Apple MainStage 2 - Manual (Page 161)

• Meter field: Displays the meter (time signature) of the audio material. The bar and beat
values can be altered independently, which changes the ruler display and may alter
the Length field display, but does not affect audio playback. Cannot be changed once
the length is set without first clearing the tape loop.
• Tempo field: Displays the tempo in beats per minute. The tempo is “locked” after the
first recording and cannot be changed.
• Fade Time field: Indicates the fade-out time in seconds. Drag vertically to adjust this
value. See Using the Loopback Transport and Function Controls .
Using the Loopback Sync, Snap To, and Play From Parameters
The Sync, Snap To, and Play From pop-up menus in the bar at the bottom of the interface
control various aspects of playback and synchronization of the audio material.
• Sync pop-up menu: Enables or disables synchronization with the MainStage tempo and
clock.
• Snap To pop-up menu: Determines how Loopback starts, in play or record mode, when
stopped. It also quantizes the tape loop length “on the fly” by stopping the first take.
• Off: Loopback starts immediately, without waiting.
• Beat: Loopback starts or stops at the start of the next beat.
• Bar: Loopback starts or stops at the start of the next bar.
• Loop: Loopback waits for the amount of time defined by the Length parameter.
• Play From pop-up menu: Determines the playback start position within the audio
material.
• Loop Start: Playback starts from the beginning of the audio material.
• Relative Position: When you stop and restart the Loopback instance, playback
continues as if the plug-in had been playing continuously, without interruption. This
is useful when several Loopback instances are playing together, or when you are
using Loopback instances with Playback or Ultrabeat instances, allowing you to
effectively “mute” and “unmute” instances while keeping them in sync with each
other.
Using the Loopback Group Functions
If you have multiple instances of the Loopback plug-in in a concert, you can use groups
to control which instances record and play together and which instances operate
independently. Any Loopback instance can either be assigned to one of 26 Groups, named
A-Z, or not be a member of any group. The linked operation of multiple instances can be
used for creative purposes, such as alternative versions of a song verse or chorus.
161 Appendix B The Loopback Plug-in