Amp Designer overview in MainStage

Amp Designer emulates the sound of more than 20 famous guitar amplifiers and the speaker cabinets used with them. Each preconfigured model combines an amp, a cabinet, and EQ that recreates a well-known guitar amplifier sound. You can process guitar signals directly, reproducing the sound of your guitar played through these amplification systems. You can also use Amp Designer for experimental sound design and processing. You can use it with other instruments as well, applying the sonic character of a guitar amp to a trumpet or vocal part, for example.

The amplifiers, cabinets, and EQs emulated by Amp Designer can be combined in numerous ways to alter the tone. Virtual microphones are used to pick up the signal of the emulated amplifier and cabinet. You can choose from, and position, seven different microphone types. Amp Designer also emulates classic guitar amplifier effects, including spring reverb, vibrato, and tremolo.

To add Amp Designer to your concert, choose Amps and Pedals > Amp Designer in a channel strip Audio Effect plug-in menu. See Add and remove plug-ins in MainStage.

The Amp Designer interface is divided into four main parameter sections.

Figure. Amp Designer window, showing main interface areas.

Model parameters: The Model pop-up menu at the bottom of the window is used to choose a preconfigured model, consisting of an amplifier, a cabinet, an EQ type, and a microphone type. The other pop-up menus enable you to independently choose the type of amplifier, cabinet, and microphone. See Build a custom Amp Designer combo.
Amp parameters: Located at each end of the knobs section, these parameters are used to set the input gain, presence, and output level of an amp. See Amp Designer amplifier controls.
Effects parameters: Located in the center of the knobs section, these parameters control the integrated effects. See Amp Designer effects overview.
Microphone parameters: Located at the right of the interface, these parameters set the type and position of the microphone that captures the amplifier and cabinet sound. See Amp Designer microphone parameters.
Output slider: The Output slider (or the Output field, in the small interface) is found at the lower-right corner of the interface. It serves as the final level control for Amp Designer output that is fed to ensuing effect slots in the channel strip or directly to the channel strip output.
Note: This parameter is different from the Master control, which serves the dual purpose of sound design as well as controlling the level of the Amp section.

Switch between the full and small versions of the interface

Window size: In MainStage, click the disclosure arrow to switch between the full and small versions of the interface.
In the small interface, you can access all parameters except microphone selection and positioning.

Choose an Amp Designer model

You can use the Model pop-up menu to choose a preconfigured model, or you can build a customized model using the Amp, Cabinet, and Mic pop-up menus. See Build a custom Amp Designer combo. Your choices remain visible in the pop-up menus and they are also illustrated in the visual display above them. For example, if you choose Tweed 4X10 from the Cabinet pop-up menu, you see the Tweed cabinet with four 10” speakers on the right side of the display.

Model pop-up menu: In MainStage, choose a preconfigured model, consisting of an amplifier, a cabinet, an EQ type, and a microphone type.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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