Controlling Lights
How to control lights using consoles, software, apps etc...
Of course this bookstack is under construction, more items will be added in the future as our knowledge grows and the bookstack is used more by colleagues.
- Light Consoles
- DMX Controllers
- Controlling Aputure and Nanlite lights with IOS and Android app's
- Software
- Led strips
- Everything you need to know about ledstrips
- smart LED string & app (phone)
- WLed
- Controlling LEDstrips with Arduino
- Other related stuff to dive into
Light Consoles
There is a wide variety of consoles in the world. In this chapter we only mention the ones that we at HKU have some experience with.
ColorSourceAV 20
![Fader Mode; Bumps; Crossfader - ETC ColorSource 20 User Manual [Page 10] | ManualsLib](https://static-data2.manualslib.com/product-images/bb3/1288630/etc-colorsource-20-music-mixer.jpg)
Information about the device
Basic use In channel mode
Make sure the console works in channel mode by choosing the mode on the touchscreen.
Use the faders to turn on lights that are programmed under the channels that correspond with the faders.
Cuelist
A cue is a recorded stage look that can include channel settings for intensity and other
parameters, effects, and media
Interface start position:
Select Channel mode (left display)
Cuelist
Move Cues slider up (sliders above display, 3rd slider)
Controls > cue list
Explanation cues (scene) list:
The top line is the previous scene,
2nd line is the current scene
3rd line is the next scene
Interface operation:
Play button to advance through cues
More > gotoO = go to start scene (black)
More > goto cue (3) = go to scene 3
More > flag, give current cue a flag so you recognize it as important
Record Edit > Cue list = delete, adjust, copy, etc. from the list or individual cues.
Record cues
Make a picture: turn on lights and choose colors
Record/edit > record > cue > name (press the input box above "name" on the touchscreen)
Adjust time by pressing the input boxes and adjusting time.
Store
Clear>all
Move all light buttons down
Create new image etc...
Adjust cues:
record/edit > cue list > select cue (cue fader down) > edit cue (cue fader up) > select lamp by pressing buttun under fader of the lamp > adjust color (controls > color > choose color) > Store or store & next and choose check mark (green button on the left bottom of screen) > Exit
DMX Controllers
In order to send DMX from your computer to your fixtures, you need a hardware controller or converter.
ENTTEC
A piece of hardware to control your fixtures/daisychain through USB.
HKU students can borrow this at the uitleen JK, uitleen PT and uitleen ON.
For you computer to recognise the hardware you need to install a driver
Quick & dirty way is to install EMU : https://www.enttec.co.uk/en/downloademu185639027/
EMU info & download
EMU (the software by ENTTEC) is designed for musicians, DJs and live artists with live performances in mind. The interface is quick to learn and easy to use. EMU allows for the synchronisation of lighting and music with oscillators in real time, though MIDI. Whether you want to control LED washes, moving heads, dimmer packs, smoke machines, scanners, moonflowers… You name it, you can control them using EMU’s audio to DMX or Art-Net output.
Installing EMU will also function as a driver for your ENTTEC device.
Download EMU here (register first)
A tutorial on getting started with EMU:
ArtNet
Art-Net uses ethernet for transmitting lighting data, making it easy to transfer of large amounts of DMX512 data over a wide area using standard networking technology. It is an implementation of DMX512-A protocol over UDP. This can be done through a LANcable or wireless to a receiver/converter.
To receive ArtNet data & convert it to DMX you need a hardware converter. *
For HKU students the Blackbox JK is equipped with ArtNet, not for loan.
more info: https://art-net.org.uk/
*Do you have some Arduino experience? Build your own!
https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-Artnet-Node/
Controlling Aputure and Nanlite lights with IOS and Android app's
This page gives a short summation different light brands and the available applications to control the light parameters with a smartphone through bluetooth connection or, if possible, with a DMX connection
Aputure
The Aputure brand has a number of models on the market that can be controlled with the Sidus Link application using a Bluetooth connection. Below you can find links to OS and device specific downloads, and a range of tutorials how to use Sidus Link in conjunction with Aputure lights.
