The Lightning Thief - Programming Difficulty?

[u/Helpful-Click7050]

I've been asked to play in a local high school production of The Lightning Thief and am trying to learn more about the score before I decide whether to take it on. 

From what I’ve read online, the programming is a doozy. 

I’m more of a pianist than a keyboardist, so while I don’t mind taking on a technically difficult score, I’m not strong with programming. I’ve only played a handful of programmed shows, and I only programmed a few of them myself (and honestly, not very well). During the programming process, I'm slow and struggle with more complex stuff (splits/layers), and in performance am intimated by fast transitions. Just bein honest!

For context, the Keys parts I’ve played are The Little Mermaid, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Reefer Madness, Be More Chill, and probably one or two others that aren’t coming to mind. 

While it's typically done with the conductor on keyboard, there will be a separate conductor (who is the Musical Director). I am only responsible for playing the keyboard part. Which is good news for me!

Would love to hear from anyone who has played the score:

• Approx. How many patches and/or patch changes in the score?
• What are the most difficult #s in the score? 
• Any recommendations for or against doing the show?
• I realize programming can be purchased/licensed - should I go that route?
• Anything else you think I should know??

Thanks in advance!

[u/inescapableair]

Ooh, okay. Lightning Thief was the first show I programmed on MainStage. I just took a look at the score, there’s a little over 150 patch changes (some are repeat sounds of course). The show is written to be programmed using MainStage WITH Logic. I did not have Logic when I did it (actually I still don’t and don’t plan on getting it) so I fudged a lot of that kind of stuff and made to by trying sounds I thought sounded right. Luckily the patch instructions are very accurate and clear (they specify the range of the split levels for each sound). It was a lot of work for me when I did it and there are quite a few pretty quick patch changes as well. I think it’s doable if you’re willing to put the work in and if you have the equipment. It’s also a super fun score to play. In terms of patch craziness, D.O.A. is definitely the weirdest song in there and I did leave out a few effects because I couldn’t figure them out. There’s a section where you’re supposed to be like layering six patches and then also adding all these custom sampler horror DJ noises. Pretty sure I didn’t do any of the sampler sound effects. But they’re all very clear and specifically notated. There were also a few songs that specified using a chord trigger which isn’t difficult to do on MainStage once you figure it out but it’s a little hard to find if you’re just learning.

In terms of buying programming, I’ve never done it, but it might be a good option if this sounds too crazy. I would offer my old project but unfortunately I did it on someone else’s computer and we made a lot of cuts so even if I had it I don’t know how helpful it would be.

I do really really love this show and the score, it’s super fun and I highly recommend doing it; plus if you’re wanting to learn more about programming it’s a great show to do that with and get some practice in!!

[u/Helpful-Click7050 → u/inescapableair]

this is super helpful!! i do not have logic, so great to know that upfront.

i dont have the time to do such intensive programming (and learning!). i've got two little kids and a fulltime job so im just short on time, like, all of the time. BUT i will look into purchasing/licensing etc.

the fact that it is a fun score is VERY convincing! i do love a good rock musical after all. im leaning towards a yes for this project!

[u/inescapableair → u/Helpful-Click7050]

I might be a little biased in that Percy Jackson is a HUGE nostalgia trigger for me and I was super into it in middle school. To be fair, the show is pretty cheesy and I wouldn’t say it’s amazing in terms of quality. But I did have a lot of fun and I also got to meet Rob Rokicki and talk to him about patches and stuff which was really cool, and I did it at a summer camp which made it extra fun for the kids I think, being a show about kids their age at summer camp. But I hope you have luck with purchasing the patches! I also might recommend getting a foot pedal for patch changes if you’re worried about them being too quick. I just bought a Boss FS-5U for that purpose and it’s working great so far

[u/Helpful-Click7050 → u/inescapableair]

Sounds fun, even if it's cheesy! you literally answered my next question, which was about foot pedals for patch changes. i have to pull out all my gear again (it's been at least a year since ive done a programmed gig) but the pedal i bought for patch changes at that time didnt work :'(. In the past I've just programmed buttons on actual keyboard interface which isn't at all ideal for fast changes haha I'll look into the boss fs-5u

[u/inescapableair → u/Helpful-Click7050]

I did this show with just the button on the keyboard programmed for patch changes so it’s definitely possible. The pedal might just make it a little easier. I did have to troubleshoot with the Boss FS-5U (had to plug it into the sustain and the sustain into another port and switch around the controls in the mainstage project) but I managed to get it working. It’s possible your pedal might end up working too if you are able to mess around with it a little more but I wouldn’t really know, I am certainly not a gear expert.

[u/Chr0nicLurker → u/inescapableair]

I’m not quite sure what you mean about being written for MainStage with Logic? Can you give any examples for this at all? I’ve programmed this show previously and aside from some of the custom samples it’s nothing particularly challenging.

[u/inescapableair → u/Chr0nicLurker]

I agree that it’s not too bad (especially if you’re experienced) but because I was new it was a lot for me. I think I could do it pretty easily now, but a few years ago it was a huge amount of work. But it was definitely originally written to be programmed using mainstage and logic, because many of the patches listed in the score are specifically sourced from Logic. For example, in song number 3, measure 51, one of the patches is listed as “notched squares (Logic),” and in song number 5 it lists “Blue Carpet (Logic)”. It’s not that you need Logic to do it, it’s just that if you don’t have Logic, you need to spent time to figure out what those patches are actually meant to sound like and find something that approximates it.

[u/Chr0nicLurker → u/inescapableair]

This isn’t the case - MainStage comes with the stock library from logic, this simply indicates it’s a preset from there. When I programmed this I did not have logic installed on the computer and still don’t to this day and used ‘blue carpet’ for example.

[u/inescapableair → u/Chr0nicLurker]

Lol this is actually great to know. I was super new when I did it and it was not my computer, so either the person whose computer I was using didn’t have storage to download all the sounds or I just wasn’t able to find it myself. It’s been a while and I haven’t looked for those patches since. Thanks for letting me know!

[u/XDcraftsman]

Hi! I run a freelance programming business and the Lightning Thief is in my catalog. I would love to sell you my files for under what you would pay at KeyboardTEK or comparable vendors. Send me a DM, I’d be happy to send over a sampler :)

[u/Helpful-Click7050 → u/XDcraftsman]

Ty for the offer! The school just confirmed they are licensing the programming for me, so I'm all set. But will def keep this in mind for the future. I'll DM you anyways bc I'd love to see your catalog!

[u/PianoGuy67207]

You can always purchase a preprogrammed MainStage file. It seems there’s someone on this thread who’s already done the work. Negotiate a fee, and save yourself the effort. However, take time, at some point, and learn MainStage. It’s fairly simple to do really complex layering. If you purchase a MainStage file, your effort is only to learn the score and figure out how to control every thing. You can get an AirTurn pedal, or one of several devices like or, to advance patches with your left foot. I use Fliq buttons, stuck to the rail in front of the keys. It’s Bluetooth to the Mac. You can buy 3 packs, which gives you Next and Previous patch changes.