Quick Start

This page takes you from a fresh install to a show-ready app in a few minutes.

Install

Download RenderWave from renderwave.io. The build is notarized and code-signed by Apple. RenderWave requires macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later on Apple Silicon.

Activate on first launch

The first time RenderWave opens, it asks you to choose a license path:

• START FREE to run the free tier right away, no key needed.
• ENTER LICENSE KEY if you already have one.

If you enter a key, type it in the format RW-XX-XXXXXXXXXXXX-XXXX and select Activate. RenderWave validates it against the server once, then remembers you. From then on you launch straight into the app.

Note

A Studio license unlocks the full output stack: output up to 8K, Syphon output for feeding other software, and custom overlays. No license gates your shader catalog, so free and Studio see the same visuals. Licensing controls the output side only.

Each license type has a seat limit. Studio, subscription, perpetual, and beta licenses cover 2 machines, admin licenses cover 6, and the free tier covers 1. If you’re moving to a new machine and hit the limit, deactivate on the old one first from Settings.

First-time setup: three things

The app renders live the moment it loads. Three settings get you show-ready.

1. Set your canvas resolution

Go to Settings → DISPLAY RESOLUTION and pick a preset, Native, or a custom size. This is the size everything renders at, so set it to match your output before you start building looks.

2. Enable audio

Go to Settings → AUDIO INPUT, choose your input device, and switch on Enable Reactivity. Now the visuals move with the music.

Note

To react to music playing on the same Mac, know that RenderWave listens to an audio input rather than the Mac’s own playback. Route your system audio through BlackHole (or an aggregate device) and pick that as your input. See Audio input for the full walkthrough.

3. Choose your output

Go to Settings → EXTERNAL DISPLAY, pick the projector or screen, and select Open Fullscreen. Or go to Settings → BROADCAST → Syphon Output to send a clean feed into Resolume, MadMapper, or OBS. See Syphon and mapping for details.

Go perform

With resolution, audio, and output set, you’re ready to play. Tap grid cells in Performance view to change looks, let AUTOPILOT run the cycle, ride the master dimmer to fade, and map a controller when you want hands-on pads.

Next steps

• Interface overview to learn the layout of Performance and Creator view.
• Audio input for a full walkthrough of picking a device and confirming signal.