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I get it! Not everyone wants to start from scratch with something. There are plenty of downloadable templates if you want to get a head start. This video was made to show the process for anyone interested. Feel free to check out my Part 2 that includes a link to a template: th-cam.com/video/kgT7P3nmc4k/w-d-xo.html

I’d check out the Part 2 video (th-cam.com/video/kgT7P3nmc4k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Wok40fzcz4lZhcHX), as that looks more in depth at customizing the layout to accommodate the controller(s) you have. Effectively, you’ll create the Layout elements you need and Map them to the desired parameters. Hope that helps!

Good workaround! Love the options available in MainStage to get what we need.

It sounds like you may have mapped it to the wrong value. Typically, you want to affect the Level or Send of the reverb/delay or possibly the wet/dry mix. Check out your assignment and play around with the different settings within there to get the desired effect.

Hello! You should be able to just proceed by adding the template to your Cart (name your own price), viewing the cart, and then following the check-out process from there. Here's a direct link to the Template: brian-nagel.com/product/mainstage-2-keyboard-template/

Instead of tweaking the script (which would be one way to approach it), I may just look at using MIDI FX insert like Transpose or even Chord Trigger to modify what notes are played. Since the script just sends MIDI information, those FX options should work well to modify as desired.

Hey Daniel - I don’t have the same issue as you do for the Concert > Patch level with the template, as that in essence is what the Concert level is for - to carry settings throughout the set. One thing I’d double-check is to make sure you’re not having any patch-level channel strips that may conflict with the Pad. Keep any other sounds separated from that. In terms of Omnisphere… I think it may depend on how that company receives MIDI information, since the script sends coding commands to trigger the sounds - you might need to investigate and see if updating the script language is needed for 3rd party plugins.

If I’m understanding you correctly, I think added the MIDI panic option would help with this. I usually have a layout button/pad for this function. See Apple’s related help article: support.apple.com/guide/mainstage/silence-midi-notes-mstg6ac2a50c/mac

@@BrianNagel thank you so much i think panic button will solve that.

Sandip - the best advice I’d give you is to take your time through the process. Everyone certainly moves at their own speeds. Feel free to pause the video, rewind, rewatch, practice, etc. until you’re comfortable making the strides you’d like to. Enjoy the process!

Sure thing, Steve - check out what I describe starting in 21:35, where you can have a single layout option control multiple parameters. I think this is what you’re looking for.

@@BrianNagel Thank you Brian, I will take it slowly and surely, Steve

@@crazylegscooper100 Enjoy the process!

Hey Tommy… things change over 6 years, huh? ;-) May certainly be a good chance to just play in it and figure out what the appropriate steps are! Could very well be it’s just some of the labels are different, but the overall concepts should hold true. The template I’m currently working with (check out Part 2 if you haven’t yet) is holding up really well for me and has for multiple years.

@@BrianNagel Brian, I'm going to keep working on this until I get it just the way I want. Thanks again!

Hi Chetan - I think what you’re looking for is what is described in this video. Setting a layout/control option at the Concert level simply allows that setting to pass through all patches without needing to return to the concert level. That’s what I set it up that way, so I could adjust the transposition on the fly - works well for me! If you haven’t already tried to set up the layout as described, check out my MainStage Customizing the Layout - Part 2 video that includes a download link for the template.

Hi Brian. I've just been looking for a way to do exactly what Chetan has asked and what he has said is correct i.e. if you want to make any changes to global transposition, you still need to go back to concert level to make the change, and then move to patches. I've also just downloaded your template and it doesn't facilitate what we're asking. MainStage doesn't appear to have a way to access global transposition at set or patch levels. It might be possible to do something via scripter but this isn't in my wheelhouse at all.

Hi Martin - it's been a few versions since this template was made. :-) I went and re-saved it with the latest version I have running on my system now. If you download it again, you hopefully won't have any trouble!

@@BrianNagel Thank you so much!!

