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VinylRest Live user manual

Set up and calibrate the stereo input, restore records in real time, add Warmth/Air or exact-rate room convolution, and control or diagnose the session from the Mac and its local-network WebApp.

Applies to VinylRest Live 1.20b1

What VinylRest Live does

VinylRest Live accepts stereo audio from a turntable system, runs separate NG2 DeClick and DeCrackle stages, then applies optional NRNG surface-noise reduction before sending the result to a stereo output in real time. Optional Warmth/Air and stereo convolution shape the listening output. Live does not replace a phono preamplifier or apply RIAA equalization. Recording controls, where shown, belong to the Archivist edition, not standard Live.

Turntable and phono stage
Stereo Mac input
Restoration → tone → convolution
Stereo output and amplifier

A second, inaudible reference engine evaluates the same input at fixed reference settings. It drives the independent DeClick and DeCrackle Auto observations, the grade ceiling used by NR Auto and the experimental M–P media grade without changing the sound sent to the output.

Choose a chapter

Getting startedInstall the application, grant permissions, select an exact common audio format and play the first record. Beta license and activationRequest free access, activate or deactivate a Mac, understand validation and install signed Beta updates. Dashboard and controlsLearn peak diagnostics, Sound Shaping, exact-rate room filters, Now Playing and explicit audio problem reporting. Repair, noise reduction and gradingUnderstand fixed NG2, three Auto controls, NRNG S150/S200, profile acquisition, diagnostic monitoring and the independent media grade. Settings referenceConfigure buffering, NRNG capture level, side detection, the LAN server, calibration, recognition, Discogs, idle clocks and Custom AutoNG curves. Remote WebAppOperate the Mac from Safari or another browser on a phone, tablet or computer. TroubleshootingResolve missing formats, permission problems, dropouts, failed starts and WebApp connection issues.

Recommended first session

  1. Download and install the free Beta, then request or activate a Beta license in the native application.
  2. Connect a line-level stereo signal from a phono stage or audio interface to the Mac.
  3. Select Input, Output and one exact shared Format in the Audio devices card.
  4. Choose Mid, fixed NG2, DeClick Auto, DeCrackle Auto, NR S150 with Auto, Repaired and Safe buffering.
  5. Lower the downstream listening volume, select Start, then confirm that both output meters move without reaching 0 dB.
  6. Raise the listening volume gradually and compare Repaired with Original before changing repair settings.
Build the baseline first: compare restoration before enabling tone or a room filter. S150 can use a Generic fallback while a local surface-noise profile is acquired. Review calibration, convolution setup and audio problem reporting as needed.

Requirements

Mac
macOS 15.4 or later. The distributed Universal 2 application runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Beta license
Free Beta access is required for audio processing. Internet access is needed for activation and periodic validation.
Audio
Stereo packed PCM at 16-bit or 24-bit. Supported sample rates are 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, 96, 128, 176.4 and 192 kHz.
Devices
The selected input and output must both expose the same sample rate, bit depth and stereo channel format. A duplex interface or two separate devices may be used.
Signal level
A turntable requires a phono stage unless the chosen interface provides a proper phono input. Feed VinylRest Live a normal line-level signal.
Remote control
Optional. The Mac and browser device must be reachable on the same trusted local network.

About the local-network server

The built-in WebApp is disabled by default. When enabled, VinylRest Live serves its dashboard and control API directly from the Mac, normally on port 8001.

Security warning: the server uses plain HTTP with no TLS, user account, password or authentication. Anyone who can reach its port can view the session and operate the controls. Enable it only on a private, trusted LAN and turn it off when remote control is not needed.

Conventions used in this manual

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