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Chapter 5 Work in Edit mode 59
Create keyboard layers and splits
Layers and splits overview
If you play a keyboard controller, you can easily create keyboard layers and splits in your
MainStage patches. You create layers and splits by adding two or more channel strips to a patch
and setting the Low Key and High Key for each channel strip to dene its key range. The key
range denes the range of notes on a keyboard controller that trigger sound from a software
instrument or external instrument in the channel strip. You can dene key ranges so that they
overlap (for layered sounds) or are contiguous (for splits).
Dene the key range
The Layer Editor tab in the Channel Strip Inspector shows the key range for each channel strip in
a patch and in the concert or set containing the patch (if either includes a channel strip with a
key range). You can dene the key range for a channel strip using the layers, the Learn buttons,
or the Low Key and High Key value sliders.
Dene a key range using the layers
1 In the Channel Strip Inspector, click the Layer Editor tab.
2 In the Layer Editor, move the pointer over the left edge of the layer you want to change
or dene.
The pointer changes to a resize pointer.
3 Drag the left edge of the layer to the note you want to use as the low key (the lowest note in the
key range).
4 Move the pointer over the right edge of the layer.
5 Drag the right edge of the layer to the note you want to use as the high key (the highest note in
the key range).
Dene a key range using the Learn buttons
1 In the Channel Strips area, select the channel strip.
2 In the Channel Strip Inspector, click the Layer Editor tab.
3 Click the Learn button next to the Low Key value slider.
Click Learn and play the
corresponding note on
your music keyboard.
4 On your keyboard controller, press the key you want to set as the lowest key in the key range.
5 To turn o Learn mode for the Low Key, click the Learn button again.
6 Click the Learn button next to the High Key value slider.