GainStage Documentation
Everything you need to get started with M32/X32 preamp control
System Requirements
Windows (Ready)
- Windows 10 or newer
- 4 GB RAM minimum
- 100 MB disk space
- Ethernet or WiFi adapter
macOS (WIP)
- macOS 11 or newer
- Intel or Apple Silicon
- 100 MB disk space
- Ethernet or WiFi adapter
macOS version is under development
Hardware
- MIDAS M32 or
- Behringer X32
- OSC enabled (port 10023)
- Same network as the PC
Installation
Windows
- Download the Windows installer (.exe) from the download page
- Double-click GainStage-Setup.exe
- Follow the installation wizard
- Choose installation path (default: C:\Program Files\GainStage\)
- Click "Install" and wait for the installation to complete
- Click "Finish" – GainStage will start automatically
GainStage is installed as a standalone application – it is NOT a VST/AU plugin. You run it directly on Windows alongside Waves LV1.
macOS (In Development)
The macOS version is still under development. Once it is ready, installation will be:
- Download the macOS installer (.dmg)
- Open the DMG file
- Drag GainStage to the Applications folder
- Launch GainStage from Applications
The macOS version is not finished yet. If you need Mac support, contact us for updates about the release date.
Network Setup
GainStage communicates with your M32/X32 via the OSC protocol over the network. Here is how to set it up:
1. Network Connection
- Your PC and M32/X32 must be on the same network
- Use Ethernet for best stability (recommended)
- WiFi also works, but may have higher latency
- The firewall must allow OSC traffic (port 10023)
2. Find Mixer IP Address
- Go to Setup → Network on your M32/X32
- Write down the IP address (e.g.
192.168.1.50)
3. Connect GainStage
When you start GainStage for the first time, the connection menu opens automatically:
Remote Connection
Step by Step:
- Enter the mixer IP address in the "Remote Host IP" field
- Select the network interface your PC uses to connect to the mixer
- Click the "Connect" button
- Status changes to "CONNECTED"
- You will now see mixer model and version (e.g. "X32 v4.06")
If you don't know the mixer IP, you can press the refresh button (↻) next to the network interface. GainStage automatically scans the network and shows available mixers.
Connection Troubleshooting
- No connection? Check that PC and mixer are on the same network
- Timeout? Ping the mixer IP from the command prompt:
ping 192.168.1.50 - Firewall? Allow GainStage through Windows Firewall (port 10023)
- Wrong IP? Double check the IP on the mixer under Setup → Network
- Wrong network interface? Try another interface from the dropdown
License Activation
When you start GainStage for the first time without a license, the license dialog opens automatically:
Welcome to Gainstage
Professional X32 Gain Control
Choose Activation Method:
- Login & Activate: Fastest method – log in with your dokusik.dk account
- Offline Activation: For PCs without internet (advanced – requires 3 steps)
Method 1: Login & Activate (Recommended)
- Click "Login & Activate" (green button)
- Enter your dokusik.dk username and password
- Click "Login & Fetch Licenses"
- Select the license you want to activate from the list
- Click "Activate"
- GainStage restarts automatically with an active license!
- Fastest method – no manual copy/paste
- See all your licenses in one place
- Automatic updates of license information
Method 2: Offline Activation (Advanced)
If your PC does not have internet access, you can use offline activation. This requires another computer with internet access.
Export Hardware Information
- In GainStage: Click "Offline Activation"
- Enter your email address
- Enter your License ID (from your email after purchase/beta signup)
- Click "Export to Desktop" – a JSON file is saved on your desktop
- Copy this file to a USB stick
Upload Hardware ID on Website
- On a computer with internet: go to https://dokusik.dk/gainstage/offline-activation
- Log in with your dokusik.dk account
- Upload the exported JSON file from the USB stick
- The system validates your license and generates an activation file
- Download the generated license.json file
- Copy license.json to the USB stick
Import License File
- Back on your offline PC: copy license.json from the USB stick to your computer
- In the GainStage offline activation dialog: scroll down to "Step 3: Import License File"
- Click the " Choose License File" button
- Locate and select the downloaded license.json file
- GainStage imports the license and restarts automatically!
Need the file again later? Go to My Gainstage → Licenses and use the new “Download license” button next to your activated machine to regenerate the matching offline license at any time.
