Relackout

Relackout vs MADRIX 5

MADRIX 5 is Windows software for generative LED effects, two-dimensional pixel mapping and three-dimensional voxel installations. It combines live visual performance with cue lists and audio timelines.

Feature comparison

Lifetime output licenses are stored on a required MADRIX KEY USB dongle. License size determines DMX and DVI output. The official product page directs buyers to resellers for an individual quote and publishes no USD or EUR price. The free demo does not provide normal lighting output. [1] [2]

Feature Relackout MADRIX 5
DMX output & fixtures
Art-Net output
Supported

Choose which universes are broadcast
Add-on required

Requires MADRIX KEY with an output license

[1] [2]
sACN (E1.31) output
Supported

Built in
Add-on required

Requires MADRIX KEY with an output license

[1] [2]
USB DMX interfaces
Supported

ENTTEC Open DMX USB and compatibles, several at once, one universe each
Add-on required

MADRIX USB ONE, NEO, LUNA and others; licensed KEY required

[2] [12]
Fixture library & custom fixtures
Supported

Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures
Supported

LED fixture library and Fixture Editor

[1]
Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures
Coming soon

Tuya smart lights
Add-on required

Philips Hue output requires a licensed MADRIX KEY

[1] [2]
Programming
Scenes / looks
Supported

Fade in/out per scene, layered playback
Supported

Store color looks and crossfade between Storage Places

[1] [10]
Cue lists / chases
Supported

Loop, one-shot and manual GO modes with per-step fade and delay
Supported

Scheduled effects playback with cue lists

[1]
Effects engine
Supported

Effect wizard with beat-locked timing
Supported

Generative pixel and voxel effects

[1]
Show timeline with audio
Supported

Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform
Supported

Cue segments aligned with audio waveforms

[8]
3D stage preview
Supported

Live 3D stage view in a separate window
Partial

3D LED matrix preview; not a full stage simulation

[1]
Show & production notes
Supported

Multi-page notes per show
Unverified

Multi-page production notes not verified
Audio & music
Music playback & playlists
Supported

Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app
Partial

Audio segments play in timelines; music-library playlists unverified

[8]
Sound-reactive lighting
Supported

From the music playing or a mic/line-in, with presets
Supported

Sound2Light and Music2Light effects

[1]
BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock
Supported

Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock
Partial

Effect BPM and tap controls; global MIDI-clock sync unverified

[11]
Cues & fades follow live tempo
Supported

BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades
Unverified

Live BPM scaling of recorded cue fades not verified
Live control
Custom touch mixer designer
Supported

Design your own faders and buttons
Partial

Configurable touch controls; touch interface unavailable while Cue Lists run

[3]
Phone/tablet remote
Supported

Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install
Supported

Built-in HTTP browser control interface

[4]
MIDI control & feedback
Supported

Learnable mappings plus LED feedback
Supported

Controller mapping with MIDI feedback

[1] [9]
OSC control
Supported

Built-in OSC server
Supported

OSC remote-control input

[1]
Guided first-show setup
Supported

Step-by-step from patch to live
Unverified

In-app first-show onboarding not verified
Venues & workspaces
Separate setups per venue
Supported

Workspaces: own patch, scenes, cues, mixers per venue
Supported

Setup Register manages and switches complete setups in-app

[5] [6]
Copy between setups
Supported

Copy wizard with patch mapping
Partial

Selective setup loading; fixture-mapping wizard not established

[5]
Output settings per venue
Supported

Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace
Partial

Device settings saved; network-driver options remain computer-local

[5] [7]
Export & move a setup
Supported

Single-file workspace export/import
Partial

Setup file excludes linked image, video and audio media

[5] [8]
Platform & licensing
macOS
Supported

Apple Silicon and Intel
Not supported

Windows application

[1]
Windows
Supported

Windows 10/11
Supported

Current release lists Windows 11, 64-bit

[1]
Linux
Supported

x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb)
Not supported

Windows application

[1]
Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence
Supported

All three, you choose
Partial

Lifetime dongle licenses; no listed monthly/yearly purchase choice

[1]
Full free trial
Supported

14 days, Standard features, real DMX output
Not supported

Demo disables normal DMX and network output

[2]

Where Relackout leads

  • Run natively on macOS or Linux as well as Windows.
  • Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing instead of the listed lifetime dongle model.
  • Test real lighting output during the 14-day free trial; MADRIX's demo disables normal output.
  • Design live faders and buttons in Mixer Designer; MADRIX's Touch Screen cannot operate while a Cue List runs.
  • Keep venue output settings in Workspaces instead of retaining some network settings on the computer.

