SoundSwitch for Dummies: A Complete Crash Course DMX Tutorial

Whether you're a total DMX beginner and just getting started or a seasoned SoundSwitch vet looking for review, then this tutorial video is for you! The goal of this video is to get you up and running and ready to perform at gigs, as well as give a brief overview of the key concepts. I'm trying to simplify the set-up process so it takes minutes, not weeks of preparation before you're ready.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why SoundSwitch?
01:12 More Resources
01:58 Hardware (Control One & Dongle)
02:50 Software Download
03:40 Edit Mode
04:03 Verifying That SoundSwitch Is Connected To Hardware
04:25 Adding & Patching Fixtures
06:10 Edit Mode Layout (Master, Fixture Tracks)
08:34 Adding Positions
09:38 Movement Override
09:47 Applying Strobes
09:59 Attribute Cues
11:29 Autoscripting & Manual Scripting Songs
12:44 Performance Mode
13:08 Connecting To Virtual DJ & Serato
13:44 Troubleshooting Connecting To DJ Software
13:53 Stand-alone mode
14:22 Performance Mode Tips
14:54 Static Scenes
16:08 Performance Mode Styles
17:03 Blend Mode
17:53 Cut Mode
18:07 Scratch Mode
18:33 Upfader Mode
19:10 Advanced Performance Mode Settings
19:19 Next Steps Advice
21:10 Outtro
Want to harness the simplicity of SoundSwitch, but too busy to program? Check out our SoundSwitch preset autoloops: darylbennett.net/soundswitch/
Want to learn SoundSwitch? Sign Up for my course:
mailchi.mp/375c36d46195/djspo...
Hardware:
Soundswitch Control One: amzn.to/3Xp1Axa
SoundSwitch Interface: amzn.to/3Fmk8ra
Additional Resources
support.soundswitch.com/en/su...
www.soundswitch.com/gettingst...
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Chauvet Intimidator Spot 260: amzn.to/3GyeJ12
Chauvet Well STX 180: www.nlfxpro.com/well-stx180-6...
Well STX Mic Stand Adapter: www.nlfxpro.com/wellstx180-mi...
Chauvet Core 3x3: www.123dj.com/lighting/ledlig...
Battery Uplights:
Cedarslink 6.56ft truss: amzn.to/3ERxATw
Donner Wireless DMX Battery: amzn.to/3EzzHdw
Donner Wireless non-Battery: amzn.to/3U1wpoJ
Bunn Gear Command Center: bunngear.com/
Yamaha MG10XU 10-Input Stereo Mixer: amzn.to/3VuGb4s
Evolve 50: amzn.to/3FnWWJa
EV ETX 18SP: amzn.to/3H2GrmX
EV EKX 12p: amzn.to/3EWtjwX
Sennheiser EW G4 100 Wireless Mic: amzn.to/3Flg4XX
============== CAMERA GEAR ================
Sony Alpha 7C Full-frame Mirrorless Camera: amzn.to/3H3FPxi
Tamron 28-75mm amzn.to/3XQrvy2
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================================
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================================
#soundswitch #dmx #djsetup

[@mattheodafunk]

I bought Control One two days ago, yesterday a friend remotely explained to me what and how, this video is very helpful and you are a real MASTER!

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thank you for watching! Congrats for joining the world of soundswitch

[@stevenmann7992]

Amazing! Thank you for doing this Daryl!!

[@DJDarylBennett]

My pleasure!! Glad you enjoyed it

[@skiddz17]

Awesome video dude! Always nice to have more videos to throw at people.

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thanks Matt!

[@J-RGN]

Very good explanation of how soundswitch works, thx a lot Daryl

[@DJDarylBennett]

You're welcome!

[@therealdjblack29]

WOW!!! This is the best video I’ve seen explaining SoundSwitch. You did that thing bro. You earned my sub and I’ll be looking for more from you. Great video!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thanks for watching man! I appreciate the support

[@castillerom]

Thanks for this. Great video!

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thanks for watching!

[@HOOZAR]

Thanks Daryl for putting so much effort into this and going into such detail! There's not enough clear information on Soundswitch out there and you're changing that

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@PatCantos]

Excellent tutorial!!

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thank you!

[@dantaddia43]

This is definitely the best video on Sound Switch that I have watched. You definitely got me up and running. It’s been so difficult for me to get on board with us, but I finally am there. Thank you so much.

