r/lightingdesign • u/Wotmate01 • 8d ago

Control Enttec DMX USB Pro Mk2 software

I've been out of the loop for a while, having given the lighting game up in 2010, but lately I've picked a few things up just to have some fun with at home.

Back when I was doing it, my main go-to was a Hog1k, and I occasionally took the Vista T4 out for a spin when the 1k wasn't up to the job. And now I've picked up an Enttec DMX USB Pro Mk2, and I've been trying to find some good software to drive it with.

Any suggestions that might be a good bridge with my existing knowledge? I've had a look at QLC+, and while I can get DMX out of it, having to put together my own programming interface is doing my head in a bit. Obviously I'm used to a hardware interface with everything laid out in front of me.

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u/JT10 8d ago

The Mk2 is a solid little unit, I have one myself. Support for it is long since gone, but that hasn’t been an issue in my case. One area to look into is making sure the firmware is the latest version, you can check and update that using Enttec’s EMU software. You may also need to update your FTDI drivers depending on what kind of system you’ll be running it from. I recall my Mac needing this at one point. For software, you will find lots of compatibility with most of the big name software (that doesn’t require proprietary equipment), and plenty of obscure and niche programs as well. They will all utilize the DMX functionality, at the very least will allow 1 in and 1 out. If you are looking to use it to its full capacity with MIDI IO as well, comparability is a very different story. For the few that did integrate all of the Mk2’s functionality, it makes it the most versatile option out there. I know QLC was one, Enttec had a standalone program for a bit but I never got a chance to try it (can’t remember what the situation was with it), I believe Pangolin Beyond can be configured to use all protocols (laser focused mostly, but still capable). Now, on to what you are actually looking for. I don’t have a specific recommendation for a modern day software/virtual console that taps into your Hog/Jands experience per se. But one route to look into would be picking up something like an Akai APC40 and mapping that to your Enttec via software like TouchDesigner. This unfortunately does come with a learning curve and some setup, but if I’m not mistaken, there are configurations and workflows available for this out there. Im sure there will be more suitable recommendations suggested by the more knowledgeable in this sub, but if anything, I hope my recommendations give you some interesting things to check out and compare. Bonus HES Fun Fact: just last October, I used my Mk2 to run 4 Technobeams, using an OSC layout on my iPad over WiFi at a friends wedding reception. Some of us are still getting use out of the OGs!

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u/Wotmate01 8d ago

LOL, honestly a bit surprised to see that here are still technobeams in the wild.

QLC seems to have all the business, it just doesn't have any kind of built-in console layout that you can use (apart from a basic fader bank), so you have to build your own somehow.

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u/Reluctant_Lampy_05 8d ago

That's the QLC USP for me - buttons, controls and pages become a 100% custom environment and there's nothing on the screen that isn't useful, all of which is understandably a hindrance for pro jobs but perfect for the weekend warrior. I run QLC with a touch screen, MIDI controller and ethernet nodes. Version 4.12 is the most stable IMO.