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MainStage Changelog

What's new in MainStage 3.6.6

Dec 8, 2023
  • This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.6.5 (Nov 7, 2023)

  • This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.6.4 (Jul 12, 2023)

  • This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.6.3 (Dec 14, 2022)

  • Fixes an issue in Space Designer which could cause output to sound different than previous versions.

New in MainStage 3.6.2 (Nov 2, 2022)

  • The 35 stompboxes in Pedalboard are each available as individual plug-ins
  • Includes stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.6.1 (May 4, 2022)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.6 (Mar 15, 2022)

  • Refined new design
  • Expands the Sound Library with 120 Patches, 50 kits and 2800 loops from today's biggest hitmakers including Boys Noize, Mark Lettieri, Mark Ronson, Oak Felder, Soulection, Take A Daytrip, Tom Misch, and TRAKGIRL
  • Adds Korean language support
  • Optimized performance for M1 Max and M1 Ultra on the new Mac Studio
  • Includes stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.5.3 (Jul 14, 2021)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.5.2 (Apr 28, 2021)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.5.1 (Dec 13, 2020)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.5 (Nov 13, 2020)

  • Sampler:
  • Create and perform sophisticated multi-sampled instruments using a drag and drop workflow
  • New modern design provides synthesis, mapping and zone editing in a single window interface
  • Integrated zone editor offers detailed control over start, end and loop points
  • Mapping editor enables fast and flexible assignment of samples across the keyboard
  • Flex Time has been integrated into Sampler allowing sounds to be played at the same length, regardless of pitch
  • Supports all existing EXS24 instruments
  • Quick Sampler:
  • Import a single audio file to instantly build a playable sampled instrument
  • Quick Sampler automatically identifies the root note, optimal loop points, and matches your project tempo
  • Use Slice mode to chop a vocal or drum sample into multiple slices that can be triggered on a keyboard
  • Record live samples using a microphone, external hardware, or from any track or bus
  • More Content:
  • Over 2500 new loops in a variety of instruments and genres covering modern and classic Hip-Hop, Electro House, Reggaeton, Future Bass, Techno, and Transition Effects
  • Over 1500 new patches
  • Additional Features:
  • Improved performance and efficiency on Mac computers with Apple silicon
  • Display scores or lead sheets, and turn pages while you perform
  • Add Remix FX to perform creative effects like filters, gates, repeaters and bitcrusher
  • The Drum Synth plug-in generates synthesized kicks, snares, toms, and hi-hats with dedicated sound shaping controls
  • Stability and performance improvements

New in MainStage 3.4.4 (Feb 26, 2020)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.4.3 (Jul 17, 2019)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.4.2 (Dec 7, 2018)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes

New in MainStage 3.4.1 (Nov 8, 2018)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes.

New in MainStage 3.4 (Sep 28, 2018)

  • General:
  • Channel Strip MIDI input inspector allows any MIDI CC data to be filtered, transformed or passed through
  • Text notes can be added to the bottom of channel strips
  • The Metronome is now fully configurable, with separate settings for Bar, Group, Beat, and Division
  • This update also contains numerous stability and performance improvements
  • Sound Library:
  • The Sound Library can be relocated to an external storage device
  • 2 vintage brush kits for Drum Kit Designer
  • More than 800 new loops in a variety of instruments and genres
  • New Visions library for Alchemy adds 150 cinematic presets
  • Plug-Ins:
  • ChromaVerb is a sophisticated new algorithmic reverb with a colorful, interactive interface for creating rich acoustic spaces
  • Space Designer offers a new design and a scalable, Retina interface
  • Step FX adds rhythmic multi-effect processing using 3 powerful step sequencers and an X/Y pad
  • Phat FX makes your tracks bigger and bolder using 9 effects that add warmth and punch to your sounds
  • The Vintage EQ Collection provides 3 accurate models of vintage analog EQs from the 1950s to the 1970s
  • Studio Strings and Studio Horns are deeply sampled, realistic ensemble instruments with custom articulation controls
  • Mellotron is now available as a standalone instrument plug-in
  • Retro Synth now offers 18 different filter models
  • The length of individual steps in the Arpeggiator plug-in are adjustable
  • Loopback now applies a small crossfade at each loop cycle to reduce the likelihood of clicks or other audio artifacts
  • Alchemy:
  • Alchemy provides drag and drop hot zones that let you select re-synthesis and sampling options while importing audio
  • Alchemy allows numerical editing of parameter values
  • Alchemy adds 12 new synthesized formant filter shapes
  • Alchemy now offers a side chain input that can be used as a source for envelope followers
  • Alchemy includes an automatic time align feature for improved morphing
  • New additive effects in Alchemy expand the options for filtering and modulating sound

New in MainStage 3.3.2 (Aug 31, 2017)

  • Fixes an issue that caused MainStage to quit unexpectedly after editing background colors or using the group command in Layout Mode
  • The fadeout time in the Loopback plug-in has been extended to 60 seconds
  • Addresses an issue that could cause the Preferences window to become inaccessible

New in MainStage 3.3.1 (Jul 19, 2017)

  • This update contains stability and performance improvements.

