A few days ago I spent an hour searching online for a Mainstage template for my Novation Impulse keyboard controller and couldn’t find one anywhere. So, I got busy and made one from scratch. I’m going to share it here in hopes that someone can make good use of it. Here’s what I came up with:
Every knob, slider, or button on the Impulse that actually sends MIDI data is represented here. There are several more buttons on the keyboard itself, but they are for controlling the keyboard and aren’t linked to any MIDI channels, so there was no reason to put them on this template. The only thing extra is a foot switch to the left of the expression pedal. This is for my own use with my rig, but you can find ways to use it I’m sure, although it will require another device (Nord Electro for me).
I’ve included a MIDI in light, as well as a VU Meter attached to the main output. Also, since I had some free space in the lower right hand corner, I included the time so you have no excuses when you say “Do we have time for one more song?” No, you don’t. The answer is always no.
There wasn’t really enough screen real estate to make this look visually the same as the front panel of the controller without making things way too small. I thought spreading things out like this makes sense. If you come up with a better solution, send it to me so I can see what you did. Also, this is obvious but this would make a great starting point for any controller, whether it’s an Impulse or not. If you modify it for another device, share the link here!
You can download the file here:
Novation Impulse Mainstage Template.concert
This is my first time sharing a file in my blog, so let me know if it doesn’t work for some reason. And, obviously, you’ll need Mainstage (specifically Mainstage 3) to use this template.
Good luck!
Mason
Very helpful. I have an Impulse 25 and it was easy to adapt. Thanks a lot
Great!
I’m glad it helped. I’m working on one for an Arturia KeyLab 88 too.
Mason
Hi Mason!
I am very new to Mainstage 3 and would find it very helpful to find a Yamaha MOX8 template. I especially want to assign MS3 patch volumes to the knobs on the MOX8. Any chance you could come up with a template?
Mike
San Antonio, TX
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the comment! I usually don’t do custom templates but my buddy Hans could hook you up, for sure. http://www.hansnelson.net
Also, go ahead and give my template a shot. It could work pretty well for the MOX8, at least as a starting point.
Mason
Thanks, Mason. Does this require the MainStage setting on the Impulse’s hardware templates? Or General MIDI?
S
You can use either mode on the Impulse. My template works either way. Depending on the mode you choose, different things will happen to various knobs and faders. I haven’t tried all the options. Good luck!
Thanks for this! Can’t wait to try it out. I’m a novice when it comes to MS and my Impulse 61. Forgive my ignorance, but am I correct in assuming it’s possible to do things like: 1) layer more than one sound and control the layers from the faders on the Impulse?; 2) easily change between pre-selected MS sounds from the surface of the Impulse? Thanks!
Hey Brannon,
Yes, those things are very possible. This template just gets you started by setting up all of the knobs, buttons, and faders to mirror the Impulse. Once that’s done, you are ready to dive in to learning MainStage. The internet has tons of resources for that. Check it out! And I’m glad this template is helpful for you.
Mason