DMX Smart Link Expands Hardware Integration With Stream Deck, MIDI, and Follow Spot Features for Live Event Operators

Stafford, Virginia

The updates, which include Elgato Stream Deck and YoloDeck integration, USB MIDI control, a smartphone-based Follow Spot mode, and NDI video support, reflect the company's commitment to building tools shaped by the practical demands of volunteers and independent operators working in real venues every week.

The addition of Elgato Stream Deck and YoloDeck support gives operators physical, programmable button panels that can be customized to trigger specific lighting scenes, effects, or transitions. For a mobile DJ working a wedding reception or a church volunteer managing Sunday morning lighting, having dedicated tactile controls means faster response times and fewer errors compared to navigating software menus with a mouse during a live event. Each button can be assigned to a different scene or function, allowing operators to build a control surface tailored to the specific needs of their venue or event.

USB MIDI control integration opens another dimension of interactivity. Musicians, worship leaders, and DJs who already work with MIDI-capable equipment can now synchronize lighting changes with musical elements. A worship band leader can trigger a lighting shift at the same moment a song transitions, or a DJ can map lighting effects to pads on a MIDI controller, creating a tighter connection between audio and visual elements without requiring a second operator.

Perhaps the most inventive addition is the Follow Spot mode, which allows an operator to steer a moving head fixture directly from a smartphone. Traditional follow spot operation requires a dedicated person manning a large, heavy fixture from a balcony or elevated platform. DMX Smart Link replaces that setup with a phone-based interface that gives the operator pan and tilt control over a motorized moving head. For small churches where the pastor walks freely across the stage, or for event venues where a keynote speaker moves away from a podium, this feature provides professional-quality spotlight tracking without the overhead of additional personnel or bulky equipment.

NDI video integration rounds out the recent updates by connecting DMX Smart Link to networked video production pipelines. Many churches and event venues now produce livestreamed content as a standard part of their operations. By supporting NDI, DMX Smart Link allows lighting operators and video producers to work within the same networked ecosystem, improving coordination and reducing the complexity of multi-system setups.

All of these features operate within the same offline-capable framework that has defined DMX Smart Link from the beginning. No internet connection is required, which is especially important for venues in older buildings where connectivity can be unreliable or for outdoor events where network infrastructure may not exist. The software continues to run on Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, and Raspberry Pi, maintaining broad compatibility with the hardware that churches and independent operators are most likely to already have available.

The platform's fixture library, now containing 13,064 profiles, ensures that new and legacy fixtures alike can be integrated without manual programming. A free 14-day trial is available at dmxsmartlink.com for operators interested in testing these features in their own environments.

Company announcement, published as provided by DMX Smart Link. Its claims are the company’s own and have not been checked by KC Metro 24.