Thank you so much. I'm a old railroad man who is not good with modern tech and this taught me on how to get it going and now my stuff is working. Did not know how to get the lights working until I saw this video. Thank you.
excellent tutorial, thanks so much! im the resident "ableton guy" at my university and the newest project im helping on is all about lighting and video, which i gotta learn!
QQ- how taxing is controlling the lights via Midi on the CPU? Do you think there would be issues running both audio & lights controlled by midi with 8GB of RAM?
Wow. You actually know how to make an informative tutorial. Thank you. There is literally 0% useless talking in this video. So hard to find these days.
I've been working on this stuff just recently and was trying to figure out how I'm gonna make this stuff work. Plenty of moments in this video where you totally simplified what I had planned and now I hate myself lol great stuff though! This is going to take my light show to the next level!
17:26!!!! Ahhhh now it makes sense. Not one video out there on Ableton Live explains how to use programmed material (midi) in the arrangement view, and then copy it to use it in the session view for live performance! Not one believe me! Every video is about using the session view for making music and using the arrangement view for making music just like any other DAW, but nothing about how these two work together once you have programmed what you want. Thanks Julian. Finally someone who's joined the dots for someone who hasn't used Ableton before. :)
Hi! Since 2019 I've kept on coming back to this video because you inspired me to purchase this. 2 years later... I finally have the budget to buy the Dmxis and will order it online. Hope you see this, and I also have some questions. 1. Does the Dmxis software keep on getting updates? 2. If per say you used up 100 channels on dmxis software, how hard does it affect the CPU usage? 3. Can I make my own lights and programs and use it on Dmxis software? Even if you don't see this, Julian. I do appreciate you for shedding some light to us people on how great this product is... Thank you!
This is THE best overview I've ever seen on how to do this. I'm not quite ready to automate my lights in live gigs, but probably will be soon, and now I have a nice roadmap. THANKS!
what if i have a few songs more? the arragement locator will start everytime at the beginning.. when i have 10 songs, i need the locator in the arragement window at different positions, because i will have the same lightshow over and over again.. can you help me with that?
Since this hardware is now discontinued, is there an easy solution to controlling lights this in Ableton using ENTTEC DMX USB PRO? I can't find any tutorials as good as this one for that.
Good stuff but you moved through the VST assignment to the midi channel pretty fast. Found another video that made it clear and then came back to yours.
This is the best tutorial I've founed on the subject, thanks so much!! So would you just group to a new instrument rack for each light you have on stage, since there are only 8 available macros in a rack??
Thank you. Say I am doing solo acoustic performance. I have a backing beat in Abelton. How can I link LED light strip to synch with the backing beat in Abelton do you have a video explain or showing how to do that?
This vid is so helpful! Thank you. Question for anybody that may know: I downloaded my light fixture and copied it into the library on finder, but it doesn't show up in the program. How do I fix this? For some reason I can only find the fixture library folder, but not ENTTEC or DMXIS. Where can I download or find those folders? Thanks.
Hi ! I'm very sorry, but I don't understand the purpose of creating macros. Can you tell me the difference between drawing directly and creating macro+drawing ? Thanks a lot !
Hello Julian, I would like to know, what library should I select for a common DMX Addressable Dip Switch Decoder with RGB Strip hooked up onto it? Wish to hear from you ya... tq...
Julian - Thank you so much for this video. I'm happy I found it, yet cannot find the DMXIS Open or Pro on the market anymore. Is there an alternative that works well with a VST for ABLETON Suite? It would be nice to find one capable of grounding before my computer and take some of the CPU task load...
great tutorial. do you know if it is possible to have multiple instances of the plugin sending dmx to the same dmxis hardware? it would be nice to have each fixture have its own rack and macros.
This technology still has a long way to go to make it user friendly. I’ve used a lot of music edit rigs such as various versions of Cakewalk, Guitar Tracks Pro QBass etc and they have really got it going on but the DMX world can’t seem to break away from their old school concepts.
