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.

◧

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.

◱

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.

✚

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.

✓

System Check

Check permissions, presentation apps, displays, speech input, and optional NDI before rehearsal. The controller and DSMs do not require internet at showtime.

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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 support the required displays and pass System Check.
  • Memory: 8 GB for basic operation; 16 GB recommended for live work. Lightweight Macs can use optional Frontier processing; 24 GB is recommended only for fully local enhanced semantic preparation and additional output headroom.
  • 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. Add 10Gb Ethernet and a 10Gb switch only when several full-resolution NDI feeds share the network.
  • Router: MikroTik hAP ax³. For an industrial installation, consider a Teltonika RUTM10 and add a gigabit switch when more than three wired ports are needed.
  • Protection: line-interactive UPS power for the router and show Macs, labeled Cat6 cables, and a preconfigured spare router
Frontier on lightweight Macs

Older hardware remains useful. Optional Frontier processing can prepare enhanced speech following before the show, so the larger local model is not required. It needs internet and separate operator approval during preparation; microphone audio and live transcripts are not sent, and live tracking stays on the Mac.

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.

Recommendations are not compatibility gates. The named routers are specification-matched candidates, not yet Downstage-qualified. Rehearse the exact Macs, adapters, displays, router, 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
  • 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.

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; run System Check and rehearse 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
macOS · Apple Silicon and Intel · founding beta
Read the operator walkthrough →