Relackout

Relackout vs Hog 4 PC

Hog 4 PC is legacy windows console software for hog 4 shows and hardware.

Feature comparison

Free programming software; rig output requires Hoglet 4, USB DMX Widgets or an ETCnomad key. Hardware is dealer-priced. The eligible ETCnomad education bundle is USD $350 / EUR โ‚ฌ350 plus tax and also unlocks Hog 4 PC. [1]

Feature Relackout Hog 4 PC
DMX output & fixtures
Art-Net output
Supported

Choose which universes are broadcast

Add-on required

Requires output-unlocking Hog hardware or ETCnomad key

[2]
sACN (E1.31) output
Supported

Built in

Add-on required

Requires output-unlocking Hog hardware or ETCnomad key

[2]
USB DMX interfaces
Supported

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

Add-on required

USB Widgets, or Gadget II with ETCnomad key

[2]
Fixture library & custom fixtures
Supported

Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures

Supported

Fixture library and fixture builder

[3]
Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures
Coming soon

Tuya smart lights

Unverified
Programming
Scenes / looks
Supported

Fade in/out per scene, layered playback

Supported

Stored scenes with timing

[3]
Cue lists / chases
Supported

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

Supported

Tracking cuelists, waits, loops and links

[3]
Effects engine
Supported

Effect wizard with beat-locked timing

Supported

Table effects and effect palettes

[3]
Show timeline with audio
Supported

Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform

Add-on required

External REAPER timeline markers import as timecoded cues

[10]
3D stage preview
Supported

Live 3D stage view in a separate window

Add-on required

Connect a separate compatible visualizer

[2]
Show & production notes
Supported

Multi-page notes per show

Partial

Cue and cuelist comments; not a multi-page notes editor

[10]
Audio & music
Music playback & playlists
Supported

Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app

Unverified
Sound-reactive lighting
Supported

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

Unverified
BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock
Supported

Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock

Supported

Manual BPM and tap tempo for effects and chases

[9]
Cues & fades follow live tempo
Supported

BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades

Partial

Chase BPM scales percentage crossfades; replaces original cue waits

[9]
Live control
Custom touch mixer designer
Supported

Design your own faders and buttons

Partial

Virtual masters and configurable directory buttons

[3]
Phone/tablet remote
Supported

Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install

Add-on required

Separate TouchOSC mobile app over Wi-Fi; reliability caveats apply

[11]
MIDI control & feedback
Supported

Learnable mappings plus LED feedback

Partial

MIDI input and cue-triggered output macros

[6]
OSC control
Supported

Built-in OSC server

Supported

OSC remote control

[2]
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

Partial

Load a show; multiple venues remain separate show files

[3]
Copy between setups
Supported

Copy wizard with patch mapping

Supported

Selective programming merge with fixture matching

[7]
Output settings per venue
Supported

Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace

Partial

Show stores output mappings; MIDI device bindings remain console-local

[12] [13]
Export & move a setup
Supported

Single-file workspace export/import

Supported

Compressed show backup transferable to another system

[8]
Platform & licensing
macOS
Supported

Apple Silicon and Intel

Not supported

Hog 4 PC is a Windows application

[2]
Windows
Supported

Windows 10/11

Supported

Vendor lists Windows 10

[2]
Linux
Supported

x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb)

Not supported

Hog 4 PC is a Windows application

[2]
Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence
Supported

All three, you choose

Partial

Hardware-unlocked output; no three-plan software choice

[2]
Full free trial
Supported

14 days, Standard features, real DMX output

Not supported

Unlicensed software has no rig output

[4]

Where Relackout leads

  • Send Art-Net and sACN from Relackout without a Hog hardware or ETCnomad output unlock.
  • Use Relackout's built-in 3D preview without connecting another visualizer.
  • Run Relackout natively on macOS and Linux.
  • Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing in Relackout, with a 14-day free trial.

Where Hog 4 PC is strong

  • Hog 4 console show compatibility and tracking playback suit experienced concert programmers.
  • The Hog ecosystem supports wings, processors and touring lighting workflows.

Which fits your show?

Club or bar

Both

Hog suits an experienced lighting operator; Relackout combines venue music and lighting.

DJ set

Relackout

Relackout includes music playback and Sound-to-Light for desktop DJ setups.

Theatre

Both

Hog offers deep cue programming; Relackout suits smaller productions with audio and notes.

House of worship

Both

Existing Hog expertise favors Hog; Relackout offers a combined workflow for small teams.

Events venue

Both

Hog fits complex lighting programming; Relackout offers venue Workspaces.

Touring / large rig

Hog 4 PC

Hog's console and processor ecosystem is better suited to large concert rigs; account for legacy status.

Switching guide

In Hog 4 PC In Relackout
Fixture schedule and patch Recreate fixture modes and addresses in Patch & Fixture Setup.
Palettes and scenes Build final looks in Scene Designer; palette references do not transfer.
Tracking cuelists Rebuild Cue lists and check each transition against the original show.
Table effects Recreate patterns in Effect Wizard.
Masters, pages and directories Build operator controls in Mixer Designer and test in Live Control.

What carries over

Use your fixture addresses, channel modes, cue order and design notes as references for manual setup.

What to rebuild

Relackout does not import Hog 4 PC show files. Rebuild looks, timing and controls; only fixture definitions in Open Fixture Library format can be imported.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hog 4 PC the newest Hog generation?

ETC lists Hog 4 as legacy and links to the newer Hog family. This comparison does not assign newer Hog PC features to Hog 4 PC.

Does the free download output to a real rig?

Not without an output unlock. ETC lists Hog hardware or an ETCnomad key for that purpose.

Will a Hog show transfer into Relackout?

No. Rebuild the patch, looks and cue behavior; OFL fixture import does not convert Hog programming.

Sources

Checked on September 25, 2026

  1. ETCnomad education pricing and Hog 4 PC eligibility Checked on September 25, 2026
  2. Hog 4 PC features and output unlock Checked on September 25, 2026
  3. Hog 4 OS manual Checked on September 25, 2026
  4. Hog 4 PC hardware unlock chart Checked on September 25, 2026
  5. Hog 4 legacy product family Checked on September 25, 2026
  6. Hog MIDI note and CC output Checked on September 25, 2026
  7. Hog merging shows Checked on September 25, 2026
  8. Hog show backup Checked on September 25, 2026
  9. Hog 4 manual: tap tempo, chase rate and percentage crossfades Checked on September 25, 2026
  10. Hog 4 manual: cue comments and REAPER timeline import Checked on September 25, 2026
  11. Hog 4 manual: TouchOSC over Wi-Fi Checked on September 25, 2026
  12. Hog 4 manual: show processor and output mapping Checked on September 25, 2026
  13. Hog 4 manual: show MIDI options versus console device mappings Checked on September 25, 2026

Other comparisons

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