So I'm super new to this program and controlling lights, and my question is, would I be able to use a DMXIS with a Roland TM-2 drum module to control a light? More specifically a strobe light. Basically, I'm looking for a way that every time I hit my drum pad tied to the TM-2, the strobe will go off during a show (I'm in a hardcore band). Hope this question makes sense and I'm glad I found this video, best one I've found yet.
Some of my lights are 5 pin and some are 3 pin. Can you still daisy chain them together with the proper 3 pin to 5 pin cables without issues? I also noticed that the Enttec DMXIS is 5 pin but the light in this video is 3 pin. so I may already knoiw the answer just want to confirm.
I use DMXIS with Capture to program my bands lighting scenes. I have to cue the changes with a foot switch which becomes difficult while I’m playing. Does Ableton support loading in DMXIS scenes already programmed into an audio track?
So I don't have Ableton Live, I don't produce music. I'm a simple tech guy that likes throwing house parties. I have been using lights on auto mode with their microphones but I want to step it up and design a small scale light show(anywhere from 10 to 20 lights) for a Reunion party that I want to hold in the summer. Would I be able to do what you're doing with just the basic Ableton Live package for 80 bucks? because if that's so, I confident I will be able to put together one hell of a show using this method over standard dmx controllers.
Thank you for the tutorial. Im having a strange issue with my setup. Im using 215 DMX channels. Some fixtures are grouped into macros, some are individual (such as the intimidators for individual X and Y control). My problem is switching between songs. I use Cmnd Shift M to group the automation, CMnd J to consolidate, then paste it over to the arrangement view. The problem is when I play the master, some of the fixtures parameters don't recognize the automation. I have to click on each fixture, click the dimmer and move it from 0 to max in order to "activate" it. Then I click re-enable automation and it works. The problem is having to do that for every fixture for every macro before every song seems extremely unnecessary. I'm sure its something dumb that i'm missing.
I think you may be running into a fundamental issue with Ableton's automation not picking up an automation curve. generally you can fix this by drawing a small adjustment at the beginning of the automation, on the corresponding clip
Does it have to be that specific light and brand? Can you connect a diverse range or types of lighting devices and brands? Or is there an adapter that could allow us to do so.
hey julian awesome vid!! would it be possible for a light show to be controlled by a roland spd-sx drum pad? could the USB out instead of going to laptop to dmxis just go straight in to dmxis? thanks so much!!
I think I figured out how to group multiple instrument racks within a rack and how to add multiple instances of the DMXIS plugin to those different instruments racks. So if I want to have independent control of various features on each light, then that would mean using 16 different instances of the DMXIS plugin (for 16 different lighting fixtures). I'm wondering if this would be very taxing on the CPU and create issues. Do you recommend this approach if using multiple fixtures when wanting independent control?
You already have independent controls over each fixture in this example. Just run a DMX cable to the next fixture and place the terminal adapter on it. Then name the next fixture "d002" and setup a new fixture lane on the DMXis program. It will send different signals down the line. No need to instantiate multiple DMXis plug-ins. Hope this helps.
I want to be able to control lighting live not by knobs that control the plugin DMXIS faders, but by certain notes I hit on a midi controller (either pads or keys). How would I go about doing this?
DMXis has a MIDI learn feature that does exactly this for individual channels. Or you can use DMXis presets and achieve something similar with MIDI controller mapping
How do you do macros for a second light? It has like 10 macros and if I try to group inside, it copies the same parameters as Light 1, and if I group outside, it won't let me map. I also can't open a 2nd instance of the DMXis Vst. Thanks!
QUESTION: Why do I need Ableton (and it's learning curve) to control my bands lights and sequences when I can use Show Buddy Setlist? I'm debating which one to buy. Thanks!
Hi Julian, Will multiple instances of DMXIS inst. vst work simultaneosly? I haven't bought the DMXIS box yet so I am wonderign if it possible to create differente instances of the VST, one for each Light fixture ,and create automation for each fixture in its corresponding channel. I want to automate all the 512 DMX channels so I am wondering if it is possible to create cluster of automated DMX channels that can be played separately as clips.
do you recommend creating presets in the DMXIS mixer and then calling them with a midi note at different sections of the song OR what about just drawing in all automation for each light in Ableton for each section of the song (e.g verse, chorus, etc).? Then there would be no need for presets in the DMXIS mixer.
