Ten-minute first show

This walk-through assumes Prest Server is installed for your host, with the REAPER or Ableton Live install steps, or that you use Prest, which has it built in. It also assumes a show library folder with at least two prepared projects. Rehearse with copies of your projects: Prest Server opens projects without saving the one that is open.

1. Use a private network

1. Start the band’s own router or a phone’s hotspot.
2. Connect the host computer and the devices you will use on stage.
3. Make sure it is not public, guest, or shared venue Wi-Fi. Prest Server has no login: any device on the network can control the show.

Expected result: the host computer and the devices are on a network you control.

2. Start the host

1. Start REAPER with the plugin installed, start Live with Prest chosen as a Control Surface, or open Prest.
2. Check that the host shows no Prest message. REAPER shows a message box only when something needs your attention, for example Prest could not start.
3. Note the host computer’s IP address, in case prest.local does not work on your network.

3. Open the stage screens

1. On a device, open a browser and go to http://prest.local/. If that does not open, use the host computer’s IP address, for example http://192.168.1.20/. If REAPER or Live said Prest Server is serving on another port, add it, for example http://prest.local:8418/.
2. If the host has no show library folder yet, a short guide opens: Welcome to Prest. Choose Get Started.
3. Connect to Your DAW shows Socket and Host Link. Wait for Connected and Active.

If the page does not open or stays Offline, see Cannot connect.

4. Set the show library

1. In the guide’s Set Project Source step, or in Setup, under Data, Project Source, choose Browse Folder.
2. Walk to the show library folder on the host computer and choose Use This Folder. Each folder shows how many projects it holds. You can also type the folder’s path.
3. Wait for Valid project folder in the guide, or the Ready badge in Setup.
4. Finish the guide with Next Step and Start Using Prest, or close it with Skip.

5. Add the songs

1. Open Editor.
2. In the Songs pane, choose + Add All Projects. The number in brackets is how many projects are not in the catalog yet.
3. Prest Server opens each project in the host, one after another, reads its song markers, and adds its songs. Leave the host alone until it finishes.
4. If an Import Issues box appears, read it and choose Dismiss. It lists marker problems and projects it skipped.

Ableton Live with 0.1.1

Prest Server 0.1.1 also lists the copies Live keeps in each Set’s Backup folder, and + Add All Projects would open and add them too. See Prepare the show library before you add songs.

6. Build a setlist

1. In the Setlists pane, choose New, type a Setlist Name, and choose Save Setlist.
2. Drag songs from Songs into the setlist, or choose Select, tap the songs, and choose Add (it shows how many you tapped, for example Add 3).
3. Drag the songs by their number into show order.

Expected result: the setlist shows its songs and their total length.

7. Rehearse in Performance

1. Open Performance.
2. Choose the setlist, then the first song.
3. Press Play, then Pause, then Stop, and check that the host follows each one.
4. Press Next and check that the host moves to the next song.
5. If the project has lyrics and chords, check that they follow the playhead.

8. Back up the catalog

1. Open Setup.
2. Under Data, Export Backup, choose Download Backup.
3. Keep the .rpbak file with the show’s other files.

Next: Learn the Performance view.