Connect your router
and Art-Net node.

Easy start: use a Wi-Fi router

YOU NEED
• Your phone or tablet with DmxFx.
• A Wi-Fi router. It does not need internet.
• An Art-Net node: the box that connects your network to your DMX lights.
• An Ethernet cable and a DMX cable.

CONNECT IN THIS ORDER
1. Plug the node into a LAN port on the router. Do not use the WAN/Internet port.
2. Join that router’s main Wi-Fi on your phone. Avoid Guest Wi-Fi. Leave the phone’s IP setting on Automatic / DHCP.
3. Connect the node’s DMX OUT to your light’s DMX IN.
4. Find the node’s IP address in its settings or manual.
5. In DmxFx, tap the network icon. Choose Wi-Fi. Type the NODE IP and match the node’s Art-Net universe. Tap Save.
6. Turn OUT ON. Raise the channels your light uses. Its dimmer or shutter channel may also need to be raised.

WHICH IP ADDRESS DO I TYPE?
Think of each device as a house. Each needs its own address.
• Router / gateway = your Wi-Fi box.
• Phone / host / local IP = your phone’s address.
• Node / receiver = your Art-Net box. TYPE THIS ONE IN DMXFX.

EXAMPLE — THREE DIFFERENT ADDRESSES
Router: 192.168.0.1
Phone: 192.168.0.100 (usually set automatically)
Node: 192.168.0.10 ← type this in DmxFx
With mask 255.255.255.0, the first three numbers match and the last numbers differ. Use your equipment’s actual addresses; these are examples.

IF THE ROUTER AND NODE BOTH USE 192.168.0.1
They cannot share it. Change one address before continuing. The easiest choice is an unused node address such as 192.168.0.10. Ask the router to reserve that address for the node, or keep a fixed node address outside the router’s automatic address range.
If you must keep the node at .1, unplug it from the router, change the router’s LAN address to an unused address such as 192.168.0.254, then reconnect both. Rejoin Wi-Fi so the phone gets the new settings. See “Address help” for details.

A green icon means the network is connected. It does not prove the lights received data. If nothing happens, go to “Lights still off?”.

Direct cable: no router

This setup needs more steps. Use the Wi-Fi router method on page 1 if you want the easiest start.

1. Plug a USB-C Ethernet adapter into your phone or tablet. Connect its Ethernet cable to the node.
2. Open the PHONE’S Android Settings, then look for Ethernet. Keep the adapter connected. The names differ between phones.
3. Change Ethernet from Automatic / DHCP to Static. DmxFx cannot change this Android setting for you.

EXAMPLE SETTINGS
If the node is 192.168.0.1, enter these on the PHONE:
IP address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
If you see “Prefix length” instead of mask: enter 24.
Proxy: None.

The phone and node must have DIFFERENT addresses. This example only fits a node on 192.168.0.x.

4. Leave gateway and DNS blank if Android allows it. If Save stays grey because those fields are required, try gateway 192.168.0.1 and DNS 8.8.8.8 for this example. These entries do not provide internet; DmxFx uses the node’s numeric address.
5. Save the phone settings. Stay connected if Android says “No internet”. Some tablets need Ethernet switched off before editing and back on after saving.
6. Open DmxFx’s network settings. Choose Ethernet. Enter the NODE address: 192.168.0.1, not the phone’s .2 address.
7. Match the node’s Art-Net universe. Save and turn OUT ON.

A plain Ethernet adapter does not give the phone an IP address automatically. That is why this setup needs Static.

When you go back to a router, change Android Ethernet back to Automatic / DHCP.

Lights still off? Check these first

CHECK ONE THING AT A TIME

1. CONNECTION
Phone on the same router as the node? Wi-Fi selected in DmxFx for Wi-Fi, or Ethernet for a cable? Stay connected even if Android says “No internet”.

