Connecting physical USB and serial DMX interfaces requires proper operating system driver configuration. Unilighter communicates directly with hardware through browser WebUSB/WebSerial APIs or via the Unilighter Desktop app.

🪟 Windows Setup: WinUSB Driver for uDMX

Many uDMX dongles do not register automatically as generic WinUSB devices on Windows, requiring a standard driver assignment:

Method 1: Official uDMX WinUSB Installer

  1. Download the uDMX USB Driver (WinUSB).
  2. Plug in your uDMX interface.
  3. Extract and run the installer as Administrator.
  4. Restart your browser or the Unilighter Desktop app.

Method 2: Zadig Generic Driver Assignment

If Windows continues to flag the device with a yellow error badge in Device Manager:

  1. Download and run Zadig.
  2. Select Options \(\rightarrow\) List All Devices.
  3. Choose your USB DMX device from the dropdown (e.g. uDMX or USB DMX512).
  4. Select WinUSB as the target driver and click Replace Driver (or Install Driver).
  5. Open Unilighter in Chrome, Edge, or Desktop and click Connect in Device Patch.

🐧 Linux Setup: Kernel Modules & Udev Permissions

Linux distributions typically require two configuration adjustments: releasing the kernel's automatic serial capture and granting non-root access permissions.

1. Releasing Kernel FTDI Capture (ftdi_sio)

By default, the Linux kernel automatically binds FTDI USB-to-serial chips as standard COM ports (/dev/ttyUSB0), preventing WebUSB from claiming direct hardware control.

  • Temporary Release:

    sudo rmmod ftdi_sio

    (Alternative command: sudo modprobe -r ftdi_sio)

  • Persistent Blacklist (if using dedicated WebUSB control): Create /etc/modprobe.d/ftdi_sio.conf:

    blacklist ftdi_sio

2. Setting Up Udev Rules (Non-Root USB Access)

To access USB DMX dongles without running your browser as root:

  1. Create a udev rules file: 
    sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-unilighter-dmx.rules
  2. Add the following rule matching generic uDMX / FTDI devices: 
    # uDMX
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="16c0", ATTR{idProduct}=="05dc", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"
# FTDI USB-RS485 DMX
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="0403", ATTR{idProduct}=="6001", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"
  3. Reload udev rules and re-plug the interface: 
    sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger
  4. Ensure your user is in the plugdev and dialout groups: 
    sudo usermod -aG plugdev,dialout $USER

📱 Android USB OTG Emergency Setup

Unilighter can run a complete live show directly from an Android smartphone:

  1. Connect your USB DMX dongle to your Android phone via a USB OTG Adapter (USB-C to USB-A).
  2. Open Unilighter in Chrome for Android.
  3. When prompted, tap OK / Allow on the Android system popup: "Allow Chrome to access USB DMX512?"
  4. Select the interface in Device Patch.

Tip

Use a powered USB-C OTG hub with Power Delivery (PD) to keep your phone charged during live performances.

🍏 macOS Driver Notes

  • macOS Ventura, Sonoma & Newer: Modern macOS versions have built-in WebUSB and WebHID drivers that recognize class-compliant USB DMX and MIDI hardware out of the box.
  • Security & Permissions: When connecting in Google Chrome or Unilighter Desktop, accept the prompt to allow access to the USB accessory.