully live context.

However, a badly broken collarbone a couple of weeks ago quickly put the brakes on my tried and tested approach (side note, snowboarding is dangerous) and forced me to look at other ways of performing our songs.

Before we get started, it is possible to use MainStage software without any hardware (if you have a Touch Bar MacBook Pro the Touch Bar can even act as a keyboard rig) but I would recommend having a MIDI Keyboard and an I/O interface.

You can also use VST Plugins (virtual instruments) – download a ton of free VST plugins here.

The physical keyboard is easier for triggering samples with the buttons and playing MIDI sounds and the interface will give you options for running guitars/mics/keyboards in and getting a balanced line out rather than relying on the headphone jack.

I use an AKAI MPK mini 25 note MIDI keyboard and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface.

Making Music On The Go?

Don’t want to travel with your best home music production computer?

No problem, you can use Logic Mainstage 3 iPad instead. If you have an iOS device, MainStage will work with the Logic Remote App which is a free app from the App Store which will allow you to play a wide variety of keys and trigger samples.

As a tip: while this is a really good feature. I would be careful with it. In my experience, the Logic Remote App is really useful but there can sometimes be latency due to the wireless connection especially receiving a large volume of requests.

This is not a problem if you are just starting a track, but can be a real issue if you need your samples to be bang on a specific beat or if you are playing the keys.

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Another consideration is the Mac you use. MainStage 3 is an Apple product and so there is no Mainstage software for PC. With regard to tech specs, the cheaper/older Macs tend to have traditional spinning hard drives.

These tend to mix badly with the high-vibration environment of a gig so I would recommend something with Flash /Solid State storage.

You can run on a MacBook Air or a Mac mini but as with all things audio, the better the machine, the better the performance.

MainStage 3 Key Concepts

Any new software can be a challenge to wrap your head around and I’d argue that the MainStage 3 app is actually one of hardest to get to grips with. When you first open the software, as with all Apple software, you have a host of pre-populated templates that you can work with.

However, when starting out, I’d advise you delete the pre-populated stuff and start from scratch so you can add the items you want and learn how the software works.

When you enter the project, it will open in the Edit Workspace. In the top left, you’ll see the “Layout”, “Edit” and “Performance” tabs with “Edit” highlighted.

Using Mainstage 3’s Key Concepts

“Layout” is where you can choose which items you’d like in your MainStage performance window – this could be a keyboard, tuner, buttons for start/stop, faders or knobs. You can also add text if you’d like (lyrics or logos, etc.). Head here and delete the elements if you’ve started with a template.

Mainstage 2021

The “Edit” tab is where you decide what the items you’ve added in “Layout” will do and map them to your hardware.

“Perform” is a full-screen view of your performance workspace for when you are on stage.

When in the “Edit” workspace, you’ll notice a File Structure down the left-hand side. This is called the Patch List. The Patch List is organised by Concert (denoted by the MainStage Guitarist silhouette), Setlists and Patches.

The Concert is the master settings and layout – in my project, this incorporates a keyboard, the 8 Buttons and Knobs on my MIDI controller and an output gauge.

The Patches are individual settings that are based on the master Concert Profile but are customisable. Think of the patches as individual songs within a set.

For example, you might have a keyboard in your workspace. In one patch you might want to have the keyboard make the sound of an electric piano with a couple of buttons to trigger drum sounds and a knob to control the volume.

In the next patch, you might want to have the same layout but the keyboard may have an organ voice and the buttons might trigger different percussion or audio samples you have.

Setting Up Your Concert & Recording

Step 1

The first thing you want to do is assign your favorite hardware to controls in the software. Click on the Concert and then select the “Layout” tab.

At the bottom of the workspace you have a list of different controls including buttons, drum kit, drum pads, knobs, meters, etc. Just drag the items you’d like onto your workspace. I found that the easiest approach for me was to mirror the buttons and knobs I have on my hardware.

BONUS TIP: If your MIDI keyboard only has keys and no trigger buttons, you may want to choose between having a MIDI Keyboard and triggering samples as otherwise you’ll be playing away and one accidental press of a key might trigger a sample.

Once you have your workspace arranged with knobs and buttons, you need to assign your hardware to the knobs and buttons. Simply click on the item and in the inspector on the left, you’ll see an ‘Assign’ button appear with some other details. Click on ‘Assign’ and it will turn red.

