This section covers the buttons used for playback, fade, count-in, click, and marker navigation operations.
Transport and Function parameters
Return to Start button: Moves to the very beginning of the audio material, but does not start playback. If Playback is in play mode, however, playback continues from the start of the audio file.
Play/Stop button: Starts or stops playback. The position playback starts from is affected by the Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters. See Playback Sync, Snap To, and Play From parameters.
Cycle button: Cycles playback between the current marker and the next marker. Audio is automatically crossfaded at the marker points to minimize clicks. If the file contains no markers, playback of the entire file is cycled.
Fade Out button: Gradually lowers the volume level to silence over the number of seconds specified in the Fade Time parameter. The Fade Out button turns blue until the fade out has completed and playback stops.
You can stop an active fade out by clicking the Fade Out button a second time. This gradually restores audio playback to the full volume level over the same amount of elapsed time as the fade out.
Count-in button: Enables a one-bar count-in, using the MainStage metronome click. The count-in always uses the concert tempo and meter, regardless of the Sync mode.
Metronome button: Turns the MainStage metronome on or off. The metronome always uses the concert tempo and meter, regardless of the Sync mode.
Go to Previous Marker button: In play mode, immediately moves to the previous marker (to the left of the current playhead position) if the audio material contains markers. Playback continues from this position. If the audio file contains no markers, moves backward 8 bars (if Sync is on) or 20 seconds (if Sync is off). Playback continues from the new position.
If Playback is stopped, moves to the previous marker or to the beginning of the audio file if the current playhead position precedes the first marker. If the file contains no markers, moves 8 bars (if Sync is on) or 20 seconds (if Sync is off). Press Play to start playback from this position.
Go to Next Marker button: In play mode, immediately moves to the next marker (to the right of the current playhead position) if the audio file contains markers. Playback continues from this position. If the audio file contains no markers, moves forward 8 bars (if Sync is on) or 20 seconds (if Sync is off). Playback continues from the new position.
If Playback is stopped, moves to the next marker or to the end of the audio file if the current playhead position is after the last marker. If the file contains no markers, playback rewinds by 8 bars (if Sync is on) or 20 seconds (if Sync is off). Press Play to start playback from the new position.