OnStage Technologies

Sunday Set List 5/19/13 – NextPage 1.9.2

Scott Kantner — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:05:03 +0000

This week’s set was run on NextPage version 1.9.2, which has a couple of important fixes. If you don’t have this version, you may want to grab the update now.

Below is the set at FBC for this week. Patch settings below.

Also, if you haven’t seen IronMan 3 yet, don’t wait any longer. Thumbs UP!

My rig consists of a Nord Stage 2 and a Macbook Pro (2008 edition) running MainStage and Spectrasonics Omnisphere as an audio unit plug-in. I use an iPad 3 running NextPage and an iKlip 2 The B3 and EP patches below are from the Nord. The synth patches are either from Omnisphere or an audio unit supplied with MainStage (MS).

Counting On God: Basic Pad and Synth Strings from EXS24
Salt and Light: B3 888000002, Chorus C3
Jesus Lover of My Soul: Basic Dark Wheel Pad (Omnisphere)
Power of Your Name:Airy Pad (Omnisphere) for a G6 chord on the intro, then EP 1, model 2 from the Nord for the balance of the song
Calling Out to You: B3 86600031

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NextPage 1.9.1 New Features

Scott Kantner — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:35:47 +0000

NextPage 1.9.1 went live in the App Store today! Most of the new features and enhancements in this release have been requested by you, our faithful customers! We hope you enjoy the changes, and please keep the great suggestions coming! Thanks also for your patience – this release required a tremendous amount of “blood, sweat, and tears” to bring your requests to reality in ways that will be truly helpful yet remain simple to use. We’re very grateful for your input, and we’re enjoying the opportunity to continually serve you better.

New in 1.9.1 – Performance Metronome

You’ve asked for a metronome, so here it is! A full-feature, precision metronome is now available from the main toolbar. The metronome has two modes of operation. The first mode gives you full access to all of the controls and settings. Be sure to tap on the time signature and tempo indicators to reveal different ways to set the tempo and rhythm patterns.

The second mode is “performance” mode. To put the metronome in this mode, start it running and then tap outside of it anywhere on the music. This will transform the metronome to a small circle showing the tempo, time duration (you can have the metronome turn itself off after a number of seconds), and a visual indication of the beat. You can move the performance metronome anywhere on the page using your finger and NextPage will remember its position. The metronome will then automatically move to your preferred position in each song as you move from song to song in a set. So for live performance, if you set the metronome for a “visual-only” indication of the beat and say, a 20 second duration, all of this can work together to have the metronome briefly appear to remind you of the starting tempo of each song and then disappear until you reach the next song.

The metronome is packed with features, and we’ll be creating short tutorial videos that cover the basics, as well as how any when you might want to use the performance mode. Keep checking the OST web site.

An AirTurn BT-105 4-pedal board can be used to toggle the metronome on/off, using the right-most pedal (pedal #4).

Symbol Tool

You also asked us more ways to annotate your scores, so we’ve added a Symbol Tool to the Tool Basket containing over 50 musical symbols including accidentals, articulations, dynamics, performance indicators, and more. After selecting a symbol and setting its size, you simply tap on the music and drag the symbol to where you need it.

Paging Control Improvements for Large Scores

The paging control on the bottom toolbar now becomes a slider for songs with 15 pages or more. This makes navigating a song with hundreds of pages much easier. The slider can also be set to be used for all songs regardless of length. See the new “Always Use Page Slider” option in the Settings menu.

External Display Support

We’ve had a number of requests for the ability to mirror your iPad to an external display without all of the iPad’s interface showing – in other words, just the music score itself – so we’ve added External Display support (iOS 6 required). By turning on the new “Use External Display” option in the Settings menu, NextPage will mirror pages to an external display attached via video adapter cable. By enabling the “Rotate External Display” option, the page will be rotated 90 degrees and resized to use as much of the screen as possible. This can be very useful when using a widescreen display rotated to portrait position.

Other Improvements and Fixes

Here are the other improvements and changes you will receive in 1.9.1.

