Club or bar
BothLightjams suits interactive installations; Relackout suits combined music and venue operation.
Relackout vs Lightjams
Lightjams is Windows lighting software for generative effects, pixel mapping and interactive inputs.
Feature comparison
Official dollar prices: Express $125, Pro $250, Super $350 and Ultimate $450 permanent licences; Ultimate rental from $40. The page does not label the dollar currency. Trial output pauses 30 seconds every 15 minutes. [1]
| Feature | Relackout | Lightjams |
|---|---|---|
| DMX output & fixtures | ||
| Art-Net output | Supported Choose which universes are broadcast | |
| sACN (E1.31) output | Supported Built in | |
| USB DMX interfaces | Supported ENTTEC Open DMX USB and compatibles, several at once, one universe each | |
| Fixture library & custom fixtures | Supported Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures | |
| Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures | Coming soon Tuya smart lights | Unverified |
| Programming | ||
| Scenes / looks | Supported Fade in/out per scene, layered playback | |
| Cue lists / chases | Supported Loop, one-shot and manual GO modes with per-step fade and delay | |
| Effects engine | Supported Effect wizard with beat-locked timing | |
| Show timeline with audio | Supported Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform | |
| 3D stage preview | Supported Live 3D stage view in a separate window | |
| Show & production notes | Supported Multi-page notes per show | |
| Audio & music | ||
| Music playback & playlists | Supported Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app | |
| Sound-reactive lighting | Supported From the music playing or a mic/line-in, with presets | |
| BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock | Supported Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock | |
| Cues & fades follow live tempo | Supported BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades | Unverified |
| Live control | ||
| Custom touch mixer designer | Supported Design your own faders and buttons | |
| Phone/tablet remote | Supported Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install | |
| MIDI control & feedback | Supported Learnable mappings plus LED feedback | |
| OSC control | Supported Built-in OSC server | |
| 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 | |
| Copy between setups | Supported Copy wizard with patch mapping | |
| Output settings per venue | Supported Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace | |
| Export & move a setup | Supported Single-file workspace export/import | |
| Platform & licensing | ||
| macOS | Supported Apple Silicon and Intel | |
| Windows | Supported Windows 10/11 | |
| Linux | Supported x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb) | |
| Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence | Supported All three, you choose | |
| Full free trial | Supported 14 days, Standard features, real DMX output | |
Where Relackout leads
- Run Relackout directly on macOS and Linux without a Windows environment.
- Inspect lighting in Relackout's built-in 3D stage view; Lightjams previews in 2D.
- Program lighting against audio inside Relackout's Show Timeline without VirtualDJ.
- Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing in Relackout, with a 14-day free trial.
Where Lightjams is strong
- Reactive scripting combines music, video, MIDI and OSC for interactive installations.
- Pixel mapping accepts live video including Spout and NDI.
Which fits your show?
DJ set
BothLightjams integrates live inputs; Relackout supplies its own music and lighting timeline.
Theatre
RelackoutRelackout's cue lists and notes suit small scripted productions.
House of worship
RelackoutRelackout provides guided setup and a browser remote for rotating operators.
Events venue
BothChoose interactive pixel work or Relackout's audio and venue workflow.
Touring / large rig
LightjamsFor large interactive pixel installations, Lightjams offers specialized mapping; assess console needs separately.
Switching guide
| In Lightjams | In Relackout |
|---|---|
| Fixture templates and grid | Repatch fixtures in Patch & Fixture Setup; source OFL definitions. |
| Reactive sources and formulas | Recreate suitable movements with Effect Wizard and audio responses with Sound-to-Light. |
| Activation logic | Translate the desired sequence into Cue lists. |
| External track timelines | Rebuild lighting events against audio in Show Timeline. |
| OSC/MIDI controls | Map supported commands and build a surface in Mixer Designer. |
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 Lightjams show files. Rebuild looks, timing and controls; only fixture definitions in Open Fixture Library format can be imported.
Frequently asked questions
Will Lightjams formulas transfer?
No. Rebuild the intended effect using Relackout's Effect Wizard, cues and Sound-to-Light; formula equivalence is not promised.
Which is better for interactive pixel art?
Lightjams is the stronger specialist choice for reactive scripting and live-video pixel mapping.
How do the trials differ?
Lightjams enables output but pauses periodically. Relackout offers a 14-day free trial with real DMX output.
Sources
Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams download, trial and purchase Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams features Checked on September 25, 2026
- MIDI input and feedback Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams release history: project imports, fades and sticky notes Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams tutorial: scenes, effect sequencer and project files Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams separate free music player and synchronization Checked on September 25, 2026
- Lightjams media server: saving and moving projects Checked on September 25, 2026
- LightjamsPAD standalone OSC touchscreen surface Checked on September 25, 2026