Quick Sampler Filter controls in MainStage

Quick Sampler provides an extensive range of filter types, including lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and band reject filters.

You can control the filter section over time with a dedicated multimode envelope. Parameters that are modulation targets are indicated by a white dot when a note is played. The modulation range is shown as an orange ring around target parameters.

If you’re new to synthesizers and the concepts behind components such as filters, LFOs, and envelopes, see Synthesizer basics overview.

Quick Sampler Filter parameters

On/Off button: Turn the filter on or off.
Type pop-up menu: Choose a filter characteristic. Each option provides a different tonal color and response to Cutoff, Drive, and Res control values. See Quick Sampler filter types.
Cutoff knob and field: Set the cutoff frequency for the filter. Higher frequencies are attenuated, and lower frequencies are allowed to pass in a lowpass (LP) filter. The reverse is true in a highpass (HP) filter. In bandpass (BP) mode, cutoff determines the center frequency of the band that is allowed to pass. Band Reject (BR) works the same way, but the center frequency is not allowed to pass.
Reso knob and field: Boost or cut signals in the frequency band that surrounds the cutoff frequency.
Drive knob and field: Overdrive the filter. This can lead to intense distortions, depending on filter type.
Env Depth knob and field: Set the amount of filter envelope modulation.
Keyscale knob and field: Set the filter cutoff frequency intensity by keyboard position. Set to zero to filter all notes equally. Set to 100% to open the filter for higher played notes.
Envelope display: Drag points or lines in the display to adjust envelope parameter values. Alternatively, drag vertically, or double-click on envelope parameter fields to type in values.
Envelope Type pop-up menu: Choose the envelope type. This alters the number and appearance of envelope parameter fields and the graphical envelope display.
- Attack handle and field: Drag horizontally to set the time it takes for the envelope to reach the initial level. Drag the field vertically.
- Hold handle and field: Drag horizontally to set the time the full level is held, following the attack phase, before the decay phase begins. Drag the field vertically.
- Decay handle and field: Drag horizontally to set the time it takes for the envelope to fall to the sustain level, following the hold phase or the initial attack time. Drag the field vertically.
- Sustain handle and field: Drag vertically to set the sustain level, which is held until you release the key. Drag the field vertically.
- Release handle and field: Drag horizontally to set the time it takes for the envelope to fall from the sustain level to a level of zero. Drag the field vertically.
Vel slider: Set the intensity of filter envelope modulation in response to incoming velocity data.
- If the Vel slider is set to zero, the envelope outputs its maximum level when you strike the keys at any velocity.
- At a Vel slider value of 100%, the entire dynamic range is under velocity control.
  To explain, raising the slider value reduces the envelope minimum amplitude, with the difference being dynamically controlled by keyboard velocity. For example, when you set the Vel slider to 25%, the minimum envelope amplitude is reduced to 75%. The remaining 25% is added in response to the velocities of keys you play. A key played with a zero velocity results in an envelope amplitude of 75%. A key played with a MIDI velocity value of 127 will result in an envelope amplitude of 100%. When you raise the Vel slider value, the minimum amplitude decreases even further.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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