Improved performance when loading set lists in the Music Desk.
Improved performance when reordering and deleting songs from set lists.
Set list cover images sharpened in the Music Desk.
Keyboard now remains on screen when an invalid set name is entered.
Fixed various issues resulting from switching away from NextPage to another app while markup tools are in use.
Minor tweaks to button sizes and spacings to make them easier for larger fingers to use.
Fixed Page Link resizing issues introduced by iOS 6.

Wrap Up

We hope you enjoy all the new changes, and please keep your suggestions coming! OST and NextPage exist to help you perform better. Period. Rest assured that we will continue to strive to keep NextPage simple, straightforward, and easy to use. It’s not about how many features the app has, but rather about how well it helps you perform. And if we’re accomplishing that, we’d be thrilled if you would take a moment to let us know.

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Sunday Set List 4/7/13

Scott Kantner — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:04:38 +0000

This week’s set was run on the final release candidate of NextPage version 1.9.1, which will include a performance metronome and many user requested features. Patch settings below.

My rig consists of a Nord Stage 2 and a Macbook Pro (2008 edition) running MainStage and Spectrasonics Omnisphere as an audio unit plug-in. The B3 and EP patches below are from the Nord. The synth patches are either from Omnisphere or an audio unit supplied with MainStage (MS).

God is With Us Now:Basic Pad with Synth String Ensemble from ESX24
Sing For Joy: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 1
As Long As You Are Glorified: B3 888000010
Before the Throne of God:Basic Dark Wheel Pad (Omnisphere)
Great I AM: Another Pad+SuperStrings Dark from EXS24, Resonant Clouds from ES2, Slow Glow from Hybrid

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Sunday Set List 3/24/13

Scott Kantner — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:56:56 +0000

Here was our Palm Sunday Set at FBC. In the screenshot is a sneak preview of NextPage’s new performance metronome, which will be available in version 1.9, and now in review with Apple. I experimented with a bit of delay on the Wurlitzer patch for Hosanna (Hill Song United Version), and it worked out pretty well. If you’d like the precise settings I used on my Nord, just contact me – I’m happy to share. Patch settings below.

BTW….we are relaunching the web site Real Soon Now. This may be the last Sunday Set List with the old look!

All The Earth: B3 888000022
Hosanna A072: Nord Stage 2 EP1, dynamics model 1
We Fall Down: Nord Stage 2 EP1, dynamics model 1
Hosanna (Hill Song United): Nord Stage 2 EP 1, dynamics model 4 with delay effect.
Revelation Song: Purity, Format Choir, Thunder from ESX24, DarkPad 02 from ES2 (MainStage)

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Sunday Set List 03/03/13

Scott Kantner — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:22:12 +0000

Our communion set at FBC on March 3rd. Patch settings below. I spent a ton of time looking (agonizing, actually) for a patch combo for When The Stars Burn Down. For any keyboardist out there who’s had to dupe those sounds, I’d love to hear how you approached it.

For The Lord Our God Reigns: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 1
Overcome: Basic Dark Pad Wheel + Ambient Humwhistle Pad (Both from Omnisphere)
You Gave Your Life Away: B3 888000002
O The Blood: Basic Dark Wheel Pad (Omnisphere)
When The Stars Burn Down: Basic Dark Pad Wheel + Hybrid Warm Strings, VS Warm Bellkeyz on Chorus (All Omnisphere)

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Sunday Set List 2/10/13

Scott Kantner — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:26:12 +0000

Our team is still adjusting to in-ear monitors, but it’s so nice to hear everyone and stay locked on the beat. Patch settings below.

You You Are God: B3 888000003
Forever: B3 888000024
Knowing You: Smooth Strings (MS->ESX24)
I Will Lift My Eyes: Big Pad MW, Bit Surround Dark, and Soft Pad 1 (MS->ESX24)
Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 2

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Sunday Set List 02/03/13

Scott Kantner — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:28:50 +0000

As evidenced below, sometimes even the most wary of us (read: me) can get brave, memorize 4 chords, and leave the music behind. Next week I’d like to start sharing some performance-related notes on switching between patches on the fly, dealing with pedals, etc. Patch settings at the bottom as always.

