We’ve extended eDMX pass-through in Designer 2.15 to allow more flexibility when routing incoming eDMX to the output universes in your project.
On this page
- What is eDMX pass-through?
- Supported input protocols
- Supported output universes
- Configure eDMX pass-through in Designer
What is eDMX pass-through?
eDMX pass-through enables Pharos Designer LPC family controllers to route incoming eDMX to output universes in the controller’s project. Pass-through can be enabled automatically when eDMX data is received, or toggled manually using Designer triggers.
Example scenario: venue lighting control
Theatres and concert venues using Pharos LPC controllers for their architectural lighting, houselights, or circulation spaces can use an LPC for installation-friendly, automated lighting control, and use eDMX pass-through when a touring production arrives with their own lighting console.
With their console pre-programmed for the show, visiting lighting designers might need their cues to drive parts of the venue’s lighting directly, while the Pharos system should still control other elements before and after the show.
Using eDMX pass-through, the LPC can listen for the visiting console’s Art-Net or sACN data, and automatically pass it directly to the relevant DMX universes driving the venue’s lighting. During the show, those fixtures respond exactly as the touring desk intends, and when the curtain falls, the LPC resumes full control with no need to re-patch, swap cables, or reconfigure the network.
Supported configurations
Supported input protocols
eDMX pass-through can receive data from an external source using the following eDMX protocols:
- sACN
- Art-Net
When using LPC X, the input protocol must be connected to the controller’s Data port.
Note: eDMX pass-through is not available on Designer VLC family controllers.
Configure eDMX Pass-Through in Designer
eDMX pass-through is configured in Pharos Designer using buses. Pass-through buses are first associated with a source universe, then assigned to output universes. Once configured, pass-through must be enabled in triggers.
1. Create pass-through buses
- From the ‘Patch’ tab, click ‘Protocol Properties…’ and find ‘Manage…’ under ‘eDMX Pass-Through’.
- Click ‘New’ to create a new pass-through bus.
- Give the bus a helpful name and number, then select which protocol and universe the bus should listen for input eDMX data on.
- If input data isn’t received, pass-through can automatically revert to the project’s output after a set period of time. If using this feature, set a time in seconds after which output should auto-revert.
2. Assign buses to output universes
- From the ‘Patch’ tab, find the universe to which you want to route pass-through data
- Select the desired bus from the ‘eDMX Pass-Through’ drop-down list
💡 Tip: A single pass-through bus can be assigned to more than one output universe.
3. Enable pass-through in triggers
- From the ‘Triggers’ tab, find a trigger you would like to use for enabling eDMX Pass-Through.
This will differ from one installation to another. Examples include a Real Time trigger (to start pass-through at a fixed time), a Touch Button Pressed trigger (to activate pass-through from a touch device) or DMX Input (to activate pass-through when DMX input is detected).
- Add a new action to the trigger and select Type: ‘Toggle eDMX Pass-Through’
- Select a bus to enable when the trigger is fired, or choose All
💡 Tip: Disabling a pass-through bus can be achieved in the same way, but changing ‘Action’ to ‘Disable’.
Enhanced eDMX pass-through is available in Pharos Designer version 2.15 or later. More information regarding eDMX pass-through is available in our online help documentation.
