Alchemy ModMap in MainStage

Modulation components are shown only in advanced view. Click the Advanced button to switch to advanced view.

A ModMap is not a modulator. Instead, its purpose is to process the output of a modulator, mapping the original values to new ones before they are applied to a modulation target. ModMaps let you create curved velocity responses, scale the volume of each source across the keyboard, quantize the pitch response to a random-LFO modulation so it aligns with the steps of a scale, and much more.

Mapping is defined by the graphical shape of the ModMap, which represents a transfer function. The x (horizontal) axis represents the range of original modulation values, from 0.00 to 1.00. The y (vertical) axis represents the range of mapped modulation values, also ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. To see how a modulation value is affected by the ModMap, look at the original value along the x-axis; the corresponding y value determines the output of the mapping.

A convex ModMap maps the middle range of inputs to values that are higher than the default output.
A concave ModMap maps the same range of inputs to values that are lower than the default output.
A horizontally flat ModMap maps a range of inputs to a single output.
A stepped ModMap quantizes the input, mapping each input value to a corresponding output value defined by one of the steps.

ModMap parameters

Current ModMap pop-up menu and field: Access each ModMap control panel by choosing a number from the pop-up menu or with the Previous and Next arrows.
ModMaps are created or deleted with the ModMap pop-up menu commands in the modulation rack. The default ModMap does nothing because the output is identical to the input.
File button: Open a pop-up menu with a number of ModMap-related commands.
- Preset submenu: Choose a preset ModMap. This can be used as is, or as a starting point for your own ModMaps.
- Save: Save the current ModMap. A dialog opens in which you can name and save the ModMap file (*.mma). The new ModMap name appears at the bottom of the Preset submenu.
- Copy/Paste: Use these commands to copy settings between ModMaps.
- Clear: Initialize the current ModMap.
Snap X pop-up menu and field: Quantize the original point values, limiting them to exact fractions of the available range. For example, a Snap X setting of 1/3 snaps point values to 0, 1/3, 2/3, and 1 when a point is dragged. Off disables quantization and lets you set point levels freely. You can also step through Snap X values with the Previous and Next buttons (the arrows).
Choose Key mode to change the ModMap display to a familiar keyboard layout. Key mode works for any modulation source but is particularly useful for Key Follow sources, where a specific modulation amount can be assigned to individual notes.
Snap Y pop-up menu and field: Quantize point levels (or y values), limiting them to exact fractions of the available range. For example, a Snap Y setting of 1/3 snaps point levels to the values 0, 1/3, 2/3, and 1 when a point is dragged. Off disables quantization and lets you set point levels freely. You can also step through Snap Y values with the Previous and Next buttons (the arrows).
Note: The Snap X and Snap Y settings do not move existing point levels into alignment with quantized positions. These parameters only affect the response of points when created or dragged.
ModMap display: Shows a graphical representation of the ModMap, which represents a transfer function.

Add or remove a ModMap point

In Alchemy in MainStage, to add a point, click on or near a line at the required position in the ModMap display.
To remove a point, double-click it.
Note: Make sure the appropriate Snap X/Y option is active before creating points.

Change the velocity curve with a ModMap

In Alchemy in MainStage, click the File button in the Name bar and choose Initialize Preset from the pop-up menu to reset all Alchemy parameters to default settings.
Click the Master Vol knob to show the modulation rack in the modulation section. Note the two modulators loaded in the modulation rack: AHDSR 1 in the first slot, Velocity in the second.
Choose ModMap 1 from the pop-up menu to the right of the Velocity slot in the modulation rack.
This applies the default ModMap to Velocity modulation of Master Vol.
Play a few notes on your MIDI keyboard to confirm that the velocity response is unchanged by the default ModMap.
Drag the middle of the ModMap line upward to create a convex curve.
Play a few more notes on your MIDI keyboard, and listen to the effect of the convex velocity curve: notes you strike with medium force play louder than they did with the default curve.
Drag the middle of the ModMap line downward until the segment curves in the opposite direction, becoming concave.
Play a few more notes on your MIDI keyboard, and listen to the effect of the concave velocity curve: notes you strike with medium force play softer than they did with the default curve.

Use a ModMap to scale a single source level in a multi-source preset

This example covers a preset where two sources play at full level from the bottom of the keyboard up through approximately C4. Above this point, source A remains at full strength while source B gets softer as you play further up the keyboard.

In Alchemy in MainStage, click the File button in the Name bar and choose Initialize Preset from the pop-up menu to reset all Alchemy parameters to default settings.
Click the Global button to view all sources, then load one sample (or multi-sample) into source A, and load a contrasting sample (or multi-sample) into source B.
By default, there is a 50% crossfade between these sources, so you should hear a balanced mix of the two samples across the entire keyboard range.
Click the source B Vol knob to show the modulation rack in the modulation section.
In the first slot of the modulation rack, choose Note Property > KeyFollow.
The amplitude of source B is modulated according to MIDI note number, but this modulation does not yet have the required shape. Currently, the lowest notes are softest, notes in the middle of the keyboard are medium-loud, and notes at the top are loudest.
You will now use a ModMap to reshape the response of source B Vol to modulation by KeyFollow.
Choose ModMap 1 from the pop-up menu to the right of the source B slot in the modulation rack.
This applies the default ModMap to KeyFollow modulation of source B Vol.
Play a few notes on your MIDI keyboard to confirm that the KeyFollow response is unchanged by the default ModMap.
Edit the ModMap points as follows:
- Drag the leftmost point up to a level of 1.00.
- Click at a position along the line slightly to the right of the halfway mark to create a new point. Leave the level of this new point at 1.00.
- Drag the rightmost point down to a level of 0.00.
Play across the keyboard range to hear the source B Vol response. If the response is not to your taste, make further adjustments to the point values or positions in the ModMap.

Use a ModMap to quantize pitch modulation to a pentatonic scale

In Alchemy in MainStage, click the File button in the Name bar and choose Initialize Preset from the pop-up menu to reset all Alchemy parameters to default settings.
Click the master voice section Coarse Tune knob to show the modulation rack in the modulation section.
In the first slot of the modulation rack, choose LFO > LFO 1, and reduce the modulation Depth to 12.0 semis.
Adjust LFO 1 settings as follows:
- Shape = RandHold
- Rate = 1/2 beats
- Bipolar = off
Play and hold a note to confirm that the pitch changes freely within the 12 semitone range, twice per beat.
Set SnapX = 1/6 and SnapY = 1/12. These functions make it easier to create the required ModMap shape.
Click along the line to create ten new points between the first and last points.
Edit the ModMap points as follows:
X Positions
Y Positions
1/6
0/12
1/6
2/12
2/6
2/12
2/6
4/12
3/6
4/12
3/6
7/12
4/6
7/12
4/6
9/12
5/6
9/12
5/6
12/12

X Positions	Y Positions
1/6	0/12
1/6	2/12
2/6	2/12
2/6	4/12
3/6	4/12
3/6	7/12
4/6	7/12
4/6	9/12
5/6	9/12
5/6	12/12

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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