User Guide

Everything you need to get MidiPrompter running at your next show.

1. Installation

Check your macOS version

MidiPrompter requires macOS 12 Monterey or later. Go to  Apple menu → About This Mac to check.

Download the right build

The next release will be available for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs. Sign up to be notified when it launches.

2. Adding Songs

Open Lyric Admin

Click 🎵 Lyric Admin in the app header. Click + to create a new song.

ChordPro format

Chords in square brackets inline with lyrics:
[G]Knockin’ on [C]heaven’s [G]door
Sections with curly-brace directives: {verse} {chorus} {bridge}

Assign program numbers

Click the number next to a song to set its MIDI program number (1–128). This must match a patch on your controller.

Reorder the setlist

Drag songs up and down. Changes save automatically and broadcast to all connected devices.

Tip: Use ⌘Z to undo any setlist changes.

3. MIDI Setup

Connect your MIDI device

Connect via USB. MidiPrompter auto-detects connected devices. In Lyric Admin → MIDI panel, select your device.

Enable MIDI clock output

In your controller’s settings, enable MIDI Clock Output or Sync Out. This drives auto-scroll and DMX sync.

Program changes → song load

When your controller sends a Program Change matching a song’s number, that song loads on all devices instantly.

No MIDI clock? The built-in metronome handles timing. Set BPM in the song editor or use the BPM controls in the transport bar.

4. Auto-Scroll Setup

Play through the song

Start your MIDI clock (or metronome) and play. The bar counter increments in real time.

Tap at section changes

Open the Bar Tap panel (right side, click to expand). At each new section, click Tap. The app records which bar each section starts on.

Confirm cues in Lyric Admin

In Lyric Admin → Scroll Cue Builder, your tapped bars appear as suggestions. Click to confirm each one.

Add countdown timers

Toggle Countdown on any scroll cue. A large 4–3–2–1 appears before that section. Great for intros and key changes.

5. Multi-Device Setup

Connect all devices to the same WiFi

All devices must be on the same local network. Your Mac runs the server on port 3001 — no internet required.

Scan the QR code

In Lyric Admin, find the QR code in the right panel. Any device with a browser can scan it and join instantly.

Each device is independent

Font size, section visibility, and theme are per-device. Song load and scroll position are shared across all devices.

Tip: Create a WiFi hotspot from your Mac (System Settings → Sharing → Internet Sharing) for rock-solid reliability at venues with poor WiFi.

6. DMX Lighting

Hardware needed

An Art-Net to DMX converter node (e.g. Pknight ~$40). Connect to your network, set the IP and Universe in DMX Admin → Settings.

Download fixture library

In DMX Admin → Settings → Fixture Library, click 📥 Download Fixture Library. ~25MB, takes ~30 seconds. Works offline after that.

Add your fixtures

Go to Fixtures tab. Click 🔍 Search Fixture Library. Find your light, select the mode matching your DIP switch setting, import.

Create groups and presets

Go to Groups. Create a group for each zone. Add fixtures. Create named preset rows. Click colour circles to set RGB. ▶ Preview fires to the lights live.

Programme song cues

Go to Songs. Select a song and set its bar count. Click a preset in the palette, move the yellow cursor bar, click ▼ Place Here.

7. Show Bundle

Export

In Lyric Admin, click the 📦 icon → Export Show Bundle. Downloads a .midiprompter file with all songs, setlist, scroll cues, and DMX config.

Import

Send the file to a bandmate. They go to Lyric Admin → 📦 → Import Show Bundle. A confirmation dialog shows what will be replaced. Click Yes, Replace Everything.

What stays local

Font size, section visibility, theme, and bar taps are per-device and never overwritten by a bundle import.

8. Keyboard Shortcuts

Lyrics View

Previous song
Next song

Admin

Undo⌘Z
Redo⌘⇧Z

DMX Timeline

Select all⌘A
DeselectEsc
Copy⌘C
Paste at cursor⌘V
Duplicate⌘D
Clone drag⌘⌥ drag
Delete
Edit cueDouble-click
Nudge cursor 1 bar← →
Nudge 4 bars⇧← →
Undo⌘Z
Redo⌘⇧Z

9. Pro Tips

Export before every show: Click 📦 Export Show Bundle before leaving for the venue. If something goes wrong you can restore on any Mac in minutes.
DMX offline programming: Download the fixture library at home. All DMX programming works offline — you never need internet at the venue.
Dedicated WiFi hotspot: Create a hotspot from your Mac (System Settings → Sharing → Internet Sharing) and connect all devices to it. Eliminates venue WiFi problems entirely.
Idle scene for atmosphere: Programme a soft ambient preset as your idle scene. It fires automatically between songs while the band chats between sets.
Bar taps in rehearsal: Tap during a full rehearsal run-through, not just while reading the chart. The timing will match how you actually play the song, not how you imagine it.