--- title: "Effect Types: Movement, Color, Beam & More - DMXDesktop" lang: en source: /knowledgebase/effect-types --- # Effect Types DMXDesktop effects fall into two families: **Beam effects** (intensity + color) and **Move effects** (Pan/Tilt movement). Combine one of each to build a complete look. If you’re new: start with **Chase** or **Wave** for energy, then add **Circle** or **Figure of 8** for motion. Beam effects Move effects ## Beam effects Beam effects create movement and energy using intensity and color. You can apply them to one or more groups, then tune the feel with Speed and Background. - **Colors**: pick one color for a solid look, or multiple colors for rotation/chases. - **Spread**: staggers the effect across fixtures so it cascades through your rig. - **Phase**: offsets timing/order (useful for strobe chases and phased looks). ### Utility Quick practical tools for setup and focusing. #### Solo ** Highlights a single fixture so you can quickly identify and focus it in your rig. Best for - Finding a specific fixture on stage - Quick focusing during setup Utility Min colors: 1 #### Identify ** Runs a clear identification pattern across fixtures, making it easy to confirm patching and group membership. Best for - Checking patching - Confirming which fixtures are in a group Utility Min colors: 1 ### Chases & motion Classic “lights moving across the rig” looks: clean, musical, and very readable from the audience. #### Sequencer ** A simple step-by-step sequence that runs across your fixtures in order. Great when you want motion without heavy strobing. Best for - Dancefloor energy - Clean movement without harsh flashing Variants Reversed Min colors: 1 #### Middle Out ** Builds from the center of your rig and travels outward (or back inward). A strong ‘big moment’ look for drops and choruses. Best for - Big builds and drops - Center-stage emphasis Variants Normal Reversed Min colors: 1 #### Chase ** A classic chase that moves a block of lit fixtures through your rig. Spread changes how the chase ripples across fixtures. Best for - Fast rhythmic movement - Making a wide rig feel alive Variants Left to Right Right to Left In/Out Out/In Inverted Inverted (Reversed) Inverted (In/Out) Inverted (Out/In) Spread Min colors: 2 #### Wave ** A smoother chase that creates a rolling wave across fixtures. Great for flowing movement instead of hard steps. Best for - Smooth, modern movement - Ambient energy with motion Variants Left to Right Right to Left In/Out Out/In Inverted Inverted (Reversed) Inverted (In/Out) Inverted (Out/In) Phase Spread Min colors: 2 ### Intensity & color dynamics From subtle shimmer to bold color movement. These are your “set the mood” and “keep it moving” tools. #### Twinkle ** Random flashes across fixtures for sparkle and texture. Works great on large groups to avoid looking repetitive. Best for - Sparkle on top of a static look - Creating texture in haze Min colors: 1 #### Switching ** Alternates fixtures on/off in pairs. When you pick multiple colors, it rotates colors each time it switches. Best for - Punchy two-step looks - Simple movement without a chase Min colors: 2 #### Emergency ** Simulates an emergency vehicle lightbar: rapid triple-flash bursts that alternate between the left and right halves of your rig. Beat-synced timing keeps it locked to the music. Best for - High-impact strobe moments - Police/emergency themed looks Min colors: 1 #### Wash ** A steady, solid color wash. Perfect as your base look, especially when combined with Move effects. Best for - Building a clean base look - Slow songs or speeches Min colors: 1 #### Wash (Phased) ** A wash look with phased variation across fixtures so the rig feels wider and more alive than a single static color. Best for - Big rigs where a flat wash looks too static - Adding subtle motion without flashing Phase Spread Min colors: 2 #### Pulse ** Pulses intensity up and down. Use Background to keep a glow between hits, and Spread for a cascading pulse. Best for - Beat-matched intensity movement - Building energy without changing color Spread Min colors: 1 #### Pulse Rotate ** Like Pulse, but rotates through your chosen colors as it cycles, giving you intensity motion plus color motion. Best for - Colorful pulsing looks - Keeping a single group interesting over time Phase Min colors: 2 #### Phased Pulse ** A rotating pulse that offsets fixtures so the fade travels through the rig. Great for big, smooth, modern movement. Best for - A ‘traveling’ pulse across the rig - Smooth energy for choruses Variants Left to Right Right to Left Middle Out Alternating Phase Spread Min colors: 2 #### Color Rotate ** Rotates through selected colors evenly across all fixtures for an easy, consistent color cycle. Best for - Simple color motion - Long transitions without intensity changes Min colors: 2 #### Color Rotate HD ** A smoother, richer color rotation that blends between colors for more fluid transitions. Best for - More ‘premium’ looking color fades - Reducing harsh jumps between colors Min colors: 2 #### Hybrid Pulse ** A high-energy hybrid of pulsing intensity and