Frequently asked questions about ProSwitcher

What is ProSwitcher?

ProSwitcher is an Android app by Sabaat that controls Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers from a phone or tablet over your local network. It is on Google Play as “ProSwitcher for ATEM Switchers”. It is an independent product, not made or endorsed by Blackmagic Design.

Is there ATEM Software Control for Android?

No. Blackmagic Design includes ATEM Software Control free for Mac and Windows only, and there is no official Android version. On an Android phone or tablet you use a third-party app, such as ProSwitcher.

Is ProSwitcher made by Blackmagic Design?

No. ProSwitcher is made by Sabaat and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Blackmagic Design. “ATEM”, “Fairlight” and “Blackmagic Design” are trademarks of Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd, used here only to describe the hardware the app controls.

Is ProSwitcher on iPhone or iPad?

Not yet. ProSwitcher runs on Android phones and tablets today. iPhone and iPad versions are planned, but there is no release date and no App Store listing yet. To hear when it is out, email support@proswitcher.app.

Is there a MixEffect for Android?

No. MixEffect, the ATEM control app by Adam Tow, runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision, and its own documentation says there is no Android version. On an Android phone or tablet you use an Android app instead, such as ProSwitcher, which is a separate app and not affiliated with MixEffect. MixEffect and ProSwitcher side by side.

Does it work on Android tablets?

Yes. ProSwitcher runs on Android phones and tablets, with a landscape layout for tablets. It needs Android 7.0 or later.

Can I control an ATEM Mini from an Android phone?

Yes. Install ProSwitcher from Google Play and join your phone to the same network as the switcher; the app finds the ATEM automatically, or connects to the IP address you type in. The ATEM Mini stays wired to your router by Ethernet, and only the phone is on Wi-Fi.

Do I need a computer?

Not to run a show. ProSwitcher talks to the switcher directly over the network, so a phone or tablet on the switcher's network is all you need. Blackmagic's ATEM Setup utility on a Mac or Windows computer is still how you change the switcher's IP address, over USB.

Does the ATEM Mini have Wi-Fi?

No. ATEM switchers connect to a network by Ethernet only. Wire the switcher to a router or access point, then join your phone or tablet to that network's Wi-Fi.

Why can't the app find my switcher?

The phone has to be on the same local network as the switcher. Guest Wi-Fi networks that isolate devices, and phones that have fallen back to mobile data, cannot see it. If discovery still finds nothing, type the switcher's IP address under Manual IP. If the app says the switcher is refusing new controllers, it has found the switcher but every control slot is taken: close ATEM Software Control or another app connected to it, then try again.

Can I use ProSwitcher alongside ATEM Software Control or a hardware panel?

Yes. An ATEM accepts several control connections at the same time, so ProSwitcher can run next to ATEM Software Control, a hardware panel or another phone, and every one of them shows the same live state.

Which ATEM switchers does ProSwitcher work with?

ProSwitcher is built for ATEM switchers that use the standard ATEM Ethernet control protocol: the ATEM Mini family, ATEM SDI, Television Studio, Production Studio and Constellation models. We have tested it on an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO and an ATEM Production Studio 4K. Panels adapt to what each switcher reports, so you see the controls your model has.

Does it control every M/E on a larger switcher?

Not yet. On switchers with more than one M/E, such as the 2 M/E and 4 M/E Constellation models, ProSwitcher currently controls M/E 1.

Does ProSwitcher show tally?

Yes, on its control surface: the program source lights red and the preview source green, as on the switcher's own panel. It is not a tally-light app for camera operators; it shows the switcher's tally to the person switching.

Can ProSwitcher do picture-in-picture?

Yes, with Pro, on switchers with a DVE. The DVE key editor sizes and places the picture-in-picture box with position presets or by dragging it, with border, shadow, mask and the flying key. DVE transitions are in Pro too.

Can ProSwitcher start streaming and recording?

Yes, with Pro, on switchers that stream or record. It goes on air and off from the switcher's own encoder, shows duration, bitrate and cache, and sets the platform, server and key. Recording has REC and STOP with the running time, disk space and disk switching, and ISO recording on ISO models.

Does the audio mixer work on an ATEM Mini?

Yes, with Pro. ProSwitcher controls both the classic and the Fairlight audio mixer, so on an ATEM Mini you get faders, meters and mute or AFV per channel, plus the Fairlight 6-band EQ, dynamics and mic delay.

How much does ProSwitcher cost?

Switching is free forever: discovery, program and preview, live tally, Cut, Auto, the T-bar, Fade to Black and the demo switcher. ProSwitcher Pro is a one-time US$39.99 in-app purchase that adds keyers and picture-in-picture, transitions, media players, the audio mixer, SuperSource, streaming, recording, multiview, macros, aux routing and the colour generators.

Is ProSwitcher Pro a subscription?

No. Pro is a single payment, and it covers every device signed in to the same Google Play account.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. The 14-day trial unlocks every Pro feature, needs no payment details, and does not turn into a paid plan.

Does it work offline?

Yes. ProSwitcher only needs the local network the switcher is on, not the internet. Once Pro is unlocked it stays unlocked with no internet connection, because venue networks are often isolated.

Can I try it without an ATEM?

Yes. Tap “Try the demo switcher” on the first screen and the app runs against a complete simulated switcher, with eight cameras, keyers and picture-in-picture, SuperSource, media players, Fairlight audio, streaming, recording and a multiview, entirely on your device. Every panel opens in the demo with no purchase and no trial, and its ON AIR and REC go nowhere.

Does ProSwitcher collect any data?

No. There is no account, no analytics and no tracking. Your switcher addresses and control traffic never leave your network; the only outside call is Google Play's own purchase check. The app's Google Play Data safety section says “No data collected”.

What's new in version 1.1?

Picture-in-picture (DVE keys with position presets, border, shadow, mask and the flying key), DVE transitions, SuperSource, streaming, recording with ISO recording on ISO models, multiview routing, and Fairlight EQ and dynamics on every channel and the master. It is a free update for everyone with Pro, and all of it works in the demo switcher.

The full list is in the release notes.