New in MainStage 3.3 (Mar 28, 2017)

  • New modern interface
  • Support for Touch Bar on MacBook Pro lets you access your favorite shortcuts with sets of customizable key commands
  • Play software instruments on the Touch Bar using a musical keyboard with piano keys or scale mode
  • Trigger drum pads with Touch Bar while controlling velocity
  • True stereo panning provides more control and discrete manipulation of stereo signals
  • Directly assign software instruments as sidechain sources
  • Bus routings are now shown in plug-in sidechain menus
  • MIDI plug-ins can be used to creatively control plug-in parameters
  • New Loudness Meter plug-in provides support for LUFS metering
  • Support for Logic Remote 1.3.2

New in MainStage 3.2.4 (Apr 7, 2016)

  • This update addresses overall stability and performance issues.

New in MainStage 3.2.3 (Jan 20, 2016)

  • Contains numerous fixes and enhancements including:
  • A collection of 27 plug-ins have been redesigned to add Retina support and improve usability
  • Numerous improvements to Alchemy including Apple Loops support and 11 new spectral effects
  • Alchemy supports 3rd party Expressive MIDI Controllers including products from Roli and Roger Linn Design
  • Allows faster changing of your I/O device with large concert files
  • Clicking on an instrument layer in the workspace now selects the corresponding channel strip
  • Improved VoiceOver support

New in MainStage 3.2.2 (Oct 22, 2015)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes.

New in MainStage 3.2.1 (Sep 25, 2015)

  • This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes.

New in MainStage 3.2 (Aug 25, 2015)

  • Introducing Alchemy the ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer:
  • Next generation synthesizer plug-in with multiple sound generators including; additive, spectral, formant, granular, sampler, and virtual analog
  • Over 3,000 presets for all types of electronic music including electronic dance, hip hop, rock, and sound for picture
  • Integrated keyword preset browser for finding the right sounds quickly
  • Performance controls like the Transform Pad make it easy to explore and reshape sounds
  • Combine up to four synth modules to create complex multi-layered sounds
  • Virtual analog oscillators produce authentic recreations of iconic synth sounds
  • Wide selection of modeled analog and special effect filters for producing sounds with vintage character and tonal complexity
  • Create animated, dynamic instruments using over 100 modulation sources that include flexible LFOs, AHDSR and MSEG envelopes, and step sequencers
  • Manipulate and combine samples in new ways using a collection of morphing and resynthesis tools
  • Import EXS24 instruments or create your own using a robust set of sampler features
  • Apply independent arpeggiators to each of the 4 sound sources to transform simple chords into elaborate performances
  • Integrated effects rack with reverb, modulation, delay, compression, and a range of distortion effects
  • New tabbed Transform Pad and X/Y Pad Smart Controls for Alchemy instruments
  • New X/Y Pad screen control object
  • 1,000 new Apple Loops from a variety of popular instruments and genres including EDM, Hip Hop, Indie, Disco, Funk, and Blues
  • Multiple additional enhancement and stability improvements

New in MainStage 3.1.1 (Feb 27, 2015)

  • Allows Screen Saver to be disabled when in Perform Mode
  • Fixed an issue where expression pedals could not control the input level of audio channel strips
  • Key commands that turn parameter values on and off now work correctly
  • Resolved a bug where the Download Manager could appear empty
  • Additional bug fixes and stability improvements

New in MainStage 3.1 (Jan 22, 2015)

  • Redesigned Compressor plug-in features scalable, Retina-ready interface and 7 models including the new Classic VCA
  • Retro Synth can now create wavetables from imported audio and is able to stack up to 8 voices
  • Expanded sound library includes over 200 new synth patches and 10 classic Mellotron instruments
  • The Plug-in Manager now allows you to customize the organization of your menu
  • Turn your favorite hardware synthesizers into sampled instruments using new Auto Sampler plug-in
  • Assign and manage custom shortcuts using the new Key Command editor

