What I found is that the channel strips in MainStage work in audio instrument , or software instrument or in Midi that you can use from the selection already made or make patches using available plugins , and set them as a channel strip . . I left Midi out as I am using a real instrument ( electric / acoustic guitar ) . I found out that it seems so far .. LOL !! That only the audio instrument channel strip will work with certain real instruments . The guitar being one of them . There is a small mono / stereo icon under the volume switch in the audio instrument channel strip . I pressed it and voila I got my sound to work . This is not present in the software instrument or Midi strips . I am somewhat disappointed because I can only use Logic's dynamic effects such as Sculpture , or ESX 24 when setting a channel strip up as a software instrument track , and this does not allow my guitar to be used . Is Sculpture not a guitar software ? It seems that it is , and a real shame that I can only use it with samples looped in the browser that are part of Logic's software music ( Jam Packs etc ) , or with Drums etc ?

Hi Mitch, Welcome to the forums :) Since Logic 8 and Mainstage some of the terms you used above have changed (and are different from Garageband): Track types: Audio Channel = you can monitor an audio input (from a microphone or guitar or any other instrument that can connect via a cable into your audio interface). On an Audio Channel strip you can have a mono or stereo input and can set the input and output depending on how many physical in's and out's your Mac/audio interface provides. Software Instrument (SI) Channel = cannot monitor an audio source. Sound source for this channel must be a virtual instrument / software instrument plug-in. e.g. EXS24, Ultrabeat, Sculpture, etc. You can set the output to a physical output on your audio interface. You cannot input a microphone or DI to this channel. You must insert a SI in the Instrument slot. This SI is the sound source. In Mainstage you can trigger the sound using a MIDI Keyboard or the Musical Typing Keyboard. So, in answer to you question: "Is Sculpture not a guitar software ?" No. It is a Software Instrument. A synthesizer. You must trigger it sounds as I said above. I'd really recommend the Logic 101: Core Logic 8 tutorial which will give you a very solid foundation in Logic: [url]http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/Logic8101[/url] The Mainstage 101 tutorial is also great too! [url]http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/mainstage101[/url] Let me know if you need any further help :) Cheers Rounik

As I thought . I am disappointed that I can't use my guitar with the effects in Logic's SI channel . ESX 24 has lots of guitar change sounds as well as many other plugins that I can't appropriate in the AU channel . I have seen Mainstage 101 and 105 Guitar rigging . I see that I was lead according to how the syatem works . I thought maybe another way could be used to connect the SI to my guitar . Thanks Rounik you seem to know alot here .

Hi Mitch, No problem :) Have you checked out the insert effect plug-ins? Logic/Mainstage comes with a wide range of functional, weird and wonderful effect plug-ins. btw, if you had a USB MIDI guitar / Keyboard you could play any of the Software Instrument plug-ins. Let me know if you have any questions :) Rounik

OK .. I found a Terratec AXON AX50 USB Guitar to MIDI Converter . Here are the specs ... I assume that it accepts the standard 1/4 inch cable plug from an instrument into it . I can then use the software instrument channel effects . Terratec AXON AX50 USB has arrived: It is the "little brother" of the extremely successful AXON AX 100 MKII probably the most powerful device of it kind. The AXON AX 50 USB is based on the same technology as its "big brother," but it has additional options, such as a USB port with four additional virtual MIDI ports, which makes it ideal for state-of-the-art, computer-based studios. With its 32-bit RISC processor, the guitar-to-MIDI controller immediately translates the vibrations from each string that you strike or strum and sends information about the pitch, dynamics and tone duration to the connected MIDI sound generator. The MIDI sound generator brings your music to life using any sound you choose. You want a flute accompaniment with your guitar? How about creating fat synthesizer sounds with your bass? Or play the sax with your acoustic guitar? What about using your violin to generate choir voices in your sampler? It's all possible now! With the AXON AX 50 USB, you can control an external instrument and up to four other software sound machines on your computer: a MIDI-OUT connector and four additional virtual MIDI ports via USB make all of this possible. We also provide you with 128 sounds based on the renowned KONTAKT Player so you'll be able to get started right away and of course, all of the sounds are multitimbral. You can divide fingerboards and strings into up to 12 play zones, making it easy to control an entire orchestra. The editor included in the package lets you make changes right on your computer. AXON AX 50 USB means easy operation and new connection options ideal for all guitarists, bassists and violinists who want to integrate MIDI equipment into their computer-based studios and experience the endless sound and composition possibilities.

Hi Mitch, Sounds very interesting. Let us know how well it works for you. With this device you can trigger sounds from any virtual instrument like Sculpture, ES2, etc and samplers like EXS24. If you want to only use the effects plug-ins (e.g. Guitar Amp Pro, Delay Designer, Phaser, Space designer, etc, etc) then you could simply use an audio channel strip. Cheers Rounik