At Home / DIY Theatre Lighting

Using LightKey on MacOS, along with RGBW LED lights and an Art-Net to DMX controller, you can provide a powerful and intuitive lighting setup. This guide will walk you through the installation, setup, and programming phases for your small stage show.

Setup

Install LightKey on MacOS

https://lightkeyapp.com

Lightkey

A $80 license unlocks up to 256 DMX channels (0.5 Universe)
A $120 license unlocks up to 512 DMX channels (1 Universe)

Most can use the least expensive option for a home install. It does not count all addresses against the license, just the ones that have lights assigned to them

Set Up Lighting Hardware

Position your RGBW LED fixtures according to your stage design. Ensure they are securely mounted and positioned to maximize their effect. Plug in the lights to power. Tape / ziptie / etc for securing them. Use the adjustment knobs on the lights to change and lock the angle.

Cabling

Summary: Using DMX lighting cables, connect the ArtNet controller to the splitter, and then run DMX cables out in each direction to daisy-chain lights from there. Each light has a DMX input and output. Try to avoid chaining the cables; if you do, make sure to test that it works.

Positioning the DMX Splitter

Place the DMX splitter in a strategic location, ideally close to the middle of the lighting area. This allows light runs to go in each direction (to back of stage, to front of stage, to overhead lights, to rear lights, etc)

Connecting DMX Source to Splitter

Connect the DMX output of the Art-Net controller to the DMX splitter’s DMX IN. Splitter needs to be powered and turned on. See later in the document for ArtNet settings now or once wiring is done

Distributing DMX Signals

From each output on the DMX splitter, connect a DMX cable to the input of your first lighting fixture in each line.

Continue daisy-chaining fixtures as normal from there. Maximum number of fixtures in a single DMX chain is usually around 32.

Between every light needs a DMX cable.

Understanding DMX Addressing

DMX Address: A unique identifier assigned to each lighting fixture, determining the starting point from which it listens to the control signals on the DMX universe. DMX addresses range from 1 to 512. Channels: Each fixture uses one or more channels to control its functions, such as brightness, color, pan, tilt, etc. The number of channels depends on the fixture’s complexity.

Steps for Programming DMX Addresses

Channel Requirements: Check how many channels each of your fixtures requires. This information is usually found in the fixture’s manual.

Plan Your Addresses:

Start by assigning address 10 to your first fixture. Subsequent fixtures should be assigned addresses based on the number of channels the previous fixtures use.

It’s common practice to increment the channel address by 10 even if each fixture uses fewer channels than that:

Light_1 is address 10
Light_2 is address 20, etc

Order does not matter, only that the lights don’t overlap or have the same address (unless you want multiple lights of the same model to always be the same color, then it’s fine to reuse addresses)

If you want to have different sections of lights starting in different batches, that’s fine too.

Rear lights: 10-99
Side lights: 200-299
Back lights: 300-399
etc

Set Addresses on Fixtures

Most modern fixtures have a digital display and buttons for setting the DMX address. Navigate the fixture’s menu to find the DMX address setting, then input the desired address.

The DMX setting usually starts with d but it could start with a on some lights

Document Your Addressing

Keep a clear record of which DMX addresses are assigned to each fixture. This makes programming your console or software easier and helps with troubleshooting. Usually you do this when you patch in LightKey

Test Your Setup

Once all fixtures are addressed, test them with your console or software to ensure they respond correctly to their assigned addresses and channels.

WARNING

Sometimes if a light is not powered for a while, it will lose the internal settings and forget what address it is. If in doubt, keep the lights powered in between shows (they can all be set to dark, while still being powered). And test before the show starts.

Tips for Success

Start at 10: Start your first fixture at DMX address 10 to keep things simple and organized. Many lights default to channel 1; setting some random values on channel 1-5 will help you find unprogrammed lights.

Group Similar Fixtures: If you have multiple fixtures of the same type, group them together in your DMX address sequence for easier control.

Leave Gaps: Consider leaving a few spare channels between fixture groups to allow for future additions or adjustments without readdressing everything.

Use DMX Tools: DMX addressing tools or calculators can help plan your addresses and visualize your DMX universe.

Setting Up LightKey

Configure Art-Net to DMX Controller

Connect your Art-Net to DMX controller to your network and configure it to connect to the same network as your Mac.

This usually involves setting the IP address of the controller to match your network configuration. The controller should have an IP address already set at something like 192.168.1.100

Network Configuration

On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and ensure your computer is connected to the same network as your Art-Net to DMX controller.

Verify the network settings (IP address, subnet mask) to ensure they are compatible with the Art-Net protocol. This shouldn’t be necessary unless the network is weird. Talk to someone at the venue if they have a special network configuration.

LightKey Settings

Lightkey is a little weird about network settings, so I’d recommend using Broadcast mode even though it spams the network a bit. If you have a project open, network options are in settings.

Use ArtNet

Mode: Manual
Net: 0
Subnet: 0
Options: Use broadcast and Use limited broadcast

Programming Your Show

Discover and Patch Your Fixtures

In LightKey, go to the “Manage Fixtures” page to add your fixtures. You can search for the specific model of your RGBW LEDs in LightKey’s fixture library.

Once found, drag your fixture to the patch list, and set the DMX address corresponding to the address you’ve set on the physical fixture. Repeat this for all your fixtures.

If LightKey does not have your specific fixture, you may need to create a custom fixture profile, ensuring you map the RGBW channels correctly.

Manual settings are a little tedious, but use the documentation for the light to configure the settings.

See below for the fixtures Ben owns.

Lights owned by Ben

AQool

(Built-in to LightKey)

U’King Mini Spot Moving Head (Built In)

Patching Lights in LightKey

You’ll have a patching page that looks something like this. You may have more lights, or they may be laid out in a different clustering:

Create Your Stage Layout

Switch to the Design tab in LightKey, where you can visually arrange your fixtures to match their physical layout on your stage. This step is not mandatory but helps in visualizing your lighting design.

It’s all assuming a two dimensional stage, but you could set up multiple 2d “stages” even if they’re in different physical locations in real life.

Programming Scenes and Effects

Move to the “Live” tab to start creating your lighting scenes.
Select a fixture or group of fixtures by clicking on them. You can adjust their properties (color, intensity, etc.) using the control sliders or color wheel for RGBW color mixing.
To save a look as a scene, adjust your fixtures to the desired settings, and then click the “Save as new preset” button. Name your scene for easy recall.
You can cluster scenes into groups. I recommend a group for each show, and a different groups for testing or sandbox.
You can also apply effects like chases or fades by using the “Effects” panel. Drag an effect onto a fixture or scene to apply it.

Sequence Your Show

Use the “Cue List” to sequence your scenes and effects in the order and timing you want them to play during your show.
You can set the duration, fade times, and trigger conditions for each cue.

Rehearse and Adjust

Run through your cue list and observe the lighting. Make adjustments as necessary to timing, intensity, and color to ensure the lighting complements the performance.
Utilize LightKey’s “Live Control” feature for on-the-fly adjustments during the show.

Backup Your Show

Save your LightKey project and consider exporting it as a backup. Keep a copy on an external drive or cloud storage for added security.

Tips for a Successful Show

Test Your Network: Ensure a stable connection between your Mac, the Art-Net to DMX controller, and the fixtures.

Check Power Requirements: Confirm that all fixtures and controllers are adequately powered and safely connected.

Safety First: Secure all fixtures and cables to prevent accidents.

Have a Backup Plan: Be prepared with a basic backup lighting setup in case of technical difficulties.

Questions

Email: ben@ this domain name (.com)