Downstage monitor management for live presentations

The right view
for every presenter.

Build a presenter-specific DSM with slides, speech-following notes, scripts, clocks, messages, TRT, and NDI confidence feeds. Queue and launch Keynote, PowerPoint, and PDF decks from the same controller.

See the walkthrough Request beta access
The actual Downstage Controller view showing presentation queue, timer, script, show-machine status, and output controls
Downstage Controller · queue, timer, script, show-machine status, and output controls

Build each presenter’s DSM.

Choose what each presenter sees. Manage decks, show machines, and director tools from the same controller.

⧉

Build a preset for each presenter

Arrange slides, notes, scripts, clocks, messages, and NDI sources on a free-form canvas. Save the layout as a preset and cue changes from a deck or slide.

☰

Speech-following notes and scripts

Notes and scripts scroll on the Mac with the presenter, recover after skips or asides, and hold when tracking is uncertain. Preparation is matched to the amount and difficulty of the text.

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Native Presenter View underneath

With separate Program and Presenter displays configured and rehearsed, Downstage aligns its overlay above the native presenter view. If Downstage exits, the native view remains.

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Keynote, PowerPoint, and PDF

Queue all three without re-authoring. Keynote and PowerPoint stay native; PDFs play in Downstage.

⧉

Distribute and launch decks

Send decks, scripts, notes, and DSM presets to Main, Backup, and auxiliary Macs. See readiness, then load or launch from Control.

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Director Multiview, TRT, and messages

The Director view combines Program, Presenter, Light Table, TRT, slide-build status, embedded-video time remaining, and acknowledged messages to the DSM.

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Suggested setup

Share production internet. Keep Downstage on its own network.

Connect the production network to the router’s WAN port. Connect every Downstage Mac and phone to the router’s private LAN or Wi-Fi.

  1. Upstream Production network Internet connection
  2. WAN
  3. Private boundary Dedicated show router Firewall + DHCP
  4. LAN / Wi-Fi
  5. Downstage network Control · Main · Backup Director phones and tablets
Computers

Computer requirements

  • Platform: Apple Silicon and Intel builds are available. Older Macs remain useful when they can run the intended presentation app, drive the required displays, and pass a full rehearsal.
  • Memory: 8 GB for basic operation; 16 GB recommended for live work. No-note and brief-note decks do not need a large model. Capable Macs can prepare longer scripts locally; optional cloud preparation is available for difficult scripts or lightweight hardware.
  • Storage: Use an SSD and keep the show files local. A 256 GB Mac is usable; 512 GB is the better new-purchase choice.
  • Outputs: Native HDMI or Thunderbolt display outputs for Program and Presenter. Do not rely on DisplayLink for show outputs.
  • Network: Wired gigabit Ethernet on every show Mac.
Local network

Network requirements

  • One private IPv4 subnet with DHCP; reserve addresses for the show Macs
  • Client isolation off; wired and wireless devices must be able to reach each other
  • Allow peer-to-peer, UDP broadcast and multicast, TCP 3333 or the port shown in Downstage, UDP 3344, and local WebRTC traffic
  • Keep UPnP and port forwarding off; internet is not required during the show
  • Use private 5 GHz Wi-Fi for Director phones and tablets; keep Control, Main, and Backup wired
Buying guidance

Suggested hardware

  • Use the rig you have: an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac with an SSD can be a viable Control, Main, or Backup when it supports the displays and passes rehearsal.
  • New general-purpose Mac: Mac mini with M4, 16 GB memory, and 512 GB SSD
  • Additional headroom: matched Mac mini systems with M4 Pro, 24 GB memory, and 512 GB SSDs for Main and Backup
  • Heavy video: Mac Studio with 36 GB memory for several full-resolution NDI feeds or additional network outputs.
  • Network hardware: full-duplex gigabit is the functional baseline. For professional live work, prefer 2.5GbE or better for Main and Backup, a 10GbE connection for Control or the network backbone, and at least six usable LAN connections across the router or an attached switch. Presenters routinely deliver large, media-heavy decks at the last minute; the faster backbone can materially shorten distribution to multiple show machines and also provides headroom for full-resolution NDI feeds. Wi-Fi 6 or newer is appropriate for Director phones and tablets.
  • Protection: line-interactive UPS power for the router and show Macs, labeled Cat6 cables, and a preconfigured spare router
Voice preparation that fits the deck

Downstage inspects the content before choosing a preparation path. A deck with no notes is ready immediately. Brief notes and bullet points use included deterministic tracking without a model wait. Longer notes can be prepared locally on capable hardware. Optional cloud preparation is selected explicitly for difficult or high-stakes scripts—never automatically—and live microphone audio and transcripts stay on the Mac.

Speech input

Use an isolated board feed for speech following. Route the presenter channel—not the room, audience, playback, or full program mix—to the show Mac, select that input in Downstage, and rehearse it at show level.

No production VLAN is required. The router creates a separate private network behind its WAN firewall. If the production network blocks downstream routers, ask the network team before show day.

These specifications are sizing guidance, not a compatibility guarantee. Downstage has not certified a particular router model. Rehearse the exact Macs, adapters, displays, network hardware, firmware, presentation apps, and recovery configuration together. Freeze operating-system, app, and router updates before show week.

Founding beta

Access is limited to 25 operators who can rehearse on their real rigs and report issues found in the room.

Founding Beta
Free
the full app · no feature gates
  • Full feature set for rehearsals and live shows
  • Evaluation watermark on the presenter-facing windows and PDF decks — projected Keynote & PowerPoint stays clean
  • One operator key for the main show Mac and its backup
  • Offline license validation and local show operation
  • Eligible founding-beta accounts include limited cloud preparation credit; every cloud preparation shows one total before approval
  • Direct support from the builder
  • Control-specific beta feedback from any window with Command–Shift–F
Request beta access
Not sure yet? Take the operator walkthrough.

FAQ

Does it need internet at showtime?

No. Licensing and show operation work offline. Optional beta telemetry is deferred while a show is active and never controls access.

Does speech following require cloud processing?

No. Decks without voice content are ready immediately, and brief notes use included deterministic tracking. Capable Macs can prepare longer text locally. Optional cloud preparation is an explicit per-deck choice for difficult or high-stakes scripts; live tracking remains local.

How many machines can I install on?

One founding-beta key covers a Main show Mac and one Backup.

What platforms does it run on?

Downstage runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It works with native Keynote and PowerPoint playback and plays PDFs directly.

How do I get a beta key?

Review the setup requirements, then email support@downstage.technology to request access. Downstage does not approve or certify individual rigs; rehearse the exact Macs, presentation apps, displays, adapters, network, speech feed, and recovery path before live use.

How do I send beta feedback?

Press Command–Shift–F in any Downstage window, choose a control, and describe what you expected. Downstage queues the report locally and sends it after the active presentation is cleared.

Request beta access

Beta access is by invitation. Accepted operators receive one private page for terms, licensing, and the current Apple Silicon or Intel build.

Request beta access
Current builds: Apple Silicon 1.0.43 · Intel 1.0.37
macOS · founding beta · Read the operator walkthrough →