Keyboard
Most professional keyboards with MIDI will work with MainStage. We recommend using a keyboard with 88 keys, 5-pin MIDI, and inputs for a patch advance footswitch and expression pedal. Click here to read more about choosing the right keyboard.Pedals
Your keyboard likely comes with a sustain pedal, but a footswitch for advancing patches and an expression pedal are extremely helpful, and in most cases, practically necessary. Click here to read more about pedals.Macintosh computer
Each player will need a dedicated computer. We recommend a MacBook Pro or Mac Mini, 16 GB of RAM, and plenty of hard drive space. You can purchase and download MainStage from the App Store. Click here to read more about choosing the right computer.Audio interface
An audio interface is a device that connects your computer to the sound system. In an ideal setup, it also handles the MIDI between your keyboard and computer. Click here to read more about audio interfaces.Cables
The specific cables you need will depend on your setup, but most people need a 5-pin MIDI cable and 1⁄4” audio instrument cables. It’s a good idea to have spares.Use a USB cable no longer than 6 feet (≈2 m) when connecting your computer to your audio interface. Longer cables are much more likely to suffer from signal loss or external interference, which can cause dropped notes, audio glitches, or unexpected disconnections during performance.
Power strip with surge protector
You need mutliple receptacles to power your computer and keyboard, so try to use one with surge protection.We recommend using a UPS whenever possible.