Then press or turn the hardware control you’d like to pair with and you’ll see the pairing – either the button on the screen will illuminate as pressed or if a knob or fader, then the corresponding on-screen knob or fader will move. Then click ‘assign’ and those parameters are paired.

Step 2

Next, head to the Edit Tab and select the patch you’d like to edit. In the workspace, you’ll see the controls you added in the layout tab and when you press buttons and turn knobs on your hardware, you should see the on-screen items move in correspondence.

You now need to set what you’d like your elements to control.

For audio samples, backing tracks and MIDI voices, you add these in the Channel Strip section on the right-hand side. You either drag and drop audio in or use the ‘+’ in the top right-hand corner.

Once your samples are in the channel strip, click on one of your smart controls in the workspace and at the bottom, you’ll see a “Map Parameter” button appear.

Click that button and then choose (for example) the audio track in question>Playback>Transport>Play/Stop (from Start).

Now, if you press the button on your hardware keyboard that you Assigned in Layout, you should hear the sound of your track starting.

Go through the same mapping process with a Knob and select ‘Volume’ and you should find your hardware controlling the volume of your sample.

Repeat for each sample and hardware parameter and you are off!

Step 3

If you click the “Perform” tab, you will get a full-screen view of your performance workspace – ready for you to focus on the music! Build yourmusic library,submit your music and book some shows! The Hengistbury has a great retro synth sound, do check it out.

Available as a download on the Mac App Store, MainStage 3 is priced at £28.99.

As with most audio software and audio units, MainStage 3 is best understood by playing with it – hopefully, this will be a good guide to get you started.

If you need more help, there are a number of Mainstage demos available to view online. Good luck and have fun using Mainstage 3 for your live performances!

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About The Author

Pete Briley is a songwriter, producer and one half of country duo, Hengistbury, whose debut album is out now on all platforms.

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Starfish Mainstage is a multiplayer stage in Splatoon 2. It is based on a concert stage with a set of higher platforms surrounding it.

Layout

The stage contains a concert stage located at the center with mosh pits in front and behind it. The main focal point is the raised concert stage at the center of the map which is fairly open, barring a few blocks for coverage. The mainstage has tall inkable vantage points located on each team's right which towers above the center stage. Narrow paths or grates and jumpable gaps line the outer wall of the stage, which allows flanking. The spawn points are located at opposing ends on two levels of raised platforms, dropping from here gives access to three paths, right and up to a high ground over the right side of the map, left down a corridor giving access to the left, or straight down into a lowest plaza straight into accessible area. A large block only inkable from the player's team's side is located in front of spawn, to give a not easily accessible vantage point for the team.

Ranked Battle terrain

In Ranked Battles, specifications for the terrain or placement of objects are different between the modes; these changes create new paths or new objects to take cover behind.

Splat Zones

The Splat Zone is located at the very center of the map on top of the stage. The left side of spawn has been extended to make for a vantage point and make it easier to control the zone from far. Other than that, the map has been unchanged.

Tower Control

The Tower is located at the center of the map's center stage. The Tower travels forward, then towards the right down the ramp, moves forward a bit then progresses to the left in front of the structures, then travels forward and to the right again into the opponents' mosh pit then goes forward towards the goal. Inkrails have been added to get into the action quicker. The sponge has been removed, and a new ramp has been added to the right, as well as a second inkable structure and the removal of the glass structure present near the taller, inkable one. To the right of spawn, there are less walls, the blocks are uninkable, and there is a grate on the left. To the left of spawn, the grates have been extended to provide a bigger vantage point.

Checkpoints:

• The first checkpoint is located in front of one of the enemy's tall inkable structure.
• The second checkpoint is located towards the right of the enemy's spawn where the glass structure was.
• The third checkpoint is located in the mosh pit right before the goal.

Rainmaker

The Rainmaker is located at the center of the mainstage. The goal is located on the layer right above the lower plaza by each team's base. Inkrails have been added to get to the action quicker. A ramp has been added in the plaza to make it accessible. The same ramp towards the right, second tall structure, and removal of the glass structure from Tower Control are present in this mode. To the right of spawn, there is a little bit of extra turf and grates have been added to provide more space for each team. The left of spawn looks the same as Splat Zones.