Hi Michael - I think you’re halfway there! Splitting the channels on your hardware helps, but then MainStage has both Layout/Edit options for what channels it “listens” for…check out this article from Apple: support.apple.com/guide/mainstage/tips-for-performing-with-keyboard-controllers-mstga816c1c3/3.5/mac/10.15 I believe you’re looking to adjust your Keyboard channel strips in the Edit screen so they only listen for one MIDI channel. Enjoy the process!

Hey Mike - I think what I missed in this was that, instead of mapping to the Master Level (14:20), you’d want to connect it to your main Outputs instead. In my case on the video, Outputs 1-2 Level.

@@BrianNagel Cool thanks, I'll give that a try tomorrow and let ya know how it goes. Thanks for the reply!

Hi Jeffrey - I map everything to hardware knobs/sliders/buttons. The mouse was only to assist with the screen recording. :-)

@@BrianNagel Cool! I'm watching Part 1 and following its directions with my new Mainstage. Flawless up until the CPU text insert; MS is "fiddy" on letting me do this for some reason. Hopefully you cover that mapping and also using VSTs (Pianoteq, IK Multimedia B3-X, various Kontakt instruments (Scarbee Rhodes). Or do I even have to USE Kontakt? Will Scarbee, etc. run with just Mainstage as a Host? Couldn't find an answer to this anywhere! Great video, easy to follow instructions! I watched a couple other MS videos from other sources and it came off as way to complicated, so I got the Gig Performer trial, but it didn't suit me. Thanks again!

@@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton Happy to hear you’ve found these useful! I haven’t posted a video on hardware mappings, as I feel like there’s enough of those floating around. As long as you have the layout elements, I feel like the hardware is very straightforward. And yes, working with text can be pretty annoying in MainStage. In terms of VSTs and plugins, I tend to also leave those to sound designers to talk about. I’m a native instruments guy myself, but again so much personal preference for those! Personally, I’m more interested in the folks talking about sound design and how to craft your own presets, rather than shopping too much for the “perfect sound”.

@@BrianNagel I don't feel so bad about my troubles with text now! As to VST, I merely mean how to use them. I see now that Kontakt does show up as a VST choice here on Mainstage. I was hoping that MS itself would function as the host and Kontakt would not be needed (Kontakt is a drag in a lot of ways). I have Ivory on my Windows machine and it runs through Cantabile, but Cantabile is Windows only. My MS project is for my new Macbook Pro with the M1 chip, and Ivory (through email) informs me that they are still working on making Ivory M1 compatible. So, how to run Ivory on my Mac in Mainstage? Pianoteq and the IK MM B3 loaded right up. I guess I'm stuck with Kontakt for Scarbee Rhodes... Unless I can find a more lightweight VST host for MS ... I don't plan on running the NI factory library on my Mac, as the MS / Mac project is for gigging and I don't need those sounds for that!

@@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton So MainStage IS the host, in that when you have your VSTs installed on your Mac, MainStage can utilize them. Simply select your desired plug-in/VST from the top of any channel strip (while in Edit mode). You do not need to run Kontakt or any other plug-in separately and, from what I’ve heard/seen, you should not have any performance issues on those M1 Macs - they are impressive!

It should, as it’s controlling the setting for all MIDI output. Give it a shot and let us know!

I have seen sometimes where, depending on your controller, the buttons have some “crosstalk” where you press one but it triggers others near/around it. Silly thing, but I’d say just be gentle when you’re pressing the button to assign. You can also go to the Mappings and Assignments view where it lists all assigned options and remove the extras.

@@BrianNagel I’ll still try to figure it out! Thanks

I would first check your controller to ensure you don’t have an octave button selected. If it still is doing it, in MainStage’s Edit mode, look to see if you have any MIDI FX on in the channel strip, as there are options to modify the octaves there. Finally, in the MIDI input tab of the patch, you can also control which section of the piano triggers which notes...can check to see if anything is different there.