Where MADRIX 5 is strong

  • Specialist 2D pixel and 3D voxel mapping, with a generative engine designed for LED installations.
  • Large LED projects can use output licenses reaching 4,104 DMX universes, alongside DVI output.

Which fits your show?

Club or bar

Both

MADRIX excels at LED-heavy club interiors; Relackout suits combined lighting and music operation.

DJ set

Both

Choose MADRIX for pixel visuals and Relackout for an integrated music and general lighting workflow.

Theatre

Relackout

For a small theatre, Relackout's stage preview and general lighting workflow are a closer match than LED matrix programming.

House of worship

Relackout

Relackout is a practical fit for volunteer-operated lighting and audio; MADRIX is stronger for specialist LED scenery.

Events venue

Both

MADRIX suits permanent pixel installations; Relackout suits changing room setups and general event lighting.

Touring / large rig

MADRIX 5

For a touring LED or voxel system, MADRIX offers specialist mapping and very large output capacity; a console may still run conventional fixtures.

Switching guide

In MADRIX 5 In Relackout
MADRIX Setup and Patch Create a Workspace and rebuild fixture addresses in Patch & Fixture Setup.
Fixture Editor profiles Select fixtures in Fixture Library or import Open Fixture Library definitions.
Storage Places and Cue Lists Recreate static looks in Scene Designer and their running order in Cue lists.
SCE, S2L and M2L effects Rebuild suitable effects with Effect Wizard and Sound-to-Light; review pixel-specific effects separately.
MADRIX Timelines Add original audio to Music Library and reprogram lighting events in Show Timeline.
Touch Screen and Remote HTTP Build operator controls in Mixer Designer and connect Remote (browser).

What carries over

Fixture addresses, physical layout, desired colors, timing notes and original audio files can guide the rebuild.

What to rebuild

Relackout does not import MADRIX Setup files, scripts or generated pixel content. Rebuild cues, effects and controls. Open Fixture Library definitions can be imported; specialist voxel mapping should be evaluated separately.

Frequently asked questions

Is Relackout a replacement for MADRIX voxel mapping?

Not a like-for-like replacement. MADRIX specializes in generative pixel and voxel installations. Relackout is better suited to combined venue lighting and audio control.

Can MADRIX output lights in its free demo?

Normal DMX and network lighting output is disabled in the demo. A licensed MADRIX KEY enables it; a limited full-white connection test is available in demo mode.

Can I transfer my MADRIX timelines automatically?

No. Keep the original audio and timing information, then rebuild the lighting events in Relackout Show Timeline. MADRIX Setup files are not imported.

Sources

Checked on September 25, 2026

  1. MADRIX 5 — product, licenses and specifications Checked on September 25, 2026
  2. MADRIX KEY — Software License / Demo Mode Checked on September 25, 2026
  3. MADRIX 5 — Touch Screen Checked on September 25, 2026
  4. MADRIX 5 — Remote HTTP Checked on September 25, 2026
  5. MADRIX 5 Setup — New / Open Checked on September 25, 2026
  6. MADRIX 5 — Setup Register Checked on September 25, 2026
  7. MADRIX 5 — Devices Network Checked on September 25, 2026
  8. MADRIX 5 — Timeline Editor Checked on September 25, 2026
  9. MADRIX 5 — MIDI Configuration Checked on September 25, 2026
  10. MADRIX 5 — Storage Places Checked on September 25, 2026
  11. MADRIX 5 — Using BPM Control Checked on September 25, 2026
  12. MADRIX 5 — Supported Interfaces [DMX512 / Art-Net] Checked on September 25, 2026

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