How to set up DMX light control Follow

Our DMX software is an integrated part of the MOWL software and allows you to implement creative lighting at your bike studio for maximum effect. All you need is an LED setup and an Art-Net converter, and you are ready to deliver a new immersive, interactive, and motivating experience to your members.

The following topics will be explained below:

1. What you need to set up DMX light control
2. How to get started
3. Creating the JSON file
4. Editing the JSON file
5. JSON file specifications
6. Example 1: Simple light setup
7. Example 2: Complex light setup

1) What you need to set up DMX light control

If you want to control your lighting using the DMX signals sent by the MOWL software there are a few things you need. The following list is an example of what you could use to set up DMX light control:

• Ethernet connected to the PC you use to run MOWL
• (Optional: downloading and installing NotePad++ to your computer)
• A 1GB switch
• 2 Cat6 Ethernet Cables
• DMX Cables (if you need to convert from 3-pin to 5-pin it's no problem)
• An ArtNet DMX controller

2) How to get started

1. The ArtNet DMX controller will be the link between the PC and the lights. First, connect the Ethernet cable to the ArtNet controller and then use a second Ethernet cable to connect the ArtNet Controller to the PC.
2. Run a DMX cable from your ArtNet controller to your DMX-enabled light source.

When all cables are connected it might look similar to the example above.

3) Creating the JSON file

Upon first use, Intelligent Cycling creates a small file called: “dmx_setup.json”. This file tells Intelligent Cycling how to communicate with your lights, and you will need to edit the JSON file to match your light setup. This can seem a bit complicated so take it step by step.

4) Editing the JSON file

After locating the dmx_setup.json file, open it in NotePad++ or any other text editor. If you use Notepad++, Notepad will help you register any errors in the code as you edit the JSON file which can be very helpful if you accidentally delete part of the code. You can leave MOWL running in the background while you adjust the JSON file. Your new settings will take effect once you enter or leave a workout.

Brackets

All the different brackets and commas are VERY important – this is why you should consider using NotePad++ to edit the file. NotePad++ will show you errors in the code if you accidentally forget a bracket!

5) JSON file specifications

To keep things simple, we’ll start by covering the basic settings already included in the automatically generated dmx_setup.json.

First, we’ll look at the global settings that apply to all your lights and ensure proper communication.

Typically, the only settings you may wish to modify here are the Idle Light parameters. However, the default values are suitable for most configurations.

The Idle Light defines how your lights behave while you’re in MOWL but not running a workout.
When “UseIdleLight” is set to true, all lights switch to the specified idle color and brightness as soon as the software launches. This state remains active until a workout begins, and it resumes when the workout ends.

If “UseIdleLight” is set to false, MOWL will only control your lights during a workout.
When needed, adjust the red, green, blue, and brightness settings to make the idle light look exactly how you want it. These values range from 0 - 255, with lower numbers giving less color/brightness and higher numbers giving more.

Next, you need to tell the MOWL software which lights you have in your room and how it should control them.
 

This is done with the Lights section:

"Lights": [

    {

        "StartChannel": 1,

        "RedChannel": 1,

        "GreenChannel": 2,

        "BlueChannel": 3,

        "UseWhiteChannel": true,

        "WhiteChannel": 4,

        "DimmerChannel": 0

    }

]

Each light must define which DMX channel controls which function. There's always a section in your light’s user manual describing which channels to use. This varies depending on the manufacturer so always check your own lights.

Start Channel

The StartChannel is the DMX address you set physically on the light itself. Make sure the value you enter in the JSON matches the address configured on the device. DMX has 512 “channels”. Each light uses a block of channels starting from its start address. If all your lights are by the same brand and you want them to behave the same, you can save yourself some time by physically setting the "Starting Channel" to the same number for all lights.
 

RGB Channels

These channels define how MOWL controls the light’s color output.
Use the channel numbers listed in your light’s manual.

If you don’t specify RGB channels, MOWL will automatically assume:

• RedChannel = 1
• GreenChannel = RedChannel + 1
• BlueChannel = RedChannel + 2

White Channel

Some lights include a dedicated white LED channel, which often produces a more natural white than mixing red, green, and blue.

If your light has such a channel:

1. Set "UseWhiteChannel": true
2. Provide the correct WhiteChannel value (see your manual). If no channel value is set MOWL will assume WhiteChannel = RedChannel + 3.

Dimmer Channel
Many lights also have a dimmer channel, which controls the overall brightness of the light.

IMPORTANT:
If your light has a dimmer channel, you must set its channel number in the JSON.
If you don’t, the light will stay off.

Refer to your light’s manual to find the correct dimmer channel.

How it could look with a 3-channel DMX Light

(this is an example of how your light's manual could show you info on the R, G, B channels)

As you can see in the light’s manual your RedChannel needs to be 1, your GreenChannel needs to be 2 and your BlueChannel needs to be 3. Your “UseWhiteChannel” needs to be set to “false” as this specific light does not have a “White” channel.

How it could look with a 5-channel DMX

(this is an example of how your light's manual could show you info on the R, G, B channels)

In this case, your light has a little more functionality, and you should use it like this:
Your RedChannel needs to be 1, your GreenChannel needs to be 2 and your BlueChannel needs to be 3. Your “UseWhiteChannel” needs to be set to “false” as this specific light does not have a “White” channel.
Your DimmerChannel must be set to 4.

Congratulations

Once you have made your DMX channel decisions, save your dmx_setting.json file and replace it in the folder we talked about in step 3: Creating the JSON file (read the section "How to find the DMX setup file" if you need help locating the folder)! Then, click play on an MOWL workout and watch the magic happen.

6) Example 1: Simple light setup

We have a room with multiple lights of the same model. The lights have the following specs: 

Channels: 
1 – Red 
2 – Green 
3 – Blue 
4 – White 

Start channel is set to 1 for all lights. 

The final dmx_setup.json would look like this:

{

    "DMXEnabled": true,

    "DestinationIP": "255.255.255.255",

    "DestinationPort": 6454,

    "SourcePort": 6454,

    "Net": 0,

    "Subnet": 0,

    "Universe": 0,

    "UseIdleLight": true,

    "IdleLightRedValue": 255,

    "IdleLightGreenValue": 255,

    "IdleLightBlueValue": 255,

    "IdleLightBrightness": 255,

    "Lights": [

        {

            "StartChannel": 1,

            "UseWhiteChannel": true

        }

    ]

}

7) Example 2: Complex light setup

See the full specification here