Hi, is there a way that I can record automation in Ableton using the DMXIS Plugin as input source? Goal is to just record the macros of the plugin into the setup Fixure-Lines in Ableton...
I've a setup with just on par 7, traktor DJ 3, entec usb pro. Is there a way / software that you know to automatically can do some sort of a light show that actually responds. I do not want to program every song that is going to be played for an at home party.
Very interesting. Could this potentially be triggered through a MIDI controller and the lights will activate? Also, could DMXIS be used in conjunction with a DMX light board?
1:13... Your example is wrong!...if the fog machine was 10 channel then it would be 1-10 the next fixture would be set at 11-? How ever many channels it has
Since this is quite old what is now the best product instead of the enttec DMXIS? And can any light be controlled or is there something I need to look out for. Really new at this but wanna experiment.
![Controlling Lights with Ableton: What’s the Best Approach? [Resource Guide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oZ_9UF7r9Ic/mqdefault.jpg)
Wanted to circle back here years later... This is still the best tutorial for easy DMX set up! Thank you Julian!
This is seriously one of the best tutorials ever, let alone for something with so many moving parts as diy stage lighting! Love it!
Thank you!
Thank you so much. I'm a old railroad man who is not good with modern tech and this taught me on how to get it going and now my stuff is working. Did not know how to get the lights working until I saw this video. Thank you.
Very cool! where you from?
Julian Gray Media I live in Portland Oregon USA and was born in Tucson Arizona USA. I am basically a furry who is just starting in DJ stuff.
excellent tutorial, thanks so much!
im the resident "ableton guy" at my university and the newest project im helping on is all about lighting and video, which i gotta learn!
This is like the most helpful tutorial on the internet. Thanks so much dude!
Glad you found it helpful!
QQ- how taxing is controlling the lights via Midi on the CPU? Do you think there would be issues running both audio & lights controlled by midi with 8GB of RAM?
@@thefourstringupgrade I see this question was never answered - MIDI is nothing to a CPU. Nothing at all. Shouldn't be any type of issue.
Wow. You actually know how to make an informative tutorial. Thank you. There is literally 0% useless talking in this video. So hard to find these days.
I've been working on this stuff just recently and was trying to figure out how I'm gonna make this stuff work. Plenty of moments in this video where you totally simplified what I had planned and now I hate myself lol
great stuff though! This is going to take my light show to the next level!
Cheers man! Good luck!
Finally got hold of a DMXIS yesterday and this video helped me perfectly. Thanks so much.
17:26!!!! Ahhhh now it makes sense. Not one video out there on Ableton Live explains how to use programmed material (midi) in the arrangement view, and then copy it to use it in the session view for live performance! Not one believe me! Every video is about using the session view for making music and using the arrangement view for making music just like any other DAW, but nothing about how these two work together once you have programmed what you want. Thanks Julian. Finally someone who's joined the dots for someone who hasn't used Ableton before. :)
Cheers man!
Hi! Since 2019 I've kept on coming back to this video because you inspired me to purchase this. 2 years later... I finally have the budget to buy the Dmxis and will order it online. Hope you see this, and I also have some questions.
1. Does the Dmxis software keep on getting updates?
2. If per say you used up 100 channels on dmxis software, how hard does it affect the CPU usage?
3. Can I make my own lights and programs and use it on Dmxis software?
Even if you don't see this, Julian. I do appreciate you for shedding some light to us people on how great this product is... Thank you!
I've heard that theres a new version of the software that will utilize the same hardware coming soon!
I'm not sure about your other questions.
@@JulianGrayMedia I think it's called Emu, but it's still on Beta though. Alright, man! Thanks again.
Yo i had NO idea you did a video on this. Ive had DMXIS for a while but havent quite figured out how to incorporate it into my setup
2023 ;) any updates on hardware chain? DMXIS is discontinued, any links etc awesome. Great run down 🖤😎🙌
Mind Blown. That's a very thorough and excellent showcase for what you can do in Ableton with lighting. Great work, thanks for putting it together!
