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Set up your keyboard rig

After you’ve installed MainStage and downloaded the concert file, it’s time to set up your rig.

If this is your first or fiftieth time using MainStage, be sure to check out our tutorial on how to set up your keyboard.

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Assign screen controls

When you open a concert file, you’ll see that the MainStage workspace consists of many buttons, labels, and meters. These objects are called screen controls. They either perform an action (e.g., advance to the next patch, control the volume level) or display a value (e.g., the current patch number, the volume level).

Magic Fox The Addams Family Main Stage Layout Jp

Many of the screen controls will work automagically when you open the file. The screen controls you may need to assign are the pedals below the onscreen keyboard. From left to right, these screen controls perform the following actions: MIDI panic, go to the previous patch, control the output volume, sustain, go to the next patch, go to the first patch in the show.

Magic Fox Main Stage Concert Screen Controls Jp

Click here for a more detailed tutorial on assigning screen controls in MainStage.

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MainStage settings

Generally speaking, the default MainStage settings will work perfectly well. You may only need to set the Audio Output to your audio interface.

That said, adjusting your settings can improve your computer’s efficiency, which will make MainStage even more stable and reliable.

Click here to learn more about our recommended MainStage settings.

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Computer settings

You’ll want to adjust your computer settings to disable your screen saver, lock screen, energy saving, and background tasks like Spotlight indexing.

Click here to learn more about our recommended computer settings.