For IOS Iphone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sidus-link/id1471951977
For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=creativity.intelligence.application.sidus.link&hl=nl
For IOS iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sidus-link-pro/id1574126730
How to:
Mobile app walkthrough:
Sidus Link Pro User Guide Series
(playlist on youtube)
Nanlite
Nanlite has numerous of models on the market that can be controlled with the Nanlink application using a Bluetooth connection. Below you can find links to OS specific downloads, and a range of tutorials how to use Nanlink in conjunction with Nanlite.
Nanlink for IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nanlink/id1584085006
Nanlink for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nanlink.nanlink&hl=nl
How to:
Software
How to control lights using the free software QLC+, Resolume or Data flow software etc
QLC+
QLC+ is designed to streamline and simplify the process of controlling DMX or analog lighting systems.
QLC+ is open source, compatiblte with most fixtures & dmx hardware. Can be triggered with midi, audio & osc. Runs on Windows, MacOS or Linux.
Check out: https://www.qlcplus.org/ for in depth info.
Download QLC here
Go for the stable 4.x.x version if you are practising to use this tool in the Blackbox @ HKU
Use this startup guide when working with a pre-programmed version of QLC (template), like installed in the Blackboxes. The added fixtures and virtual console will be different in every Blackbox, depending on the facilities.
To start working on a scene in QLC+ and make a que list, follow this guide:
Touchdesigner
In Touchdesigner DMX data is sent to the daisy-chain of fixtures through USB (via an ENTTEC available at the uitleen) or ArtNet.
In Touchdesigner you can create 'presets' called Toxes. You can save these on your computer for easy acces:
| DMX Config | TOX | Example fixtures |
|
5 channels: Intensity |
ETC_Colorsource_Par.tox
|
ETC ColorSource Spot jr (inventory Blackboxes & klein Zaal)
ETC ColorSource Par (inventory Blackboxes)
ColorSource Spot Deep Blue (inventory Kleine Zaal) 
|
| 6 channels: Red Green Blue White Amber Uv |
ETC_Colorsource_Junior_6ch.tox
|
High End PAR uitleen Theater : >>
Mid Range PAR uitleen Theater |
| 7 channels: Red Green Blue White Amber Uv Master Dimmer |
7CH_Par_RGBWAUI.tox |
High End PAR uitleen Theater :
Mid Range PAR uitleen Theater >> |
| 14 channels (see Briteq manual) |
Moving_Head_Briteq_BT_W19L10ZOOM_14ch.tox
|
Briteq BT-W19L10 Zoom (uitleen Oudenoord) |
. 
Easy DMX_Out for Artnet (use a merge to connect multiple fixtures, dive in & adjust de DMX out to use another interface)
dmx_out_Artnet.tox
Patch for the Blackbox @ Janskerkhof (to connect with OSC via ipad)
Check out the WLED page to connect TD to LEDstrips
Resolume Arena.
Resolume Arena is Vj software, normally used for sending visuals to screens. But can also can output the color or brightness of your pixels to LED strips or other light fixtures via DMX. Beware that you need a hardware controller to covert you signal to DMX, NOT an Enttec..... (see below)
Control lights using visuals as input, straight from within the software.
Check out the explanation of the basics on the Resolume Website it's really clear & helpfull. https://resolume.com/support/en/dmx
Creating custom fixtures in Arena:
The basic explanation for creating fixtures can be found here : https://resolume.com/support/en/fixture-editor#creating-a-new-fixture
Use the fixture editor to create fixtures as output in Arena. Remember, a Par or Spot is 1 x1 pixel, so if you select a bigger input, it wil still output one color. Choose the Color Format that matches your fixture (see the dmx traits when you do a search for the brand & model)
Many of the (theater)lights you can use or borrow at HKU can be put in RGB mode. But in some cases you may want to acces a fixture without changing the mode even if it is set to 5 or 6 channels including intensity and strobe, which cannot be used by Resolume. The fix for this is to work with dummy channels/custom parameters, like in this picture:
Intensity is set to a fixed 100 (else the colours won't be visible) & strobe to a fixed 0. The rest will be done n RGB mode.
