MAINSTAGE KEYS
NERVOUS VOLUNTEERS AND NEW GEAR | David Pfaltzgraff
In last month’s magazine I highlighted the four
ingredients needed to create a successful
MainStage rig: ‘A clear goal in mind’, ‘The
proper hardware’, ‘Time’, and ‘Flexibility.’ As I
was preparing for this month’s article I realized I
may have missed the fifth (and most important)
ingredient: volunteers who are onboard with
using the software.
When I was new to the concept of software
based keyboard set-ups I couldn’t have been
more excited. As a young worship leader with
big ambition (and no budget) the promise of
massively upgrading my band’s keys sounds
with only a $30 investment in MainStage had
me off to the races. But I distinctly remember
the look of confusion on my keyboard player’s
face when she arrived at a mid-week rehearsal
and saw my MacBook Pro resting beside
her keyboard.
I began to eagerly describe all the amazing
potential that ‘MainStage 3’ offered, using
words like ‘shimmer’, ‘patches’, ‘chord trigger’,
etc. I realize looking back now that I wasn’t
being a very good band leader in that moment.
If I would have taken some time to think about
how to clearly explain the purpose behind
this transition and some time to get more
comfortable with the software myself before
springing it on my volunteers, things would
EXPLAIN THE ‘WHAT’
In my experience, many keys players feel that a
software-based rig adds an additional layer of
have gone a lot better. Sorry, keys volunteer
Most people don’t know what MIDI is. Full stop. responsibility and potential for failure to what is
The concept is a foreign one to even many expected of them. Make sure you do the work
This is a common obstacle that worship musicians and the concept of connecting your to set things up in a way that eliminates as
leaders and musicians have to overcome keyboard to an external computer acting as the many potential points of failure as possible and
when beginning the transition from using ‘brain’ seems even less familiar to many. acquire the knowledge required to be a first line
from back then!
of troubleshooting help when needed.
hardware keyboards alone to adding software
into the mix. In this article, I’d like to make a Rather than getting into the nitty gritty of the few suggestions to help make the transition MIDI standard, this cable into that port, etc, The other aspect of the ‘what’ that you need
as smooth and productive as possible. I also take some time to come up with a plan for to explain relates directly to the sonic output of
hope to help you anticipate some concerns communicating the ‘need-to-know’ details and your band: the sounds. Since the whole point
your team might have so you can reassure terminology first. You can always go deeper of adopting new software for your keys rig is to
them upfront. with those who demonstrate an aptitude for upgrade your sounds, plan on taking time to
it later. establish a foundation with your keys players
166
March 2019
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