Logic Studio apps Mainstage, MIDI Channels, Multiple Outs?

[bayswater]

Reposting in a new thread as suggested:

I'm trying to use Mainstage to host various Logic VIs with the MIDI coming from DP and the Audio returned to DP. I've set up Soundflower and the MIDI IAC and can easily get this to happen for one Instrument, but can't see how to get it to work at the Mainstage end for more than one. I have several MIDI tracks, each assigned to a different IAC MIDI channel, and AUX tracks in DP, each using a different Soundflower channel as its input. But I can't see how to get the instruments in Mainstage channels to respond to specific MIDI channels, or send their output to specific Soundflower channels. It seems all VIs in Mainstage respond to all MIDI channels, and all send their audio to channels 1-2 in Soundflower.

Any pointers to where these items can be set?

 

[Doug Zangar]

OK, thanks for re-posting!

First, I'm pretty ignorant about IAC but do use Soundflower a little. I haven't used either with MainStage. So, flaunting ignorance.......

You'll need to have IAC active (sounds like it's done already) so it appears in the Layout Mode window Device popup menu. You need to assign that to a keyboard or the MIDI activity screen control (probably better choice).

Go to Edit Mode window, select channel strip, in inspector select MIDI input tab, select multi-instrument popup menu. Left column click/select IAC, right column select MIDI channel desired.

For audio: can you select Soundflower (16 ch) as your audio in/out in MainStage's preferences? If so that should resolve that. Then you can assign your channel strip audi outs accordingly.

I don't have Soundflower on the computer I have MainStage 2 on to test it, but this work in MS 1 with Soundflower.

Let me know if this does the trick or not.

 

[Peter Ostry]

It seems all VIs in Mainstage respond to all MIDI channels, ...

No.
Mainstage can receive from and send to every available physical or virtual MIDI port on every channel. MIDI inputs are set in layout mode in the input section. You need to create the appropriate receiving objects and set the inputs for them. MIDI outputs are set in edit mode in external instrument channelstrips.

... and all send their audio to channels 1-2 in Soundflower.

No.
Mainstage can receive from and send to every available physical or virtual audio port. Audio inputs and outputs are set in the channelstrip area in edit mode. For more output channels duplicate the existing output or set another output in an audio or aux strip, which will create an output channelstrip if it doesn't exist yet.

Any pointers to where these items can be set?

Yes.
Read the Mainstage manual.

 

[bayswater]

OK, thanks for re-posting!

First, I'm pretty ignorant about IAC but do use Soundflower a little. I haven't used either with MainStage. So, flaunting ignorance.......

You'll need to have IAC active (sounds like it's done already) so it appears in the Layout Mode window Device popup menu. You need to assign that to a keyboard or the MIDI activity screen control (probably better choice).

Go to Edit Mode window, select channel strip, in inspector select MIDI input tab, select multi-instrument popup menu. Left column click/select IAC, right column select MIDI channel desired.

For audio: can you select Soundflower (16 ch) as your audio in/out in MainStage's preferences? If so that should resolve that. Then you can assign your channel strip audi outs accordingly.

I don't have Soundflower on the computer I have MainStage 2 on to test it, but this work in MS 1 with Soundflower.

Let me know if this does the trick or not.

Some progress. Thanks. Have the audio routing to selected soundflower channels.

But no joy getting MIDI routed to specific channel strips. IAC in Audio MIDI system preferences is showing as on line, and MIDI is getting to Mainstage. It is showing in the MIDI monitor at the top centre of the window, activating the keys in the image of the piano, and playing the sounds. Mainstream reports that there are 5 MIDI inputs detected in the Mainstage Audio MIDI Preferences But when I go into Edit Mode, select a channel strip, and look at the Inspector, I see no MIDI Input tab. There is General, Key Range, Velocity, Controller Transform, and Filter. No MIDI. Can you point me to a page in the manual where I would see what you are referring to?

 

[Doug Zangar]

Try page 51 and beyond in the PDF manual.

See pic below. I have the channel strip selected - the Software Instrument Channel Strip Inspector is consistent with its tabs... Are you certain you have a channel strip selected and not a patch or something else??? (you would get the MIDI input tab even if you selected an audio channel strip)

 

[Peter Ostry]

But when I go into Edit Mode, select a channel strip, and look at the Inspector, I see no MIDI Input tab.

Have you created some input objects in layout mode and assigned your incoming MIDI to them? This is necessary. An instrument without an input object (keyboard or "MIDI activity" object) does not play.

Here is the shortest version of a Mainstage manual I can deliver:
Use the layout mode to assign MIDI to keyboards and control objects.
Use the edit mode to assign objects to instruments and parameters.
Use the performance mode to play. This is optional.

 

[Doug Zangar]

To back up Peter's remark:

Have you created some input objects in layout mode and assigned your incoming MIDI to them? This is necessary. An instrument without an input object (keyboard or "MIDI activity" object) does not play.

You can follow this comment from my earlier post:

You'll need to have IAC active (sounds like it's done already) so it appears in the Layout Mode window Device popup menu. You need to assign that to a keyboard or the MIDI activity screen control (probably better choice).

 

[bayswater]

To back up Peter's remark:

Have you created some input objects in layout mode and assigned your incoming MIDI to them? This is necessary. An instrument without an input object (keyboard or "MIDI activity" object) does not play.

You can follow this comment from my earlier post:

You'll need to have IAC active (sounds like it's done already) so it appears in the Layout Mode window Device popup menu. You need to assign that to a keyboard or the MIDI activity screen control (probably better choice).

I'm going to spend time tonight trying out these suggestions, but on the first question, the instruments are playing, so clearly there is a connection fromt he DP MIDI track, to the IAC, to Mainstage, and to the instruments in the channels strips. But I'm not seeing these screens you refer to, so I need to delve into that some more.

 

[bayswater]

Well gents, thanks, with the clues you provided, I figured it out, though it took a while. I must have an older version than you -- my screens look nothing like yours. I suspect what I was doing was using the Environment page with a new UI. That would be another reason it didn't make a lot of sense to me.

 

[Doug Zangar]

Glad it worked. I didn't think to ask what version you were using. I'm on version 2.1.1. If you're using version 1.x, I'd strongly recommend an upgrade if money allows - the new features in both Logic and MainStage are great.

Also, please consider putting your system specs with your signature. It might have helped us all in this thread.