MainStage 3

MainStage 3 is a powerful music application developed by Apple specifically for live performance use on macOS. It allows musicians to take their studio setups, sounds, and effects from applications like Logic Pro X and GarageBand directly to the stage.

It essentially turns your Mac into a highly flexible, multi-instrument, and multi-effects processor for live shows.

The Ultimate Live Rig

MainStage 3 is designed to let a musician consolidate complex hardware rigs into a single, reliable software setup.

1. Performance-Optimized Interface

• Full-Screen Live Interface: The main screen in Perform Mode is customizable, high-contrast, and large-font, allowing the musician to easily see key controls (patch names, metronome, tuner) from a distance on stage.

• Workspace: You can drag and drop software representations of hardware controllers (knobs, buttons, faders) onto a visual workspace and assign them to any parameter in your sound rig.

2. Seamless Integration with Logic Pro X

• Shared Assets: MainStage shares the vast, high-quality sound library, instruments, and effects that are available in Logic Pro X. This means you can design a sound in the studio and bring it directly to the stage without having to recreate the patch.

• Included Instruments: Includes over 80 built-in plug-ins, including synths (Alchemy, Retro Synth), the Drum Kit Designer, the EXS24 Sampler, and the full range of effects and MIDI plug-ins (Arpeggiator, Chord Trigger).

3. Flexible Patch System

The core of MainStage is organized hierarchically:

• Concert: The entire show or setlist.

• Set: A group of songs (patches).

• Patch: A single, self-contained sound or effect chain. A patch can combine multiple channel strips (software instruments, audio inputs, backing tracks) and instantly switch between them (e.g., Piano + Strings to Organ).

Additional Live Capabilities

MIDI MappingHighly flexible mapping system allows you to assign physical controls (knobs, pedals, switches) on your MIDI controller to specific software parameters for real-time sound manipulation.

Backing TracksThe Playback plug-in allows you to trigger and manage stereo backing tracks, loops, and song sections during a performance.

Guitar/Vocal RigsYou can process external audio inputs (microphones for vocals, guitars, or bass) using the same high-quality Amp Designer, Pedalboard stompboxes, and effects used in Logic Pro X.

Layering & SplittingEasily create complex layered sounds (e.g., piano, synth pad, and bass split across different key ranges) on a single keyboard.