Hardware Checklist & Recommended Gear for MainStage

Use this checklist to confirm that your computer, keyboard, audio interface, pedals, cables, and monitoring setup are ready for KeyboardTEK MainStage programming.

Apple’s minimum requirements tell you what is needed to install and run MainStage. For live theatre performance, we recommend a more reliable setup than the minimum.

Table of Contents

Apple Requirements vs. KeyboardTEK Recommendations

Recommended Computer

MacBook Air Note

Storage and Free Space

MainStage, macOS, and Driver Compatibility

Keyboard or MIDI Controller

Audio Interface

Pedals

Cables and Backups

Monitoring and Keyboard Amp

Before You Buy or Update Anything

Quick Hardware Checklist

Apple Requirements vs. KeyboardTEK Recommendations

Apple’s current MainStage requirements are published by Apple in the Mac App Store and Apple support materials.

For the current version of MainStage, check the Mac App Store listing before purchasing or updating. Apple’s listing may change over time as MainStage and macOS are updated.

Our recommendations are based on live theatrical use. A computer may technically meet Apple’s minimum requirements but still be underpowered or less reliable for performance.

For our programming, we recommend using a performance-focused setup with a recent Mac, enough RAM, an internal SSD, a reliable audio interface, wired connections, and backup cables.

Apple MainStage Support Website

For best results, use a dedicated Mac just for MainStage whenever possible.

Recommended computer setup:

  • Recent MacBook Pro or Mac mini
  • Apple silicon processor preferred
  • Intel i7 or better if using an Intel Mac
  • Multiple processor cores
  • Minimum 8 GB RAM
  • 16 GB RAM or more strongly recommended
  • Internal SSD
  • Minimum 256 GB storage
  • 512 GB or more preferred
  • Sturdy laptop stand, table, or rack setup

A Mac that only meets the minimum requirements may work for lighter concerts, but a stronger computer is safer for live performance.

MacBook Air Note

We do not recommend using a MacBook Air as the primary performance computer when a MacBook Pro or Mac mini is available.

Some Apple silicon MacBook Air models may be able to run MainStage, but the MacBook Air is less ideal for live performance because of its fanless design, limited ports, and reduced thermal headroom.

For rehearsal, testing, or lighter use, a MacBook Air may be workable. For performances, a MacBook Pro or Mac mini is preferred.

Storage and Free Space

MainStage concerts, samples, and sound libraries can use a significant amount of storage.

We recommend:

  • Internal SSD storage
  • At least 256 GB total storage
  • 512 GB or more preferred
  • At least 20–25% free disk space available at all times

Low disk space can affect overall system performance and may make MainStage less stable.

Apple also lists separate storage requirements for MainStage’s minimum installation and full sound library installation. Check the Mac App Store listing for the current storage requirement before installing or updating.

MainStage, macOS, and Driver Compatibility

Before purchasing gear, updating macOS, or updating MainStage, confirm that all parts of your setup are compatible.

Check compatibility for:

  • MainStage version
  • macOS version
  • Audio interface driver
  • Keyboard driver, if required
  • MIDI controller driver, if required
  • Any additional plug-ins or utilities you rely on

Do not update macOS or MainStage immediately before rehearsal, tech, or performance. Updates can affect audio drivers, MIDI drivers, plug-ins, or system settings.

If your current setup is working, wait until you have time to test before updating.

Keyboard or MIDI Controller

You will need a reliable 88-key keyboard or MIDI controller.

Preferred features:

  • 88 keys
  • Weighted or semi-weighted action
  • 5-pin MIDI output preferred
  • Reliable pedal inputs
  • Clear internal MIDI settings

Common controller examples include:

Common stage piano examples include:

Common keyboard or workstation examples include:

Other 88-key MIDI keyboards may also work, provided they can reliably send MIDI to MainStage and support the pedals you need.

Audio Interface

An audio interface is strongly recommended for performance. Do not rely on the built-in computer speakers or headphone output for a live production setup.

Recommended audio interface features:

  • Reliable macOS driver support
  • Low-latency performance
  • 1/4-inch audio outputs
  • 5-pin MIDI In/Out preferred
  • Enough inputs and outputs for your production setup
  • Use a Core Audio-compatible audio interface that supports your version of macOS. If the manufacturer requires a driver, install the correct driver before opening MainStage.

A basic 2 in / 2 out interface may be enough if you are only using MainStage sounds.

Use a 4 in / 4 out interface or larger if you need to:

  • Route internal sounds from your keyboard back into MainStage
  • Use multiple audio outputs
  • Send separate feeds to monitors and front-of-house
  • Support a more complex theatre setup

Example basic interfaces may include:

Example larger interfaces may include:

  • Universal Audio Volt 4
  • Focusrite 6i6
  • Focusrite Clarett 8Pre
  • PreSonus Studio 68c
  • PreSonus Studio 1810c
  • MOTU UltraLite AVB
  • RME Fireface UFX+

Before using or purchasing any interface, confirm that it supports your version of macOS.