This weeks’ patches:

Stand and Shout: B3 888030034
Your Grace Is Enough: Big Pad MW, Bit Surround Dark, and Soft Pad 1 from ESX24 (MainStage)
Almighty: B3 888000003
Revelation Song: Purity, Format Choir, Thunder from ESX24, DarkPad 02 from ES2 (MainStage)
Surrender: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 4 with Tremolo

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Sunday Set List 1/27/13

Scott Kantner — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:10:34 +0000

This week we broke in a brand new sound system, complete with Aviom personal mixers (picture below) and in-ear monitors. What a difference it makes to actually hear the rest of your team!

This weeks’s patch selections. Learning Omnisphere has been slow, but steady. The wheel patches are very interesting if your keyboard can send MIDI modulation data. It’s very easy to go from a warm sound on the verse to a more wide open fat texture for the chorus.

We’re Here to Worship: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 4
Salt and Light: B3 888030034
Hope of the Nations: Basic Dark Pad Wheel + Hybrid Warm String Section from Omnisphere
We Fall Down: Nord Stage 2 EP 1 model 4
God of This City: Pad for intro: Gleaming Glass + Arctic Glass from Omnisphere, then Nord EP 1 model 4 for balance of song

The totally cool Aviom:

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Sunday Set List Jan 20, 2013

Scott Kantner — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:45:28 +0000

I’m starting out this year with new gear – a Nord Stage 2 and Spectrasonics Omnisphere. Much to learn, so little time! Patch settings below.

This week’s patch selections.

Open Up the Sky - B3 888000023
Better Than Life - B3 888330035 + Chorus C3
Hosanna – Nord EP 1, model 2
The Power of Your Name: Airy Pad (Omnisphere) for a G6 chord on the intro, then EP 1, model 2 from the Nord for the balance of the song

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When You Should Use Technology in Music

Scott Kantner — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:05:07 +0000

As I wrote elsewhere today, the purpose of technology is to make life better, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Certainly there has been, and continues to be enormous opportunity to use technology to make our musical lives better, both in our enjoyment of listening to music (think iPod), and perhaps more importantly, in making and performing it.

Technology is best used in music to:

generate and facilitate the creation of sound – for example, synthesizers, digital audio workstations, guitar pedals, sound processors
improve skills – iPhone apps for metronomes, music term dictionaries, tuners, etc
eliminate distraction and tension during performance – personal mixers, in-ear monitors, iPad apps to manage music, to name a few.

I recently saw a bumper sticker that said “Drum machines have no soul”, and that raises a very important distinction: technology is not the answer to everything in music. Nothing replaces the passion, intensity, and range of emotion that a human soul brings to music. Technology cannot bring the expression that makes music come alive in a way that touches, moves, and enriches its hearers. Why? Because all the important qualities that make music inspiring and enthralling pour out of the life experiences of those performing it. A beloved teacher of mine one said “if music is your life, then get a life”. How true. Technology can’t replace your life experiences, and your music can have no meaningful life if yours is empty.

So use technology in your music to help you perform better because that’s the ultimate goal: sharing your musical gifts with others to make their lives better by lifting their spirits and brighting their lives. This means:

If you have difficulty tuning your instrument, get an electronic tuner app.
If you can’t remember tempos on performance day, or have trouble with difficult rhythms, get a metronome app (we’re working on one).
If turning pages is killing you at the keyboard, get an iPad app and a wireless foot pedal to make the hassles and tensions of paper music go away (here’s one).
If your conductor is constantly glaring at you because you can’t remember what terms like Adagissimo mean, by all means get yourself a musical dictionary app.
If you can’t remember how to finger low E flat on your bassoon, get an app with fingering charts (we’re working on that too).

Helping musicians perform better is why OnStage Technologies exists. Tell us what you need, and we’ll bend the technology into the right shape for you.

How do you use technology in your musical performance?

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