How to control LSS software with DMX?
Traditionally, you would use DMX to control the effects already stored on an SD card using DMX SD Card mode. Or through DMX Pixel mode change the color with 3DMX channel for each pixel. Some projects might require direct control of the program that is running on your PC. And it makes sense, because you can still use your keyboard and mouse to still be able to access the program but enjoy the benefit of yur favorite console or software.
What we will cover? #
How to use hardware, such as DMX console, to change different aspects of the animations created in the software.
There are a lot of you who actually use DMX software as their source for triggers. For that purpose I have prepared this USB to DMX interface. There are a lot of different brands to choose from, each presumably being simple enough to set up properly.
Special commands are a handy feature that allows to, for example, trigger specific effects when concrete value on a specific channel is set on your DMX signal source. But there is more! You can trigger a program from the PC, play a Show prepared on a timeline synced with music or play a sound.
What device can I use ? #
We have to mention very important tool that is paramout to this whole setup – LED Ethernet Controller 3 device. This is the single device from our product range that can perform THE task. SPI Matrix, Reactivo or XMass dimmer won’t work. Why? Simply put, they lack the ability to communicate with the software. You might already know that the LEC3 comes in 3 different pixel versions. 1K pixel, 2K pixels and a pro version 4K pixels. Each and every version will work, so no worries if you only have the Lite version.s
Web configuration #
Connect the DMX signal source and observe a change in the status bar in the Web config tool. DMX icon changes to DMX IN Connected. And that is good news! You can also tell that the device is receiving DMX data by the Yellow diode on the device flashing. In the DMX tab, you can also look for DMX In table with current DMX channel values. Pretty handy for debugging.
Software settings #
A successfull control over DMX requires a flawless mapping done in the software. And a bunch od effects, so that you have something to actually play from the program. Look for Live controls at the left hand side, just below the Preview. These sliders can be used in the software whenever you feel like it. These very same sliders are going to move when you will control the software from e.g. console or software.
Default channels and default controls #
In order to allow the function, you go to Settings section and select DMX IN. Tick the Use DMX box. In DMX Address you will select the starting DMX channel that will be used to control the software. In Use Ethernet list, you will select the IP of the controller that has the DMX IN connected to DMX signal source.
In case of multiple controller in the same mapping and/or project, you will select only the one that has the DMX IN connected. It is possible to control a project with multiple controllers by DMX. This is great for project with multiple controllers and larger pixel count.
To use default channels, you just tick the box and try to change the channel value. Default channels are set to control the Brigthness, Speed, index of the animation to be played from the software and more. Once a default channel is used, you have to set your special commands on different channel.
Special commands #
Whenever you want to trigger a specific effect from the Bank, you can set a specific channel to only perform this task. The list of special commands can trigger a sound from your PC, run a program, control the show synchronized with music or play specific Scene.
Each Special command is triggered by setting up the the trigger to either specific value or the value below/above certain channel value.
Software based DMX control #
Wery similar to the console example, you will need to setup several channels in your software that will control various aspects of animations. Before that, you need a USB to DMX interface that you can buy on the internetz. Also what you will need is a piece of program that can work with DMX. We are using DMX Control 3, there are plenty of programs out there to choose from. Once you will set up the USB to DMX interface, you can choose which channels are controlling specific function.
