Relackout

Relackout vs DMXControl 3

DMXControl 3 is a free Windows lighting controller built around fixture abstraction, cuelists and customizable Softdesks. Its client/server architecture supports multiple operators sharing a project.

Feature comparison

Free of charge, with no software subscription or licence purchase. Supported USB-DMX interfaces or network nodes are acquired separately; the software is not tied to one interface brand. [1] [3]

Feature Relackout DMXControl 3
DMX output & fixtures
Art-Net output
Supported

Choose which universes are broadcast
Supported

Included Art-Net output plugin

[4]
sACN (E1.31) output
Supported

Built in
Supported

Included sACN output plugin

[4] [10]
USB DMX interfaces
Supported

ENTTEC Open DMX USB and compatibles, several at once, one universe each
Supported

Nodle, ENTTEC and other interfaces; simultaneous devices supported

[4]
Fixture library & custom fixtures
Supported

Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures
Supported

DDF library and user-created device definitions

[5]
Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures
Coming soon

Tuya smart lights
Unverified
Programming
Scenes / looks
Supported

Fade in/out per scene, layered playback
Supported

Store fixture values as cues

[1] [7]
Cue lists / chases
Supported

Loop, one-shot and manual GO modes with per-step fade and delay
Supported

Cuelists with GO, follow, wait and beat triggers

[7]
Effects engine
Supported

Effect wizard with beat-locked timing
Supported

Effects, filters and fanning across fixture groups

[1]
Show timeline with audio
Supported

Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform
Supported

Timecode Player supports music-synchronized shows

[6] [10]
3D stage preview
Supported

Live 3D stage view in a separate window
Unverified
Show & production notes
Supported

Multi-page notes per show
Add-on required

Textbook is a separate user plugin

[6]
Audio & music
Music playback & playlists
Supported

Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app
Partial

Audio cues and Timecode Player; dedicated playlists not established

[6] [10]
Sound-reactive lighting
Supported

From the music playing or a mic/line-in, with presets
Supported

Audioanalyzer supplies sound-to-light and automatic beat detection

[6]
BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock
Supported

Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock
Supported

Speed Masters provide manual beat control

[6]
Cues & fades follow live tempo
Supported

BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades
Partial

Beat-triggered cues; proportional fade stretching not established

[7]
Live control
Custom touch mixer designer
Supported

Design your own faders and buttons
Supported

Softdesk Designer builds custom buttons, sliders and controls

[8]
Phone/tablet remote
Supported

Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install
Unverified
MIDI control & feedback
Supported

Learnable mappings plus LED feedback
Supported

MIDI control; feedback added in version 3.3.0

[6] [10]
OSC control
Supported

Built-in OSC server
Unverified
Guided first-show setup
Supported

Step-by-step from patch to live
Unverified
Venues & workspaces
Separate setups per venue
Supported

Workspaces: own patch, scenes, cues, mixers per venue
Supported

Project Administration manages and switches named projects

[9]
Copy between setups
Supported

Copy wizard with patch mapping
Unverified
Output settings per venue
Supported

Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace
Not supported

DMX interfaces are configured per computer, not per project

[4]
Export & move a setup
Supported

Single-file workspace export/import
Partial

Project archive; computer-specific output configuration remains separate

[4] [11]
Platform & licensing
macOS
Supported

Apple Silicon and Intel
Not supported

Windows application; no complete native macOS version

[2] [5]
Windows
Supported

Windows 10/11
Supported

Windows 10 and 11

[2]
Linux
Supported

x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb)
Not supported

No complete native Linux application

[2] [5]
Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence
Supported

All three, you choose
Not supported

Free software; no paid monthly, yearly or lifetime menu

[1]
Full free trial
Supported

14 days, Standard features, real DMX output
Supported

Free to use indefinitely, no trial needed

[1]

Where Relackout leads

  • Use the same app natively on macOS, Windows or Linux; DMXControl 3 is a Windows application.
  • Store output connections per venue in Workspaces; DMXControl stores DMX interface configuration per computer.
  • Keep multi-page show notes built in, without installing DMXControl's separate Textbook user plugin.
  • Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing and a 14-day free trial. DMXControl instead remains free to use, so this is a purchasing choice rather than a cost saving.

Where DMXControl 3 is strong

  • A free controller whose Hardware Abstraction Layer adapts effects and presets to mixed fixture types.
  • Its client/server design lets multiple operators work on the same project.

Which fits your show?

Club or bar

Relackout

Per-venue output settings and native macOS/Linux support help mixed-computer installations.

DJ set

Both

Both provide effects and audio-responsive operation; DMXControl is compelling for a Windows setup with no licence budget.

Theatre

Both

DMXControl cuelists and audio cues suit scripted work; Relackout keeps production notes built in.

House of worship

Both

Both offer customizable controls; evaluate DMXControl for a free Windows installation and Relackout for mixed platforms.

Events venue

Relackout

Output settings travel with each Workspace instead of requiring computer-specific DMX configuration.

Touring / large rig

Both

DMXControl offers collaborative operation; neither should be assumed to replace a touring console without production-specific testing.

Switching guide

In DMXControl 3 In Relackout
DDF library, devices and groups Rebuild Patch & Fixture Setup; use Fixture Library for OFL imports and custom fixtures.
Programmer, presets and cuelists Recreate looks in Scene Designer and their playback order in Cue lists.
Effects, filters and fanning Recreate supported effects using Effect Wizard; check mixed-fixture behavior.
Softdesks and Input Assignment Build controls in Mixer Designer and remap controllers for Live Control.
Timecode Player and audio cues Add original music to Music Library and rebuild lighting events in Show Timeline.
Project Administration and DMX Interfaces Create Workspaces for venues and configure output connections in each one.

What carries over

Fixture addresses, channel-mode manuals, original audio and cue intentions provide the migration reference. Fixture definitions already in OFL format can be imported.

What to rebuild

Relackout does not import DMXControl project archives or DDF files directly. Recreate cues, Softdesk layouts, Input Assignment connections and timeline programming; verify output and MIDI mappings.

Frequently asked questions

Does Relackout import DMXControl project ZIP files?

No. Recreate the show using its patch, cue list and original audio as references. Fixture Library imports OFL-format definitions, not DMXControl DDFs.

Does DMXControl 3 support MIDI feedback and audio timelines?

Yes. The 3.3.0 release notes list MIDI feedback, and current documentation describes Timecode Player music shows. Older FAQ statements about missing MIDI feedback are superseded by those release notes.

Why choose Relackout when DMXControl is free?

Consider native macOS/Linux support, output settings saved per venue, and built-in show notes. DMXControl remains a strong free choice for Windows and collaborative operation.

Sources

Checked on September 25, 2026

  1. DMXControl 3 — Features and free software model Checked on September 25, 2026
  2. DMXControl 3.3.2 — System Requirements Checked on September 25, 2026
  3. DMXControl — Supported Interfaces Checked on September 25, 2026
  4. DMXControl 3 — DMX Interfaces Checked on September 25, 2026
  5. DMXControl 3 — FAQ (platforms and DDFs; older MIDI statement superseded) Checked on September 25, 2026
  6. DMXControl — Version 2 to 3 feature comparison Checked on September 25, 2026
  7. DMXControl 3 — Cuelist Checked on September 25, 2026
  8. DMXControl 3 — Softdesk Designer Checked on September 25, 2026
  9. DMXControl 3 — Project Administration Checked on September 25, 2026
  10. DMXControl 3 — Release notes, including MIDI feedback in 3.3.0 Checked on September 25, 2026
  11. DMXControl 3 — Project files and ZIP storage Checked on September 25, 2026

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