24 Universes. One Controller.
Each of the 4 SPI outputs on SPI Matrix and LEC3 takes up to 6 Art-Net universes, enough for 1024 RGB or 768 RGBW pixels per output. Choose LITE, STANDARD or PRO for 6, 12 or 24 universes, and upgrade later without replacing the hardware.
The Maths
How universes turn into pixels
An Art-Net universe carries 512 DMX channels. Each RGB pixel uses 3 channels and each RGBW pixel 4, so one universe holds 170 RGB or 128 RGBW pixels.
A full output of 1024 RGB pixels needs 3,072 channels, exactly 6 universes. 768 RGBW pixels need the same 3,072 channels. That's why every output is sized at 6 universes and a full PRO controller at 24. How many universes your installation needs walks through the calculation.
- Count all pixels in the installation
- Multiply by 3 for RGB or by 4 for RGBW
- Divide by 512 and round up
- Example: 1,000 RGB pixels = 3,000 channels = 6 universes
Scale
Start small, upgrade later
A pixel upgrade raises the pixel count and universes of an existing LEC3 or SPI Matrix. It is a configuration file bound to the device's serial number, bought in the shop and uploaded in Advanced settings of the web configuration, as described in the pixel upgrade guide.
Beyond one controller, add more. The CNN Prima NEWS studio runs about 84,000 pixels on 25 LEC3 PRO units.
- Upgrades: 1024 → 2048, 2048 → 4096, 1024 → 4096 pixels
- No hardware change, the same device keeps working
- Serial number shown in the Status tab of the web configuration
Performance Tiers
LITE, STANDARD and PRO
The same hardware in three pixel budgets. The tier sets the total across all 4 outputs.
FAQ
Art-Net universe questions
Our devices and software count Art-Net universes from 1. Some software numbers them differently, Resolume for example, so check the universe offset when patching. See SPI Matrix and Resolume Arena.
Yes. The tier sets the total pixel budget across all 4 outputs, and you can split it the way your installation needs, up to 1024 RGB or 768 RGBW pixels per output. Background in LITE, STANDARD, PRO on LEC3 & SPI Matrix.
Yes. A pixel upgrade takes a device from 1024 to 2048 or 4096 pixels. It is bound to the device's serial number and needs no hardware change.
How Many Universes Does Your Project Need?
Book a free consultation and we'll size the controllers and tiers for your installation.
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