I just have to comment one more time - that sidechaining with the F6 is such pro-level advice. Thank you. I have always struggled with exactly what you are saying - pads competing too much with the piano. What amazing advice.
Also have gone the same route of mainly focusing on piano + pads (sometimes just organ) when the set calls for it. I still play the "keys" parts when we get to pretty keys heavy songs, but for the most part I feel like piano+pads+organ is really where I sit lately.
Before I'm using the Bypass option of the plugin I'm using to save some CPU, but this Modifier seems to do the same even though the plugin is turned on. Also, I like your style of having multiple pads on-the-go.
Refreshing to hear someone have the same impressions of not only Mainstage but also things like "Piano is just going to be a lot more compressed in the worship world". I LOVE things like pianoteq when I record solo, but the nuance there is just not worth the CPU when I play on Sundays. A lot of squashed piano libraries are going to fill that same role.
@@SamTheBeardGuy it's such a great piano sound but sitting in the mix there are a lot of other options. Even my Fantom's piano samples usually fit there.
Hey I really struggle to get Pianoteq to sound good in my worship patches. I have the Steinway D and the Upright :) Do you have a Tip for me or some patches? Or should i just switch Vst? wich one would you recommend for Worship? Btw im kinda on a Budget so Keyscape is not an Option xD And is there a good place to sell my Pianoteq license? Thank and Be Blessed 🥹
@florianhensel8097 To be honest I'm a huge fan of the Sunday Sounds app and/or Mainstage/Ableton templates. Their sounds are really great. Their pianos fit really well in the mix and there are plenty of pads and other synths that layer really well.
Love the video Sam! One question for you, are your pads set up as velocity sensitive? or are they locked to a set velocity? Thanks again for all you do!
I love the sidechaining the F6 to duck your pads under the piano. I'd love to figure out a way to do that with my Nord... (yes I know this is a mainstage video lol but I've invested too much in the Nord ecosystem) I'd love to hear about your hardware and how you handle outputs from your computer (when you travel do you have your own DI, cables etc?), in different situations (e.g. do you ever have to play mono? organ?)
So I carry everything in a SKB 4U flyer case, interface, cables, etc. I almost never use DI's since I have my MOTU interface, I'll just take XLR to XLR out of the interface into whatever XLR they were running to the DI.
Sam I forgot to mention I also have a SKB flyer case and a MOTU interface hah - would love to see how you have yours built to steal some more great ideas from you. :D
Thank you so much for sharing this! Are you playing this on a laptop? How do you manage cpu usage to prevent popping and cutting out? I keep running into this issue when using the native instrument pianos or keyscape. Thank you again!
Such a great video! Thank you so much! The modifiers tip is excellent! I found a way to do the same thing in an easier way -- that accomplishes the same concept. On a given channel, you can map a "Layer MIDI Input Bypass" option. (Under assignments in the inspector, select the channel and scroll down a ways to find it) That way instead of dumping the Midi to an unused channel, the Midi input data is ignored by the instrument channel, etc. This allows things like the sustain pedal "off" data to still go to the channel while not starting new notes, etc. So same concept, but doesn't require an extra plugin to be used... When this assignment is chosen, a small midi keyboard with a slash through it appears on the channel indicating that new midi input is blocked. As a separate question -- have you explored Ableton vs Mainstage at all? I've been running Mainstage but get frustrated with some of the quirks and the occasional crash, etc. I LOVE your channel and am so pumped to have found it! Thanks for posting this stuff. I can't wait to explore some of the lesson content!!!
Keen to buy Nexus, to get the pad sounds you are using do I need to purchase Complete or would the starter pack give me what I need. Just really like that Prayer Pad and I see its Ambient Pad 1 in Nexus
My opinion on SS is just save your money and create your own sound. I’ve tried it a few times but I never gelled with it because it’s not MY sound. It is also VERY memory heavy. Making your own takes a lot of trial and error. Just start simple and tweak as you learn and slowly build up from there. So many times I’ve given up on MainStage, but now I’m all in.
hey sam, have you ever played at a gospel church? where they do more of the dynamic stuff (traditional gospel styled hymns, think sunday morning Smokie Norful) and some more complex modern music (Israel Houghton)? curious to know if you would change the sounds you use up for a gig like that. especially since a lot of the fast ones have really quick chord changes (e.g. Thank You Lord, or Risen, both by Israel and New Breed)
I would definitely change up my rig if I was playing somewhere like that. Quicker attack times on pads, more lead sounds, etc... I love playing at those places, I used to be at a place like that every week. I'm really happy with my church from a theological perspective, so I don't feel like I need to make a change right now, but if something ever came up I'd consider a change.
@@SamTheBeardGuyyeah, we play a lot of these really basic ccm stuff at our church as well, and it can be a bit boring from the keyboard side of things but putting your beliefs first is a must 🙏 i’m the MD at my church, but it’s only me (keys) and a drummer. so even though we have freedom to do a lot of fun stuff, it can be a little limiting even with tracks 😭 thanks for the advice though! this vid is gonna be a huge help since i’m just getting started with mainstage.