Add these parameters with the + icon blow & drag them to the right order.
Tutorial about Mapping Pixels with DMX
In this tutorial, Resolume Arena is used to create and control various DMX Light fixtures.
Every dmx light has its own specifications, pixel mapping possibilities and/or channel modes. Learn how to make your own light fixture layout for your personal lights in Resolume. Also how to decide what animations run over your fixture(s).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKtKUMT4ZOs screenshot from YouTube video:
example of fixture output in Arena:
example of a pixelstrip as output in Arena:
ArtNet Devices supported by Resolume Arena.
Resolume Arena 6 and up do not support Enttec DMX USB devices! If you'd like to use an Enttec DMX USB device, your only option is to stick with Arena 5. Or to use a different USB to DMX device.
At the HKU Blackbox we use a LanBuddy or Showtec NET 2/5 or Showtec NET 2/3, as output device for sending DMX information from the PC to the lights.
What is convenient about this setup vs using Enttec DMX USB (MKII and such), is that we can extend the Showtec NET 2/5 by use of network cable, instead of USB cable. Example: if you want your lamps all the way at the far end of a large room, you can connect the PC and dongle via 30m network cable without signal loss, vs having to extend DMX cables/usb cables.
These ArtNet converters can also be used wireless, over Wifi, when plugged in to your router (ethernet). Bye bye cables :)
Manual about the NET 2/3 https://www.huss-licht-ton.de/images/products_download/Manual_34954_1.pdf
Manual about the NET 2/5 https://www.highlite.com/en/mwdownloads/download/link/id/17428216
Lanbuddy MAnual https://www.elclighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Buddy-quickstart.pdf
Isadora
ENTTEC-DMX from Isadora
With this Isadora file you can control DMX lighting directly using an ENTECC DMX USB PRO download the Isadora patch here
updated : ENTTEC-DMX-USB_lightcontrol.izz
this Isadora patch the works with Par LED High-end | RGBAW+UV
EMU
EMU intuitive sound-to-light controller designed for professional live musicians and DJs.
Easy to use software, EMU allows you to run automated or responsive DMX light shows, leaving you to focus on your show.
@Hku we use EMU mainly to get a dependable install of the drivers for ENTTEC
Led strips
An LED is the acronym for Light Emitting Diode. Unlike a regular incandescent light bulb, there is no filament that produces the light. Almost all of the electricity is used for making light, which makes the LED more efficient. On the other hand, think of an incandescent light as a heater that happens to emit light as well. Incandescents and fluorescents emit light with very high beam angles. Since LEDs are small and powerful with a definite beam angle, it is important when using them to have them arranged in a way that the emitted light is even upon the surface you desire to light.
An LED strip, tape, or ribbon light is a flexible circuit board populated by surface-mount light-emitting diodes (SMD LEDs) and other components that can come with an adhesive backing. Traditionally, strip lights had been used solely in accent lighting, backlighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting applications and art.
Everything you need to know about ledstrips
LED strip lights are new and versatile forms of lighting. Unlike regular LED strips, addressable LED strips allow you to control each individual LED, creating a wide range of color and animation possibilities. There are many variants and exceptions, but for the most part, they have the following characteristics:
- Consist of many individual LED emitters mounted on a narrow, flexible circuitboard.
- Each LED (or each group) on the strip has its own integrated circuit that communicates with the control circuit, allowing for precise control over the color and brightness of each LED.
- Operate on low-voltage DC power
- Are available in a wide range of fixed and variable color and brightness
- Bought in a long reel (typically 5 meters), can be cut to length, can include double-sided adhesive for mounting
- LEDstrips can be tints of 'white' , RGB(W), various colours controlled with an app/remote or even (individually) addressable & controlled by software.
How do I know if my LED strips are addressable?
