Quickstart guide

1. Install Pixelrush

1. Download the application.
2. Open the downloaded file and drag Pixelrush into your Applications folder.
3. Launch Pixelrush from Applications, then click the Pixelrush icon in the menu bar and select Open.
4. Approve macOS permission prompts as they appear: local network, microphone, and keychain access.

2. Connect your switcher

Make sure your switcher and the Pixelrush machine are on the same local network before continuing. See the Hardware section in the sidebar for setup steps for supported devices.

1. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of Pixelrush to open Settings, then select Connections.
2. Select Add Connection.
3. Choose a Connection Type for the device you're connecting.
4. Fill in the form:
   • Connection Name — a short label, for example Main Switcher.
   • IP Address — the switcher's IP address on your local network.
5. Select Add Connection.
6. Ensure the connection is established — the status indicator next to the connection name changes to Connected. If it doesn't, see the Troubleshooting guide.

3. Start a session

1. Select Sessions in the top navigation bar.
2. Select Start Session.
3. In the Start Recording Session dialog:
   • Session Name — optional. Pixelrush generates one from the current date and time if you leave it blank.
   • Video Bus — the bus this session records cuts on, for example Main Switcher - M/E 1. Pick the bus feeding your recorders.
   • Timecode Source (Optional) — the timecode source whose snapshots stamp each cut, for example Main Switcher - Timecode.
4. Select Start Recording.

The session detail page opens and a Recording in progress banner indicates the session is open and accumulating cuts.

4. Make cuts on the switcher

Press program bus buttons on the switcher for at least two different inputs. The session page's Live Timecode and Current Source panels update as you cut, and each cut appears as a new row in the Cut List.

5. Stop recording and export

1. Select Stop Recording (top-right of the session detail page). The banner disappears and the session is saved.
2. Select Export and choose a format:
   • EDL — a CMX 3600 edit decision list, the broadly-supported interchange format used by most editing software.
   • Multicam XML — a multicam clip for editors that read FCP XML.

See Timeline exports for more on each format.

Where to go next

• Best practices — network setup, timecode sync, and keeping Pixelrush running reliably during a show.
• Troubleshooting — what to do when a connection or session misbehaves.
• Recording sessions — how sessions work and how to import one from existing material.
• Timecode — picking and locking a source so cuts line up with your media.