---
title: "Open Sound Control (OSC) - DMXDesktop"
lang: en
source: /open-sound-control
---

# Open Sound Control (OSC)

Send commands to DMXDesktop and receive state broadcasts via OSC

## What is OSC?

Open Sound Control (OSC) is a protocol for networking sound synthesizers, computers, and other multimedia devices for purposes such as musical performance or show control. DMXDesktop implements OSC for bidirectional communication - receive commands from external controllers and broadcast state changes to other applications.

## How It Works

DMXDesktop supports both OSC Input and Output. The **OSC Input** server listens for incoming messages to control various aspects of the software. **OSC Output** broadcasts state changes and events to external applications, enabling real-time synchronization with video software, visualizers, and custom integrations. Both support UDP protocol for low-latency communication.

## Getting Started

1. Open DMXDesktop and navigate to **Settings → General**
2. In the OSC section, you'll find: - Enable/Disable OSC Input toggle - Network Interface selection - Input Port number (default: 8000) - Protocol selection (UDP/TCP) - Enable/Disable OSC Output toggle - Output Host and Port (default: 127.0.0.1:9000)
3. The discovery service runs on port 9000 and allows compatible apps to automatically find DMXDesktop on the network

## Connecting with TouchOSC

TouchOSC is a popular tool for controlling multitudes of different types of applications, and can be used to control DMXDesktop via the OSC Protocol.

*Please note: TouchOSC is paid software, please refer to the official website for details.*

1. Download and install TouchOSC on your device: - iOS: App Store - Android: [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hexler.lex&hl=en) - Desktop: Desktop
2. Open TouchOSC and create a new connection: - Protocol: OSC - Host: Your computer's IP address (shown in DMXDesktop settings) - Send Port: 8000 (default) - Receive Port: 9000 (for discovery service)
3. Use the discovery feature in TouchOSC to automatically find DMXDesktop on your network
4. Create your layout using the OSC paths listed in the table below

## Network Tips

- Ensure your device and computer are on the same network
- If using a firewall, allow incoming connections on ports 8000 and 9000
- For optimal performance, use a dedicated network or 5GHz WiFi connection
- For OSC Output, configure the target host IP and port in Settings

## Additional Resources

- Official OSC Website - Learn more about the OSC protocol
- TouchOSC Documentation - Detailed guide for TouchOSC
- OSC Protocol Specification - Technical details of the OSC protocol

## OSC Input Commands

Send these commands to DMXDesktop to control your lighting. All paths are case-sensitive.

| OSC Path | Parameters | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MASTER CONTROLS | | |
| /master/dimmer | float (0-1) | Controls master dimmer intensity |
| LIVE EFFECTS | | |
| /live/strobe/{on|off|pulse} | none | Controls strobe state |
| /live/blackout/{on|off|pulse} | none | Controls blackout state |
| /live/blinder/{on|off|pulse} | none | Controls blinder state |
| /live/freeze/{on|off|pulse} | none | Controls freeze state |
| /live/fog/{on|off|pulse} | none | Controls fog machine state |
| SPECIAL EFFECTS | | |
| /effects/{effect}/start | none | Starts specified effect (wave, paparazzi, colorsweep, thunder, pulse, sparkle, random) |
| /effects/{effect}/stop | none | Stops the specified special effect |
| /effects/stop | none | Stops all currently running special effects |
| /effects/bpm | float (0-1) | Sets BPM for special effects timing (maps 0-1 to 60-200 BPM) |
| LIVE EDITS | | |
| /live/edit/{action}/{name} | action: enable|disable|toggle | Controls live edit state by name |
| /live/edit/group/{action}/{name} | action: enable|disable|toggle | Controls live edit group state by name |
| /live/edit/disable-all | none | Disables all live edits |
| CUE CONTROLS | | |
| /cue/effect/play/{name} | string | Plays specific effect cue by name |
| /cue/effect/{action} | play|stop|next|prev | Controls effect cue playback navigation |
| DJ CONTROLS | | |
| /dj/app/{app} | musicplayer|virtualdj|traktor | Toggle specific DJ application |
| /dj/deck{1|2}/{action} | play|stop|eject | Deck transport controls |
| /dj/deck{1|2}/volume | float (0-1) | Controls deck volume |
| /dj/crossfader | float (0-1) | Controls crossfader position |
| DIRECT DMX CONTROL | | |
| /dmx/{universe}/{channel} | float (0-1) | Sets DMX channel value (maps 0-1 to 0-255) |
| /dmx/{universe}/{channel}/clear | none | Clears DMX channel override |
| /dmx/clear | none | Clears ALL DMX channel overrides |
| STACK CONTROLS | | |
| /stack/{id}/go | none | Fires the next cue in the specified stack |
| /stack/{id}/back | none | Steps back to the previous cue |
| /stack/{id}/halt | none | Freezes the current crossfade mid-transition |
| /stack/{id}/stop | none | Stops playback on the specified stack |
| /stack/{id}/level | float (0-1) | Sets the stack master level |
| EXECUTE GRID | | |
| /execute/{row}/{col} | none | Triggers the execute grid button at the specified position |