Clam Blitz

The baskets are located in the low plazas by each team's base. Inkrails have been added to get to the action quicker. While the glass structure is still present, the objects on it have been adjusted slightly to make it more accessible. To the right of spawn, a glass wall has been added to prevent the enemy team from accessing your spawn. The inkable block has been shortened, and tiny walls have been added to the side of the shortened block. The left of the map looks the same in Splat Zones and Rainmaker, and the sponge has been removed.

Splatoon 2

Starfish Mainstage was released with launch of Splatoon 2.

Version 1.0.0 to 3.2.2

In this version, the area toward each team's base was significantly smaller, the lowest point of the map was only confined to a small portion with two lower paths interrupted by the block on each side. The path to each team's right compacted the area much more and had more walls. The area in front of the Spawn Point inaccessible by the opposing team was also much smaller, Near the middle to the right, there was a sponge.

Version 4.0.0 onwards

On 29 August 2018, the official Splatoon Tumblr announced that Starfish Mainstage would be undergoing maintenance on 1 September 2018, getting a similar treatment as Urchin Underpass did in Splatoon. They released an image showing the original map scribbled on, allowing fans to see what about the stage would be changed. Many features were altered, including:

• An expansion to the area around the spawn point.
• Addition of new terrain on each team's side.

On 14 September 2018, Starfish Mainstage returned after it had been closed for reconstruction.

Octo Expansion

Main article: Sweet Ride Station

In the Octo Expansion, H03Sweet Ride Station takes place on this stage, where the player has to push the Tower from their side all the way to the enemy side against a team of sanitizedOctolings. The player has five minutes to complete the objective. The layout for this mission is the release 2017 Tower Control layout.

Version history

Maps

• Turf War.

• Splat Zones.

• Tower Control.

• Rainmaker.

• Clam Blitz.

Old: Version 2.1.0 to 3.2.2

• Turf War.

• Splat Zones.

• Tower Control.

• Rainmaker.

• Clam Blitz.

Gallery

• A wide view of a prototype layout Starfish Mainstage. This was changed before release.

• Two Inklings at prototype Starfish Mainstage.

• Inklings battling at a prototype version of Starfish Mainstage.

• The stage after changes were made in Version 2.1.0.

• The pit area after the Version 2.1.0 changes.

• A guitar at Starfish Mainstage modeled after an Inkling.

• A Tower Control match going on in the old layout of Starfish Mainstage.

• Reconstructed Starfish Mainstage.

• v4.0 Starfish Mainstage during a Splatfest.

• Turf War (Splatfest) icon for Starfish Mainstage

• Early image of Starfish Mainstage.

Quotes

Trivia

• The stage name is a reference to starfish.
• Using the sponges near each spawn point, it is possible to reach the opponent's spawn point area by having an opponent fire at their respective sponge whilst the player stands on top of it. This will expand the sponge, letting the player onto the opponent's spawn area. There is also a way to get there if the sponge is at a certain height already, by the player jumping onto the sponge and then onto the spawn area.
• The rotating advertisements on the jumbotron plays the same in the Galleria's jumbotron in Inkopolis Square. But as of Version 3.1.0, the rotating advertisements (excluding the Ammo Knights ad) on the Galleria's jumbotron were replaced with new ads.
• Stickers of various bands (Chirpy Chips, Squid Squad, Turquoise October, and Bob Dub) can be found on the stage.
• Starfish Mainstage is the stage depicted on the cover of Splatoon 2.
• During the initial trailers for Splatoon 2, the stage was shown taking place during the evening instead of midday.
• The internal code name for this stage in the game files is 'Venue'.
• It said by Marina that Starfish Mainstage is just a short train ride away from Inkopolis Square.^[1]
• The early name of this stage was 'Starfish Soundstage'.^[2]
• Starfish Mainstage is one of four multiplayer stages to appear in the Octo Expansion, alongside Snapper Canal, Port Mackerel, and Manta Maria.
• Once, Starfish Mainstage got removed from the stage rotation for a limited time due to an excessive exploit with the Ultra Stamp that allowed players to build up momentum and access parts of the map that would usually be impossible to get to without help from the enemy team. Luckily, this problem was fixed, and the stage was added back to the rotation a short while after.

Names in other languages

References