Absolutely! More people should learn how to do it! It's wicked when done right
Amazing, sold me on a DMXIS unit. This tutorial is epic man great work!!
Awesome! Utilizing this alongside a launchpad controller oughta be bonkers!
Thanks for the tutorial, This will make my show much more compelling with a lightshow.
Definitely help… wish it was a two light setup but i get the gist
same thing applies to more lights, just gotta scale the idea up.
just got mine and programmed all my lights. Ur vid was just OH SO HELPFUL EH!!
Glad you found it useful!
fantastic, this is the best tutorial on TH-cam, now the only problem is we can't get a DMXis unit... they have stopped supply. Any ideas?
Awesome video, thank you! I have a question :
How to add & control a second light but with an INDEPENDANT 2nd rack? (1 rack / light)
This is THE best overview I've ever seen on how to do this. I'm not quite ready to automate my lights in live gigs, but probably will be soon, and now I have a nice roadmap. THANKS!
This content is LIT!!!
[No Pun Intended]
what if i have a few songs more? the arragement locator will start everytime at the beginning.. when i have 10 songs, i need the locator in the arragement window at different positions, because i will have the same lightshow over and over again.. can you help me with that?
Finally what I've been looking for!!!! You're the bestest
Glad you found use out of the video!
Best tutorial for dmxis yet, I use logic and it still made a ton of sense, one question I do have would be how can you mirror your lights?
Since this hardware is now discontinued, is there an easy solution to controlling lights this in Ableton using ENTTEC DMX USB PRO? I can't find any tutorials as good as this one for that.
Working on this.
Great video! Thank you so much!
this tutorial is insane, thanks 🙏👍🏽 man ...real stuff...
Good stuff but you moved through the VST assignment to the midi channel pretty fast. Found another video that made it clear and then came back to yours.
Does anybody have suggestions to the discontinued Enttec DMXIS? Its a shame they discontinued them..
Awesome bro!!! I’m getting this and getting rid of the airstream DMX... it was great, but crashes too much
This is the best tutorial I've founed on the subject, thanks so much!! So would you just group to a new instrument rack for each light you have on stage, since there are only 8 available macros in a rack??
Thank you. Say I am doing solo acoustic performance. I have a backing beat in Abelton. How can I link LED light strip to synch with the backing beat in Abelton do you have a video explain or showing how to do that?
thanks so much !! this really helps !!
This vid is so helpful! Thank you. Question for anybody that may know: I downloaded my light fixture and copied it into the library on finder, but it doesn't show up in the program. How do I fix this? For some reason I can only find the fixture library folder, but not ENTTEC or DMXIS. Where can I download or find those folders? Thanks.
are you on mac or pc?
Really great video! Thanks!!
You are an amazing teacher. Thanks so much Julian!
Glad you found the video helpful!
Hi !
I'm very sorry, but I don't understand the purpose of creating macros.
Can you tell me the difference between drawing directly and creating macro+drawing ?
Thanks a lot !
This video is very thorough.
Thanks a ton!
Such a great tutorial. Thank you.
THX SO MUCH FOR THIS AMAZING TUTORIAL
really good tutorial, thanks!
Hello Julian, I would like to know, what library should I select for a common DMX Addressable Dip Switch Decoder with RGB Strip hooked up onto it? Wish to hear from you ya... tq...
JG back after while :D
Sorry mate! was out of state :)
Julian - Thank you so much for this video. I'm happy I found it, yet cannot find the DMXIS Open or Pro on the market anymore. Is there an alternative that works well with a VST for ABLETON Suite? It would be nice to find one capable of grounding before my computer and take some of the CPU task load...
The newest version is called EMU and it's also by DMXIS.
Amazing tutorial and ideas. Thank you!
Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!
great tutorial. do you know if it is possible to have multiple instances of the plugin sending dmx to the same dmxis hardware? it would be nice to have each fixture have its own rack and macros.
never mind you already answered this i just didn't read the comments.
This technology still has a long way to go to make it user friendly. I’ve used a lot of music edit rigs such as various versions of Cakewalk, Guitar Tracks Pro QBass etc and they have really got it going on but the DMX world can’t seem to break away from their old school concepts.