## OSC Output Messages

DMXDesktop broadcasts state and events to external applications via OSC. Configure the target host and port in Settings. *Available from v1.0.46*

### Live Controls

`/dmxdesktop/v1/master` float 0-1 (0-100%)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/blackout` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/strobe` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/blinder` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/freeze` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/fog` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/effect` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/specialeffect/{name}` int 0|1 (wave, thunder, etc.)

### Audio & BPM

`/dmxdesktop/v1/bpm` float (BPM value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/beat` float, int, int, float (bpm, ts_high, ts_low, confidence)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/audio/level` float 0-1 (RMS level)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/audio/energy` float 0-1 (energy level)

### Effect Cues

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/active` string (cue name or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/name` string (current cue)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/action` string (play|stop)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/lifecycle` string (fadeIn/OutStarted/Finished)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/lifecycle/duration` int (ms)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/cue/lifecycle/newCue` string (next cue name)

### Cue Stacks

`/dmxdesktop/v1/stack/{id}/step` int (step index)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/stack/{id}/fading` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/stack/{id}/paused` int 0|1

### Live Edits & Overrides

`/dmxdesktop/v1/liveedit/{id}` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/liveedit/group/{id}` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/override/color` string (palette ID or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/override/position` string (preset or "")

### DJ Mode

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/enabled` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/app` string (app name or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/master` int 1-4 (master deck)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/crossfader` float 0-1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/playing` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/paused` int 0|1

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/track` string (Artist - Title)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/loaded` int 0|1 (track loaded)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/loading` int 0|1 (analyzing)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/showready` int 0|1 (DMX show ready)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/dj/deck{1-4}/vu` float (VU meter level)

### QuickShow - Beam Effects

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam` string (effect name or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam/speed` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam/phase` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam/background` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam/spread` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/beam/intensity` int (raw slider value)

### QuickShow - Movement Effects

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move` string (effect name or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move/speed` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move/size` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move/phase` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move/fanning` int (raw slider value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/move/direction` int -1|0|1

### QuickShow - General

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/theme` int (theme ID)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/themecount` int (8|16|24|32)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/preset` string (preset ID or "")

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/groups` string (JSON array)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/groups/move` string (JSON array)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/stopall` int 1 (pulse event)

### QuickShow - Encoders

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/encoder/beam/{id}` int 0-255 (DMX value)

`/dmxdesktop/v1/quickshow/encoder/move/{id}` int 0-255 (DMX value)

Encoder IDs are in the format: beam_aux_{groupId}_{channelKey} or move_aux_{groupId}_{channelKey}

**Note:** OSC Output requires a paid subscription and must be enabled in Settings. Default port is 9000.

Beat timestamps are split into two 32-bit integers (ts_high, ts_low) since OSC doesn't support 64-bit values.

## Ready to Control Your Lights Remotely?

Download DMXDesktop