Sampler Unison, Mode, and Polyphony in MainStage

You will find all parameters discussed in this section in the Synth Details slide-out pane. Click the Details button at the top-right of the Synth pane if it is not visible.

In Unison mode, multiple voices are played when you play a key. You can use this to achieve a richer sound, particularly when you also use the Random Detune parameter to slightly detune each voice. This is ideal when you are emulating classic analog synthesizers, and is also useful for stringed instruments.

You can use the Mode pop-up menu to determine the keyboard mode. This changes the way Sampler responds when you play one or multiple notes on your keyboard.

Voices are equally distributed in the panorama field and are evenly detuned. You can use the Random Detune field to determine the amount of tuning deviation between voices.

Note: The number of voices actually used for each note you play increases with the number of layered sample zones. For example, a sampler instrument that contains four layered zones will use four voices when you play a key. This is shown in the Used Voices field in real time.

Figure, Sampler Synth pane, with Details parameters also shown.

Change the keyboard mode

A polyphonic instrument, such as an organ or piano, lets you play several notes simultaneously. Brass or reed instruments are monophonic, which means that you can play only one note at a time. You can choose an appropriate keyboard mode for the type of instrument that is loaded. You are also free to use a monophonic mode for polyphonic instruments such as pianos or guitars, which allows playing styles that are not possible with these polyphonic instruments.

In the Synth Details slide-out pane of MainStage Sampler:

Choose Legato, Mono, or Poly from the Mode pop-up menu.
- In Legato mode, only one note can be played at a time. The envelope generators are retriggered only if you play staccato—releasing each key before playing a new key.
- In Mono mode, sample playback and envelopes are always retriggered regardless if you play staccato, or in a legato style—play a new key while holding another.
- In Poly mode, you can play several notes simultaneously.
Note: In many classic monophonic analog synthesizers, the behavior in Legato mode is referred to as single trigger, while Mono mode is referred to as multi trigger.

Use monophonic unison mode

In the Synth Details slide-out pane of MainStage Sampler:

Choose Mono or Legato from the Mode pop-up menu, depending on the keyboard mode you want to use.
Set the number of unison voices with the Unison pop-up menu.
The intensity of detuning—voice deviation—depends on the value you set with the Random Detune field. See Sampler Synth Details.

Use polyphonic unison mode

In the Synth Details slide-out pane of MainStage Sampler:

Choose Poly from the Mode pop-up menu.
Set the number of unison voices with the Unison pop-up menu.
In Poly/Unison mode, each note you play is effectively doubled. These two voices are heard when you play each note.

Set the number of keys that can be played simultaneously

In the Synth Details slide-out pane of MainStage Sampler:

Drag vertically in the Polyphony field to determine the maximum number of notes that you can play.
When you play the keyboard, the Used Voices field shows the number of voices in use. The number of voices actually used for each note you play increases with the number of layered sample zones.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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