Apple MainStage - Manual (Page 77)

Chapter 7 Working in Layout Mode 77
Assigning Knobs
MIDI controllers can have different types of knobs or rotary controllers. Knobs can be
either absolute controllers, which send a fixed value determined by the knob’s position,
or can be relative controllers, which increment or decrement the previous value
regardless of their exact position. Knobs can either have a fixed range of movement, or
be continuous (sometimes called endless rotary encoders).
When you assign a knob screen control using the Learn button, MainStage attempts to
determine which type of knob or rotary control on your hardware is sending the MIDI
message and sets the value in the Type pop-up menu in the Layout Inspector to the
correct value. For absolute controllers, the correct value is Absolute; for relative
controllers, the correct value can be either Relative (2’s complement) or Relative (Sign
magnitude), depending on the type of relative controller.
When you assign a knob screen control, be sure the Type pop-up menu shows
Absolute if the hardware controller is an absolute rotary controller, or shows one of the
two Relative values if the hardware controller is a continuous rotary controller. Moving
the knob through its full range of motion helps ensure that MainStage correctly
determines the type of knob you are assigning.
Assigning Buttons
MIDI controllers can have different types of buttons. Some buttons send a single value
each time you press them, while others alternate between two values when pressed.
Other buttons can send separate values when they are pressed and released (this type
of button is called a momentary or temporary button).
When you assign a button screen control using the Learn button, MainStage attempts
to determine which type of button on your hardware is sending the MIDI message, and
sets the value in the Type pop-up menu in the Layout Inspector to the correct value for
that button type. To enable MainStage to determine the correct value, press the button
exactly three times when you are learning it. Pressing the button three times helps
ensure that MainStage determines if the button is a single value, alternating value, or
momentary button.
You can change the function of a momentary button to match the function of a single
value or alternating value button.