Patching a DMX laser light from a console should be fast—and boring. This cheatsheet shows when to pick an Art-Net laser path versus straight DMX, how to map universes without guesswork, and how to run a timecode laser show that stays locked to lighting, audio, and video. You’ll find step-by-step patches, LTC/MTC clocking, and one-minute recovery moves. Prefer plug-and-play? Starshine can ship pre-tested racks with labeled power/data/interlocks, free shipping, 2-year warranty, and small-batch orders.
Table of Contents
| Section | Jump |
|---|---|
| Protocols at a Glance & Best Use | Go to section |
| Typical Patch Examples (Console → Laser) | Go to patches |
| Timecoded Shows: Multi-System Sync | Go to timecode |
| Common Pitfalls & 60-Second Fixes | Go to fixes |
| Starshine Field Notes | Go to cases |
| FAQ (Collapsible) | Go to FAQ |
| Glossary | Go to glossary |
| Download Cheatsheet (PDF) & Video | Go to CTA |
Protocols at a Glance & Best Use
DMX (XLR over copper)
Best for: 1–2 fixtures, short runs, simple parameter sets.
Pros: plug-and-go, works on any desk. Cons: limited universes; readdressing scales poorly.
Choose DMX when one DMX laser light must be show-ready in minutes with a compact personality and macros.
Best for: 1–2 fixtures, short runs, simple parameter sets.
Pros: plug-and-go, works on any desk. Cons: limited universes; readdressing scales poorly.
Choose DMX when one DMX laser light must be show-ready in minutes with a compact personality and macros.
Art-Net (or sACN) over Ethernet
Best for: multi-projector rigs, networked venues, fast repatches, big channel counts.
Pros: many universes, clean routing, reusable show files; plays nicely with movers/media. Cons: needs basic IP hygiene (static IPs, VLANs, IGMP snooping).
Pick an Art-Net laser path for clubs, campus tours, and festivals that change quickly.
Best for: multi-projector rigs, networked venues, fast repatches, big channel counts.
Pros: many universes, clean routing, reusable show files; plays nicely with movers/media. Cons: needs basic IP hygiene (static IPs, VLANs, IGMP snooping).
Pick an Art-Net laser path for clubs, campus tours, and festivals that change quickly.
Timecode (LTC/MTC)
Best for: repeatable, frame-accurate nights across lights/lasers/video.
Pros: press-play consistency, easy to rehearse and diagnose. Cons: requires clock discipline, pre-roll, and a tested fallback.
Use a timecode laser when drops and lyric hits must land exactly every time.
Best for: repeatable, frame-accurate nights across lights/lasers/video.
Pros: press-play consistency, easy to rehearse and diagnose. Cons: requires clock discipline, pre-roll, and a tested fallback.
Use a timecode laser when drops and lyric hits must land exactly every time.
Typical Patch Examples (Console → Laser)
A) DMX → Laser (fast start)
Console DMX OUT → XLR → laser fixture/controller. Map dimmer, CMY/CTO, pattern macros, prism, focus, strobe. Close the interlock loop, keep the E-stop reachable, start with a low-power alignment pattern.
Console DMX OUT → XLR → laser fixture/controller. Map dimmer, CMY/CTO, pattern macros, prism, focus, strobe. Close the interlock loop, keep the E-stop reachable, start with a low-power alignment pattern.
Tip: Save a “DMX Quick Mode” personality so a tech can re-patch in under a minute.
B) Art-Net → Laser Controller (multi-projector)
Console (Art-Net/sACN) → managed switch (laser VLAN) → controller/node → projectors.
Static IP plan: e.g., 2.0.0.10 (console), .20 (controller), .30–.33 (lasers). Print and tape inside the rack.
Universe plan: U01–U02 aerials, U03 text/logo, U04 abstracts. Keep a “festival-safe” cue page.
Console (Art-Net/sACN) → managed switch (laser VLAN) → controller/node → projectors.
Static IP plan: e.g., 2.0.0.10 (console), .20 (controller), .30–.33 (lasers). Print and tape inside the rack.
Universe plan: U01–U02 aerials, U03 text/logo, U04 abstracts. Keep a “festival-safe” cue page.
Tip: Prefer unicast; if multicast, enable IGMP snooping on the laser VLAN.
C) Hybrid (DMX failsafe + Art-Net depth)
Drive primary looks over Art-Net; carry a DMX line as backup (dimmer + key macros). One console macro can drop to DMX on network loss and restore Art-Net once stable.
Drive primary looks over Art-Net; carry a DMX line as backup (dimmer + key macros). One console macro can drop to DMX on network loss and restore Art-Net once stable.
