Real-World ProPresenter 7 Setup for Churches with Live Streaming, Timecode, and Multitracks Integration

ProPresenter 7 has become the indispensable tool for worship environments—equipping churches of all sizes with the flexibility to deliver high-quality, engaging multimedia presentations. In this deep-dive, we explore a real-world, highly functional ProPresenter 7 setup used across nine locations by a multi-site church network. From playlists, screen routing, and automation via Timecode, to macros, themes, and integrations with Multitracks.com, Adobe Premiere, and hardware setups like Blackmagic and Decklink, this walkthrough will empower you to replicate and customize a similar system in your church.

Whether you’re in a small church or a large worship center, these strategies apply broadly and can significantly improve your media operations.

Introduction to the Setup
Playlist Organization: Weekly Flow
Screen Configuration and DeckLink Output
Countdown and Announcement Loops
Automating Songs with Timecode
Live Stream Lower Thirds & Look Splitting
Bumper and Sermon Slide Automation
Stage Displays and Notes for Worship Team
Macro and Look Integration
Theme Creation and Management
Audio Playlist Organization
Media Organization in the Bin
ProPresenter Settings
MultiTracks and MIDI Integrations
Summary and Suggested Extensions

1. Introduction to the Setup

This ProPresenter 7 setup is currently running version 7.1 (at the time of recording) across multiple campuses using Apple Mac Minis. Each Mac is outfitted with a Sonnet eGPU enclosure housing a DeckLink Duo 2 video card, adding four SDI outputs to support:

Projector screens (audience)
Live streaming (lower third w/ alpha channel)
Stage display (band/musician info)

The setup is reliable, scalable, and tightly integrated with Multitracks.com for chord charts, lyrics, and planning.

2. Playlist Organization: Weekly Flow

There are three primary playlists used each week:

a. Production Keep

Items reused weekly:

Countdown video
Announcement loop
Bumper video
Sermon presentation

b. Songs TC (Timecode)

Songs preprogrammed with Timecode
All slides and macros aligned using the timeline view
Easily sortable and triggerable via macro/stage view

c. Sunday Playlist

This contains your weekly worship flow:

Announcement loop (pre/post service slide rotation)
Countdown video (5 min)
Worship Set (songs w/ Timecode)
Live Announcements (with split looks)
Bumper video
Message/Sermon slides
Final worship or closing announcements

Use this as your weekly editable flow. Having reusable assets keeps your setup tidy and saves time every Sunday.

3. Screen Configuration and DeckLink Output

Each Mac Mini outputs 5 screens:

HDMI: Local screen preview for the operator
Decklink 1 (SDI1): Lower third graphics
Decklink 2 (SDI2): Alpha channel (for keying lower thirds over livestream feed via Blackmagic ATEM switcher)
Decklink 3 (SDI3): Projector screen for audience
Decklink 4 (SDI4): Stage display for musicians using a TV

Step-by-Step: Configure Screens

Go to “Screens” > “Configure Screens”
Assign each screen by label (e.g., “Projector,” “Lower Third Alpha”)
Set appropriate resolutions and color channel
Output through Decklink Duo SDI ports
Test outputs in “Preview” windows

4. Countdown and Announcement Loops

Creating an Auto-Looping Announcement Slide Show:

Import all your announcement slides into one presentation
Right-click each slide > Set “Go To Next Timer” to 10–12 seconds
On the last slide, check “Loop to Beginning”
Attach a macro on the first slide to trigger background music and select a proper look

Countdown Video Slide:

Add the countdown video as a foreground video
Attach a macro to:
- Trigger a “video” look
- Send appropriate layers to screens
- Start countdown timer for stage team

Add a “Go To Next Timer” of “0” to let ProPresenter auto-advance to the sermon once the video ends.

5. Automating Songs with Timecode

Songs are automated via Timecode using ProPresenter’s Timeline view.

