System requirements

This is for teachers checking whether Fret Beam will run on their computer and their rig before they start a trial. Fret Beam runs on Mac and Windows.

Mac

• An Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later)
• macOS 13 Ventura or later

Windows

• Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit
• About 1.5 GB of free disk space
• An audio interface with an ASIO driver is recommended

Your guitar signal

• For live guitar-to-tab recording, you need a guitar modeler or an audio interface. Any USB audio interface works when it carries a clean, dry guitar signal. No Helix is required, and there is nothing extra to install.
• Dry and clean matters. The app works out your notes by listening to the pitch of each string. Distortion, delay, reverb, chorus and octave effects add notes you never played. Your usual sound can keep going to your amp, headphones and recording. The app only needs a second, clean copy.
• Hex pickup. Fret Beam can also read each string straight off a Fishman TriplePlay hex pickup. The pricing page shows which package includes it.

How to point the app at your interface is in Getting your guitar into Fret Beam.

For voice commands

The app uses a microphone for voice commands. Pick the mic in Settings and check that its level meter moves when you speak. Voice and typed commands are included while your membership is active or in its free trial. See Voice + AI.

Optional extras

• A footswitch. Any Bluetooth MIDI pedal works on a Mac. A wired USB MIDI pedal works on Mac and Windows. See Setting up a footswitch.
• A phone or tablet as a remote. It needs to be on the same Wi-Fi as your computer. See Using an iPad as a remote.
• OBS, if you want the live tab in your recordings or live lessons. See Adding the live tab to OBS.

Common questions

Is there a version for Intel Macs? No. The Mac version needs Apple Silicon (M1 or later).

How many computers can I use it on? Each package includes a set number of computers. The pricing page lists the number for each package.