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Mainstage for iPad
This one is a bit surprising to me TBH: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/27/apple-may-release-pixelmator-pro-for-ipad/
That article mentions MainStage as an app that's possibly headed for the iPad App Store. Apparently App IDs were discovered in the App Store corresponding with MainStage as well as Pixelmator Pro and a couple other "pro" Apps.
My impression has been that MainStage was kind of moribund on macOS but I'm not an expert; maybe it's more widely used than I think! I do acknowledge that there's been a demand for MainStage-like apps on iPad, and it does seem like a good platform for the purpose, especially for folks doing coffee shop gigs and worship services and the like, where space might be tight.
What do y'all think? Will Apple try to charge a subscription, and if so would you pay it? (I would not, but I don't have a great use-case for the app).
Comments
Seems like we're also about due for a new release of Logic Pro, so hopefully this is a hint that it's coming soon.
While I do have MainStage for Mac (which I very, very seldom use) I would rather see them spend time on fixing LogicPro for iPad instead of adding yet another app to the portfolio...
(Ie. 'Main Stage' could just be a 'performance view' in LogicPro for iPad).
Haha yes I know I‘m also very surprised to read that!
My guess is that it’s not the biggest effort to bring it over to iPad since the GarageBand/Logic Pro for iPad groundwork is there already. But yeah quite a big surprise.
Mainstage definitely seems a bit abandoned on Mac.
I’d very much appreciate it though!
But we already have Camelot, AUM, Loopy, Kesystage. For this purpose certainly MainStage won’t be totally integrated into IOS with no support for basic iOS technology like copy paste samples while the competition already does.
So I don’t hold my breath anymore on Apple apps.
Yeah, I don't disagree with this take. That said, it seems like MainStage is kind of a subset of Logic Pro functionality with an inscrutable UI on top of it, so maybe it'll be a good thing; spur more development on the low-level pieces. As it is, I don't know that I would trust LP4i in a live performance situation; the reliability bar would have to be a bit higher for MainStage.
I just had a look at the Mac MainStage App Store page, and it looks like it's been getting regular updates timed with new Logic Pro releases, but no real new developments in the last 3 years other than adding instruments and effects as they become available in Logic (Space Designer, Room Simulater, etc.)
@mjm1138 yeah very basic updates! Also not super stable at times. It seems like they just keep it running without putting any extra work in.
@Jeezs I still like the very customisable interface of MainStage. There are also a few functions that I’m still missing with AUM etc. Plus I’d love to have MainStage both on Mac and on iPad. Hopefully seamless so that I can move projects from Mac to iPad. Let’s see
Was hoping for Jonatan to make AUM for Mac too. But not too hopeful anymore.
Should they make MainStage for iPad subscription only I’ll definitely stay the heck away.
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I've used MainStage for Mac, and can tell you the UI is very poorly implemented. Making a single preset with layers and splits can take hours. It's also a resource hog and can get super laggy on even the most current MacBook Pro M4 laptop. I've tore my hair out trying to get a basic midi clock sync to work properly with an external source, and it will still not work despite following all of the documentation to the letter. The app is also buggy/crashes when you add a lot of controls, layers, or splits. Sometimes layers or controllers will stop responding or start controlling the wrong parameter, sometimes the presets will totally bug out and stop playing the correct instruments, or the volume slider
I would 100% prefer to use KeyStage for iPad instead. Once you learn the system it's 10X faster to set up and use a preset than MainStage, That said, MainStage does have a great sampler (the grand piano sounds great) and synth/preset sounds, including Alchemy synth.
When I bought MainStage for the Mac in 2017, all the factory sounds of Logic Pro ($199) are made available through MainStage for $19. That felt like a lot of money. I eventually paid for Logic Pro but then updated my iPad to enjoy $5-10 apps. I never looked back because years of mousing around gave me “carpool tunnel syndrome”. Touch interfaces rule and mobility is a true gift for the addict.
I suspect Apple will stick with the subscription model so most will pass… if they pack into an AUv3 then maybe. But at this point it’s a rumor. Slow news day.
I kind of suspect that Apple is aware that MS would fail with a subscription model, but we’ll see. My prediction is that it will be one-time, $20 or less.
That makes sense - as a gateway drug to Logic on iPad.
I always thought of Garageband as the gateway drug to Logic. It was for me and now I'm hooked:)
For sure, but I suppose this grabs a different demographic (live performers vs. home producers). I do kind of agree with @Samu that if the goal is to recruit new Logic users, their energy might be better spent improving Logic. OTOH if I can replace my effects chain for my bass rig when I'm jamming with friends, well, that's not a bad thing. If they got it to run on iPhone I'd be pretty chuffed TBH (I'm probably asking too much there).
The thing about desktop MainStage is it gives access to all the instruments of Logic at a much lower cost. I think that would be the bigger worm on the hook for Apple fishing for Logic Pro iPad subscribers.
GarageBand is to get people hooked on the idea of a DAW. MainStage would be about the instruments, IMO.
I also like the customisable UI. To put knobs, faders and meters wherever I want them and assign them to whatever functions.
Yeah if you're willing to put in the time you can go super-custom. I hope that ability makes it to the iOS app.
I’d love to see MainStage on iOS.
MainStage was my gateway to buying a MacBook.
MainStage is still used a lot in the music theater world and in church setups. I also helped a friend prep his keyboard setup for a King Crimson related project tour and he used logic for iPad. The only issue he had was the free trial running out as doors opened in Philly…but it was quickly solved by subscribing. He said otherwise it was very solid and he was able to access the patches that we set up with no issue.
That was the first time I had tried logic for iPad. I can’t say I loved the interface but I’m so used to where things are on the Mac in Logic that it was tough to adapt. I’m sure with time I could get used to it but I don’t have them right iPad to use logic and I have too much other stuff involved that needs Mac anyway.
But, MainStage on iPad would be very useful to live musicians I think.
This was always the biggest reason to get MainStage on Mac. The fact Apple lets you use all of its instruments inside GarageBand has always blown my mind.
Yeah, I definitely understand that. Too bad Apple made such a hash of the Logic built-in instruments’ UI’s on iPad. Some of them are okay, but a lot of them honestly look like they were designed in an XML file. I keep hoping Apple will clean them up, but it’s been two years now. Maybe porting Mainstage over will inspire them to make improvements.
I had a Keystep Pro for a while and I had the bright idea to build Mainstage presets covering all four sequencers, and yeah. It took hours longer than it had any right to, getting all the mapping set up and midi sync working etc. In the end it was just a lot easier to build sessions in AUM.
Thanks a lot for the info about MIDI clock. Saves my time. 🤝
Coming from Apple, it could also serve as a sales booster to make people get iDevices with more storage.
I wouldn't be surprised if they gave it away for free.