FREE SOFTWARE AND A USB ADAPTER TURN A LAPTOP INTO A FULL DMX LIGHTING DESK
Free, open-source software and a USB-to-DMX adapter turn a laptop or Raspberry Pi into a full lighting controller.
AudioAutomation
Built withRaspberry Pi
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- an evening
- license
- Apache-2.0
- repo
- repo ACTIVE1,546 stars
●●●○○ · an evening · Apache-2.0 · 1,546 stars · repo ACTIVE
Jump to section
COMPAREE VERDICT
QLC+ is the practical answer if you need to control DMX lighting without buying a physical console. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux or a Raspberry Pi, speaks the same DMX512 protocol that professional moving heads, wash lights and dimmers understand (plus Art-Net and sACN over the network), and ships with a large fixture library. The software itself is free and Apache-licensed. The only extra cost is a DMX interface such as a USB-to-DMX adapter from a supported brand. The interface is a virtual console you lay out yourself, plus a timeline for programming whole shows cue by cue. The single thing most likely to go wrong is that this does not make lighting easy — it removes the cost barrier, but you still need to learn DMX addressing, fixture patching and cue programming. If you have never run a lighting desk before, expect a learning curve steeper than the software install. If you already know what a gobo wheel is and you just need software, this is the project.
IN THE REPO
GOOD TO KNOW
- —This is software, not a hardware build. The repository contains the full application source, fixture definitions, and user documentation.
- —Licensed under Apache 2.0, which permits commercial use.
- —The only hardware needed is a USB to DMX adapter, which is not included and costs a few tens of euros from third-party suppliers.
- —More than 1,500 stars, actively developed as of October 2026.
- —No bill of materials — this is a software install plus one off-the-shelf adapter.
- —The fixture library holds roughly 1,800 definitions, but you need to own or have access to actual DMX fixtures to control.
Parts to buy
2 itemsFrom our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
More builds like this
All projectsGallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Download QLC+ for your platform from the repository releases or official site(Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi)
- 2.Buy a USB to DMX adapter compatible with QLC+(Check the hardware compatibility page in the docs; common adapters from Enttec, DMXking, and others are supported)
- 3.Install the software and connect the adapter(The software will detect the adapter if drivers are correct)
- 4.Add your fixtures using the fixture library(The library contains roughly 1,800 definitions; if yours is missing, you can create a custom fixture profile)
- 5.Build a virtual console and program your first scene(The official documentation at docs.qlcplus.org walks through patching, scene creation and cue programming; the forum and video playlists help when you get stuck)
KNOWN ISSUES
- The software is free, but you still need a USB to DMX adapter — budget a few tens of euros and check compatibility before buying.
- QLC+ assumes you understand DMX addressing and fixture modes. If you have never patched a light before, read the manual first or you will spend hours wondering why nothing moves.
- Not all cheap USB adapters work reliably. Stick to known brands listed in the compatibility docs.
- The fixture library is huge, but if your light is not in it, you will need to write a fixture definition yourself — this is possible but fiddly.
- Running on a Raspberry Pi is possible but not instant — expect to spend time on driver setup and performance tuning if you go that route.
- This replaces the console hardware, not the lights. You still need access to actual DMX fixtures to control.
Can I use this with my existing DMX fixtures?
Yes, as long as they speak DMX512, which is the industry standard. Check the fixture library to see if your model is already defined.
Do I need a special computer?
No. QLC+ runs on an ordinary laptop, and you can even run it on a Raspberry Pi if you are comfortable with Linux setup.
Is the USB adapter included?
No. You need to buy one separately from a supplier like Enttec or DMXking. Check the hardware compatibility page before buying.
Can I use this for a live show?
Yes. The timeline and cue features are designed for programming whole shows. Many users run it live in theatres, clubs, and events.
What if my fixture is not in the library?
You can create a custom fixture definition. The manual explains the process, but it requires knowing your fixture's DMX channel map.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
More than 1,500 GitHub stars, and it runs on a Raspberry Pi. What would you control first: a couple of PARs in a home studio, or a full moving-head rig?
QLC+ development team
QLC+ is maintained by an open-source team led by Massimo Callegari. It grew out of the earlier Q Light Controller project by Heikki Junnila and has been under active development for over a decade, used for live events, theatre and installation work.
Keep building — related projects
Same category or platform, picked by how close they are to this build.
FULL CADFive real sliders control your game, music and mic volume — built from a few cheap parts
AudioFor beginners
NO CAD FILESYou can make the Furby Hasbro abandoned say anything you want
AutomationFor intermediate builders
FULL CADYou can build an instrument that plays light instead of sound
DisplaysFor intermediate builders
NO CAD FILESA 100 dollars LED strip teaches you piano: lights above the keys show which note to play next
AudioFor intermediate builders
FULL CADYou can build a travel saxophone that fingers exactly like a real one
AudioFor intermediate builders
FULL CADStep-by-step instructions to build your own repairable smartphone from scratch
Open-hardwareFor advanced builders
DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM2mo agoedited
Practical notes from our verification: this is pure software, so there is nothing to print or solder, but you need a DMX interface: a USB to DMX adapter, or an Art-Net or sACN node on your network. Not every cheap adapter behaves, so check the DMX USB page in the official docs at docs.qlcplus.org before buying. The fixture library is large, but if your light is not listed, writing a custom definition means reading your fixture's manual and mapping DMX channels yourself, which is possible but not quick; the forum is where new fixture definitions get submitted. The README links official YouTube tutorial playlists for both version 4 and version 5, and the project runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.