Use Space Designer global controls in MainStage

Space Designer global parameters affect the overall input, output, or behavior of the plug-in. See Space Designer global parameters and output controls.

The tasks below cover the use of Space Designer global parameters.

Use the Space Designer Input slider

The Input slider works only in stereo channel configurations. It is not shown in mono channels.

In MainStage, drag the Input slider to determine how a stereo signal is processed.
- Stereo setting (top of slider): The signal is processed on both channels, retaining the stereo balance of the original signal.
- Mono setting (middle of slider): The signal is processed in mono.
- XStereo setting (bottom of slider): The signal is inverted, with processing for the right channel occurring on the left, and vice versa.
- In-between positions: A mixture of stereo to mono crossfeed signals is produced.

Use the Space Designer Definition parameter

The Definition parameter emulates the diffusion of natural reverb patterns when in Synthesized IR mode.

Natural reverbs contain most of their spatial information in the first few milliseconds. Toward the end of the reverb, the pattern of reflections—signals bouncing off walls, and so on—becomes more diffuse. In other words, the reflected signals become quieter and increasingly nondirectional, containing far less spatial information. To emulate this phenomenon, use the full impulse response resolution only at the onset of the reverb, then use a reduced impulse response resolution toward the end of the reverb.

In MainStage, vertically drag the Definition field at the top of the global parameters section to set the crossover point—where the switch to the reduced impulse response resolution occurs.
The Definition field is shown as a percentage, where 100% is equal to the length of the full resolution impulse response.

Use the Space Designer predelay feature

Predelay is the amount of time that elapses between the original signal and the initial early reflections of the reverberation. For a room of any given size and shape, predelay is determined by the distance between the listener and the walls, ceiling, and floor. Space Designer lets you adjust this parameter beyond the range that would be considered natural.

In MainStage, rotate the Predelay knob to set a suitable predelay time.

The ideal predelay setting for different sounds depends on the properties of—or more accurately, the envelope of—the original signal. Percussive signals generally require shorter predelays than signals where the attack fades in gradually, such as strings. A good rule of thumb is to use the longest predelay possible before undesirable side effects, such as an audible echo, begin to materialize.

In practice, an extremely short predelay tends to make it difficult to pinpoint the position of the signal source. It can also color the sound of the original signal. On the other hand, an excessively long predelay can be perceived as an unnatural echo. It can also divorce the original signal from its early reflections, leaving an audible gap between the original and reverb signals.

These guidelines are intended to help you design realistic-sounding spaces that are suitable for various signals. If you want to create unnatural sound stages or otherworldly reverbs and echoes, experiment with the Predelay parameter.

Change the impulse response start point

The IR Offset parameter affords a number of options that can be quite creative, particularly when combined with the Reverse function. See Space Designer global parameters.

Note: The IR Offset parameter is unnecessary in Synthesized IR mode, because the Length parameter provides identical functionality.

In MainStage, vertically drag the IR Offset field at the top of the global parameters section to shift the playback start point of the impulse response.
This effectively cuts off the beginning of the impulse response, which can be useful for eliminating level peaks at the start of the sample.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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