[@DJDarylBennett]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@919Smil13y919]

Autoscripting auto loops i did not think about that :o. This video was needed! Lol. Thank you! I have really learned a lot with soundswitch through your vides. I used autoloops on Saturday and static scenes for a wedding. All worked beautifully! 💪😎🙏🙏

[@DJDarylBennett]

I'm glad to hear that! Autoscripting Autoloops is awesome!

[@JoeS795]

You’re the man!!!

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thank you!

[@MaxSplVideos]

Great video. Simple but very effective. The only problem I have with SoundSwitch is that I find their tutorials to be a bit lacking so videos like this are really needed.

[@DJDarylBennett]

I'm glad you found this video helpful!

[@Djdonovanyaukey]

Thanks!

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thank you sir!

[@daunchseva]

Thank you for the video |

[@DJDarylBennett]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@brendanmichaelburchill5393]

Sweet!

[@DJDarylBennett]

[@mlanoux]

Thanks for this! I was a Show Express guy for years, but this is so much easier. Question - what glow tubes are you using? I'm looking for a battery-powered tube with wireless DMX that won't break the bank.

[@DJDarylBennett]

I'm using these ones: tinyurl.com/86nrwxcs Here's the code to save a few: "DarylCode"

[@DJKAOS_]

Your video was truly captivating, incredibly informative, though perhaps a tad advanced for my current level. I'm eager to learn more! I have a question: Is it possible for one DJ, equipped with the same lighting setup as another, to share pre-programmed lighting sequences via SoundSwitch? For instance, could one DJ send over their preset ambiance for cocktail hour or dinner, and the receiving DJ simply load it into their SoundSwitch, provided they have matching lights configured to the same DMX channels and addresses?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Thank you! Yes it is possible

[@MrCheswickMusic]

Hi dude, I've just bought a prime go and I'm a total novice with DMX, but from my very limited understanding, I can buy the soundswitch USB to DMX cable or the hardware controller and I can control any DMX lights from directly within the prime go WITHOUT the need for a laptop or PC or any other software? Have I understood this right or have I missed something important? Thanks man

[@djacidTV]

Yea little question at 5:46 i remember asking you on another video on what was the difference between (Primary) (secondary) and (tertiary) but wasn't covered within this video. Many thanks

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes on this video I explain it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ6ZkIGIZad5qc0 I chose not to do so here because it wasn't necessary for getting started, but thanks for the feedback!

[@djacidTV]

@@DJDarylBennett omg im sorry i missed that video . thank you so much

[@DJDarylBennett]

@@djacidTV thank you for the comment! I appreciate it 🙏

[@TheMrNeill]

Hi. Quick question. To stop your moving heads from moving behind the dj booth. Do you just un highlight the pan and tilt option in edit mode? So the keep pointing forward and onto the dance floor? Thanks

[@DJDarylBennett]

I just have my positions point to the front and my movements aren't big enough to point backwards

[@AddictDeejay]

Hi Daryl, thank you very much for all that knowledge. Your explanations are really clear. I am in full hesitation between soundswitch, wolfmix and new products using AI. I work a lot in marriage. And I need to be able to follow with my moving heads the bride and groom for the first dance and the guests during the speeches. The static modes seem good to me but I can't see if soundswitch allows live tracking with the moving heads ? With the WM1 I can point & shoot. What about SW ? Thank you in advance ! ✌🏼

[@DJDarylBennett]

With engine lighting (running SS on a stand-alone Denon controller), you have a nice touch screen interface to control your movers. You can also do that with a mouse or trackpad, but I personally don't do that a lot.

[@DJDarylBennett]

The control one has DMX in and you could use a joystick controller maybe

[@drewdelro98]

My band has no dedicated lighting person, but we have a few friends and even our sax player who plays roughly half the time who would be happy to control lights as needed. Would you recommend Sound Switch plus perhaps the controller to make things work for our situation? I read about the Wolfmix lighting controller as an alternative, but I think it's limited as far as custom scenes..

[@DJDarylBennett]

If I played guitar in a band again, I would want my lights to run themselves with minimal input, and SoundSwitch would be great for that. If I had a drummer that used backing tracks, I would 100% custom script songs to the backing tracks

[@philipnguyen641]

Any chance you can do a video with the Sumger dm-rgb400 laser? I've been trying to figure out how why it's not producing any lasers at all when connected to the correct channel and input in with SoundSwitch. It's been driving me crazy 😅

[@DJDarylBennett]

I have another video showing how to program lasers (The Uking laser review) each laser seems to have it's own DMX profile and there's not a universal way to program them since it's all attribute cues. :(

[@DeejayDeep]

Quick Question: I am just starting out with soundswitch and DMX. Can I setup a demo setup on my PC(like a prototype setup) with all the light fixtures I plan to setup at a venue. This is to see how my lights would react at the actual venue on the day of the event.

