forgelightingv1.0.0

LIGHTFORGE

Forge your light, master every universe.

Requires Q-SYS 9.0+ · Any Q-SYS Core

Module Overview

Point LightForge at your lighting console — Art-Net, sACN, doesn't matter — and hit record. It grabs every DMX frame at 44 fps and stores it in a compact binary format that only writes when something actually changes. A static look-hold? That's two frames, not two hours of identical data. You get 64 independent tracks. Each one picks its own input protocol, output protocol, universe, and destination. Art-Net in, sACN out, unicast here, multicast there — mix however you need. When two tracks want to talk to the same output universe, the merge engine sorts it out. HTP keeps the brightest value per channel. LTP takes whatever came in last. Priority mode uses sACN priority levels, so your FOH desk always wins over the ambient loop. A global fader scales everything at once, and one master switch kills all output if you need a blackout. Timecode is where it gets interesting. Feed in Art-Net TC or read H/M/S/F from any Q-SYS component — a mixer, a script, whatever you've got. Playback locks to incoming timecode with no drift. You can also define time windows that arm and trigger recordings automatically, so the system captures only the parts of the show you care about. There's a 512-channel live monitor built in. Switch between raw input and post-merge output for any track — useful when you're debugging, or when someone asks what the lights are actually doing. The usual approach to DMX recording is a dedicated box that costs thousands and lives in its own rack unit. LightForge is a Q-SYS plugin. Your Core already handles audio, video, and control. Now it handles lighting too. Add a cheap Art-Net node for physical DMX output and you're done.

Core Features

  • Record — 64 independent tracks at 44 fps. Only stores frames that actually change, so a static scene takes kilobytes, not megabytes.
  • Route — Each track picks its own Art-Net or sACN input and output. Broadcast, unicast, or multicast. Mix protocols across tracks however you want.
  • Merge — Multiple tracks hitting the same universe? HTP takes the brightest value, LTP takes the latest, Priority uses sACN levels. A master fader scales all output at once.
  • Sync — Art-Net TimeCode or any Q-SYS component as a TC source. Playback stays locked with no drift. Set time windows to auto-trigger recordings.
  • Trigger — Four modes: press a button, react to any DMX change, fire on a channel threshold, or follow a timecode window. Every control is a Q-SYS pin.
  • Monitor — 512 channels, real-time, for any track. Switch between live input and post-merge output. Zebra-striped and light on the CPU.
  • Load — Binary format with direct seek. Two-hour shows load in under a second. Scrub to any position with a knob.
  • Backup — All track settings export to one JSON file. Names, protocols, universes, merge modes, masks, triggers. Restore everything at once.

Interface Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

Changelog

v1.0.02025-03-01Latest
  • - Up to 64-track Art-Net & sACN record/play
  • - Merge engine with HTP, LTP, and Priority modes
  • - Art-Net TimeCode and external TC component support
  • - 4 trigger modes: Manual, Any Change, DMX Level, Timecode
  • - 512-channel live monitor (input and output modes)
  • - Per-track input and output channel mask filtering
  • - JSON config backup and restore

Lifetime License

...

Replaces

ENTTEC S-Play SP1 / CueCore3 (~1 500–2 300 $)

Secured via Stripe

Compatibility

Min. Q-SYS Version
9.0
Supported Cores
Any Q-SYS Core
Designer Version
Q-SYS Designer 9.x+

Technical Specs

Tracks
Up to 64 simultaneous record/play (configurable)
TX Modes
Broadcast, Unicast, Multicast (sACN)
Timecode
Art-Net TC, External TC component, TC-triggered recording & sync playback
Filtering
Per-track input & output channel mask (ranges, individual, combos)
Protocols
Art-Net 4 & sACN (E1.31), independent input & output per track
File Format
Binary V3 (.dmxr) — O(1) random seek, instant save & load
Integration
Full Q-SYS pin (UCI, GPIO, Show Controller, ShowMind)
Capture Rate
44 fps (skip-frame compression for static scenes)
License Type
Node-locked (Core ID)
Live Monitor
512-channel real-time display (input or post-merge output)
Merge Engine
HTP, LTP, and Priority modes with tier-based merging
Config Backup
JSON export/import of all track settings
Trigger Modes
Manual, Any Change, DMX Level threshold, Timecode window
Master Controls
MasterFader (0-100%) and MasterOut global gate

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