Step-by-Step: Automate Your Song

Click “Timeline Mode”
Record Timecode markers aligned with song cues
First layer: Slide cues (lyrics)
Second layer: Motion backgrounds (if used)
Third layer: Macros (e.g., lighting via MIDI)
Test automation with Multitracks Playback app

Advantages:

Consistent lyric display
Synchronization with lighting and media
Hands-free operation during service

6. Live Stream Lower Thirds & Look Splitting

Through the use of ProPresenter “Looks,” you split a single slide into two display layers:

Projectors: Show full-screen graphics
Lower Third Alpha: Show stripped-down lower-third text

Example Use Case: Announcements

Add full-screen slide
Add semi-transparent lower third box with text
Apply a “Look” that:
- Sends slide layer to Lower Third screen
- Sends media layer to Projector screen only

This technique is essential for livestreaming with layered visuals.

7. Bumper and Sermon Slide Automation

Bumper Video Setup:

One slide containing the video
Macro to:
- Trigger sermon series graphic look afterwards
- Reset stage timer
- Auto-advance with a zero-second “Go To Next Timer”

Sermon Setup:

Slide one: Resets timer and waits 5 seconds
Slide two: Applies LOOK macro
Bible verses are added weekly with blank slides to signify breaks

Step-by-Step: Add Scripture

Use ProPresenter’s built-in Bible tool
Select verses
Click “Save As” > “Copy to Selected Presentation”
Use blank slides between sections visually to cue operator

8. Stage Displays and Notes for Worship Team

Customized stage themes make your team more effective.

Stage Displays Used:

Worship View: Current lyrics, next lyrics, chord chart (from Multitracks)
Sermon View: Current slide preview, next slide, sermon timer
Announcement View: Projector preview (left), slide notes (right), clock
Video View: Video preview with timer countdown

Use the “Stage Editor” under “More” to customize layouts. Add timers, clocks, current and next slides via the + menu.

9. Macro and Look Integration

Macros execute multiple actions (set looks, trigger playlists, etc.).

Sample Macro: “WORSHIP-MT”

Applies Worship LOOK
Clears previous slides
Sends Chords and Lyrics theme to stage
Starts audio playlist (if needed)

To apply a macro:

Drag macro from the macro panel onto the first slide
Save presentation

This makes your weekly setup repeatable and fast.

10. Theme Creation and Management (Slides and Stage)

Slide Themes:

Worship Lower Third: 3 lines, transparent black box
Worship Full: Center screen, white text, semi-transparent black box
Sermon Lower Third: Scripture + transparent design
Sermon Full: Scripture on top of sermon series artwork

Visibility Rule:

For lower third graphics, apply:

“Only display if Verse Text has text”
This prevents background graphics from showing during blank slides.

Build your own in the Theme Editor > Save under a custom category.

11. Audio Playlist Organization

Under the Audio tab:

Pre/Post Music: Pre-made list with 2-sec crossfade
Event Specific (e.g., Funeral Pre/Post)
Add songs by drag-and-drop
Control playback via macros embedded in slides

12. Media Organization in the Bin

Media is grouped logically:

Default: Misc assets
Motion Backgrounds
Announcements
Sermon Series Media
Random or event-specific bins

Drag items in during prep week and keep naming consistent.

13. ProPresenter Settings

Important settings:

Auto-update notifications: Disabled (to avoid accidental updates)
Accounts: Mac users set as non-admin
Ignore background colors: ON (avoids accidental overrides)
Network: Enabled (ProRemote app + Companion automation support)
Inputs/Media: Not used (video switching handled externally)
MIDI Setup: Used for lighting and automation

14. MultiTracks and MIDI Integrations

Logged in via ProPresenter Integrations panel
Lyrics and chord charts downloaded directly
Stage Templates (chords/lyrics) are applied via macro
Multitracks Playback uses arrangements, which eliminates need for multiple song arrangements inside ProPresenter

Optional:

MIDI cues embedded in ProPresenter Timeline automate lighting via software like LightKey or DMX-controlled systems.

15. Summary and Suggested Extensions

What’s included in this ProPresenter setup:

Multifunctional automation with macros and Timecode
Multitrack integration for lyrics and chords
Chord chart stage views
Decklink-powered live streaming with alpha keys
Single-slide sermon automation
Lower third and full-screen split looks
MIDI integration
Volunteer-proof settings

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