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes but you'll need an external visualizer. I have a video using GrandMa2

[@DeejayDeep]

@@DJDarylBennett Thank you. I'll check it out!

[@integrity2719]

I tried to use the zoom function of my moving head using the custom attributes, but it won't let me drag and drop into the timeline for it to use those attributes. Do you know why? (When I create the attribute, it does what it's suppose to do, but it won't let me add to timeline)

[@DJDarylBennett]

You need to add it to the master track

[@djcruza]

Is Wireless DMX a standard protocol? Fr example, the Donner transmitters work with any wireless DMX lights, no matter what brand or do I have to use them with Donner receivers?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes. I have wireless receivers from other brands that work with them. There's the slight caveat that there's other wireless protocols as well, w-dmx, crmx, d-fi, etc...

[@djcruza]

@@DJDarylBennett Thanks for your reply and your videos too!

[@VHarvey]

Are the Rockville lights compatible to use with sound switch ?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes

[@mbolez]

Question can you make upights do chase scenes with just using autoloops?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes but you need to program them to do chases. Either manually, autoscripting the autoloop or using one of the preset banks

[@nodaysoff2005]

I wanted to get this dmx system so bad, then ran across the WMX1 for $400. So for another $100 I got a standalone system.

[@DJDarylBennett]

Congrats on your purchase! And the wmx1 is a fine system that a lot of DJs are satisfied with. There are some things that it does better than soundswitch and some things that soundswitch does better.

[@nodaysoff2005]

@DJDarylBennett I agree. I do basic lighting stuff, so not walking around with a remote to change the settings on my lights is everything

[@trailhunterWNC]

Is there a way to run soundswitch with a supporting software and synchronize music to a projected video?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yeah play the video in virtual DJ or serato

[@trailhunterWNC]

@@DJDarylBennett Thanks

[@ndmdigital]

Do we still need software if we use the Control One unit

[@DJDarylBennett]

Yes

[@alejandrofarias7943]

Can I use this while using rekordbox at the same time ?

[@DJDarylBennett]

In stand-alone mode, yes

[@moveitup_exclusive_event]

Hi Daryl I’m Mirko from Italy. I have a question. Can u tell me a 3d visualizer for Soundswith that work on Mac OS? (Realizer is only for windows pc)

[@DJDarylBennett]

I've heard Capture works. You can always get a windows machine and develop light shows on that with your visualizer, and then export them to your mac

[@adamcook8564]

How could I use this with a Set of pioneer CDJ2000 and DJM900 nexus?

[@DJDarylBennett]

You'd need a laptop or Microsoft surface pro running SoundSwitch, you could have it run on stand-alone mode

[@adamcook8564]

@DJDarylBennett thanks for the response! Am I correct in thinking the software would not sync with the BPM of the music?

[@ladjkaoz]

Im in the market for a new DMX controler, adj wmx1 looks very nice, 4 DMX univers and can be use as DMX spliter but after watching how the parameters or lay is set it was like -1 point. Vs SS look OK, I belive you can run only 2 universes, then again you got to pay a mothly fee that a walk away for me, You buy a product yet you still have to make mothly payments. I like it how you can create custom show to each song, these guys dont make any easy for us... so if you buy the 300dlls controller you still have to pay the mothly fee. what if you dont pay the mothly fee.. can you still use it or it gets lock up..

[@DJDarylBennett]

There's some extra charges for the wmx1 too, you have to pay for extra universes and the 3d visualizer. I think most djs don't need 4 universes. I don't even use 2 universes on SoundSwitch right now. You can buy a lifetime license for $199 and not have to pay a monthly fee.

[@ladjkaoz]

Thanks for the info, yes most User(DJs) dont use more than one universe, but its better to have all fixtures patch in, I was thinking using one univers for moving heads etc and an other universe for Uplights. Sounds good I rather pay full life time activation (200) than month to month or a bit every once in a while. +1 SS. -1 ADJ THANKS BRO..

[@DJDarylBennett]

@@ladjkaoz WMX is a good lighting solution. I've used two universes before if different lights have different built-in wireless dmx protocols.

