MainStage includes a full collection of professional-quality Logic Pro plug-ins for instruments and effects, as well as utility plug-ins such as the Tuner.
You can use plug-ins in MainStage channel strips in patches, and also at the concert and set level. You use instrument plug-ins in sofware instrument channel strips, and you can use effect plug-ins in audio, software instrument, external instrument, and auxiliary channel strips. In addition to the built-in factory plug-ins, you can use Audio Units plug-ins for both instruments and effects in MainStage.
You can add plug-ins to a channel strip, replace a plug-in with a different one, and remove plug-ins from a channel strip. You can also move, reorder, and copy plug-ins within a channel strip, or between channel strips.
Click and hold the Instrument slot, then browse through the plug-in menu to find and select the plug-in you want to use.
Click the Insert slot, then browse through the plug-in menu to find and select the plug-in you want to use.
Click and hold the Insert or Instrument slot, then browse through the plug-in menu to find and select a plug-in to replace the existing one.
Click and hold the Insert or Instrument slot, then choose 0No Plug-in from the menu.
Hold down the Command key while dragging the plug-in to an empty slot, either on the same channel strip or on another channel strip.
Hold down the Command key while dragging the plug-in to an occupied slot, either on the same channel strip or on another channel strip.
Hold down Command-Option while dragging the plug-in to another slot, either on the same channel strip or on another channel strip.
The Channel EQ allows you to sculpt the sound of the channel strip before applying other effects.
Double-click the EQ icon at the top of the channel strip.
The Channel EQ plug-in is added to the first available Insert slot and the plug-in window opens.
Do one of the following:
Choose a Channel EQ setting from the Settings menu at the top of the plug-in window.
Graphically edit an EQ band by dragging vertically to change the level or dragging horizontally to change the center frequency.
Numerically edit an EQ band by clicking and dragging the number to raise or lower the value; or by double-clicking, then typing a new value.
For detailed information about using the Channel EQ effect, refer to the Logic Pro Effects manual.
MainStage plug-ins include settings that combine a set of parameter values optimized for a specific result. For an instrument plug-in, a setting may re-create the characteristic sound of a particular instrument, while for an effect plug-in, it may be tailored for use with a specific instrument or to create a particular sound. You can choose settings, copy and paste settings, save settings and perform other functions in the Settings menu for each plug-in.
Double-click the plug-in slot to open the plug-in window.
Click the Settings menu (at the top of the plug-in window), browse to the setting you want, then select it.
Tip: You can also select the plug-in slot, then choose a plug-in setting in the Channel Strip Inspector.
Click the left arrow next to the Settings menu (or choose Previous Setting from the Settings menu).
Click the right arrow next to the Settings menu (or choose Next Setting from the Settings menu).
Click the Copy button in the plug-in window header (or choose Copy Setting from the Settings menu).
This copies all parameter settings into a plug-in settings Clipboard, which is independent of the global Clipboard.
Click the Paste button in the plug-in window header (or choose Paste Setting from the Settings menu).
Choose Save Setting to save the current plug-in parameter values as the setting. This overwrites the existing setting.
Choose Save Setting As to name and save a setting, including its folder location. You can create a new folder in the Save As dialog, if you wish.
Note: Subfolders must be located in the folder for the corresponding plug-in. For example, you could save a setting called Euro Lead in the Lead Synths subfolder of the ES2 folder.
Choose Reset Setting from the Settings menu.
Save a setting called #default in the Settings folder for the plug-in.
Choose Delete Setting from the Settings menu.
Each plug-in window contains controls to adjust the values of the parameters for that plug-in. Some controls, such as buttons, knobs, and sliders, are shared by different plug-ins, while others are unique to a particular plug-in. Most controls are labeled to show the parameter they affect. Full details on the parameters of each individual plug-in can be found in the Logic Pro Instruments and Logic Pro Effects manuals.
Click buttons to switch them on or off.
Drag knobs vertically to adjust their value.
Drag sliders horizontally or vertically, depending on their orientation.
Type a value into a numbered field.
Select a control, then move your mouse wheel or swipe your trackpad to adjust the value.
Option-click the parameter.
Hold down the Shift key before manipulating a control.
All Logic plug-ins share a common header. In addition to the Settings menu, the header includes controls for switching between views, bypassing the plug-in, and comparing plug-in settings before and after adjustments. You will also find extended plug-in parameters at the bottom of some plug-in windows.
You can view plug-in parameters in Editor view, which shows a graphical interface for the plug-in, or in Controls view, which shows parameters arranged in a row of value sliders where appropriate.
Choose the Controls or Editor item in the plug-in window header’s View menu.
Click Bypass in the plug-in window header.
Click Compare in the plug-in window header to hear the plug-in with its saved settings.
Click Compare again to hear the plug-in with your latest changes (since saving).
Click the disclosure triangle at the bottom of the plug-in window.