Aaron - if you visit this link: brian-nagel.com/product/mainstage-2-keyboard-template/ you can download the template for name-your-own-price (including free!).

hi, that was what i did but there seem to be an error with my paypal, it keeps showing “error” when i try to process the payment. Hope to be able to get this! thanks!

Aaron Tong You on Twitter (@bwnagel) or Instagram (@briannagel)? Send me a DM on either and I’ll see what I can send your way.

just did!

christopher - This template is less of fully-fledged, out-of-the-box solution like some of the other paid templates out there, but more of an example of what you can do with your playing philosophy and how to build something from the ground up. With that being said, it works great for me in my scenario, but unless you have the exact same hardware/software as I do, you’ll likely need to check the button mappings on Layout and Edit screens so they control the parameters you desire. I’d recommend to use this video and the template as a learning resource so you can then create/adjust to your own needs!

Brian Nagel many thanks 🙏🏻 I have a Novation sl 61 your templates are ace love them

christopher short Appreciate it! Just spend some time mapping the screen elements in Layout mode and you should be pretty good to go there. Enjoy!

christopher - Check out 21:35 in this video where I briefly talk about it. Admittedly deconstructed this idea from the Sunday Keys template, but you effectively (1) select the layout control, (2) add a mapping, (3) choose which parameter it adjusts. Rinse and repeat for what you want each layout element to control.

christopher - Absolutely - the other thing I’d caution you on would be to not replace the entire channel strip unless you want to remap the buttons for the FX, as each of the buttons/tone control are for the patch in question. So, for example, if you want to swap out the piano sound, just change the EXS24 plugin for something else (I actually use Kontakt’s pianos myself). In terms of CPU usage, if you’re spiking a bit, the best thing to do would be to disable/bypass both plugins and channel strips that you do not use. I’ve built that into many parts of this template, so you should be able to reverse engineer that as well (where the effect is bypassed until you press the button, or if the fader is at 0 the channel strip is bypassed). On a 2015 MacBook Air at church, I rarely get over 35% cpu usage. Hope that helps!

Brian Nagel - thankyou so much for the promp reply - I use your template with my guitar midi controller and the new FM3 from fractal to great some brilliant sounds scapes I have a 2011 i7 8gb ram and it does peak at 80% when I introduce other plugins it does hit out ! I’ll disable as you say What about free patches from other worship groups - I don’t have there template - would any of these auto populate your template ? Or would I use your blank template or a new mainstage concert and covert manually Regards ❤️😎

christopher - it’d be a manual convert if you get other templates, as I didn’t intend to build any compatibility between them. But mix and match as you desire and enjoy the process!

Brian Nagel Many thanks 😊 - I am still having CPU issues with only one instance of Synthmaster and most of the other plugs disabled or off ! It’s running around 45% and then overload with a couple of channels running Think it’s a dual processor with 4 core Would a ssd make any significant difference as I only have a stander 1tb hd Thanks

christopher short Yes, upgrading to an SSD is one of the better moves you can make to increase performance.

Itz_calvin So I set up the template based on my preferences, which I only need to go a half step up/down...if you want more flexibility than that, adjust the Range Min/Max as desired (for example, for the -1 button mapping, adjust the Range Min = -1, Range Max = -6). The button should behave step-wise so that each press increases...if not, you'd be looking to use a knob instead of a button.

Hi Aaron Boothe - no such thing as a dumb question, they say! So if you’re using the downloaded project, the easiest would be to assign the second keyboard in the Layout mode to be the same as your main keyboard. Next, if necessary, go to the default template and each channel strip has a MIDI Input option so you can choose which keyboard controls the sounds. Hope that helps!

That worked perfectly! Thanks so much

It’s probably because it has a controller mapping for both of those items... in my part 2 video (th-cam.com/video/kgT7P3nmc4k/w-d-xo.html), check out around 21:35 where I show in Edit mode how a single layout element can have multiple mappings to it. You can also look in the “Assignments and Mappings” tab above your layout where it lists everything that’s going on so you can identify what you may need to remove.

Brian Nagel thank you so much I think the link is wrong