Relackout vs ESA Pro 2

ESA Pro 2 programs lighting installations for compatible Nicolaudie controllers. It emphasizes timelines, zones and standalone operation on Windows and macOS.

Feature comparison

Programming software is supplied with compatible Nicolaudie hardware. The official SLESA-U11 package lists ESA Pro 2 and costs €599 excluding VAT; this is a hardware bundle example, not a universal minimum price. Other controllers and output expansions have separate prices. [2]

Feature	Relackout	ESA Pro 2
DMX output & fixtures
Art-Net output	Supported Choose which universes are broadcast	Add-on required DINA DR1/SR1 hardware provides network output. [3]
sACN (E1.31) output	Supported Built in	Add-on required DINA DR1/SR1 hardware provides network output. [3]
USB DMX interfaces	Supported ENTTEC Open DMX USB and compatibles, several at once, one universe each	Supported Compatible Nicolaudie USB controllers. [2] [3]
Fixture library & custom fixtures	Supported Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures	Supported SSL2 library and online Profile Builder. [3]
Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures	Coming soon Tuya smart lights	Not supported Consumer smart-light protocols absent from the manual's supported-fixture specifications [5]
Programming
Scenes / looks	Supported Fade in/out per scene, layered playback	Supported Static blocks, scene playback and fades. [1] [3]
Cue lists / chases	Supported Loop, one-shot and manual GO modes with per-step fade and delay	Supported Sequences, loops and scene-trigger chaining. [3]
Effects engine	Supported Effect wizard with beat-locked timing	Supported Generated effects and timeline automation. [1]
Show timeline with audio	Supported Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform	Supported MP3/WAV waveform timelines. [3]
3D stage preview	Supported Live 3D stage view in a separate window	Supported Easy View 2 included. [3]
Show & production notes	Supported Multi-page notes per show	Unverified Not verified in the reviewed official documentation.
Audio & music
Music playback & playlists	Supported Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app	Partial Timeline audio; playlist library not verified. Standalone needs external playback. [3]
Sound-reactive lighting	Supported From the music playing or a mic/line-in, with presets	Add-on required Requires audio-capable DINA controller; LITE needs an audio licence. [3]
BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock	Supported Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock	Unverified
Cues & fades follow live tempo	Supported BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades	Add-on required DINA audio triggers advance steps; automatic fade stretching not documented [5]
Live control
Custom touch mixer designer	Supported Design your own faders and buttons	Add-on required Built-in Touch Designer; live use requires Arcolis Touch and compatible controller [5] [6]
Phone/tablet remote	Supported Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install	Add-on required Arcolis Remote or Touch app with compatible network controller [4] [5]
MIDI control & feedback	Supported Learnable mappings plus LED feedback	Unverified
OSC control	Supported Built-in OSC server	Not supported Proprietary network commands; OSC absent from complete control specifications [5]
Guided first-show setup	Supported Step-by-step from patch to live	Unverified Not verified in the reviewed official documentation.
Venues & workspaces
Separate setups per venue	Supported Workspaces: own patch, scenes, cues, mixers per venue	Partial Separate project files; zones share one project patch [5]
Copy between setups	Supported Copy wizard with patch mapping	Unverified Not verified in the reviewed official documentation.
Output settings per venue	Supported Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace	Partial Project stores controller/output assignments; hardware network configuration remains separate [5]
Export & move a setup	Supported Single-file workspace export/import	Supported ARCX package bundles project, audio, images and other media [5] [6]
Platform & licensing
macOS	Supported Apple Silicon and Intel	Supported Mac version; Apple Silicon native status not verified. [1]
Windows	Supported Windows 10/11	Supported Windows 10/11 64-bit. [3]
Linux	Supported x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb)	Not supported Official platforms are Windows and macOS. [1] [3]
Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence	Supported All three, you choose	Partial Hardware bundle; monthly/yearly/lifetime software choice not listed. [2]
Full free trial	Supported 14 days, Standard features, real DMX output	Not supported Live output requires a connected compatible Nicolaudie controller [5]

Where Relackout leads

Relackout provides Art-Net and sACN from the desktop app; ESA Pro 2 documents these outputs through DINA controllers.
Relackout includes Sound-to-Light from music or input; ESA Pro 2 requires audio-capable controller hardware.
Relackout runs on Linux as well as Windows and macOS.
Relackout offers monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing and a 14-day trial; ESA Pro 2 is supplied through hardware bundles.

Where ESA Pro 2 is strong

Calendar triggers and controller-based playback suit unattended installations.
Pixel mapping and multi-zone programming suit architectural lighting.

Which fits your show?

Club or bar

Both

Relackout suits live music operation; ESA Pro 2 suits scheduled architectural lighting.

DJ set

Relackout

Built-in Sound-to-Light avoids a separate audio-capable DINA controller.

Theatre

Relackout

Relackout is a closer fit for an operator running a small production.

House of worship

Both

Relackout suits operated services; ESA Pro 2 suits unattended architectural lighting.

Events venue

Both

Choose for the workflow: live operation or scheduled standalone installations.

Touring / large rig

Both

ESA Pro 2 targets installations; evaluate touring consoles separately for large rigs.

Switching guide

In ESA Pro 2	In Relackout
Fixture profiles and zones	Recreate the patch in Patch & Fixture Setup; organize venues with Workspaces.
Static timeline blocks	Rebuild looks in Scene Designer.
Scenes and sequences	Recreate ordered playback in Cue lists.
Effect blocks and audio timelines	Use Effect Wizard and Show Timeline; add music in Music Library.
Simulator scene buttons and Arcolis Remote	Build controls in Mixer Designer, then operate Live Control and browser Remote.

What carries over

DMX addresses, fixture modes, zone plans and lighting intentions carry over as references. OFL fixture definitions can be imported.

What to rebuild

Relackout does not import ESA Pro 2 projects or SSL2 definitions. Rebuild programming and controls. Controller calendar schedules and standalone playback are not transferred.

Frequently asked questions

Does ESA Pro 2 have a music timeline?

Yes. Its manual documents MP3/WAV audio timelines; standalone controller playback needs an external audio player.

Is Relackout a replacement for an unattended architectural controller?

Relackout is a desktop app for live lighting and audio operation. Keep controller-based architectural requirements separate when evaluating a switch.

Can Relackout load my ESA Pro 2 project?

No. Rebuild it manually; only fixture definitions in OFL format can be imported.

Sources

Checked on September 25, 2026

ESA Pro 2 features and current downloads Checked on September 25, 2026
SLESA-U11 bundle, software and public price Checked on September 25, 2026
ESA Pro 2 Manual Checked on September 25, 2026
Arcolis Remote supported controllers Checked on September 25, 2026
ESA Pro 2.5.1 manual (8 July 2026): packages, Touch Designer and TCA reference Checked on September 25, 2026
ESA Pro 2 release notes: project packages and Touch Designer Checked on September 25, 2026

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