New in MainStage 3.0.4 (Jun 30, 2014)

  • Addresses an issue that caused MainStage to quit unexpectedly when using 8-bit Bluetooth headsets and other devices with unsupported bit depths
  • Resolves an issue that could cause screen controls with independent assignments to move simultaneously

New in MainStage 3.0.3 (Jan 23, 2014)

  • Fixes an issue that caused the audio input to be unavailable with some third party audio interfaces
  • Addresses a bug that could cause CPU performance spikes and audio dropouts
  • Resolves several issues that could cause MainStage to unexpectedly quit when opening a Concert

New in MainStage 3.0.2 (Dec 19, 2013)

  • Compatible with Logic Remote v1.0.3
  • Save & load times are significantly faster
  • Workspace can be hidden to allow a larger area to view Channel Strips
  • Various stability improvements

New in MainStage 3.0.1 (Aug 14, 2013)

  • Fixes an issue that could cause content downloading to stall
  • Addresses a graphic issue that could occur on Macs with an AMD graphics processor
  • The Arpeggiator MIDI plug-in no longer causes unexpected CPU spikes
  • Adding and renaming markers in the Playback plug-in now works as expected

New in MainStage 2.2.2 (Jun 6, 2012)

  • Addresses a stability issue that could cause MainStage to quit unexpectedly on OS X 10.7.4
  • Fixes an issue that prevented the I/O plug-in from outputting audio
  • Resolves an issue related to the download and installation of basic and additional content

New in MainStage 2.2.1 (Feb 29, 2012)

  • Resolves several issues related to the download and installation of basic and additional content
  • Addresses a stability issue that could cause MainStage to hang during startup while initializing MIDI
  • Fixes issues that improve CPU performance and latency, particularly when using the Playback plug-in
  • Resolves an issue that prevented stereo audio input from working as expected
  • Fixes a problem that blocked sidechain input for plug-ins

New in MainStage 2.1.3 (Jun 16, 2011)

  • Fixes an issue where presets for Audio Unit plugins were incorrectly displayed.
  • Addresses an issue where incoming MIDI was forced to channel 1.
  • Resolves an issue that could cause MainStage to quit unexpectedly when using Undo after deleting a patch.

New in MainStage 2.1.2 (Nov 11, 2010)

  • Improved compatibility and stability with MainStage 1.x documents
  • Better handling of Pitchbend and Sustain events
  • Performance and stability fixes in Playback

New in MainStage 2.1.1 (Mar 11, 2010)