2. NODE ADDRESS
In DmxFx, type the Art-Net box’s address. Do not type the phone’s or router’s address. Make sure no two devices share an address.

3. OUTPUT
Does the DmxFx button say OUT ON? A green network icon only shows a local connection. It is not a message back from the node.

4. UNIVERSE
The app and node must use the same Art-Net universe. Some nodes show “Universe 1” for the number 0 sent on the wire. Check the node’s manual if matching the displayed numbers does not work.

5. LIGHT SETTINGS
Set the light to DMX control. Check its starting address and channel mode in its manual. Some lights need a dimmer channel raised and a shutter channel opened before colours show.

6. CABLE
Use node DMX OUT → light DMX IN. Check the node’s DMX output light if it has one. Try a known-working DMX cable.

7. ROUTER
Use the main Wi-Fi, not Guest Wi-Fi. If your router has “AP isolation” or “client isolation”, turn it off for this lighting network so the phone and node can talk. Move closer to the router if the connection drops.

STILL STUCK?
Open Connection details in DmxFx. Send support your app version, phone model, node model, connection type, IP addresses and universe. Never send passwords.

Universes and light channels

THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT NUMBERS

Universe = which group of DMX channels the node receives.
DMX address = where one light starts inside that group.

Example: a simple three-channel RGB light starting at DMX address 1 may use:
Fader 1 = red
Fader 2 = green
Fader 3 = blue
Your light may use a different order or extra channels. Follow its channel chart.

DmxFx has 255 faders. Each can be assigned to a DMX channel from 1 to 512. If two faders share a channel, the higher value wins.

IF YOUR NODE SHOWS NET, SUB-NET AND UNIVERSE
DmxFx uses one combined number called the Art-Net Port-Address:
Net × 256 + Sub-Net × 16 + Universe.
Net can be 0–127. Sub-Net and Universe can each be 0–15.
Example: Net 0, Sub-Net 0, Universe 1 → enter 1.
Some node menus count universes from 1 instead of 0. Check the manual.

For a chain of lights, connect DMX OUT to the next light’s DMX IN. Fit a DMX terminator to the last light as recommended by the equipment maker.

Address help and advanced networks

YOU CAN SKIP THIS IF YOUR LIGHTS WORK

KEEP THE NODE ADDRESS THE SAME
If the node gets its address automatically, use the router’s DHCP reservation option to keep it from changing. If you enter a fixed address on the node, choose an unused address outside the router’s automatic DHCP range.

EXAMPLE: NODE MUST STAY AT 192.168.0.1
1. Unplug the node from the router while changing a conflicting router address.
2. Open the router’s LAN settings, not WAN/Internet settings.
3. Set the router to an unused address such as 192.168.0.254, mask 255.255.255.0.
4. Set its automatic DHCP range to, for example, 192.168.0.100–192.168.0.199. This leaves .1 for the node and .254 for the router.
5. Save. Open the router at its NEW address next time.
6. Reconnect the node and rejoin Wi-Fi on the phone. If the node asks for a gateway, use the router’s new address.
Do not use .0 or .255 for a device in this example. Check addresses are unused before applying them. Changing a shared router can affect other devices on that network.

FOR NETWORK ADMINISTRATORS
Art-Net uses UDP port 6454 for both source and destination. Close other Art-Net apps if that port is busy. No internet port forwarding is needed. Routed networks need a route to the node and firewall permission for this traffic. No VPN, cellular fallback or internet relay is provided.

DmxFx sends one universe to one node address. It does not discover or reconfigure nodes, receive DMX, merge controllers, send sACN or configure RDM. Leaving the app stops output and attempts to send zeros. Check how your node behaves when the signal stops.

DIY instructions follow. You do NOT need to build anything to use a commercial Art-Net node.

Choose a DIY node

Use Arduino IDE 2 and the included DmxFxNode sketch. Arduino C++ gives predictable UART timing and one configuration file.

