Apple Mainstage 3

Install again ... even if there is an existing 32/64 bit really difficult transition ... with plugins that do not pass, forcing to find alternative sometimes fairly average face an increased need for reliability for uses "live" .
Let's say it's a blessing in disguise when you have a low memory and you want to use the config.

General Setup ... must read the manual online to understand the intricacies of MIDI routing. The air of nothing, this app at a very affordable side, and at the same time, it is very complete, so we sometimes come across wacky situations with MIDI messages that pass through nowhere ... and then watching Mainstage closer we usually ended up finding out why.
The manual is also non-existent ... (on the internet) ... and that's a shame in my opinion.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

my config:
Mac mini 2.3GHz Core i7, 16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM, 500GB HDD 5400 rpm / min ...
My DD is rotten ... I would aim a good SSD for faster load time my session mainstage which always takes a beating down ... me finally, lack of means I'm happy for now.
I use a scarlett 18i20 as audio / MIDI interface.

I have my live set that rotates essentially Mainstage Reason 3 and 7, with a lot of virtual instruments (those mainstage Sampletank + / Miroslav Philharmonik, Crystal, Native B4II) ... I just have a prophet 08 for some sounds that I wanted.
Keyboards are a big enough piece of the project. vacuum my RAM shows a use that is around 15% in mainstage ... I'm a big 50% once everything is loaded (a 10aine songs for 30 or 35 patches).
It is fairly stable in terms of what I claim I'm not complaining. I admit that I would have more peace of mind with a spare me ... finally, I can not afford to buy a double kit, so I try to take risk appetite; p

OVERALL OPINION

I used already mainstage since version 1 ... and bha was a long way, this is undeniable.
After the shit mainstage 2 and incomprehensible updates, this version 3 seems to keep its promises, it's nice!

I tested cantabile PC ... nothing to see. Mainstage is well ahead ... and there is no direct competitor that offers such a workflow on Mac for such a tariff. This is really powerful as a tool.

The value for money is unbeatable if you exclude the purchase price of the mac (haha) ... I dream of the day when a PC editor finally consider the potential of these ordis for live use ... it will allow me to change creamery and optimize my budget to buy a spare ... yet, we can always dream that Apple lowers the price of its machines (I think I can stick my finger in the eye).

I hesitated to build my kit around a Kronos (a member of my group asked me) ... but laziness and disinterest ergonomics Korg, I opted for Mainstage.
Finally, as I speak a lot in the phases of compounds in Logic and Reason, I can get a lot of things between the phase and the live compo portage ... it saves a lot of time today, even if I 'I put a lot of time tweaking the settings on my kit so that everything works perfectly. I have no regrets for the time being. Hope it lasts and no serious crash do not change my mind ...

MacOSX standard: nothing to declare for installation. Just make sure you turn on the Rewire in the preferences if you want to use, because it is not activated by default.
This version can suck resources, but I think in this new version, there are still some bugs. My MacBook Pro i7 (4 cores) has overheated once, and almost failed to fly, despite a pattern of not huge patches.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The ability to create set-up together is impressive. We can mix and collect instruments, live audio, guitars, drums, play the back, effects all niveux etc ... in such complex patch you want, and go from one to the another in the blink of an eye. Single NI had achieved this in the past with Kore.
The implementation is not always easy and takes time compared to all integrated workstations. For it was against all comers with Logic instruments, including the new arrpégiateur which is a significant improvement in the world of music software (but still short of workstations as Korg Karma or example that can handle the flame / strumming and the number of notes played by agreement).
With all these instruments and effects, it is extremely rich in possibilities.

It's a shame that Rewire Mainstage can be a host, not a slave. There are situations where it could have been used. And with version 3, it is imperative that the slave is a 64bit application. Goodbye to the 32-bit!
Mainstage can be used in the main program, and can not function as a plug-in either.
Route a signal to Mainstage is very easy. on the other hand re-route the signal into another application that Apple software can be difficult. (Fortunately with the pro audio cards, you can re-route the signal to a stereo pair called "return" used in any program. I bless my MOTU)

OVERALL OPINION

Generally this program is fabulous for live performance, regardless of the instrument being played. A quality / price ratio that kills!
It's a shame that NI abandoned the race with their Kore was very similar.