---
title: "DMX Priorities | Optimize Your Lighting Control - Get Started Now - DMXDesktop"
lang: en
source: /dmx-priorities
---

# DMX Priorities

Comprehensive guide to DMX control layers and overrides

DMXDesktop uses a priority system to determine which commands take precedence when multiple lighting effects or controls are active simultaneously. Understanding this system helps you create more predictable and professional lighting shows.

## Priority Order (Highest to Lowest)

| Priority | Layer | Controls | Used By | Overrides |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | DMX Input (Reserved) | All DMX channels | Future Use | Everything Below |
| 2 | MIDI Input | Any mapped channel | External Controller | Everything Below |
| 3 | Manual Overrides | Any channel | Live Controls | Everything Below |
| 4 | Live Edits | Any channel | Stored Live Edits | Everything Below |
| 5 | Blackout | Dimmers → 0 | Live Button | Everything Below |
| 6 | Blinder | Dimmers → Full | Live Button | Everything Below |
| 7 | Effect | Effect Channel | Live Button | Everything Below |
| 8 | Strobe | Shutter/Strobe Channel (Strobe Mode) | Live Button | Everything Below |
| 9 | Fog | Fog/Smoke Channels | Live Button | Everything Below |
| 10 | Position | Pan / Tilt | Used by FX | Color → Default |
| 11 | Color | RGB / Color Wheel / CMY | Used by FX | Beam → Default |
| 12 | Beam | Dimmer, Focus, Zoom, Iris, Shutter | Used by FX | Gobo → Default |
| 13 | Gobo | Gobo Wheel, Rotation | Used by FX | Prism → Default |
| 14 | Prism | Prism Selection / Rotation | Used by FX | Default Only |
| 15 | Default Values | Fixture-defined startup values | Frame Start | - |

🧊 **Freeze** - Freezes current output instantly. Not part of queue. Overrides everything.

## Ready to Master DMX Priorities?

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