MainStage and macOS Compatibility
MainStage is an Apple application and only runs on compatible Mac computers.
Before ordering, installing, updating, or troubleshooting our programming, confirm that your Mac, macOS version, MainStage version, audio interface, and any required drivers are compatible with each other.
Table of Contents
Check Apple’s Current MainStage Requirements
Do Not Update Right Before Tech or Performance
Check Audio Interface and Keyboard Drivers
Older Macs and Older macOS Versions
If MainStage Will Not Open the Concert
MainStage Runs on Mac Only
Our MainStage programming requires Apple MainStage.
MainStage runs on macOS and cannot be installed or used on a Windows computer.
If you do not have access to a compatible Mac, contact our Support Team before ordering so we can help you understand your options.
Check Apple’s Current MainStage Requirements
Apple updates MainStage and macOS over time. Requirements may change.
Before installing or updating MainStage, check Apple’s current MainStage requirements in the Mac App Store or Apple’s MainStage support materials.
Make sure your Mac can run the required macOS version and has enough available storage for MainStage and any required sound library content.
Do Not Update Right Before Tech or Performance
Do not update macOS or MainStage immediately before rehearsal, tech, or performance.
Updates can affect:
- Audio interface drivers
- MIDI drivers
- MainStage settings
- Plug-ins
- Security permissions
- Connected hardware
If your current setup is working, wait until you have time to test thoroughly before updating.
Check Audio Interface and Keyboard Drivers
Even if your Mac can run MainStage, your connected hardware also needs to be compatible.
Before updating macOS or MainStage, check whether your audio interface and keyboard require manufacturer drivers.
Confirm that the manufacturer provides a driver that supports your macOS version.
If your audio interface or keyboard driver is not compatible, MainStage may not receive MIDI, may not output sound, or may behave unpredictably.
Older Macs and Older macOS Versions
Some older Macs may not be able to install the current version of MainStage.
Older versions of MainStage may still exist on a computer if they were previously installed, but we cannot provide Apple software, older MainStage installers, or macOS installers.
If you are using an older Mac, test your full setup well before rehearsal.
If MainStage Will Not Open the Concert
If MainStage will not open your KeyboardTEK concert, check:
- Whether MainStage is installed.
- Whether your MainStage version is compatible with the concert.
- Whether your macOS version supports that MainStage version.
- Whether the concert file was fully downloaded and unzipped.
- Whether the file was moved out of a ZIP archive before opening.
Do not try to open the concert directly from inside the ZIP file.
Still Having Trouble?
Contact our Support Team if you are unsure whether your Mac and MainStage setup is compatible with your KeyboardTEK programming.
When contacting support, please include:
- The name of the show
- Your Mac model and year
- Your macOS version
- Your MainStage version
- Your audio interface model
- Your keyboard model
- Whether MainStage opens normally
- Whether the KeyboardTEK concert opens
- Any error message you see