Whenever possible, connect the audio interface directly to the Mac rather than through a USB hub or daisy chain. Hubs and adapters can introduce latency or connection problems, especially with older or slower devices.

Pedals

At minimum, you will usually need a sustain pedal.

Depending on the show and your setup, you may also use:

  • Sustain pedal
  • Patch-change pedal
  • Expression or volume pedal

Recommended examples:

  • Sustain pedal of your choice, compatible with your keyboard
  • BOSS FS-5U switch pedal for patch changes
  • Yamaha FC7 expression pedal for Yamaha controllers
  • Roland EV-5 or Moog EP-3 expression pedal for many other keyboards

Pedal compatibility varies by keyboard. Some keyboards use different wiring or polarity for sustain and expression pedals. Always check your keyboard manual before purchasing pedals.

Some keyboards have pedal inputs labeled Assignable. If so, you may need to configure the pedal input in the keyboard’s internal settings.

Common MIDI CC assignments:

  • Sustain: CC64
  • Expression: CC11
  • Patch changes: CC20 or CC66 Sostenuto

Cables and Backups

Bring at least two of every critical cable whenever possible.

Recommended cables:

  • 5-pin DIN MIDI cables
  • USB-A to USB-B cable, often called a printer cable
  • 1/4-inch audio instrument cables
  • 1/4-inch to male XLR cables, if your monitor or DI setup requires them
  • Power cables and power adapters for all devices

Backup items to consider:

  • Backup sustain pedal
  • Backup MIDI cable
  • Backup USB cable
  • Backup 1/4-inch audio cable
  • Backup power adapter when possible

Cables and pedals are common points of failure. Having spares can prevent a rehearsal or performance issue.

Monitoring and Keyboard Amp

Use a proper keyboard amp, monitor, in-ear system, or personal mixer for monitoring.

If you are not using a personal mixer such as an Aviom system, use a monitoring solution designed for keyboards or full-range audio.

Do not use a guitar amp or bass amp for MainStage monitoring. These amps are not designed to reproduce the full range of keyboard and software instrument sounds accurately.

Check with your sound designer or audio engineer to determine whether your audio interface should connect directly to a keyboard amp, a DI box, a personal mixer, or the front-of-house system.

Before You Buy or Update Anything

Before buying gear or updating software, confirm:

  • Your Mac can run the current version of MainStage.
  • Your macOS version is supported by MainStage.
  • Your audio interface has a current driver for your macOS version.
  • Your keyboard or MIDI controller has a current driver, if required.
  • Your audio interface has enough inputs and outputs for your setup.
  • Your keyboard has enough pedal inputs for sustain, expression, and patch changes.
  • You have backup cables and at least one backup sustain pedal.

Avoid major software updates immediately before tech or performance. Test updates well in advance.

Quick Hardware Checklist

Computer:

  • Recent MacBook Pro or Mac mini preferred
  • Apple silicon preferred
  • 8 GB RAM minimum
  • 16 GB RAM or more recommended
  • Internal SSD
  • 20–25% free disk space

Keyboard:

  • 88-key MIDI keyboard, controller, stage piano, or workstation
  • 5-pin MIDI preferred
  • Pedal inputs available

Audio Interface:

  • Reliable macOS support
  • 5-pin MIDI In/Out preferred
  • 2 in / 2 out minimum for basic setups
  • 4 in / 4 out or more for expanded routing

Pedals:

  • Sustain pedal
  • Patch-change pedal if needed
  • Expression / volume pedal if needed

Cables:

  • 5-pin DIN MIDI cable
  • USB cable for interface or controller
  • 1/4-inch audio cables
  • Any required XLR or DI cables
  • Backups of critical cables

Monitoring:

  • Keyboard amp, monitor, in-ear system, personal mixer, or FOH connection
  • Avoid guitar or bass amps for MainStage monitoring

Apple MainStage Help

For general MainStage questions not specific to KeyboardTEK programming, you can also use Apple’s built-in MainStage Help. In MainStage, choose Help > Quick Help or Help > MainStage Help.

Still Not Sure?

Contact our Support Team if you are unsure whether your current setup is suitable for KeyboardTEK programming.

When contacting support, please include:

  • Your Mac model and year
  • Your macOS version
  • Your MainStage version, if already installed
  • Your keyboard model
  • Your audio interface model
  • Which pedals you plan to use
  • Whether you are connecting with 5-pin MIDI or USB MIDI
  • Whether you are using only MainStage sounds or also internal keyboard sounds

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