Connect Your Lights
Connect Spectralite to real fixtures by adding an Art-Net or sACN output to a DMX node, then verify and troubleshoot the connection.
Spectralite sends DMX over Art-Net or sACN, the two standard protocols for carrying DMX across Ethernet. To reach real fixtures, you need a DMX-over-IP node or fixtures with a built-in Art-Net or sACN receiver. Wire the node over Ethernet to the same subnet as your computer.
Set up an output
Art-Net output is enabled by default, so a node on the same network often works with no further setup. To add or change an output, open Edit > Outputs.
To add an output, click Art-Net or sACN at the top of the list. Then configure the output on the right:
- Network Interface picks the network card that reaches your lights.
- Universe Offset shifts the wire universe that each patch universe transmits on. Use it to match a third-party receiver that expects different numbering. Spectralite nodes need no offset.
- Universe range filter limits output to a subset of universes. Leave it off to send every patched universe.
- Network Mode is Unicast by default, which sends each universe to the Target IP set on its fixtures. To reach every device on the subnet without per-fixture addressing, switch to Broadcast.
- ArtSync Frames (Art-Net only) tells receivers to commit multi-universe frames at once. Leave it on.
Spectralite saves outputs per project, inside the .slp file.
Verify the connection
- Patch a fixture at the right universe and DMX address.
- Add an effect layer and raise its opacity.
- Check that the fixture responds.
If a fixture stays dark, check its master dimmer in the Parameters panel. Many moving heads default their dimmer to 0.
Troubleshooting
If fixtures do not respond, check the following:
- Make sure that the fixture's DMX address matches the address in Spectralite.
- Check that the universe numbers match between Spectralite and the node. The patch panel, the node's Start Universe, and the Controllers Uni column all use the same 1-based universe number. Spectralite converts it to the correct Art-Net (0-based) or sACN (1-based) wire universe. Use a Universe Offset only to align with third-party gear.
- Make sure that both devices are on the same subnet, for example 192.168.1.x.
- For Art-Net, allow UDP port 6454 through the firewall. For sACN, confirm the network permits multicast.