1) Check whether there is IC or not. There are two kinds of IC, external IC, and internal IC. If has IC, then it is an addressable LED Strip Light.
2) Check the cable, if there are signal data cable, then it is addressable LED Strip Light.
Educate yourself before buying the wrong strip!
Of course there is much more to learn and know about LED strips check out these resources for in-depth info:
https://aidiwattlighting.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-addressable-led-strip/
everthing you need to know about the various kinds of ledstrips, controllers and drivers
https://www.waveformlighting.com/led-strip-lights
another great, comparable, source of info on led strips
smart LED string & app (phone)
At the BBox Jk you can borrow LED strings that connect to a powerbank through USB
The lights (5/10 meters, 50/100 LEDS) can be individually controlled through an app. (multiple strings simoutaneously)
android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.idealled&hl=nl
iphone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/idealled/id1568029498
WLed
WLED is one of the most popular packages for controlling LED
strips with, or example, the WS2812B through cable & wifi.
The software also supports some other types, such as the WS2811 and WS2815, both on 12 volts. The first step is to flash the software on, for example, an ESP32.
website: https://kno.wled.ge/
community: https://wled.discourse.group/
Wled aansturenWl
Wled & Touchdesigner:
Here's a preset for Touchdesigner WLED.tox
https://github.com/fieldOfView/WLED-video : A tool to stream video to WLED matrix displays
https://github.com/BradyMeighan/WLED-Studio : A Python application to stream videos, images, and animations directly to your WLED-powered LED video wall.
Controlling LEDstrips with Arduino
LED Strips and Arduino
With the Adafruit Neopixel library, it is very easy to work with controlling different types of LED's using Arduino. Adafruit has a very extensive "Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide" available online, where you can follow a step-by-step guide for controlling LED strips, panels and individual led's.
NeoPixel options:
 |
 |
| Strips | Rings |
|
|
|
|
Matrices |
Pins |
|
|
ETC... |
|
Neon-Like Stips |
Images from Adafruit |
Basic NeoPixel LED strip setup
HARDWARE
Materials needed:
- Arduino Uno (or other available Arduino, but Nano is most beginner friendly)
- 1x 300 to 500 Ohm Resistor
- 5V power supply (this type is recommended for simple setup)
- 1x 500–1000 µF Capacitor
For controlling LED strips and Arduino you can build the following hardware:
SOFTWARE
Launch the Arduino IDE.
If you have not installed the NeoPixel Library for Arduino, first make sure to do that first.
Arduino IDE 2.0 (newest)
In the newest version of Arduino IDE 2.0, you can install Libraries automatic from the IDE itself.
Arduino IDE 1.0 (older)
If you want to understand more about Arduino and Libraries? Read more here...
Examples→Adafruit NeoPixel→strandtest
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/arduino-library-installation
Powering NeoPixels in different ways
Other methods for powering ledstrips beside the simple standard power supply are:
- DC wall wart adapters (5v)
- lithium-polymer battery (Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh)
- Three alkaline cells (such as AA batteries)
- Four nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable cells
You must use a 3-5V DC power supply to power these strips, do not use higher than 6V or you can destroy the entire strip– yikes!
Example 1 AA or AAA = 1,5 V
When choosing any option for powering the ledstrips, always take into account that you have enough amperage provided for the strips. Checkout the Adafruit page for more details regarding power options.
Powering Arduino in different ways
If you want to use a powerbank in some cases depending on how much power the arduino needs from the bank it might turn off after 1 - a few minutes even though the powerbank is fully charged. It depends on the kind of powerbank. Some have a safety built in. But most of the time it is not mentioned in the description.
Try different types of powerbanks or use info from these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7MrL5Q7zvY
https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simplest-battery-power-to-arduino-nano-solution/530242
Im still experimenting with this myself once i find more info i add it to this book.
At the moment i have tried 2 powerbanks (5000 & 10000 mAh) for Arduino Nano with seperate power for my small Neopixel Jewel (7 leds). Both dont work. Using batterypack 4xAA atm.