- Your license works on all your Windows devices
- Beta test licenses automatically expire after 30 days
- Full licenses are lifetime (no expiry)
- Offline activation binds the license to your specific hardware
- If you change hardware you must re-activate (contact support)
How to Use GainStage
Basic Workflow
- Start Waves LV1 on your PC
- Start GainStage (it sits on top of LV1)
- Connect to the mixer via the Connection Menu
- Select layer (A/B/C/D) and channel (1–16)
- Adjust gain with the knob or +/- buttons
- Turn phantom power on/off (hold for safety)
- Save your settings using Session Manager
Dock Button – Show/Hide GainStage
GainStage has a small blue circle that is always visible – even when the main window is hidden:
- Single click: Show or hide the main window
- Hold for 2 seconds: Close GainStage completely (safety)
- Always On Top: The dock button cannot be hidden – always available
- Glow effect: Blue LCD glow indicates it is active
Use the dock button to quickly switch between GainStage and Waves LV1 without using alt-tab. Perfect during live shows where time is critical!
Channel Strip – LCD Display
Each channel shows an LCD display with 3 rows:
- Row 1: Input source (LOCAL / AES A / AES B)
- Row 2: Channel number (CH 01–16 or —)
- Row 3: Gain value (e.g. "+12.0 dB" or "—")
The LCD displays are updated live from the mixer – you always see the current values!
Gain Adjustment – Precise Control
- Range: -12 dB to +60 dB
- Precision: 0.5 dB steps (finer than the mixer’s physical knobs!)
- Methods:
- Turn the GainKnob up/down (scroll with mouse or swipe on touch)
- Click +/- buttons for fine adjustments
- Sensitivity setting: adjust how sensitive the GainKnob is
- Live feedback: Value updates in real time from the mixer
Phantom Power (48V) – Safety Hold
- Click the 48V button once – it starts a countdown
- Hold the button for 500ms to confirm
- Phantom power is turned on/off on the selected channel
- Green LED = Phantom ON
- Grey = Phantom OFF
- Safety feature: Hold-to-confirm prevents accidental changes
48V phantom power can damage certain dynamic microphones and vintage gear. Always check if the microphone can handle phantom power before turning it on! The hold-to-confirm safety helps prevent accidents.
Layer Support
M32/X32 has 4 layers (A/B/C/D) with 16 channels each. GainStage shows the active layer with a color-coded indicator:
- Layer A: Red
- Layer B: Green
- Layer C: Blue
- Layer D: Yellow
Change layer on the mixer – GainStage updates automatically.
Session Management – Save Your Setups
Session Manager lets you save complete preamp setups for later use. Perfect for shows with multiple bands or venues with different setups.
- Save Session: Save current gain, phantom power and input source settings
- Load Session:
- Values Only: Load settings into the UI (without sending to mixer)
- Send to Mixer: Load AND send all settings directly to the mixer
- New Session: Start from scratch or use a default template
- Delete Session: Delete sessions you no longer need (with confirmation)
- Overwrite: Update an existing session with new values
Save a session for each band (e.g. "Band A – Rock", "Band B – Jazz"). During the show you can quickly load and send settings with the "Send to Mixer" option. All 16 channels update instantly! Sessions are automatically sorted with newest first.
Advanced Settings
In the Connection Menu you will find advanced settings:
- Debug Mode: Show extra info in the console (for troubleshooting)
- Gain Sensitivity: Adjust how sensitive the GainKnob is when scrolling/swiping
- Keyboard Button (⌨): Open on-screen keyboard (perfect for touch devices)
Tips & Tricks
Touch Screen Friendly
GainStage is optimized for touch screens – perfect on tablets at the mixer position. Large buttons and clear colors make it easy to use even in dark live environments.
Save Time During Soundcheck
Instead of walking back and forth to the console – adjust all preamps from your Waves LV1 position. Save time and keep control over your mix.
Use Sessions for Multi-Band Shows
Save a session for each band/act. Load sessions between changeovers for instant recall of all gain settings – perfect for festivals and venues with many acts on the same night.
Keyboard Shortcuts (Coming Soon)
Future versions will include keyboard shortcuts for an even faster workflow. Stay tuned for updates!