> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.youka.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get started with Youka Live

> Install Youka Live, activate the 30-minute trial, and control your first live mix

You need a Mac running macOS 15.6 or later and an internet connection for the first activation. Audio separation runs locally during normal use.

## Install and activate

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download Youka Live">
    Open the [Youka Live download page](https://www.youka.io/live/download) and
    download the Universal DMG.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the app">
    Open the DMG, drag **Youka Live** into **Applications**, eject the disk
    image, and open Youka Live.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Youka Live in the menu bar">
    Youka Live lives at the top of your screen instead of opening a normal app
    window. Click the waveform icon whenever you want to open the mixer.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/youka/hw4uoAjmyaybrQ8_/images/live/youka-live-menu-bar.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hw4uoAjmyaybrQ8_&q=85&s=f16ce6a225291edef223f9d108a5e181" alt="The Youka Live waveform icon in the macOS menu bar with the mixer open" width="1598" height="666" data-path="images/live/youka-live-menu-bar.png" />

    If the icon does not appear, open Youka Live again from **Applications**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the free trial">
    Open the Youka Live menu and select **Start Free Trial**. Your browser opens
    with an eight-character activation code. Sign in to Youka and select
    **Approve this Mac** only if the code matches the one in the app.

    Approval gives your Youka account 30 cumulative minutes of Live separation.
    The allowance has no calendar expiration and no payment card is required.
    Time decreases only after the app reaches **Live**; setup, warm-up, recovery,
    errors, and time with Live switched off do not count.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/youka/Is4oKsRBhicD18fc/images/live/youka-live-activation.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Is4oKsRBhicD18fc&q=85&s=9c06961a8054f9ac27d8764fb434872e" alt="Youka Live showing a device activation code with Open Browser and Copy Code buttons" width="378" height="238" data-path="images/live/youka-live-activation.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow system audio access">
    When macOS asks, allow **Screen & System Audio Recording** for Youka Live.
    If the prompt does not appear, open **System Settings → Privacy & Security →
    Screen & System Audio Recording** and enable Youka Live.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Make your first mix

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start playback">
    Play music or video in any Mac app, such as a browser or media player.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn on Live">
    Enable **Live** from the Youka Live menu. Youka Live automatically checks
    that separation can run reliably on this Mac, then prepares the playback
    buffer. Allow a few seconds for this to finish.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust the stems">
    Move the **Vocals**, **Drums**, **Bass**, and **Other** sliders, or adjust
    **Master** to change the full output level. Select any speaker control,
    including **Master**, to mute it. Unmuting restores its previous audible
    level.

    To keep the mixer compact, open **… → Show in Mixer** and turn off any
    controls you do not want to see. Hidden controls keep their volume and mute
    settings. Select **Show All** to restore every control.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Begin at a moderate Mac volume. Choose speakers or headphones in macOS Sound
  settings. Youka Live follows the current system output and later changes
  automatically.
</Tip>

## Stop processing

Turn off **Live** before quitting the app or changing audio hardware. Youka Live opens with Live turned off during a normal launch.

Next, learn how [licenses, devices, and model upgrades](/en/live/license-and-upgrades) work.