What is DMXpressions?

DMXpressions is a state-of-the-art, browser-based stage lighting console and 3D visualizer. It runs entirely in your web browser, controlling up to 128 DMX-512 universes over Art-Net and sACN. You can patch fixtures, build cue stacks, program effects and pixel maps, generate looks with AI, preview your rig in the StageCraft3D WebGPU visualizer, and send real DMX to your lights — with no install and no dongle.

Do I need to install anything?

No. DMXpressions runs in any modern browser (Chrome and Edge recommended). You can optionally install it as a Progressive Web App for an offline-capable, app-like experience, but no drivers or downloads are required.

Which browsers and devices are supported?

DMXpressions works best in Chrome and Edge on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Android, and is supported on Safari and Firefox. The StageCraft3D visualizer uses WebGPU where available and falls back to WebGL2. It runs on laptops, desktops, tablets and phones.

What hardware do I need to control real lights?

Any USB-DMX interface that exposes a serial port works, such as the ENTTEC Open DMX and DMXKing. For network output you can send DMX to any standard Art-Net or sACN lighting node on your LAN — no extra software required.

How many universes can DMXpressions output?

Up to 128 universes of DMX input and output. The number you can send live depends on your license — the free demo outputs 1 universe, and paid licenses unlock 8, 16, 32, 64 or 128 universes.

Does it support Art-Net and sACN?

Yes. DMXpressions sends and receives genuine DMX-512 over your lighting network using both Art-Net and sACN (E1.31), so it works with the nodes, dimmers and moving lights you already have.

What is the StageCraft3D Visualizer?

StageCraft3D is a native WebGPU render engine that previews your rig in real time with volumetric raymarched beams, physically-based haze and fog, true photometric falloff, gobo wheels, framing shutters and prisms — pixel-accurate to the real fixtures.

Can the lights react to music?

Yes. AudioLens makes your rig respond to live sound with beat-, band- and energy-reactive effects driven by any audio input.

Does DMXpressions have AI features?

Yes. The AI Scene Builder turns a plain-language description into full scenes, colour palettes and cues in seconds, giving you a fast starting point you can refine by hand.

Is DMXpressions a subscription?

No. There is no subscription. Licenses are one-time payments for lifetime access, including all future updates. You own it once.

How does the free Demo work?

The free demo outputs 1 universe of live DMX for private use. The 3D visualizer and multi-universe output are reserved for paid licenses, but you can build and save a full show in demo mode before buying.

Can I use it at a venue with unreliable internet?

Yes. Once the page loads, the console works fully offline. Cloud sync and purchases require a connection, but live DMX output does not — your show keeps running even if the internet drops.

DMXpressions professional browser-based stage lighting console with a live stage of moving lights and haze

Networking · 9 min read

Art-Net vs sACN: Which Should You Use?

Art-Net and sACN (E1.31) both carry many DMX universes over a normal Ethernet network. sACN is a formal ANSI standard that uses multicast and built-in priority, making it efficient on big, modern rigs; Art-Net is older, extremely widely supported, and simple to set up. Most nodes speak both — pick the one your hardware prefers.

A lighting network switch with glowing data cables backstage

Why send DMX over a network?

A single DMX cable carries one universe (512 channels). A show with dozens of moving lights and LED pixels needs many universes. Rather than running dozens of DMX cables, you send them as data packets over one Ethernet cable to network nodes, which convert each universe back to physical DMX outputs at the rig. This is cheaper, lighter, and far easier to reconfigure than copper everywhere.

Art-Net at a glance

Created by Artistic Licence; now on Art-Net 4.
Traditionally uses broadcast (though Art-Net 4 supports unicast), on the 2.x.x.x or 10.x.x.x IP range by convention.
Enormous device support — almost every node, media server and software supports it.
Simple to configure, which makes it a safe default for small and medium rigs.
Older broadcast setups can flood cheap switches with traffic for every universe, whether a device wants it or not.

sACN (E1.31) at a glance

A formal ANSI/ESTA standard (E1.31), designed specifically for entertainment.
Uses multicast by default, so managed switches only forward each universe to devices that subscribed to it — much lighter traffic on large systems.
Has built-in priority (0–200), so a backup console can take over cleanly if the main one drops.
Universe numbers map directly to multicast groups (239.255.x.x), making addressing predictable.

Head-to-head

Network load: sACN multicast wins on big rigs; Art-Net broadcast can swamp unmanaged switches.
Redundancy: sACN's native priority makes tracking backup and dual-console failover straightforward.
Compatibility: Art-Net is on more legacy gear; sACN dominates newer professional installs.
Setup simplicity: roughly equal today; both are a few clicks in most software.
Discovery: Art-Net has ArtPoll for auto-discovery of nodes; sACN relies on universe configuration.

Networking tips that prevent 90% of problems

Put lighting on its own physical network or VLAN — never share it with show video or office Wi-Fi.
Use a managed switch with IGMP snooping for sACN multicast, or multicast can behave like broadcast.
Give every device a static IP; avoid DHCP on a show network.
Use good gigabit switches and cable; lighting data is small but latency and dropouts are unforgiving.

So which should you pick?

If your nodes and fixtures support sACN and you're running many universes, use sACN for its efficiency and clean failover. If you have older gear or want the widest compatibility, Art-Net is a dependable choice. Many rigs even run both on separate ranges. DMXpressions outputs both, up to 128 universes, so you're never locked in.

Keep reading

What Is DMX-512? A Beginner's Guide How Many DMX Universes Do You Need?How to Program Your First Lighting Show GDTF & Fixture Profiles Explained

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