color motion, designed to feel big and modern on stage. Best for - High-energy moments - Festival-style looks Min colors: 2 #### Alternate ** Alternates between two colors across your rig, creating strong contrast and very readable movement. Best for - Two-color looks - Making beams pop in haze Variants Normal Reversed Min colors: 2 #### Carousel ** A classic fairground/carnival style alternating pattern with color changes. Great for fun, upbeat looks. Best for - Upbeat party looks - Retro ‘carnival’ vibes Variants Normal Reverse Spread Min colors: 2 #### Rainbow ** Cycles through a rainbow spectrum across fixtures. Spread can turn it into a flowing rainbow wave. Best for - Instant color variety - Large rigs and pixel fixtures Phase Spread Min colors: 1 #### Flash ** A fast, punchy flash accent. Great as a quick hit on drops or transitions. Best for - Accents and hits - Quick drops and fills Min colors: 1 ### Audio & impact Big moment effects that feel tied to the music. #### VU-Meter ** Turns your rig into an audio meter: intensity reacts to the music level for a live, responsive feel. Best for - Music-reactive looks - Easy ‘auto DJ’ energy Phase Spread Min colors: 2 #### Strobing ** A simulated strobe chase using dimmer/white fluctuation. Phase offsets timing per fixture for chase-like strobe runs. Best for - Big drops - Hard-hitting strobe moments Phase Min colors: 1 #### HyperX ** An intense, high-energy sequence that chains multiple looks together for maximum impact. Best for - Peak moments - High-energy genres and big rigs Min colors: 2 ## Move effects Move effects animate Pan/Tilt to create geometric motion patterns. Use **Size** to control how wide the pattern is and **Phase** to offset fixtures so they follow each other. - **Size**: how large the movement pattern is. - **Phase**: offsets fixtures in time so the motion travels across your rig. - **Fan**: (available on some effects) fans fixtures in/out for a wider, more dramatic look. ### Core geometry Clean shapes that work in almost any venue. #### Circle ** Traces a circular path around a center point. With Phase, fixtures follow each other around the circle for a flowing look. Best for - Smooth movement in haze - Keeping movers active without being chaotic Phase #### Figure of 8 ** Draws a horizontal infinity pattern (∞). Great for energetic motion that still feels smooth and controlled. Best for - Dynamic sweeps without sharp corners - Choruses and builds Phase #### Box ** Moves around a square/rectangle with crisp corners. Phase can turn it into a ‘follow-the-leader’ box chase. Best for - Geometric looks - Tight, rhythmic movement Phase #### Arc ** Sweeps in a curved arc. Use Fan (when available) to spread fixtures for a wider, more dramatic sweep. Best for - Wide sweeps across the room - Big ‘stadium’ movements Phase Fan ### Sweeps Simple, classic motions that always read well. #### Up & Down ** A vertical sweep up and down. With Phase it becomes a wave, with fixtures moving in sequence. Best for - Simple, reliable movement - Keeping beams moving during a wash Phase Fan #### Left & Right ** A horizontal sweep left and right. Add Phase for a traveling wave across your movers. Best for - Room-filling sweeps - Big chorus movement Phase Fan ### Symmetry Balanced, mirror-style movement that looks intentional and premium. #### Opposites ** Pairs of fixtures mirror each other, moving in opposite directions for a symmetrical stage look. Best for - Symmetrical rigs - Clean ‘designed’ movement Phase #### Cross ** Draws a cross/plus (+) path. With Phase, multiple fixtures create rotating, layered cross patterns. Best for - Geometric designs - Layered multi-mover looks Phase ### Feature shapes More complex shapes for standout moments. #### Diamond ** A sharp diamond path with strong corners. Great for crisp, rhythmic looks. Best for - Tight geometric movement - Pop/EDM drops Phase #### Triangle ** A three-point triangular path. Phase can create a rotating triangle chase across multiple movers. Best for - Geometric beam designs - Rhythmic movement Phase #### Star ** Draws a five-point star with dramatic line-crossing movement. Looks especially strong in haze. Best for - High-impact ‘wow’ moments - Dramatic, crisscrossing motion Phase #### Vertical Figure of 8 ** A vertical infinity pattern (8 turned 90°). Great for adding variation to standard figure-8 motion. Best for - Adding variety to movement - Lifting motion up the stage Phase ### Energy & random Organic, unpredictable movement that still stays smooth. #### Burst ** Moves outward from a center point and returns, like an expanding ‘burst’. Great for pulsing, breathing movement. Best for - Builds and drops - Pulsing ‘breathing’ motion Phase #### All Random ** Generates random arc movements for each fixture while keeping transitions smooth and usable on stage. Best for - Organic motion - Avoiding repetition in long sets Phase #### Random Together ** Random movement where fixtures tend to move together in a coordinated way, creating controlled chaos. Best for - Fun, energetic looks - When you want random without messy results Phase