Best Way to Connect my Laptop with Mainstage 2 Via USB/Midi

[thealy]

Hey Guys! I'm new to this forum! I have been playing around with my NS2 and I want to also use my Nord as a controller for live gigs. I'm not sure if there has been a previous post on this subject, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Currently, I own a PRESONUS FIREBOX 24 Bit / 96K FireWire Digital Recording Interface and I want to make sure this is sufficient for hooking it up via USB/midi. My question is what is the best way configuration to hook my NS2 via Presonus with my Macbook Pro for Live gigs using Mainstage? Eventually I will also be getting a midi/usb keyboard to use a controller so I can use the Nord and a second controller for laptop use as well!

Thank you so much for the posts and responses!

[mjbrands]

Hello Thealy and welcome to the forum.

It looks like the Presonus Firebox doesn't have MIDI connectivity. Fortunately, with the Stage 2 that isn't a problem, since the Stage 2 can do MIDI over USB. Just plug your Stage's USB cable into your laptop and you should see a new MIDI controller appear (you don't need drivers for that to work) - you might need to start the 'Audio MIDI Setup' application use the 'Rescan MIDI' in the MIDI window (choose 'Show MIDI Window' from the Window menu at the top of the screen if it isn't visible), but like you won't need to bother with that audio/MIDI setup application and it'll work straight away.

The best way to control Mainstage is by using the Extern sections, but you could also use the global channel; I highly recommend using the Extern sections though, it is more flexible that way. You need to configure the Extern sections (check the manual for details) - make sure you choose a MIDI channel like 'USB1' and not 'MIDI1'. The first is MIDI over USB, the second regular MIDI.

There's a lot more stuff you can set up, but that'll come when you need it.

Have fun

[thealy]

@mjbrands Thank you for the reply!

I figured the best way was to send midi via USB to my laptop. For audio purposes, would it be better to get a midi audio interface for better performance?

[mjbrands]

I would just stick with the built-in MIDI-over-USB functionality of the NS2. It it likely the most convenient solution and certainly the cheapest.

I did some testing with a few different MIDI interfaces in the past to get a sense for how 'tight' their MIDI timing was. There were some that we're better than the built-in functionality of the NS3, but also some that were worse[/].

Unless you have very specific requirements, I think the NS2's built-in interface will work just great.

[Skantner]

Hello Thealy and welcome to the forum.

It looks like the Presonus Firebox doesn't have MIDI connectivity. Fortunately, with the Stage 2 that isn't a problem, since the Stage 2 can do MIDI over USB. Just plug your Stage's USB cable into your laptop and you should see a new MIDI controller appear (you don't need drivers for that to work) - you might need to start the 'Audio MIDI Setup' application use the 'Rescan MIDI' in the MIDI window (choose 'Show MIDI Window' from the Window menu at the top of the screen if it isn't visible), but like you won't need to bother with that audio/MIDI setup application and it'll work straight away.

The best way to control Mainstage is by using the Extern sections, but you could also use the global channel; I highly recommend using the Extern sections though, it is more flexible that way. You need to configure the Extern sections (check the manual for details) - make sure you choose a MIDI channel like 'USB1' and not 'MIDI1'. The first is MIDI over USB, the second regular MIDI.

There's a lot more stuff you can set up, but that'll come when you need it.

Have fun

This was exactly what I needed. Thanks so much!

[Kayj_prod]

An NS + Main Stage is a great combo. I'd gone off using computers on stage until I bought a MacBook Air. I don't use it for small gigs, but for anything big, I'll typically use strings from Main Stage. The pianos in Logic/Main Stage suck, but some careful setting up of controllers and some of the Jam Pack Orchestral Strings gives me some really expressive velocity switching for marcato/legato/tremolo sounds in a way that just isn't possible on the NS.

Oh, and yes, +1 for MIDI over USB. Have fun!