How to use Splonk

Devices

• Mac running Splonk (macOS 14+)
• Optional: iPhone via USB for dual-source recording
• Optional: iPhone with SplonkCam for wireless camera
• Any USB webcam or external camera

Permissions

• Camera and microphone access on first launch
• Screen Recording permission for Mac screen capture
• Local Network access on iPhone for SplonkCam

Projects

• Create a project before recording
• Pick where recordings save in Settings
• One project per video keeps things organized
• Recent projects accessible from top bar

What is included

• Splonk for Mac and SplonkCam for iOS included.
• One-time purchase for the app version you buy.
• First year of updates included free.
• All features unlocked: no tiers within the app.

License key delivery

• Receipt and license key sent to your checkout email.
• Check spam/promotions if you do not see it.
• Contact support with your purchase email if missing.

After year one

• Keep using your purchased version forever.
• Optional annual updates plan for new releases.
• No features are removed if you skip renewal.

Billing

• Payments handled securely via Stripe.
• Email support for billing or license questions.
• Current pricing on the main page.

Step 1

Choose project and folder

Open the project sheet from the top bar, create or select your project, then confirm your save location in Settings.

Step 2

Pick recording mode

Use Camera, Screen, or Both. If unsure, start with Both for app demos where you want face cam plus screen.

Step 3

Set your sources

Select main camera, optional second source (iPhone/webcam), and microphone. Watch preview cards and audio meter to confirm.

Step 4

Set quality and format

Choose 720p, 1080p, or 4K quality. Pick MOV, MP4, or ProRes format. Enable countdown so you have prep time.

Step 5

Record

Press the record button, perform your flow, then press stop. Splonk finalizes all tracks and opens the editor.

Step 6

Edit and export

Trim dead time, add transitions between layouts, apply effects and backgrounds, then export to one or multiple platforms.

Camera

Records your camera source and microphone.

Best for talking-head clips, updates, quick messages.

Screen

Records Mac display or a window, with cursor tracking and system audio.

Best for tutorials, walkthroughs, screen-first demos.

Both (Dual Source)

Records camera and screen simultaneously. Decide framing in the editor afterwards.

Best for app demos with face cam, product walkthroughs, coding tutorials.

Fullscreen

One source fills the frame. Use PiP overlay to keep the second source visible as a small inset. Choose which source is main and which is the overlay.

Stacked (Vertical)

Two panels stacked top-and-bottom. Perfect for 9:16 vertical content (TikTok, Reels, Shorts). Adjustable split ratio (40-80%) and panel order.

Side by Side

Camera and screen side by side for 16:9 landscape content. Configurable width ratio and panel order.

Background styles

• Solid Color: single fill color.
• Gradient: two-color gradient at any angle.
• Mesh Gradient: complex multi-point gradient.
• Animated Gradient: smoothly morphing colors (3-color palette, configurable speed and direction).
• Frosted Glass: blurred video frame as background with tint, saturation boost, and noise.
• Wallpaper: subtle dot-pattern overlay.
• None: transparent / no background.

Background options

• 16 built-in presets: Dark Blue, Midnight, Ocean, Sunset, Purple Haze, Splonk Red, and more.
• Video inset: shrink video from edges (4-30%).
• Corner radius on video panel (8-24pt).
• Shadow with adjustable radius and opacity.
• Particle overlays: Bokeh, Dust Motes, or Sparkle effects with custom color and density.

Cinematic filters

Apply a global color grade to your camera track. Filters are organized by category and can be favorited for quick access.

• Intensity slider (0-100%).
• Categories: Warm, Cool, Dramatic, Vintage, B&W, and more.
• Applied only to camera track, screen stays natural.
• Preview in real-time before committing.

Timeline effects

Add time-based effects to specific segments of your video. Each effect has start and end times and its own parameter controls.

Auto-captions

• Powered by Whisper speech-to-text (runs locally on your Mac).
• Automatically generates timed caption segments from audio.
• Edit text, timing, and positioning after generation.
• Choose from caption style presets or customize your own.
• Per-character animations: Wave, Bounce, Typewriter effects.

Text overlays

• Add custom text at any time on the timeline.
• Animations: Fade In/Out, Slide Up/Down, Typewriter, Bounce.
• Font control: family, size, color, alignment.
• Background fill with opacity and corner radius.
• Text outline and shadow effects.
• Drag to position anywhere on the video.

Standard export

1. Click Export in the editor toolbar.
2. Choose quality: 720p, 1080p, or 4K.
3. Choose format: MOV (QuickTime H.264), MP4 (H.264), or ProRes 422.
4. Pick destination folder.
5. Wait for completion. File opens in Finder automatically.

Export quality

1. Open Splonk on Mac first.
2. Open SplonkCam on iPhone and allow Local Network.
3. Wait for connected status.
4. Enable SplonkCam source in Splonk on Mac.
5. Start recording. Stream appears in real-time.

• Tap to focus anywhere in the frame.
• Pinch to zoom while framing.
• Double tap to switch front and back camera.
• Stream mode: live feed to Splonk on Mac.
• Record mode: local backup to Camera Roll.
• Adjustable bitrate and resolution in settings.

Organization

• Create a project before each recording session.
• Name projects by topic or publish date.
• Default save location: ~/Movies/Splonk (configurable).
• Switch projects from the top bar project sheet.
• Recent projects list for quick access.
• Auto-save on every edit with 50-level undo history.

Import and continue

• Use Import from the top bar for existing video files.
• Open recent projects from the project list.
• Cmd+S to force-save before major exports.
• Projects persist between app launches.
• All settings (quality, format, devices) saved automatically.

Select at least one active camera source first. Recording starts only after a valid video source is connected.

Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording and allow Splonk. Then click Refresh in source settings.

Unlock the iPhone, accept Trust This Computer, reconnect the cable, then refresh and reselect the source.

Open Splonk on Mac first, keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi, and allow Local Network permission on iPhone.

Use footage with a real audio track. Confirm your microphone source was enabled during recording.

Use Canvas Export for multi-format output. It uses the same rendering engine as the preview, including all transitions, effects, and backgrounds.