[@ladjkaoz]

@@DJDarylBennett 👍 I use megalite wireless for uplights, and elation EWDMX for my movers. before I used to hook up the elation wirelss transmitter from a megalite uplight. It work as a dmx spliter. or sometimes I would hook up the megalite transmiter from one of my elation movers but it was tricky cause I had to set up the DMX OUT data out or else it would not DMX out. hard decicions.🤔

[@manidelgado]

So you do not need 2 laptops? You can control Soundswitch from within Virtual Dj? I see other DJs use 2 laptops. I want to avoid using 2 laptops or a 2nd device if possible

[@DJDarylBennett]

You can run SS and VDJ on the same laptop! In fact, that's the preferred workflow!

[@manidelgado]

I'm sold. I've ever only used Virtual DJ...and I often see DJs with a 2nd laptop or an external controller or iPad. If I can use SS and VDJ to control simple lighting programs, I'm sold. For the Both IR4s or the 360 tubing, do I need a wireless dangle? If so, which is the one that has bee reliable for you? Thanks

[@djsebastianlondon]

I need help starting the software, my computer doesn’t start the software, is full install with iLok license but my MAC computer doesn’t start the software I have the control one with active license but I can start it at all 😢

[@DJDarylBennett]

Contact support, they’ll be able to help. Restart computer, try again fresh install again

[@djsebastianlondon]

I try everything and support can’t figure it out

[@DJDarylBennett]

@@djsebastianlondon have you tried on a different machine? If you don't have one, a friend's machine?

[@DJDarylBennett]

just to replicate the error

[@ronderuiter5118]

Dont know, perhaps im stupid, but today downloaed latest version and it wont run, after a so calles succesfull installation. Anway ill try and reach out to technical support, but not a good start

[@DJDarylBennett]

Hard to diagnose what's happening without more context, reaching out to support is a great next step.

[@ronderuiter5118]

Yeah I figured@@DJDarylBennett now tried to install clean at 2 different windows 11 laptops , both are max 6 momths old, clesn , and both fail to run ....no reply from support yet , reslly dont understand...

[@kevinholata9673]

If it's not connected in hardware what did I not do?

[@DJDarylBennett]

Replug everything, reboot the program, reboot your computer, try a different port

[@kevinholata9673]

@DJDarylBennett I did and it's recognized now, but the fixtures aren't lighting up. I'm gonna do that consultation with you soon so please send me the link

[@DJDarylBennett]

@@kevinholata9673 for sure! We'll be able to get you up and running in no time darylbennett.net/soundswitch/

[@kevinholata9673]

Thank you am about to go on a short vacation but as soon as I am back I'll schedule the consultation. Thank you

[@MisterMotel]

The PC UI of the software is absolute garbage tho'. Can't even resize most of the things in the UI and looks like its made for windows 95.

[@DJDarylBennett]

I agree resizing might be nice, there's like a dozen other features I'd prefer to be implemented first

[@SkegnessDX]

Sorry Daryl, but your tutorial didn't help. The SoundSwitch tutorial videos didn't help either. I got as far as adding an autoloop, but it all fell apart from there. None of my lights responded. I have tried everything with my SoundSwitch and Control One, which I bought last year. Very little works as expected. SAVEing a project doesn't work. The SoundSwitch software won't remember anything I do now, It won't even recognise half of my lights, whereas it did a few weeks ago. I have changed DMX cables, etc. This has been a waste of money, not to mention time and effort. I really need a one-to-one with somebody who knows how to do it all.

[@DJDarylBennett]

I think my tutorial is pretty thorough, as I literally start from scratch and show the lights responding. That said, I'm sorry that you're experiencing issues and it's not working. SoundSwitch support is free and they sometimes are able to walk thru the software with you. I also have 1 on 1 coaching calls available: darylbennett.net/soundswitch/ Someone local might be able to help you as well.

[@SkegnessDX]

@@DJDarylBennett Hi Daryl. Thanks for your response. Your tutorial is great and certainly thorough. I was quite excited when I saw this video linked from a SoundSwitch Facebook page. I got everything set up this afternoon and was actually feeling confident that this was going to work and that I was about to find out where I have been going wrong, but it was not to be. I have to conclude that there is something wrong in my setup. It doesn't make sense. I will look for more local help as I am in the UK. Hopefully somebody will come to my rescue. Love your videos, by the way. They really are an inspiration to me. I will persevere. 😊