ESP8266 NodeMCU / D1 mini: our first DIY Wi-Fi option; UART1 TX GPIO2 (D4), enable GPIO5 (D1). Keep GPIO2 pulled high at boot.
ESP32 DevKit (classic WROOM): an alternative with more memory; UART2 TX GPIO17, driver-enable GPIO21.
Arduino Mega 2560 + W5500 Ethernet shield: wired; TX1 pin18, enable pin2.
Arduino Uno R3 + W5500 shield: wired; TX pin1, enable pin2. Disconnect the DMX driver while uploading. Experimental: memory is very limited. Static IP is the default; edit NODE_IP to suit your LAN. No Serial debug on this DMX UART. Prefer Mega for a wired DIY build.

Other ESP32 variants need explicit UART/pin configuration; do not assume DevKit pins fit C3/S3 boards. A commercial isolated Art-Net node is the easiest ready-made option. All DIY builds require physical validation before live use.

Parts and 3-pin / 5-pin wiring

Use an RS-485 line driver between UART and DMX; NEVER connect a GPIO directly to an XLR data pin. For ESP boards choose a 3.3 V logic-compatible transceiver (for example MAX3485). For 5 V Uno/Mega use a compatible 5 V part. Prefer an isolated DMX transmitter module with isolated power for stage rigs.

MCU TX → driver DI; configured enable GPIO → DE; /RE held HIGH (receiver off); RO unused. Add 10k pulldown on DE so boot/upload chatter is not transmitted. MCU GND → logic-side GND. Follow the module's supply requirements.

Driver D+ → XLR pin3; D− → pin2; signal common → pin1. Applies to 3-pin and 5-pin XLR; 5-pin pins4/5 remain unconnected. Use the connector's numbered pins, not a drawing's left/right orientation. A/B labels differ between modules: verify D+/D− in its datasheet. On isolated modules, pin1 connects to isolated bus common, not a bridge across the isolation barrier.

Use a female XLR for node output and a proper DMX cable. Never connect to mains or phantom-powered audio equipment.

Upload the firmware

1. Install Arduino IDE 2 from arduino.cc.
2. In Boards Manager install esp32 by Espressif or esp8266 by ESP8266 Community; for Uno/Mega use Arduino AVR Boards and install the Ethernet library.
3. Download the node ZIP from the website guide. Extract it and open DmxFxNode/DmxFxNode.ino.
4. Edit config.h: router SSID/password (ESP), Port-Address, optional static IP, or ESP access-point mode. Use your own password.
5. Select your exact board and USB port. Compile, then Upload with the DMX driver disabled/disconnected.
6. Power down, wire the driver, then restart. Find its address in the router DHCP list (or use your configured static IP; AP mode uses 192.168.4.1).
7. Enter that address and Port-Address in DmxFx, save and arm output.

The sketch outputs 512 DMX slots at 40 Hz, uses zero start code and zeros output after 2.5 seconds without accepted data. It accepts one controller at a time. Test signal loss, reconnect and every fixture personality before a performance.

Optional DIY: node access point

For the included ESP sketch only: set NODE_ACCESS_POINT=true, choose a private Wi-Fi password, upload and join DmxFx-Node. Select Wi-Fi and receiver 192.168.4.1. Stay connected without internet. This optional firmware setup is separate from the standard router procedure.

Downloads, help and feedback

Full guide and firmware: https://saturnfx.com/apps/dmxfx-network.html
Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/
ESP32 board setup: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/installing.html
ESP8266 board setup: https://arduino-esp8266.readthedocs.io/en/latest/installing.html

Support: support@saturnfx.com
Include your app version, device, adapter/node model, selected transport, IP/subnet and universe. Never send Wi-Fi passwords.

Art-Net™ Designed by and Copyright Artistic Licence Engineering Ltd. This DIY sketch implements a limited ArtDmx receiver, not a certified complete Art-Net node.

Connection overview