Downstage monitor management for live presentations

The right view
for every presenter.

Build presenter-specific DSM views with slides, speech-following notes, scripts, clocks, messages, TRT, and NDI confidence feeds. Control presentations through a separately installed Keynote® application or Microsoft PowerPoint software, or play PDFs directly, from one 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.

Build each presenter’s view and manage decks, show machines, and director tools from one 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.

◧

Presenter View stays available

With separate Program and Presenter displays, Downstage places its overlay above the presentation app’s Presenter View. If Downstage exits, that view remains available.

◱

Keynote, PowerPoint, and PDF

Queue and control presentations through separately installed Keynote or PowerPoint applications. PDFs play directly in Downstage.

▶

Guard embedded presentation video

Keep embedded-video playback in Keynote or PowerPoint. Downstage warns the operator, shows time remaining, and holds the paired DSM clicker before a click-triggered video. For synchronized Main and Backup machines, one guarded command preflights both before the roll.

⧉

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.

✚

Director Multiview, TRT, and messages

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

⌘

Direct control surfaces

Use the included Stream Deck plugin, optional Bitfocus Companion module, or authenticated OSC, UDP, and TCP commands to address Main, Backup, or both.

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Network layout

A separate show network is recommended.

Use your own dedicated router or an approved venue network. Keep Control, Main, Backup, and Director devices together on the same private LAN or Wi-Fi. If those devices need internet access, connect your router’s WAN port to the venue network with the network team’s approval.

Interactive control

Network Control Guide

See what you can run from Stream Deck, Companion, OSC, UDP, or TCP—then follow the setup, targeting, authentication, and rehearsal steps.
  1. Upstream Production network Internet connection
  2. WAN
  3. Private boundary Your 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 discovery, and local WebRTC traffic. Optional direct control uses the ports shown in Show Machines Setup (defaults: UDP/OSC 3334 and TCP 3335).
  • 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 selects a preparation path from the amount and structure of the text. A deck with no notes is ready immediately. Brief notes and bullet points use included deterministic tracking. Longer notes can be prepared locally on capable hardware. Cloud preparation runs only when the operator selects it; 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 when you bring your own router. A customer-supplied show router can create a separate private network behind its WAN firewall. If the venue prohibits downstream routers, arrange an approved private network with 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

The founding beta is for operators who can rehearse on their intended rigs and report issues before live use.

Founding Beta
Free
founding-beta access · optional cloud use is limited
  • Founding-beta features for rehearsal and validated live use
  • The evaluation watermark appears in presenter-facing Downstage windows and PDF playback, not in Keynote or PowerPoint output
  • One operator key for the main show Mac and its backup
  • Offline license validation and local show operation
  • Eligible accounts include limited cloud-preparation credit; Downstage shows estimated credit use before each request
  • Direct beta support
  • 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. Cloud preparation is an explicit per-deck choice; 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 controls presentations through separately installed Keynote or PowerPoint applications 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
Apple Silicon and Intel Mac builds
macOS · founding beta · Read the operator walkthrough →