Knowledgebase

Guides & Tutorials for Installing, Patching & Running Lighting Shows

Signing in to DMXDesktop

DMXDesktop uses social sign-in instead of traditional username/password accounts. This is an intentional choice to improve both security and privacy while keeping control of your identity in your own hands.

Getting Started

Welcome to DMXDesktop! Whether you're a DJ, lighting tech, or just starting out with DMX control, this guide will walk you through everything you need to get up and running. You'll learn how to install the software, connect your DMX interface, patch fixtures, and launch a simple light show in just a few minutes.

Layout (Arrangement)

To ensure your fixtures respond in the correct sequence regardless of their DMX channel configuration, it is important to organise them in the right Group and in the correct order. You can do this in the Arrangement tab. Simply 'drag & drop' the fixture to the position you need, and you can also drag them to different groups, it's that simple.

Groups

Groups are how you combine Fixtures, you normally apply effects and actions on a per-group level rather than to specific fixtures. This means you can automatically apply the same effects to a collection of fixtures. It would be quite normal to group fixtures based on their positions or types.

Live Controls (Flash Buttons)

The Master Dimmer is the overall control for all effects in the entire setup, all Effects will respect the Master Dimmer which will limit the Brightness of everything, nothing can set a value above the Master Dimmer, with only one exception; Manual Overrides (See Live Controls & Live Edits).

Effects

You can manually run Beam Effects and Move Effects via the respective tabs on the Console. The Move Effects and Beam Effect tabs are Manual Controls only.

Effect Types

DMXDesktop offers a variety of beam and movement effects. Beam effects include Sequencer, Switching, Twinkle, Strobe Chaser, and Wash effects. Movement effects provide dynamic control over fixture positioning and movement patterns.

Effect Cues

Unlike traditional lighting cues that store static looks or single actions, an Effect Cue in DMXDesktop is a powerful tool that lets you combine multiple dynamic effects (movement & beam) into one package, assign different effects to different fixture groups, and trigger complex multi-effect shows with a single click.

Live Edits

Live edits allow you to combine DMX Level overrides into a simple button. You can use the Live Controls tab to adjust any setting of any device in the group, and then by clicking the Disk icon save those settings in a Live Edit.

Live Controls (Faders)

The Live Controls allow you to modify real-time any DMX Value for any channel of any fixture in any group! They are Manual Overrides and have a very HIGH priority, which means that anything you specify in the Live Control will take charge, regardless of what other Effects or actions may be running.

Pan/Tilt Finder

This handy little tool allows you to move all your moving head fixtures, or any fixture that has a Pan or Tilt channel. This tool is a LIVE CONTROL, it will immediately take charge of any moving fixture and override any other effects currently active!

Colors & Color Themes

You can view the built in colors and color themes via the Colors tab in the console. You can also create your own Theme, which can have anywhere from 1 to 6 colors, to create your own special color or theme. Your themes will be available just like the built-in themes in the EffectCue editor.

Account

From the Account page you can manage various aspects of your account including Active Sessions, Licences, and Subscription History. You can view all instances of the Application signed in to your account and manage your active licences and subscriptions.

sACN Configuration

sACN configurations are stored per Stage, thus you can configure different sACN endpoints for different Stages. You can configure different sACN server configurations per active universe, if you add a new fixture mapped to a universe which has never been used then a new config for that universe will become available on the sACN page.

ArtNET Configuration

Artnet configurations are stored per Stage, thus you can configure different Artnet endpoints for different Stages. You can configure different Artnet server configurations per active universe, if you add a new fixture mapped to a universe which has never been used then a new config for that universe will become available on the Artnet page.

USB DMX Configuration

We currently support Enttec Open DMX, Enttec Pro DMX, Enttec Pro DMX Mk2 (2 Universes), Eurolite DMX Pro v2, Generic FTDI based DMX Controllers, and DMXIS. If you require support for another DMX Controller, then please contact us and we will do our best to support your device.

Midi Controls

You can use any generic Midi device as a remote controller for the software, so long as it is compatible with USB Midi. When you connect a Midi device, the selection box should appear to let you select your Midi device. We currently support binding midi controls to Master Dimmer, Strobe Rate, Live BPM, Live Beam Speed, Live Effects, Effect Cues, and Live Edits.

Audio Configuration

You can configure several ways of using real time Audio including Ableton Link, OS2L, and Direct Audio Detection. If you enable Ableton Link, or OS2L it will disable all other methods. You can also use Direct Audio Detection, usually via a Sound Input on your computer.