Using Tempo in a MainStage Concert
Each concert has a tempo, which you can change in different ways while you are performing. Some plug-ins available in MainStage, including delay and tremolo effects, synthesizer LFOs, and the metronome, can require a specific tempo. You can set the initial tempo for a concert, and change the tempo by selecting a patch or a set with its own tempo setting. You can also change the tempo in real time by tapping a new tempo or have MainStage receive tempo changes from incoming MIDI messages.
When you open a MainStage concert, the tempo setting in the Concert Inspector is used until you change the tempo by selecting a patch or set with its own tempo setting or by tapping a tempo. When you change the tempo, MainStage uses the new tempo until you change it again or until you close the concert.
You can set the tempo for a concert in the Concert Inspector, which appears in the lower-left corner of the MainStage window when the concert icon is selected in the Patch List. By default, the tempo for new concerts is set to 120 beats per minute (bpm).
In the Patch List, select the concert icon.
In the Concert Inspector, set the tempo using the Tempo slider or value slider.
You can use patches and sets to change the tempo when you select the patch or set while performing. For information about patch tempo settings, see Changing the Tempo When You Select a Patch. For information about set-level tempo settings, see Changing the Tempo When You Select a Set.
Tapping the Tempo
MainStage includes a “tap tempo” feature that allows you to set the tempo in real time while you perform. You can tap the tempo using the Tap Tempo button in the toolbar (if it is visible) or using a key command.
Click the Tap Tempo button in the toolbar several times at the desired tempo.
For information about adding buttons to the toolbar, see Customizing the Toolbar.
You can also tap the tempo using your computer keyboard.
Press Control-T several times at the desired tempo.
You can also tap the tempo using a screen control mapped to the Tap Tempo action. For information about mapping screen controls to actions, see Mapping Screen Controls to Actions.
Getting the Tempo from MIDI Input
You can also have MainStage receive tempo changes from incoming MIDI messages. When the “Get tempo from MIDI input” checkbox is selected, MainStage listens to incoming MIDI clock messages for tempo information. If it receives tempo information, the concert tempo changes to the new tempo value.
In the Concert Inspector, select the “Get tempo from MIDI input” checkbox.
Choose the MIDI clock source from the Device pop-up menu.
When the “Get tempo from MIDI input” checkbox is selected, the Tempo slider is dimmed and cannot be edited. If MIDI messages MainStage receives do not include MIDI clock information, MainStage uses the concert tempo setting and changes the tempo when you select a patch or a set with its own tempo setting, or tap a new tempo. If MainStage stops receiving MIDI clock messages, it continues to use the last received value for the tempo until you select a patch or set with its own tempo setting or tap a new tempo.