Retro Synth global and controller settings in MainStage

Retro Synth global controls are used to set the overall tuning, polyphony, and other aspects of your instrument.

The controller settings let you assign MIDI keyboard features to Retro Synth controls. You can use three MIDI controllers—velocity, modulation wheel, and aftertouch—to change Filter Cutoff, Wave Shape (Pulse Width), or LFO/Vibrato Rate controls. Multiple MIDI controllers can be assigned to the same control, so you could change filter cutoff with both velocity and aftertouch, for example. Alternatively, a single MIDI controller can be assigned to multiple Retro Synth parameters—with aftertouch affecting both filter cutoff and LFO speed, for example.

If you’re new to synthesizers and the concepts behind modulation controls, see Synthesizer basics overview.

Figure. Retro Synth Global and Controller parameters.

Click the Settings label to switch between the modulation and global/controller controls.

Global parameters

Transpose pop-up menu: Choose a value to transpose Retro Synth ±2 octaves.
Tune field: Click the arrows or drag vertically to tune Retro Synth in semitone steps.
Bend pop-up menu: Choose a value to set the maximum upward/downward pitch bend. Pitch bend modulation is typically performed with your MIDI keyboard pitch bend wheel or joystick.
Polyphony pop-up menu: Choose the maximum number of notes that can be played simultaneously (up to 16) or run as a monophonic synthesizer.
- If you choose legato and play in a legato style (strike a new key while holding another), the envelope generators are triggered only for the first note you play legato, and then they continue their curve until you release the last legato played key. This means that if you play legato, a portamento occurs (the portamento time is set with the Autobend / Glide Time control). If you release each key before pressing a new one, the envelope is not triggered by the new note, and there is no portamento.
- If you choose mono, staccato playing retriggers the envelope generators every time a new note is played.
Voice Detune field: Click the arrows or drag vertically to tune Retro Synth in cents (1 cent = 1/100 semitone).
Stereo Spread field: Click the arrows or drag vertically to set the amount of voice panning, relative to the center position. Spread: 0=mono, 1=full left/right panning. Voices are panned left or right in an alternating, symmetrical pattern.
Note: Detuning and panning works in Single and Double voice mode. In Double voice mode, detuning and panning affects the respective voice pairs.
Unison pop-up menu: Set the number of voices played in unison mode. Behavior in unison mode depends on the Polyphony parameter value. One of the strengths of polyphonic analog synthesizers is unison—or stacked voices—mode. Traditionally, in unison mode classic analog polysynths run monophonically, with all voices playing simultaneously when a single note is struck. Because the voices of an analog synthesizer are never perfectly in tune, this results in a rich, chorus-like effect with great sonic depth.
- Polyphonic unison mode: When 2–16 voices are selected in the Polyphony pop-up menu, voices are stacked, but you can play polyphonically.
- Monophonic unison mode: When Mono or Legato is chosen in the Polyphony pop-up menu, all voices are stacked, but you can only play monophonically or in a legato style.

Controller parameters

The modulation targets available in the pop-up menus listed below change when different synthesizer engines are active.

Mod Wheel to pop-up menu and slider: Choose a modulation target for your keyboard modwheel. The slider sets the maximum modulation amount.
Velocity to pop-up menu and slider: Choose a target for modulation with keyboard velocity. The slider sets the maximum modulation amount.
Aftertouch to pop-up menu and slider: Choose a target for modulation with keyboard aftertouch. The slider sets the maximum modulation amount.
Assignable CC pop-up menu and slider: Choose a target for modulation with a MIDI continuous controller. The slider sets the maximum modulation amount.
Note: This modulation source is ideal for use with MIDI CC#4 Foot Controller that’s often used in conjunction with aftertouch. It’s also useful for MPE devices that offer enhanced controller functions.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

Helpful?