MIDI Guitar Rig
Hey guys,
So I’ve been spending quite an amount of time reading up on how to use Mainstage 2 (Software included in the Logic Suite).
According to the Wiki:
Its primary purpose is to serve as a method of centralizing any virtual instruments that users might have installed on their computers that are normally used in Apple’s DAW software Logic Pro for use in live performance.
The instruments can then be played using a pre-recorded MIDI file or via a MIDI controller such as a keyboard. MainStage’s other features include the ability to play back pre-recorded backing tracks and to function as a guitar and vocal multi-effects processor.
Basically, it’s essentially a fully customisable rack of dials, effects, knobs at your disposable. These can be mapped to your controllers or whatever that would allow you to control any effect that you might have in your patch. In my case, I plan to use it as a replacement for my really really outdated Pod XT Live which I’ve been using for about 3 years now. So the rig would basically look like this guy’s rig which I’ve plucked off some forum.
So the thing in the middle is the Behringer FCB1010 which I’ve been trying to get. Apparently this thing is hardly sold in Singapore. I should know since all my efforts to get it have been futile and I’m this close to getting it direct from Amazon.
My Electric Guitar and the FCB1010 would connect to my Audio Interface (Currently, a PreSonus Audiobox) then connect to my MacBook. Mainstage would serve as a hub for the crosstalk and also the countless effects, both studio and normal guitar effects. The Logic Suite does include an impressive array of guitar effects found in the ‘Pedalboard’ and the ‘Amp Designer’. Both of which are obviously targeted at the Guitarist demographic. They do their job well but they’re a bit limited so I may consider getting an external plug-in for… nicer sounds.
If my budget allows for it, definitely thinking of getting Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig Program. Which I feel is a lot sleeker than it’s substitute, Amplitube.
I actually prefer the idea of having my effects in racks instead of individual stompboxes. Looks a lot more professional, imo.
A little explanation about MIDI controllers for the uninformed:
A MIDI Controller is a controller that sends out MIDI messages. (Yeah, straightforward; it is what it is) MIDI Controllers come in various shapes and sizes and foot controllers are apparently the minority of the lot. Popular MIDI controllers include those shaped like keyboards and those with pads attached. Well, right now I’ve got an Axiom 61 hooked up to my MacBook that serves as my keyboard.
Well to put it simply, all my guitar effects will soon be processed directly from my MacBook and I won’t ever be buying multieffects or stompboxes like… anymore. (for the most part). Unless I want a boutique pedal that mangles with my sound after the signal has gone through MainStage. Well that I’ll leave for another day but for now, I’m just going to concentrate on programming the FCB1010 so that it’ll be able to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do with guitar effects.
This includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Fully stereo sound as in two different sounds on each channel (yeah, I’m outdated, but my XTL didn’t allow me to do it).
2. Playing back and looping samples (Definitely going to be coming in handy for the church stage since my band doesn’t have a keyboardist).
3. Stacking multiple effects on top of each other for fun. (Buying the same stompbox multiple times doesn’t really go well with me. Also, I can have any number of repeat stompboxes and I’m only limited by my computer’s processor.)
4. Full-on Monitoring (Mainstage allows for any number of level displays that can display multiple-band EQ, volume, etc.)
Sadly, there are disadvantages:
1. I have to bring my Laptop on stage (Oh, the horror)
2. Audio Interfaces are generally… fragile. (I doubt my Audiobox can tank the power of my foot-stomp)
3. I have to bring my Laptop on stage (Seriously, if I accidentally destroy it on stage I might kill myself). I’ll probably buy a laptop stand if I actually manage to get this thing on the road.
Maybe I’ll put a price-check for people who are thinking of doing the same as me:
MacBook 15” i7 - SGD3188
Logic Studio 9 - SGD788
PreSonus Audiobox USB - SGD260
Behringer FCB1010 - SGD250
Cables + Stand + Accessories - SGD100
Till next time.
