Sample Alchemy sources in MainStage

Sample Alchemy sound-generating modules are called sources. Four independent sources (labeled A/B/C/D) are available in each preset, and each source has an identical set of controls.

Source components are shown when you click the A, B, C, and D buttons to select the source you want to edit. Some parameters can be set globally or per source. Global parameters override individual source settings.

The components in each source are displayed in three modules: source, synthesis, and filter.

Source buttons: Turn a source on or off. When turned on, a source is a sound-generating module indicated by a handle labeled A/B/C/D that is positioned on the waveform.
Sample Lock button: Click the lock to keep the current sample when changing presets.
Sample pop-up menu: Load a new sample, or show the current sample in Finder.
Source handles: Drag the handles labeled A/B/C/D left and right to play the sample. Drag up and down to adjust the first parameter in the source module. Record the movement of the handles in Motion mode. See Sample Alchemy Motion mode in MainStage.
Mixer button: Turn the mixer on or off. The mixer lets you adjust the volume for each source.
Mixer sliders: Adjust the volume for each source. A dot indicates which source you’re currently adjusting.
Source module: The first module displays the parameters for the selected source. The first parameter available here changes depending on the selected play mode. For example, in Classic mode you can control the speed at which the sound is played, and in Loop mode you can control the loop speed. The other parameters in this column let you set the panning and tuning for each source.
Source menu :Select the source (A/B/C/D) you want to edit or choose Select All to edit all sources.
Synthesis module: The second module provides multiple sound-generating modes based on different methods of synthesis. Here you can set a synthesis mode for each source. See Sample Alchemy synthesis modes.
Filter module: The third module contains the filter. Here you can set the filter for each source or globally. See Sample Alchemy filters.

Source module parameters

Playback Speed knob: Set the sample playback speed of the sample. Set low speed values to create gradually evolving textures.
Loop Speed knob: Set the sample loop speed between the start point and end point. At 100% the loop is synced to the speed of the project tempo.
Scrub Jitter knob: Set the depth of the jitter action.
Bow Rate knob: Set the rate of the bow action.
Bow Rate Sync button: Allows you to set the rate in tempo synced note values, instead of Hz.
Arp Rate: Set the duration of each arpeggiator step. The arpeggiator is synchronized with the project tempo, and Rate is set in bars/beats.
Pan knob: Set the source output position in the stereo field.
Tune Coarse knob: Tune the selected source in semitone increments.
Tune Fine knob: Tune the selected source pitch in increments of one cent (1/100 of a semitone).

Turn on a source in Sample Alchemy

Click a source button (A/B/C/D) to turn on a source.

Turn off a source in Sample Alchemy

Click a highlighted source button (A/B/C/D) to turn off a source.

Select a source in Sample Alchemy

Click a source handle (A/B/C/D) to select a source.

Select multiple sources in Sample Alchemy

Click the Source menu on the lower left side of Sample Alchemy, then choose Select All.

Mix sources in Sample Alchemy

Click the Mixer button on the upper left side of Sample Alchemy, then drag a volume level up or down.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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