mainstageApple today released MainStage 2.2.1 [Mac App Store], an update to the company's software for bringing virtual instruments and effects to live performances. According to the full release notes, the update addresses sixteen separate issues, with the company highlighting the following:

The MainStage 2.2.1 update addresses overall stability and performance issues including:

- Resolves several issues related to the download and installation of basic and additional content
- Addresses a stability issue that could cause MainStage to hang during startup while initializing MIDI
- Fixes issues that improve CPU performance and latency, particularly when using the Playback plug-in
- Resolves an issue that prevented stereo audio input from working as expected
- Fixes a problem that blocked sidechain input for plug-ins

MainStage is a 302 MB download from the Mac App Store and is priced at $29.99, although the 2.2.1 update is of course free for current MainStage 2.2 users. Formerly a component of the Logic Studio suite, Apple moved MainStage (and Logic Pro) to the Mac App Store last December.

Top Rated Comments

Orcasound Avatar
174 months ago
I paid $500.00 for Logic 9 / As a music professional - I'm not upset at Apple.
I also paid full price for PT10, and DP7 .... Its an investment in tools for my trade.

It was rather clear that Soundtrack Pro was headed to the morgue, Waveburner's going bye bye and will be incorporated into Logic 10. - And that Mainstage was being split out as well - All this was out there on the streets in September.
It was also well stated by many that Apple was doing away the boxed products - Logic was the real holdout. When Apple moved Logic to the AppStore - again they made it clear that Mainstage was being broken out -
and being sold separately....

Certainly Logic9 and MS users had a much easier road paying $30 for the new MS updated version - Avid royally screwed many/most of their "pro" users with upgrade prices ranging from $200-$5000 / to get out of outdated HD hardware and into PT10 and subsequent PT11/64bit -

The release of Logic 9 on the app store and the subsequent removal of Soundtrack Pro and Waveburner - along with the split of MainStage signifies that Apple is streamlining, pushing forward and getting ready (very quickly, I'll add) for Logic Pro 10.

Apple dropping the price to$199.. - simply a business move - they've gained thousands of users - who in tears and with maxed out credit cards - couldn't pay Avid's upgrade path... to get to 10, and 11... and etc. / There were major out lashes at AVID in Oct and Nov of 2011. - Apple sat back - waited - and then dropped the price to $199.00 / Basically making it a no brainer buy - the user base has grown drastically in the last three months -

Re the comment regarding - "who's hands are in the making of the new Logic.."
The Emagic/Logic team at Apple Gmbh have their hands on it - Cupertino does little more than sign off on it.
They are alive and very well... Gerhard's in CA and he gave Steve his garageband... Logic IS NOT dumbed down - Matter of fact - 10 will blow your mind - and certainly have the Avid boys hiding behind their outdated HD rigs... I believe that Logic Pro 10 is the release that will put Apple in the driver's seat.

I think March is gonna be a good month.... LP10 will not have a 32 bridge - 64bit only. Waves is moving 64bit this month with V9 - Get ready ...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
174 months ago
Whoa whoa whoa.

What the hell is this?

MainStage "2.2" is a PAID UPGRADE for users who spent $500 for the boxed copy?

Seriously?

FIVE HUNDRED dollars, and because there's no easy way to upgrade stuff that wasn't purchased through the App Store (that is, Apple is too lazy to implement a system where you can buy the MAS version of an app for free if you already own it externally)- I have to pay another $30 for something I ALREADY OWN just to get a minor version bump, and other critical bug fixes?

Let me guess, when Logic 9.2 hits, I'll have to pay another TWO HUNDRED ($200) dollars just to get THAT upgrade as well?

I really don't mind paying for major updates. Truly I don't. Logic 7, Logic 8, Logic 9. Bought them all.

However, if Apple is going to nail me $30 (for Mainstage, or even $200 for Logic Pro) for MINOR upgrades that fix CRITICAL bugs, then **** this ****. This platform is dead. I don't have time for this crap, I bought into Apple because the platform was stable and reliable. I don't give a flying **** about the Mac App Store, but apparently Apple does enough to try and penny/nickel me to death all because they don't give a **** about the users who paid for the boxed version of their software, and offer no suitable upgrade path to the MAS versions.