Other related stuff to dive into
Remote control of Lights through TouchOSC
TouchOSC is a modular control surface toolkit for designing and constructing custom controllers that can be used on a multitude of operating systems and devices. An easy way of designing your own OSC controls. Use the old version of TouchOSC Editor or new version to design custom sliders, faders and buttons, control other software through OSC using the app TouchOSC
| Simple TouchOSC template to control 8 pars & 3 spots (5 channels). Open this patch in TouchOSC Editor to upload to your device. Any software that receives OSC massages can be connected. | Controlling LightPars&Spots.touchosc |
How to use the templates:
-
Download and install the TouchOSC App on your tablet or smartphone
-
Download and install the TouchOSC desktop editor on your computer
-
Start the desktop editor and load a template
- Check to make both devices on the same WiFi Network. Set the computer ipadres in the app.
-
In the App go to LAYOUT & tap ADD. Select your host (computer name running the desktop editor) Click on “sync” and the template will be sent to your tablet or smartphone.
-
The template will now appear on your tablet or smartphone list of templates
TouchOSC & Touchdesigner:
| Control the lights* remotely with Touchdesigner & TouchOSC on Ipad with these 2 patches & ArtNet. |
|
| Open this patch in TouchOSC Editor to upload to your device. | |
| Open this patch in Touchdesigner, check OSC port & ArtNet connection. | |
| After connecting, slide all the faders once to refresh the connection with Touchdesigner & remove errors. This connection also works when TD is running in perform mode in the background. * these patches were designed for the fixtures in the Blackbox @Janskerkhof (8 pars & 3 spots) but can easily be adapted. |
TouchOSC & QLC
| tbd add example patch |
Visualizing shows
Combining Software
Sending DMX data from Touchdesigner over Artnet to Resolume.
Sending OSC data from Isadora to QLC
Connecting EMU & Abelton
MagicQ : lighting software mimicking a light console
MagicQ software offers powerful lighting control with loads of features that lighting designers have come to rely on, such as full lighting visualisation, pixel mapping, and HD media playback on up to 8 different layers, all integrated smoothly to streamline workflows, save time, and shorten learning curves on even the most complex lighting systems.
- MagicVis Visualiser
- Magic HD Pixel-Mapper
- Morphing
- Cloning
- Patch Offsetting
- Group and Palette FX
Chamsys MagicQ supports an extensive array of features to enable lighting designers to quickly and easily realise their innovative and imaginative designs. MagicQ offers lighting control on up to 256 universes with full lighting visualisation, pixel mapping, and HD media playback on up to 8 different layers, all integrated smoothly to streamline workflows, save time, and shorten learning curves on even the most complex lighting systems.
MagicQ PC is available free of charge for use on Windows, Mac and Linux with 64 universes of output fully enabled (via Art-net, sACN, Pathport) - no hardware required!
Magic Q software to download MagicQ
https://chamsyslighting.com/pages/video-tutorials to learn MagicQ
Pixel mapping
(under construction)
Pixel mapping is the use of software to map video imagery to an array of individual lighting fixtures.
the setup is:
1. in: A source of video.
2. in between: The software to map the video to the fixtures. (Resolume, Touchdesigner a.o.)
3. out: An array of RGB LED fixtures.
Exploring further, think of the software as a piece of paper that you have cut a geometric series of small holes in. When you hold that paper up to your computer screen, you only see what is let through by the holes. If you send what you see in each hole to a dedicated fixture, or pixel, you have pixel mapping.
Pixel Mapping is often used to create dynamic and creative lighting effects. You can programme intricate patterns, colour changes, and animations that respond in real-time to the mood or theme of the performance.
This short tutorial looks at the concept of pixel mapping as part of lighting and visuals for live performance such as concerts, clubs and theatre. Pixel mapping is the application of still or moving images to a lighting system, often an array of RGB LEDs and shouldn't be confused with projection mapping. The tutorial doesn't explain HOW to set up pixel mapping as part of a lighting control system but uses the example of the ChamSys MagicQ to explain the fundamental principle.