While the [Node Graphs](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/node-graphs.md) canvas provides deep visual programming capabilities for audio-reactive lighting and procedural mathematics, operating a complex canvas of wires and sockets during a high-pressure live concert is impractical.

The **Node Graph Widget** (`node-graph`) bridges background procedural logic with the live performance surface. It exposes designated macro dials, faders, and enable switches from any background graph onto a compact, touch-friendly card on your [Live Dashboard](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard.md).

![Node Graph Macro Widget](https://unilighter.cc/info/docs/dashboard/widget-node-graph/widget_node_graph_2ad6cfa1.png)

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## ⚡ Real-Time Macro Controls

A Node Graph widget surfaces the key interactive parameters of your underlying graph:

### 1. Master Enable / Disable Toggle
A prominent switch in the widget header enables or disables the background procedural graph instantly:
- **Active State**: The graph continuously computes and streams DMX data to fixtures or virtual parameters at 40+ FPS.
- **Deactivated State**: The graph stops evaluating and cleanly releases parameter control, allowing background static [Scenes](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/scenes.md) or manual overrides to take over smoothly.

### 2. Master Amplitude [Fader](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/controls/fader.md)
Controls the overall output intensity or scaling multiplier of the graph:
- Scaled from `0.0` to `1.0` (or `0–100%`).
- Includes quick-jump percentage buttons (`100%`, `75%`, `50%`, `25%`, `0%`) for rapid level changes during musical breaks.

### 3. Rotary Macro [Knobs](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/controls/knob.md) & Value Inputs
Any [ValueNode](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/node-graphs.md) placed on the graph canvas can be surfaced as an interactive rotary dial or slider:
- **Threshold & Sensitivity**: Dial in the exact audio gate threshold for kick drum flashes to adapt to varying venue sound levels.
- **LFO Wave Speed & Spread**: Modulate wave frequencies or spatial phase offsets across moving heads on the fly.
- **Attack & Decay Times**: Adjust how quickly procedural pulses trigger and fade out.

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## 🛠️ Practical Production Scenarios

### 1. Soundcheck Audio-Reactive Calibration
Sound levels change drastically between empty room soundchecks and a crowded concert hall. By placing audio threshold knobs on a Node Graph widget, the lighting operator can recalibrate frequency meter sensitivity and gate envelopes in seconds from the FOH desk without opening the wiring canvas.

### 2. Live Moving Head Ballyhoo Sizing
When running a procedural Lissajous curve or circular ballyhoo on stage moving heads, wire two macro knobs to the oscillator's X and Y scale multipliers. During intimate ballad songs, dial the knobs down to restrict motion to the band; during the energetic finale, open the dials wide to sweep the entire arena.

### 3. Color Spread Modulation
In generative rainbow chases, surface a `Spread` knob on the dashboard to compress the entire color spectrum into a single bar or stretch it across the entire stage rig.

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## 🎮 Hardware MIDI Mapping

Every dial and fader on the Node Graph widget can be mapped to physical rotary encoders and hardware sliders via **[Assign Mode](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/bindings.md)**. 

Read more in the **[Visual Node Graphs Guide](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/node-graphs.md)** and the **[UI Controls: Rotary Knob Manual](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/controls/knob.md)**.