Do you have any videos about the pros and cons of using a laptop + plugins as a live musician? This stuff sounds amazing, but it seems like it could get really complicated to navigate through.
the only downsides is you run a slightly higher risk of things failing. You're using a computer and software, so things can go wrong. Also, a little bit more setup. You get used to navigating, a lot of people use controllers that toggle things so you're never navigating inside of the computer when you're playing. But I think the pros far outweigh the cons.
I stopped using it with my last computer because it was so heavyweight on RAM, but I use it all the time in the studio. I'll probably bring it back into my live rig now that I just bought a new computer
If I could like this 1,000 times I would. Thank you!
hahaha, thank you!
Wow, beautiful intro!
I just have to comment one more time - that sidechaining with the F6 is such pro-level advice. Thank you. I have always struggled with exactly what you are saying - pads competing too much with the piano. What amazing advice.
F6 is a lifesaver, thanks for watching!
A beginner level type video would be amazing!. Great playing.
Omg, 100% agreed about pulses in mainstage. It's really great when you nail it, it's incredibly frustrating when you miss it and have to recover.
Also have gone the same route of mainly focusing on piano + pads (sometimes just organ) when the set calls for it. I still play the "keys" parts when we get to pretty keys heavy songs, but for the most part I feel like piano+pads+organ is really where I sit lately.
yeah it's pretty annoying haha
_exactly_ what I was hoping for! Thank you very much for the insights!
you're welcome!
@@SamTheBeardGuy How is the "Girth" Pad in Nexus called?
I took away so much from this video. Thanks for taking the time to go through your setup and showing how you use MainStage!
Thanks for watching!
That Modifier thing is genius, I am definitely stealing that.
you're welcome!
Bluesy intro, nice. Cassandra Wilson said in her speach after the american jazz award. "Everything is connected to the blues".
yep haha
The Modifier is a game changer for me bro. Changing all my patches now. Hahaha
Thanks for the TNT! Bless you bro!
modifier is a game changer!
Before I'm using the Bypass option of the plugin I'm using to save some CPU, but this Modifier seems to do the same even though the plugin is turned on.
Also, I like your style of having multiple pads on-the-go.
Love this!!! Awesome video and certainly took away a few things to tweak on my rig! Keep content like this coming!
thanks!!
No questions yet...enjoying everything you can share......
thanks for watching!
Great video, that’s for showing your rig. Great suggestion on using your “main sounds” on the concert level.
thanks!
Would love a video about Nexus! I was looking at getting Omnisphere but this video might change my mind
Like version and presets your using in this video would be dope
Good video idea!
@@SamTheBeardGuycould I download this concert? I play keys at my church
Good stuff
Thanks 😀
@@SamTheBeardGuy it’s all good
Refreshing to hear someone have the same impressions of not only Mainstage but also things like "Piano is just going to be a lot more compressed in the worship world". I LOVE things like pianoteq when I record solo, but the nuance there is just not worth the CPU when I play on Sundays. A lot of squashed piano libraries are going to fill that same role.
yeah it's not right or wrong, it's just kinda the way it is. I don't think I'd ever use Pianoteq in a worship setting, not the vibe haha
@@SamTheBeardGuy it's such a great piano sound but sitting in the mix there are a lot of other options. Even my Fantom's piano samples usually fit there.
Hey I really struggle to get Pianoteq to sound good in my worship patches. I have the Steinway D and the Upright :) Do you have a Tip for me or some patches? Or should i just switch Vst? wich one would you recommend for Worship? Btw im kinda on a Budget so Keyscape is not an Option xD And is there a good place to sell my Pianoteq license?
Thank and Be Blessed 🥹
@florianhensel8097 To be honest I'm a huge fan of the Sunday Sounds app and/or Mainstage/Ableton templates. Their sounds are really great. Their pianos fit really well in the mix and there are plenty of pads and other synths that layer really well.
Amazing! Curious to know what type of Mac are you using? Seems capable enough to handle all these plugins. Thanks!
just bought a new M2 max
Another question, would you be willing to share your mainstage template, I would very much love to have a play around with it?
thank you so much. For the lofi beats, what vst do you use ?
If that midi controller had sliders instead of knobs it would be awesome!
which nexus expansion packs are you using?
Love the video Sam! One question for you, are your pads set up as velocity sensitive? or are they locked to a set velocity? Thanks again for all you do!
They're velocity sensitive, I can't think of a scenario I'd want set velocities other than using drones, which I don't do
@@SamTheBeardGuy thanks for the reply!
I love the sidechaining the F6 to duck your pads under the piano. I'd love to figure out a way to do that with my Nord... (yes I know this is a mainstage video lol but I've invested too much in the Nord ecosystem)
I'd love to hear about your hardware and how you handle outputs from your computer (when you travel do you have your own DI, cables etc?), in different situations (e.g. do you ever have to play mono? organ?)