Great video! Could you do a follow up using a launchpad if you happen to have one?
I have a whole series on live performance
Great work man, super clear. Thank you
So I'm super new to this program and controlling lights, and my question is, would I be able to use a DMXIS with a Roland TM-2 drum module to control a light? More specifically a strobe light. Basically, I'm looking for a way that every time I hit my drum pad tied to the TM-2, the strobe will go off during a show (I'm in a hardcore band). Hope this question makes sense and I'm glad I found this video, best one I've found yet.
Yes, Just have to convert midi from the pad to a dmx signal. very doable with max for live.
Julian Gray Media thank you so much!
Thanks a lot bro ! SO HELPFUL !
Video starts at 8:33
How about using midi notes to programming lights?
Amazing content! Thank You for this video!
Hi there ! I am planing using this or similar box with fl studio !Do you think will be possible ?
Some of my lights are 5 pin and some are 3 pin. Can you still daisy chain them together with the proper 3 pin to 5 pin cables without issues? I also noticed that the Enttec DMXIS is 5 pin but the light in this video is 3 pin. so I may already knoiw the answer just want to confirm.
Excellent tutorial!
Where can I find this open source community for light library?
link in description.
great video does this work in session view in Ableton Live too.
Yup!
I use DMXIS with Capture to program my bands lighting scenes. I have to cue the changes with a foot switch which becomes difficult while I’m playing. Does Ableton support loading in DMXIS scenes already programmed into an audio track?
So I don't have Ableton Live, I don't produce music. I'm a simple tech guy that likes throwing house parties. I have been using lights on auto mode with their microphones but I want to step it up and design a small scale light show(anywhere from 10 to 20 lights) for a Reunion party that I want to hold in the summer. Would I be able to do what you're doing with just the basic Ableton Live package for 80 bucks? because if that's so, I confident I will be able to put together one hell of a show using this method over standard dmx controllers.
Is it possibile to do this but using light rig simulation software like Realizzer instead of actual lights?
This worked. However what happens if i want to add more fixtures. I Only have 8 macro knobs... what do i do?
add a second instance of the plugin with another instrument rack. it's a bit finicky but it works.
dude thank you so much this is super helpful!
Thanks. Was expecting this.
This was insanely helpful, thank you!
Thank you for the tutorial. Im having a strange issue with my setup. Im using 215 DMX channels. Some fixtures are grouped into macros, some are individual (such as the intimidators for individual X and Y control). My problem is switching between songs. I use Cmnd Shift M to group the automation, CMnd J to consolidate, then paste it over to the arrangement view. The problem is when I play the master, some of the fixtures parameters don't recognize the automation. I have to click on each fixture, click the dimmer and move it from 0 to max in order to "activate" it. Then I click re-enable automation and it works. The problem is having to do that for every fixture for every macro before every song seems extremely unnecessary. I'm sure its something dumb that i'm missing.
I think you may be running into a fundamental issue with Ableton's automation not picking up an automation curve. generally you can fix this by drawing a small adjustment at the beginning of the automation, on the corresponding clip
Does it have to be that specific light and brand? Can you connect a diverse range or types of lighting devices and brands? Or is there an adapter that could allow us to do so.
You can connect any DMX device.
hey julian awesome vid!! would it be possible for a light show to be controlled by a roland spd-sx drum pad? could the USB out instead of going to laptop to dmxis just go straight in to dmxis? thanks so much!!
DMXIS is discontinued, check out my new video on EMU! it should be possible.
I think I figured out how to group multiple instrument racks within a rack and how to add multiple instances of the DMXIS plugin to those different instruments racks. So if I want to have independent control of various features on each light, then that would mean using 16 different instances of the DMXIS plugin (for 16 different lighting fixtures). I'm wondering if this would be very taxing on the CPU and create issues. Do you recommend this approach if using multiple fixtures when wanting independent control?
You already have independent controls over each fixture in this example. Just run a DMX cable to the next fixture and place the terminal adapter on it. Then name the next fixture "d002" and setup a new fixture lane on the DMXis program. It will send different signals down the line. No need to instantiate multiple DMXis plug-ins. Hope this helps.