  • 64-bit Mode Issues:
  • It is now possible to run FXPansion's BFD2 plug-in in the 32-bit Audio Unit Bridge.
  • Fixes several issues with the graphical user interface and controls of third party Audio Units running in the 32-bit Audio Unit Bridge.
  • Stability Issues:
  • In 64-bit mode, a 32-bit Audio Unit plug-in quitting unexpectedly no longer causes MainStage to also quit unexpectedly.
  • Working with multiple concerts with open plug-in windows no longer causes MainStage to sometimes quit unexpectedly.
  • MainStage no longer quits unexpectedly if a Patch increment button is assigned to a sustain pedal, and MainStage is switched from Layout mode to Edit mode while receiving continuous sustain messages.
  • Resolves an issue that could cause MainStage to quit unexpectedly when removing or changing an audio device.
  • General Issues:
  • Resolves an issue that could cause loss of audio output when “Display audio engine overload” messages were enabled.
  • Resolves an issue that could cause an unexpected sound when rapidly switching patches in a concert that contains more than one multi-output Ultrabeat instance.
  • Duplicate MIDI events no longer sometimes lead to stuck notes.
  • Resolves an issue that could cause MainStage to stop responding when simultaneously adjusting parameters for multiple controls.
  • Resolves an issue where MainStage could stop responding when opening an auto-saved copy of an already open concert.
  • Sustain pedal events with values between 1-126 no longer cause multiple triggering of mapped actions.
  • Switching out of Layout mode while sending a note to a drum pad screen control no longer results in stuck notes.
  • Drum pads now correctly display all parameter values.
  • “Do not pass through” now works as expected with screen controls set to send to a specific MIDI destination.
  • The Keyboard window now sends MIDI notes with velocity values of 100, as expected.
  • The Layer Editor for external MIDI instruments is available again.
  • Resolves an issue in which there could sometimes be audio "pops" when auditioning patches while notes are sustaining.
  • Keyboard assignments are now reliably maintained for non-auto assigned keyboards when opening concerts created in MainStage 1.x.
  • The right arrow for setting the high range in the Parameter Graph for mapped knobs now works as expected.
  • The screen no longer flashes if a second concert is opened while a plug-in window is open, and Do Not Close is chosen for the original concert.
  • Resolves an issue introduced in MainStage 2.1 that could lead to an accidental overlap of split points.
  • Resolves an issue in which the left side key range of a split made no sound in some rare cases.
  • MIDI note-off events are no longer handled as MIDI note-on events with a velocity of 0.
  • Velocity scaling is now correctly performed with drum pads.
  • The workspace aspect ratio now immediately updates to follow changes to the Layout mode aspect ratio.
  • Using pitch bend on the Musical Typing Keyboard no longer causes a constant stream of erroneous pitch bend messages to be sent.
  • The vertical scroll bar controls in the Template Chooser grid view now remain fully functional at all zoom levels.
  • The items in the Help menu now remain available when the Template Chooser is open.
  • If the preference for Silence Previous Patch is set to “Immediately,” MainStage no longer plays back unexpected segments of audio when switching away from and then back to a Software Instrument patch that has a plug-in with a long decay.
  • Screen Controls:
  • Pickup mode no longer behaves like Jump mode when assigning a hardware control that is at a higher initial value than selected screen control.
  • Waveform screen control mappings are now reliably maintained when the sample rate is changed.
  • The Screen Control Inspector now properly shows the status of the Mod Wheel control when reselecting it after it has been set to Block, and then another screen control has been selected.
  • Meter screen controls now follow changes to channel strips that change between mono/stereo.
  • Parameter Mapping:
  • Number keys mapped to commands now reliably trigger the commands instead of patch changes in Edit mode and Performance mode.
  • The Current Set action now reliably recalls a specific set when the min and max ranges are set to the same set name.
  • The Current Patch action now works reliably when the Invert checkbox is selected.
  • Range settings are reliably maintained for the Current Patch Number action.
  • The Range pop-up for Current Patch Number mappings no longer show duplicate values.
  • Undo after changing a mapping and then deleting a pedal from the Pedalboard now works as expected.
  • Mappings of alias patches are now handled correctly when a plug-in on the parent patch is changed.
  • Playback Plug-in:
  • Resolves a rare issue where the Play button on the Loopback and Playback plug-in could remain lit with playback stopped.
  • Resolves an issue that prevented a file that had been loaded and then removed in the Playback plug-in from being loaded again.
  • If files containing tempo changes are imported into Playback, the following warning only appears once per session: “File contains tempo changes. One or more of the files you are importing contains tempo change markers. This version of MainStage does not support importing files with tempo changes.”
  • Loopback Plug-in:
  • The Position field in the Loopback GUI now reliably displays all positions at all loop lengths.
  • After using Undo to remove previous recordings in the Loopback plug-in, recording a loop that crosses the cycle point no longer removes a portion of the loop.
  • Using Undo to remove a take in the Loopback plug-in no longer removes crossfades at the cycle point.
  • In the Loopback plug-in, Fade-out now works properly when applied to an overdub performed over reversed material.
  • Resolves an issue in which enabling Reset to Saved could lead to recording in Loopback starting automatically when a concert was opened.
  • Resolves an issue in the Loopback plug-in where immediately triggering a Software instrument after going into record could cause an unexpected sound.

New in MainStage 2.1 (Jan 12, 2010)

  • Issues addressed include:
  • Support for 64-bit native mode
  • Compatibility with 64-bit Audio Unit plug-ins
  • Improved compatibility with MainStage 1.x documents
  • Multiple Playback plug-ins in the same group now sync reliably
  • Improved recording when using the Loopback plug-in

New in MainStage 2.0.1 (Sep 23, 2009)

  • This update improves overall performance and provides numerous fixes and enhancements, including the Loopback and Playback plug-ins.
  • Issues addressed include:
  • The Reverse option for Loopback now behaves consistently
  • Pitchbend data is transmitted properly to external instruments
  • A recording in Loopback can be used to define the tempo for MainStage
  • The I/O plug-in is now available in MainStage
  • Improves CPU performance of audio channels when feedback protection is turned off.
  • The update is recommended for all users of MainStage 2.

New in MainStage 2.0 (Jul 23, 2009)

  • The new Playback plug-in provides musicians with a backing band, allowing them to perform with pre-recorded audio, like drums, sound effects and other accompaniments that can be triggered to play while they are performing live.
  • The new Loopback plug-in allows musicians to record, layer and jam along with their own performance so a single musician can lay down a rhythm and then play a lead over it.