So I carry everything in a SKB 4U flyer case, interface, cables, etc. I almost never use DI's since I have my MOTU interface, I'll just take XLR to XLR out of the interface into whatever XLR they were running to the DI.
@@SamTheBeardGuy cool! your MOTU interface does XLR out? or I'm guessing you have a TRS to XLR snake in there?
Sam I forgot to mention I also have a SKB flyer case and a MOTU interface hah - would love to see how you have yours built to steal some more great ideas from you. :D
Thank you so much for sharing this! Are you playing this on a laptop? How do you manage cpu usage to prevent popping and cutting out? I keep running into this issue when using the native instrument pianos or keyscape. Thank you again!
I am running this on a laptop. I have one of the newer M2 Max laptops, so it handles it all just fine.
My God😮
haha :)
Such a great video! Thank you so much! The modifiers tip is excellent! I found a way to do the same thing in an easier way -- that accomplishes the same concept. On a given channel, you can map a "Layer MIDI Input Bypass" option. (Under assignments in the inspector, select the channel and scroll down a ways to find it) That way instead of dumping the Midi to an unused channel, the Midi input data is ignored by the instrument channel, etc. This allows things like the sustain pedal "off" data to still go to the channel while not starting new notes, etc. So same concept, but doesn't require an extra plugin to be used... When this assignment is chosen, a small midi keyboard with a slash through it appears on the channel indicating that new midi input is blocked.
As a separate question -- have you explored Ableton vs Mainstage at all? I've been running Mainstage but get frustrated with some of the quirks and the occasional crash, etc.
I LOVE your channel and am so pumped to have found it! Thanks for posting this stuff. I can't wait to explore some of the lesson content!!!
Keen to buy Nexus, to get the pad sounds you are using do I need to purchase Complete or would the starter pack give me what I need. Just really like that Prayer Pad and I see its Ambient Pad 1 in Nexus
I'd love to buy your preset(s) in MainStage. I have Nexus with a ton of packs, Noire + most of the plugins you use here.
What questions do you have on how I use Mainstage?
Hi Sam,
Have you tried the worship template from Sunday Sounds? What do you think about it?
My opinion on SS is just save your money and create your own sound. I’ve tried it a few times but I never gelled with it because it’s not MY sound. It is also VERY memory heavy.
Making your own takes a lot of trial and error. Just start simple and tweak as you learn and slowly build up from there. So many times I’ve given up on MainStage, but now I’m all in.
hey sam, have you ever played at a gospel church? where they do more of the dynamic stuff (traditional gospel styled hymns, think sunday morning Smokie Norful) and some more complex modern music (Israel Houghton)? curious to know if you would change the sounds you use up for a gig like that. especially since a lot of the fast ones have really quick chord changes (e.g. Thank You Lord, or Risen, both by Israel and New Breed)
I would definitely change up my rig if I was playing somewhere like that. Quicker attack times on pads, more lead sounds, etc... I love playing at those places, I used to be at a place like that every week. I'm really happy with my church from a theological perspective, so I don't feel like I need to make a change right now, but if something ever came up I'd consider a change.
@@SamTheBeardGuyyeah, we play a lot of these really basic ccm stuff at our church as well, and it can be a bit boring from the keyboard side of things but putting your beliefs first is a must 🙏 i’m the MD at my church, but it’s only me (keys) and a drummer. so even though we have freedom to do a lot of fun stuff, it can be a little limiting even with tracks 😭 thanks for the advice though! this vid is gonna be a huge help since i’m just getting started with mainstage.
Awesome video! Whats the name of the preset of the "Girth Pad" and "Gritty Saw" in Nexus?
Do you have any videos about the pros and cons of using a laptop + plugins as a live musician? This stuff sounds amazing, but it seems like it could get really complicated to navigate through.
the only downsides is you run a slightly higher risk of things failing. You're using a computer and software, so things can go wrong. Also, a little bit more setup. You get used to navigating, a lot of people use controllers that toggle things so you're never navigating inside of the computer when you're playing. But I think the pros far outweigh the cons.
I can’t figure out why my copy of Felt Pure doesn’t sound as good as yours. I think it might be because I’m the one playing it...
hahaha, well, I almost never use it live sooooo
Yo Sam! What headphones are you using?
beyerdynamic 770pro
could you tell the price of everything you you in this set-up, software and hardware?
Are sounds, effects, etc, native to Mainstage, or are they part of various DAWs?
Great question! Everything you see in this video, with the exception of the EQ that comes in Mainstage, is a separate 3rd party plugin.
Mainstage does come with its own native plugins though.
@@SamTheBeardGuy thank you so much - great demo
Anyone know the preset used in the "girth" pad?
How come you stopped using keyscape?
His previous video (4 days ago) is a keyscape video...?
@@boredPianoAdv i thought he used keyscape for church
I stopped using it with my last computer because it was so heavyweight on RAM, but I use it all the time in the studio. I'll probably bring it back into my live rig now that I just bought a new computer
32:42 was that the lick, with some flourish?
always