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Getting Started

This guide walks you through downloading, installing, and configuring Spectra for your first worship service.

Download & Install

Spectra is available for macOS and Windows. Head to the download page to grab the latest installer.

macOS

  1. Download the .dmg file from the download page
  2. Open the downloaded file
  3. Drag Spectra into your Applications folder
  4. Launch Spectra from Applications or Spotlight

macOS Gatekeeper

If you see a “damaged” error on first launch, open Terminal and run: xattr -cr /Applications/spectra.app. This is because the app may not be signed with an Apple Developer certificate yet.

Windows

  1. Download the .exe installer from the download page
  2. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
  3. Launch Spectra from the Start Menu or desktop shortcut

First Launch

When you open Spectra for the first time, it needs to download its AI models. Together they total approximately 480 MB — the Moonshine speech recognition model (~290 MB) plus a small embeddings model (~190 MB) used for semantic verse matching. This happens only once.

Info

You'll see a progress bar during the download. Once complete, the AI models are stored locally and Spectra works completely offline — no internet needed during services.

After the model downloads, you'll land on the main dashboard. Spectra opens maximized by default so you have full screen to work with.

Quick Tour of the Interface

Spectra's dashboard uses a card-based layout with quick access to all features:

Browse Scripture

Browse 13+ Bible translations by book, chapter, and verse. Click any verse to add it to your schedule or present it instantly.

Song Collection

Import and manage worship songs with automatic verse segmentation. Color-coded sections. One click to schedule, double-click to present.

AI Listener

Real-time Bible verse detection from speech. Runs locally on your machine with no cloud dependency.

Text Builder

Create custom text slides for announcements, sermon points, or any content. Full formatting control.

Media Center

Import and organize images, videos, and audio into collections. Drag-and-drop to slides.

QR Code Generator

Generate custom QR codes with your church colors and logo. Project directly to the live screen.

Sermon Notes

AI-generated notes with key themes, scripture summary, timeline, and full transcript. Export or print.

Slide Schedule

Queue slides for your service, drag-and-drop to reorder, and go live with a single click.

Document Slides

Import PDF, Word, Markdown, or text files and project them page-by-page or as a continuous scroll. Perfect for sermon outlines and liturgies.

NDI Broadcasting

Stream up to 4 outputs — projector mirror plus transparent lower-third overlays — to OBS, vMix, ATEM, and any NDI-compatible software on your network.

Setting Up Your Microphone

For the AI Listener to work, Spectra needs access to a microphone input. Any microphone will work, but for best results:

  • Use an external microphone positioned near the speaker (within 2-3 feet)
  • A lapel mic on the pastor gives excellent results
  • Built-in laptop microphones work for smaller rooms but may pick up more ambient noise

macOS Permissions

On macOS, you need to grant microphone access. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and enable Spectra. The permission prompt should appear automatically on first use.

Next Steps

Now that Spectra is installed and your microphone is set up, you're ready to go! Build your service in the Library guide(Song Collection & Lyric Segmenter, Text Builder, Media Center), learn how the AI Listener detects verses from live speech, dial in the look in the Presentation guide (Theme Studio drag-and-drop designer, animated lyric reveal, document imports), or wire Spectra into your stream rig in the Broadcasting (NDI) guide.

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