Installation
Silverdaw is a desktop application for Windows. It is free and open source, released under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.
Before you start
- Operating system: Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11, 64-bit.
- Disk space: room for the application, plus your projects and audio files.
- Graphics card (optional): a compatible GPU can speed up stem separation, but it is not required — Silverdaw can do the same work on the processor, just more slowly.
- Internet connection (for stem models): the first stem separation downloads the primary models (about 1 GB). A later separation that needs the backup model can download that model too. Once the required models are installed, stem separation works offline.
- MIDI DJ controller (optional): connect a supported controller after installation, then set it up in MIDI Controllers.
Getting Silverdaw
There are two ways to install Silverdaw. The Microsoft Store is the easiest and recommended option. The portable download lets you try Silverdaw without installing anything.
| Option | Best for | Effort | Updates | Windows integration* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store | Everyone | One click | Automatic | Full |
| Portable download | Trying it quickly, no install | Unzip and run | Manual | None |
* Windows integration means a Start-menu entry, the .silverdaw file association (so double-clicking a project opens it), and an entry in Settings ▸ Apps for a clean uninstall.
From the Microsoft Store (recommended)
The easiest way to install Silverdaw is from the Microsoft Store. It installs in one click, with no security prompts, and the Store keeps the application up to date for you automatically.
Open the link, click Get, and Silverdaw installs itself and adds a Start-menu entry.
Portable download
A portable version is published on the application's releases page on GitHub:
Download the portable zip (Silverdaw-<version>.zip) from the latest release, extract it to any folder you can write to, and run Silverdaw.exe. Nothing is installed, so you can remove it later by simply deleting the folder.
WARNING
The first time you run it, Windows will likely show a SmartScreen prompt ("Windows protected your PC") because the file was downloaded from the internet. Choose More info, then Run anyway. To avoid this, right-click the zip before extracting it, choose Properties, tick Unblock, and click OK.
The portable version has no Start-menu entry or file association, and it does not update itself — download a newer zip when a new release is available.
Silverdaw is developed in the open, and its full source code lives on GitHub:
First launch
When Silverdaw opens, you are greeted by the startup screen, which invites you to "Start a new project or open an existing one." From here you can:
- New Project — begin a fresh, empty project.
- Open Project… — open a project you saved earlier.
- Recent Projects — appears after you have opened projects, letting you jump back into them.
Once you are in, the next step is to make some sound. Head to the Quick Start to build your first remix, or take the tour of the Silverdaw window first.
If you do not hear anything when you press play, check that the right audio output is selected. See Choosing your audio output.