This is out of control. Apple is out of control.

How is anyone supposed to invest in a platform that treats it's users like this? I know the idiot masses will, because they don't know any better. But what about professionals? Oh, right, I'm sure Apple is going to take care of us with Logic 10, and by that, I mean they'll just target youtubers who think it's hilarious to re-live that scene from Freddy got Fingered ("Daddy want a sausage?") on their $50 M-Audio keyboards.

-SC
So. Much. Angst.

You bought into this platform at the $500 level, and when they lower the buy-in price to the old upgrade prince range, you have a cow about having MainStage be spun off as a separate $30 App Store product (that most Logic owners never use)? Your rant seems completely out of proportion to the problem.

OBTW, Garageband is already a great platform for "youtubers ... on their $50 M-Audio keyboards". Though I have to ask: Is it tough to be born into such greatness, but have to live in this world full of amateurs?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OS X Dude Avatar
174 months ago
Apple is out of control.
Didn't want to quote all of your post, but I totally agree with you mate. Avid has already made huge grounds in taking the video professionals from Apple (thanks to their infamous cockup of FCX), and we in the professional audio sector seem to be their next target.

Sadly, it seems Apple is letting them take us!

----------



I'm selling swist proof knickers for $29.98

I'll sell you the minor-updated App Store exclusive versions for £5.99 after you've bought your boxed copy ;)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ScottishCaptain Avatar
174 months ago
Whoa whoa whoa.

What the hell is this?

MainStage "2.2" is a PAID UPGRADE for users who spent $500 for the boxed copy?

Seriously?

FIVE HUNDRED dollars, and because there's no easy way to upgrade stuff that wasn't purchased through the App Store (that is, Apple is too lazy to implement a system where you can buy the MAS version of an app for free if you already own it externally)- I have to pay another $30 for something I ALREADY OWN just to get a minor version bump, and other critical bug fixes?

Let me guess, when Logic 9.2 hits, I'll have to pay another TWO HUNDRED ($200) dollars just to get THAT upgrade as well?

I really don't mind paying for major updates. Truly I don't. Logic 7, Logic 8, Logic 9. Bought them all.

However, if Apple is going to nail me $30 (for Mainstage, or even $200 for Logic Pro) for MINOR upgrades that fix CRITICAL bugs, then **** this ****. This platform is dead. I don't have time for this crap, I bought into Apple because the platform was stable and reliable. I don't give a flying **** about the Mac App Store, but apparently Apple does enough to try and penny/nickel me to death all because they don't give a **** about the users who paid for the boxed version of their software, and offer no suitable upgrade path to the MAS versions.

This is out of control. Apple is out of control.

How is anyone supposed to invest in a platform that treats it's users like this? I know the idiot masses will, because they don't know any better. But what about professionals? Oh, right, I'm sure Apple is going to take care of us with Logic 10, and by that, I mean they'll just target youtubers who think it's hilarious to re-live that scene from Freddy got Fingered ("Daddy want a sausage?") on their $50 M-Audio keyboards.

-SC
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fredoviola Avatar
173 months ago
It's only a free upgrade if you bought Mainstage for $29 from the Mac App Store.

Funny, though, that people who feel so incredibly ripped off at having to spend $29 can so easily dismiss "$50 M-Audio keyboards"...


Is their support/FAQ page wrong?

http://www.abbeyroadplugins.com/support.aspx

Yes, what they have written there is wrong. I had a long back and forth with one of the tech staff and his last word was that Brilliance Pack does in fact fail installation, and in order to get it to POSSIBLY work you have to load it in an unorthodox way. He said they are working on fixing and could not offer a date as to when it would be completed.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OS X Dude Avatar
174 months ago
Following my email to Apple about MainStage on the MAS not being free for Logic Studio owners, I received a call today from an Apple representative.

Long story short, they're investigating why it's a paid-for program in it's own right (and not a free update for current owners), and get back to me in a couple of days with an answer. The guy was neutral, but one can hope they do release it as an update as a result of a valid customer complaint (I also linked to this thread in the email).

Glass half-full, right?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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