What DMX hardware does HitLight support?
HitLight outputs DMX from the macOS app through ENTTEC Open DMX USB, the ENTTEC DMX USB Pro, and any Art-Net or sACN network node. It does not sell an adapter. Every account includes Venue / Install during the beta. After beta, Hobby / Student includes one full DMX universe (512 DMX channels); Pro unlocks multi-universe, Art-Net and sACN output without add-on pricing per universe.
Which DMX interfaces work with HitLight on macOS?
Four, plus one that is still experimental. Every supported interface can carry a full universe, and HitLight does not sell interface-specific add-ons. Every account includes Venue / Install during the beta. After beta, Art-Net, sACN and multiple universes require Pro.
| Interface | Connection | Protocol | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTTEC Open DMX USB | USB | DMX512 | Supported | Around $70. The cheapest way to get one universe out of a Mac. No locking connector. |
| ENTTEC DMX USB Pro | USB | DMX512 | Supported | Around $190. Buffered and more tolerant of long or noisy cable runs than Open DMX. |
| Any Art-Net node | Ethernet or Wi-Fi | Art-Net | Supported | No USB adapter required. After beta, Art-Net output is included in Pro, without add-on pricing per universe. Experienced operators tend to prefer a network node for the locking connector. |
| Any sACN (E1.31) node | Ethernet or Wi-Fi | sACN / ANSI E1.31 | Supported | The other standard way to carry DMX over an ordinary network. Multicast by default. |
| SIUDI | USB | Vendor serial | Experimental | Experimental until hardware verification is complete. Report your results to support@hitlight.app. |
- HitLight does not sell a DMX dongle or extra universes one by one. Every account includes Venue / Install during the beta. After beta, Hobby / Student includes one full DMX universe (512 DMX channels); Pro unlocks multi-universe, Art-Net and sACN output.
- Other serial interfaces may appear under Advanced, but they are not part of the supported beta matrix.
- Physical output is optional. The 3D stage runs on its own, so a rig can be patched and rehearsed with no hardware attached.
Does HitLight support Art-Net and sACN?
Yes. HitLight outputs both Art-Net and sACN (ANSI E1.31) from the macOS app, so any standard network DMX node works without a USB adapter. Experienced operators tend to prefer a network node, and the reason is usually mechanical rather than technical: a node gives you a locking connector, and a USB plug can be kicked out of a laptop.
If you are choosing between the two protocols, Art-Net vs sACN covers how they differ and when each is the better fit.
What are the system requirements?
The HitLight download requires an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later) running macOS 14 or later. There is no Intel Mac build. Physical output is optional: patch and rehearse the rig on the 3D stage without an interface.
HitLight Auto Show can follow room audio through the Mac's microphone or analyse and play locally imported MP3 and WAV recordings in Files mode. There is no direct DJ-software integration.
Can the browser or iOS app output DMX?
No. Hardware output happens only in the macOS app. Here is exactly what each client does.
| Client | Requires | Outputs DMX? | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac app | Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later), macOS 14 or later | Yes | The native macOS app is the only HitLight client that outputs DMX to real lighting hardware. It runs the engine, drives the rig, and hosts Auto Show. |
| Browser app | Any modern browser | No | The browser app patches fixtures, builds scenes, visualises the rig on a 3D stage and acts as a remote for a Mac that is connected to the hardware. The HitLight browser app cannot output DMX. |
| iOS remote | iPhone or iPad, via TestFlight | No | The iOS app is a remote: it follows show and Auto Show status, fires cues and virtual-console widgets, and can issue Stop or Blackout. It does not output DMX. |
Everything you build in the browser is ready to go live the moment you open the same show on the Mac, so authoring on a laptop that is not connected to the rig is a supported workflow rather than a workaround.
What is not supported?
- Windows and Linux. There is no HitLight build for either. The browser app works everywhere for authoring and 3D visualisation, but it cannot output DMX. See what HitLight cannot do.
- SIUDI output is experimental until hardware verification is complete.
- Other serial interfaces may appear under Advanced. They are not part of the supported beta matrix, and we cannot promise they behave.
Running something that is not on this list? Tell us your Mac model, macOS version, interface model and connection status at support@hitlight.app and we will add it to the matrix.
Last verified .
Try it on your own rig
Patch your fixtures, describe the look you want, and watch it on the 3D stage before you connect anything.
HitLight is in beta. Every account includes Venue / Install at no cost during the beta, with no credit card required. After beta, Hobby / Student stays free for non-commercial use. Pro costs USD 19 per month or USD 149 per year. Venue / Install costs USD 999 per site per year. Requires macOS 14 or later for hardware output.