Resolume to Lights

Send Resolume Arena or Avenue compositions to Spectralite via NDI for video-reactive lighting effects.

Overview

Resolume is professional VJ software used for live performances and installations. By sending Resolume's output to Spectralite via NDI, your lighting can react to the visual content in real-time.

What You'll Need

• Resolume Arena or Avenue (NDI output requires Arena 7+ or Avenue 4+)
• Network connection between Resolume and Spectralite
• Spectralite running on the same network

Quick Start

1. Enable NDI output in Resolume
2. Connect the stream in Spectralite
3. Create reactive effects using the NDI input
4. Perform with synchronized visuals and lighting

Setting Up NDI in Resolume

Step 1: Enable NDI Output

1. Open Resolume Preferences (⌘, on Mac, Ctrl+, on Windows)
2. Go to the Output tab
3. Locate NDI Output section
4. Click Add NDI Output
5. Choose a name (e.g., "Resolume Main")
6. Set the output resolution (720p recommended for performance)

Step 2: Configure Output Settings

In the NDI Output settings:

• Name: Use a descriptive name (e.g., "Resolume-Main-Output")
• Resolution: 1280×720 or 1920×1080 (lower = better performance)
• Frame Rate: Match your composition (30fps typical)
• Source: Select your output (Screen 1, Screen 2, etc.)

Step 3: Verify Output

1. Look for the NDI indicator in Resolume's interface
2. It should show as active/transmitting
3. You may see network bandwidth usage

For complete NDI configuration details, see Resolume's NDI documentation.

Connecting to Spectralite

Enable NDI in Spectralite

1. Open Spectralite
2. Go to Edit > Inputs
3. Enable NDI input enabled
4. Enable Auto-discover sources
5. Select your Resolume stream from the dropdown
6. Verify the connection status shows as connected

Using Resolume Video in Spectralite

There are two ways to use Resolume's video output in your lighting:

Quick Start: Built-in NDI Layer

For immediate use, add an NDI layer directly to your timeline:

1. In the Timeline panel, click the + button to add a layer
2. Select the built-in NDI effect
3. Resolume's output will control your lighting immediately

This is the fastest way to sync your lighting with Resolume visuals.

Advanced: Custom Effects with NDI Nodes

For more complex control over how Resolume affects your lighting:

1. Open the Node Editor
2. Create a new effect or edit an existing one
3. Add an NDI Input node to sample video data from Resolume
4. Connect it to other nodes to create custom reactive effects

This gives you full control over how Resolume's visuals influence your lighting.

Performance Tips

In Resolume

• Lower NDI resolution (720p vs 1080p) for better network performance
• Disable unused layers to reduce rendering load
• Use NDI HX codec if available (reduces bandwidth)
• Keep composition frame rate manageable (30fps typically sufficient)

Network Setup

• Use wired Ethernet when possible
• Ensure gigabit network for HD streams
• Keep both machines on same subnet for auto-discovery
• Consider a dedicated network for large shows

In Spectralite

• Sample at lower resolution in effect nodes when possible
• Limit complexity of NDI-driven effects
• Use caching for static NDI content if applicable

Common Workflows

VJ + Lighting Performance

Run Resolume and Spectralite simultaneously:

1. Design visual content in Resolume
2. Map lighting to follow the visuals via NDI
3. Trigger both using MIDI controller
4. Create unified audiovisual experience

Content Playback

Pre-made video content drives lighting:

1. Load video clips into Resolume
2. Spectralite extracts color/brightness
3. Lighting follows the content automatically
4. Perfect for theatrical or installation work

Generative Visuals

Use Resolume's effects as lighting control:

1. Apply effects to blank layers in Resolume
2. Use generated patterns as control data
3. Create abstract lighting driven by generative visuals

Troubleshooting

Stream Not Appearing

1. Verify NDI output is enabled in Resolume preferences
2. Check that both applications are on same network
3. Check firewall settings (allow NDI discovery)
4. Restart NDI output in Resolume

Poor Performance

1. Reduce NDI output resolution in Resolume
2. Lower frame rate if real-time isn't critical
3. Use wired network instead of WiFi
4. Close unnecessary applications

Latency

1. Switch to wired Ethernet
2. Reduce video resolution in Resolume
3. Simplify effect graphs in Spectralite
4. Monitor network congestion

Color Mismatch

1. Check color space settings in both applications
2. Verify gamma settings match
3. Calibrate monitors if needed for visual reference

Advanced Setups

Multiple Outputs

Send different Resolume outputs to Spectralite:

1. Configure multiple NDI outputs in Resolume (e.g., Screen 1, Screen 2)
2. Add each as separate source in Spectralite
3. Create effects that use different streams
4. Example: Main output for color, secondary for brightness

Alpha Channel Effects

Use transparency data from Resolume:

1. Enable alpha channel in Resolume output
2. Sample alpha in Spectralite to control intensity
3. Create layered lighting effects based on transparency

Resources

• Resolume NDI Documentation - Official Resolume NDI guide
• General NDI Setup - Generic NDI workflow
• Node Editor - Create NDI-reactive effects

Related Guides

• TouchDesigner to Lights
• VDMX to Lights