Timecoded Shows: Multi-System Sync
Clocking options
LTC is robust and easy to monitor with meters/headphones. MTC fits MIDI-centric setups. Keep servers aligned via NTP/PTP.
LTC is robust and easy to monitor with meters/headphones. MTC fits MIDI-centric setups. Keep servers aligned via NTP/PTP.
Rehearsal flow (works on show day)
1) 10-second pre-roll → check switch, controller, interlock, console “green lights”.
2) Power-up order: network → controllers → timecode → unlock lasers.
3) Low-power pass with audience-safe patterns; confirm logo/text are clean at your scan rate.
4) Save the show file plus an IP/universe PDF into the rack pouch.
1) 10-second pre-roll → check switch, controller, interlock, console “green lights”.
2) Power-up order: network → controllers → timecode → unlock lasers.
3) Low-power pass with audience-safe patterns; confirm logo/text are clean at your scan rate.
4) Save the show file plus an IP/universe PDF into the rack pouch.
Checklist Pre-Show Green-Light: UPS/PDU on → switch LEDs green → interlock closed → console online → controller reachable at static IP → universes match patch PDF → timecode armed with 10-second pre-roll → low-power alignment → festival-safe fallback page saved.
Common Pitfalls & 60-Second Fixes
Universe mismatch / addressing drift
Fix: export a combined patch PDF from console + controller; diff once per show. Keep a laminated “Universe → Fixture” card.
Fix: export a combined patch PDF from console + controller; diff once per show. Keep a laminated “Universe → Fixture” card.
Multicast storms / IGMP disabled
Fix: use unicast; if multicast is required, enable IGMP snooping and isolate a laser VLAN.
Fix: use unicast; if multicast is required, enable IGMP snooping and isolate a laser VLAN.
Firewall / NIC priority
Fix: a show-profile (firewall off on the show VLAN), fixed NIC order, and printed static routes.
Fix: a show-profile (firewall off on the show VLAN), fixed NIC order, and printed static routes.
Time drift / no pre-roll
Fix: enforce 10-second pre-roll; verify NTP/PTP; keep a “chase-to-beat” manual override.
Fix: enforce 10-second pre-roll; verify NTP/PTP; keep a “chase-to-beat” manual override.
DMX physical layer faults
Fix: 120Ω DMX cables, terminators, a known-good short for triage; avoid mic cables.
Fix: 120Ω DMX cables, terminators, a known-good short for triage; avoid mic cables.
60-Second Recovery UPS/PDU → switch port LEDs → interlock continuity → controller OK? (if not, power-cycle controller only) → re-lock timecode (meter running) → fire festival-safe preset → restore show page → note timestamp for logs.
Starshine Field Notes (Real Projects)
EU Club (Art-Net laser + movers) — six universes by look type; IGMP on; printed IP map in every rack. Changeovers dropped by about 40% thanks to clean show-file recall.
APAC Campus Tour (DMX quick-rig) — single-universe DMX laser light with a laminated patch card; new techs repeated the patch safely in ~15 minutes.
NA Holiday Plaza (timecode laser) — LTC master, weekly NTP audit; low-temperature presets protected optics and kept the show stable all season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need Art-Net for a single DMX laser light?
No. DMX is ideal for one laser. If you plan to grow, an Art-Net laser or sACN path future-proofs the rig and speeds repatching.
How many channels should I allocate per laser?
Macro-driven shows fit in 12–16; full control usually needs 24–36. Leave ~20% headroom per universe.
Is a timecode laser overkill for bars?
If you need repeatable hits synced to tracks, timecode helps. Otherwise, manual or BPM-triggered cues are fine.
Can I trigger everything from my lighting console?
Yes. Over Art-Net/sACN you can trigger controller pages/cues; over DMX map macros and a dimmer into a compact personality.
Do you offer pre-wired racks and small-batch orders?
Yes—pre-wired laser racks with labeled power/data/interlocks, plus free shipping in eligible regions and a 2-year warranty.
Glossary
Universe: 512 DMX channels. Unicast/Multicast: Ethernet delivery modes (prefer unicast). IGMP Snooping: a switch feature that prevents multicast floods. LTC/MTC: linear/MIDI timecode. Interlock/E-stop: the safety loop and kill switch for lasers.
Download & Demo
Grab the Console-to-Laser Cheatsheet (PDF)—one-page universe map, IP plan, LTC/MTC wiring, a pre-show green-light checklist, and a 60-second recovery script.
View 2-Year Warranty Chat on WhatsApp
Want a turnkey path from console to lasers? Starshine kits arrive labeled, patched, and burn-in tested—with free shipping, a 2-year warranty, and support for small-batch orders.