MainStage
MainStage is a macOS live performance app for playing instruments, running backing tracks, and using plug-ins on stage.
What is MainStage?
MainStage is a native macOS music and audio app designed for live performance. It helps keyboardists, singers, guitarists, and other performers turn a Mac into a stage rig for instruments, effects, backing tracks, and patch changes. Users can build concerts, organize sounds by song or set, and switch between patches during rehearsals and shows. MainStage supports Audio Units plug-ins and works with compatible audio and MIDI hardware, which makes it useful for custom performance setups. It also includes tools for routing audio, controlling parameters from external gear, and recording audio input when microphone access is allowed. On Mac, it is commonly used as a lower-cost live companion to studio workflows built around Apple music production tools.
Key features
- Create concerts with patches, channel strips, and set lists for live shows
- Play software instruments and process live audio with effects
- Use Audio Units plug-ins with compatible third-party devices
- Switch sounds and performance setups quickly during a set
- Control parameters with MIDI hardware and external controllers
- Route audio inputs and outputs for custom stage setups
- Record audio input when microphone access is enabled
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Safety overview
Status: Safe
MainStage is an Apple app for macOS focused on live music performance. Requests for microphone, audio input, MIDI device, removable storage, or file access are consistent with its purpose when you use instruments, interfaces, plug-ins, or concert files. Third-party Audio Units plug-ins can affect stability or introduce their own permissions and background components, so install plug-ins only from sources you trust and test them before relying on them on stage.
Recommendation: Keep MainStage if you perform live, rehearse with virtual instruments, or use your Mac as part of a stage setup. If you no longer use it, removing the app is optional, but you may want to keep your concert files, custom patches, and plug-ins so you can restore your setup later without rebuilding it from scratch.
Common paths
/Applications/MainStage.app~/Music/MainStage
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mainstage3.plist
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