Is there a workaround for the cpu load issue?
Thanks so much for this.
Is it possible to create the same groups in Logig Pro X with Dmexis? thanks in advance
i cant find the vst plugin. the link doesnt work for me. can sombody help me?
I want to be able to control lighting live not by knobs that control the plugin DMXIS faders, but by certain notes I hit on a midi controller (either pads or keys). How would I go about doing this?
DMXis has a MIDI learn feature that does exactly this for individual channels. Or you can use DMXis presets and achieve something similar with MIDI controller mapping
is it possible to use this with a dmx spi decoder, to be used with spi led strips?
How do you do macros for a second light? It has like 10 macros and if I try to group inside, it copies the same parameters as Light 1, and if I group outside, it won't let me map. I also can't open a 2nd instance of the DMXis Vst. Thanks!
How do you keep the dimmer on the whole time without programming it as a macro?
Do you have to use the dmxis box or can i use just an normal dmx to usb cable? Plz answear
Great video! I’m worried about latency, tho. How bad is the delay?
It's pretty minimal. Depends also on your fixture servos.
Great video👍🏽 thanks for the help!
Cheers!
Thanks a ton for this tutorial!
DMXIS works only in Ableton Live, or in any DAW?
Any daw! Ableton is just the best for this sort of live function.
Which version of Ableton is this? Standard, Suite?
Any idea if a DMX laser works the same way?
Do I need a dmx terminator if I’m using more than one fixture and if so which fixture should I use it on
Carl Harding okay thank you so much
QUESTION: Why do I need Ableton (and it's learning curve) to control my bands lights and sequences when I can use Show Buddy Setlist? I'm debating which one to buy. Thanks!
Hi ! Thanks for this video. It helped me a lot. I have still a problem. How do I use your macro tip when I have more than 8 lights ? Thanks !
You can use more than one instance of DMXIS in different channels! I run a lot more than 8 lights when I'm playing out :)
Hi Julian, Will multiple instances of DMXIS inst. vst work simultaneosly?
I haven't bought the DMXIS box yet so I am wonderign if it possible to create differente instances of the VST, one for each Light fixture ,and create automation for each fixture in its corresponding channel. I want to automate all the 512 DMX channels so I am wondering if it is possible to create cluster of automated DMX channels that can be played separately as clips.
How do you install DMXIS as a plugin?
do you recommend creating presets in the DMXIS mixer and then calling them with a midi note at different sections of the song OR what about just drawing in all automation for each light in Ableton for each section of the song (e.g verse, chorus, etc).? Then there would be no need for presets in the DMXIS mixer.
You can do both! the issue is that presets have less control over each individual light
Hi, is there a way that I can record automation in Ableton using the DMXIS Plugin as input source?
Goal is to just record the macros of the plugin into the setup Fixure-Lines in Ableton...
What kind of Lixada light did you use in the video?
I've a setup with just on par 7, traktor DJ 3, entec usb pro. Is there a way / software that you know to automatically can do some sort of a light show that actually responds. I do not want to program every song that is going to be played for an at home party.
Tried it with soundswitch but through Ableton link, only BPM share is possible, that is something but it is so far away from something good.
Very interesting. Could this potentially be triggered through a MIDI controller and the lights will activate? Also, could DMXIS be used in conjunction with a DMX light board?
Absolutely! it's all fundamentally midi!
@@JulianGrayMedia Awesome. Thanks for the video.
Well I don't have any lights at all, but I feel like the more you know can help down the line right?
Sure!
1:13... Your example is wrong!...if the fog machine was 10 channel then it would be 1-10 the next fixture would be set at 11-? How ever many channels it has
Dude, this is awesome. Thanks for sharing. =)
Hey dude where did you find the VST for Mac? I can't find it anywhere on the download page?
Since this is quite old what is now the best product instead of the enttec DMXIS? And can any light be controlled or is there something I need to look out for. Really new at this but wanna experiment.
th-cam.com/video/xc5ZWTCdVpU/w-d-xo.html&lc=UgzKXn7-fBr2qzp8zql4AaABAg check out my update
If you happen to have one DMXis box for sale I'd be interested ! Let me know..