I got this email from Dayo this week:

Hello Eric,    I found your blog and was wondering if you can help me with an issue i have with MainStage 3 and Nord Stage 3.  I am not proficient in many keys therefore i use the Transpose feature alot, i cant seem to get the Tranpose feature to work  with MainStage 3 on the Nord Stage 3, i'm pretty sure i am doing something wrong. I have a Roland keyboard that the transpose feature works with MainStage 3. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Dayo,

There are two ways you can do this! Here’s how:

Option 1: Using MainStage to Transpose

1. Open your MainStage template and select the patch you want to transpose. In this case, I’ll transpose the Piano Pad from Grain Pads that we just released.

2. At the bottom of the screen, select “attributes” and transpose to whatever key you want. This will automatically transpose to the key you like whenever you switch to this patch.

Option 2: Using your Nord Stage 3 to Transpose

If you’d prefer the hands on transposition of the Nord Stage, here’s how to do it:

1. Hold down the “transpose” button on your Nord Stage 3, and move the dial with your thumb or your other hand. Once the red light is on, you’ll be in the transposed key.

If that doesn’t work, you may need to check your EXTERN settings to make sure you are only sending MIDI output when your EXTERN section is on, and not all the time.

Good luck!

Have questions about MainStage? Fill out the form below and we may feature your question on an upcoming Ask Patch Foundry post.