DMX Lights Experiments
Real-Time Interactive Lighting Experiments
Client: University Project
Location: Germany
Year: 2026
Skill: TouchDesigner, DMX Lighting, Real-Time Systems, Computer Vision, Audio Reactive Systems
About the project:
This project explores real-time control of DMX lighting systems using TouchDesigner. The focus was on understanding how stage lighting can move beyond static control and become an interactive medium driven by sound, vision, and human movement.
A series of experiments were developed to test different input methods and their relationship with physical lighting systems. These included audio-driven lighting behaviors, camera-based color tracking, and real-time body-controlled moving head interactions. The goal was to investigate how lighting can respond dynamically to live performance environments and digital input systems.
Although these systems were not fully used in the final Studio 54 installation due to existing venue lighting conditions, they served as an important technical exploration into interactive lighting workflows.
This project explores real-time control of DMX lighting systems using TouchDesigner. The focus was on understanding how stage lighting can move beyond static control and become an interactive medium driven by sound, vision, and human movement.
A series of experiments were developed to test different input methods and their relationship with physical lighting systems. These included audio-driven lighting behaviors, camera-based color tracking, and real-time body-controlled moving head interactions. The goal was to investigate how lighting can respond dynamically to live performance environments and digital input systems.
Although these systems were not fully used in the final Studio 54 installation due to existing venue lighting conditions, they served as an important technical exploration into interactive lighting workflows.
My Role:
The project focused entirely on hands-on technical development and experimentation with DMX lighting systems inside TouchDesigner. This included setting up lighting fixtures, configuring DMX communication, and designing real-time interaction systems that connected digital inputs to physical lighting outputs.
The work also involved testing different input pipelines and building experimental systems for live control, combining visual programming with hardware-based lighting infrastructure.
The project focused entirely on hands-on technical development and experimentation with DMX lighting systems inside TouchDesigner. This included setting up lighting fixtures, configuring DMX communication, and designing real-time interaction systems that connected digital inputs to physical lighting outputs.
The work also involved testing different input pipelines and building experimental systems for live control, combining visual programming with hardware-based lighting infrastructure.
1: Face-Controlled Moving Head Light
A computer vision system was developed to control a moving head light using facial tracking. Head movement controlled pan and tilt direction, while additional facial gestures triggered lighting changes such as color shifts, flashes, and automated movement sequences.
This experiment combined gesture recognition with physical lighting control, creating an intuitive real-time interface between human movement and stage lighting behavior.
2: Webcam Color Tracking to Light Output
A vision-based system was created using a live webcam feed to extract dominant color information from the environment. This color data was then mapped directly to DMX lighting fixtures.
As the camera view changed, the lighting system continuously adapted, reflecting real-world colors in real time through physical lights.
3: Audio Reactive Lighting System
A real-time lighting system was developed where sound input controlled DMX light behavior. Audio signals were analyzed and mapped to lighting parameters such as brightness, movement, and color changes.
This created a dynamic system where lighting responded directly to rhythm and intensity, simulating stage-like reactive environments.
A real-time lighting system was developed where sound input controlled DMX light behavior. Audio signals were analyzed and mapped to lighting parameters such as brightness, movement, and color changes.
This created a dynamic system where lighting responded directly to rhythm and intensity, simulating stage-like reactive environments.