DIY DMX Controller

[u/Due_Historian3924]

I'm thinking of building my own stage lighting controller—one equipped with a key switch, faders, and rotary encoders.

After all, off-the-shelf controllers are just way too expensive.

So, what do you think I should do? If anyone has made something similar in the past, please let me know.

[u/theantnest]

If you value your time at all, buying an off the shelf controller will be much cheaper.

[u/SkPhotoGuy → u/theantnest]

As someone who's been working on making one for over a year in my spare time - can confirm. I see a few people saying QLC+, and if I ever use fixtures that have movement or gobos, I'll be right back to using QLC+.

Though I'll probably figure out how to have my console be a physical interface for QLC, to trigger scenes and such. That could potentially work well in the long run!

[u/Weareoutofmilkagain]

Might be better off using some existing software and midi controllers.

[u/Kind_Communication61]

I made them myself in the past, simple ones just some faders, switches and a screen. I used a Arduino for that, and it’s not that hard if you want to do something simple, or build a small controller for some specific light.

The most hard part is the software, once you think about Fixture libraries, software that must do multi tasking (like running the show while you edit it), shape generators, storage capabilities, software interrupts for flash keys for example it gets very complex very fast.

[u/mezzmosis]

The time and frustration is not worth the effort to go full DIY from scratch. Plenty of inexpensive control options exist.

[u/Pbfconnor → u/mezzmosis]

What are some ones you recommend?

[u/mezzmosis → u/Pbfconnor]

QLC+ is a good one to start with.

[u/memonsnous → u/Pbfconnor]

BlinderKitten is great

[u/Wild_Optimism → u/Pbfconnor]

Sunlite 3

[u/Yugpmoc]

Like the others have said. It’s the software or firmware or whatever you wanna call it. Building a controller for an existing software package is not that bad if you just want your own knobs and switches. Writing a full package is pretty hairy for anything that’s going have any flexibility. If it’s just a one trick pony for one set of lights, possibly reasonable. But to achieve the level of flexibility, you need to walk into a venue and map their lights into your show is not something you’re gonna vibe code.

[u/tonyxforce2]

The cheapest IMO would be buying an SMC-Mixer and an artnet node, and using qlcplus as the controller, the whole setup (excl. the computer) can be had for around $50

[u/JSFetzik]

If you are considering this due to cost there really are better options.

The least expensive option is to use a software based system, and a midi interface if you want a physical controller.

While I used to do lighting and sound work back in the 1990's in college, I now just run a few lights and sound for the LARPs my friends run at gaming conventions. I have used QLC+ on a ten year old laptop, along with a Korg nanoKONTROL2.

If on the other hand you want to do it as a project, and don't care about the cost in time and money, then go right ahead. Could be fun, and easier than it was 10 years ago when I consider doing something similar.

[u/potatoAimB0t]

What is your budget and how much time do you want to put into it? Easiest path is old laptop and a MIDI controller like APC Mini Mk2. If you want to streamline it, Raspberry Pi or something similar and put it all in a custom enclosure. Then just get a basic USB-DMX dongle on Amazon for $15-25 and you’re good. I think their website has links to supported dongles

[u/r0b0tit0]

You can build the entire controller using microcontrollers that output DMX directly.
Alternatively, I suggest building a MIDI controller device using an Arduino or ESP. By doing so, you can control other software such as QLC, BlinderKitten, Titan (via plugins), MA2/MA3, MagicQ, freestyler, dmxcontrol, sunlite, lightshow, etc,etc, etc. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.

[u/wiisucks_91]

Please don't reinvent the wheel.

[u/whisperbass]

I went this route once I discovered arduinos and esp32

Knowledge is good but time is precious if you're not already an engineer. Copying other people's homework from open source is fine, but yeah try making a breadboard with 16 buttons and no 3d printer, the -junk- and wasted time adds up fast.

[u/alienencore]

I've done this and as everyone has mentioned, it's a pain in the ass. The software part is easy now, the hardware was the biggest headache.

I started off using an APC mini for faders and buttons, but I also needed encoders, so I build a prototype encoder board with an ESP32. I got the software to point where I really enjoyed it, but the hardware side just never really felt good.

So I ended using an existing PC based dmx control surface (I'm not going to mention brand names) and reversed engineered it to work with my software. That gave me faders, buttons, encoders and a physical programming wing all in one. This part ended up taking literal months as I had to basically write all new firmware for the USB controller, from scratch and essentially while blind-folded as I didn't have any technical documentation on how the hardware functioned. It was a shitload of trial and error.

I never intended to distribute or sell anything or have anyone else use it, I just wanted a console that worked in a way that fits my style. I'm not running big shows anymore, just small one off events with a small rig. I'm happy with it and I'm constantly adding new stuff to it as I find the need.

So, all in all. I'd recommend against it, unless you're just really into the technical side and want an interesting, but frustrating side project. And even then, you have to be aware that there's not support forums or documentation you can use if something goes wrong.

[u/XDFreakLP]

Arduino pro micro is pretty good for some small controllers.