Relackout

Switching from QLC+

A concept map for QLC+ users, how OFL fixture files transfer, and your first evening of patching and building a Scene.

If you’re on QLC+ (or FreeStyler, SoundSwitch) and weighing a move to Relackout, this page is for you. First you’ll see where the concepts you already know land in Relackout, then how fixture definitions transfer through the OFL format, and finally the concrete work of your first evening: patching with your old addresses and building your first Scene in Live Control. Upfront: QLC+ project files (QXW) and fixture files (QXF) don’t import directly — but fixture definitions in OFL format do.

Concept mapping: where QLC+ terms land in Relackout

QLC+Relackout
Fixture Browser and QXF definitionsRebuild the patch in Patch & address map; import OFL-format definitions into Fixture Library
Scenes and ChasersRecreate looks in Scenes, sequences in Cue Stacks
EFX and RGB Matrix functionsRecreate supported movement, color and intensity patterns with Effect Wizard
Show Manager and Audio functionsAdd your original audio to Music Library, recreate the sync in Show Timeline
Virtual Console and web interfaceRebuild buttons and faders in Designer; test LIVE CONTROL
QXW project filesCreate a workspace per venue, then set its output and controller connections

In short: fixture definitions transfer, patch and scenes get rebuilt.

What carries over: fixture definitions via OFL

Your fixture addresses, channel-mode documentation, original music files and cue intentions stay useful references. Fixture definitions in OFL (Open Fixture Library) format can be imported into Relackout directly. You’ll need to rebuild looks, chasers, matrix effects and Virtual Console layouts, and verify each output mapping.

You download fixture files from open-fixture-library.org — this step happens in a browser, outside Relackout. Search for your device, open its page and download the “Fixture JSON” link. If you’re downloading more than one fixture, put them in a subfolder named after the manufacturer — for example a chauvet-dj folder with intimidator-spot-110.json inside; Relackout reads the manufacturer and device from that structure automatically.

The import screen lives in Fixture Library:

  1. Click Settings on the home screen.

    Settings screen, Fixture Library and Patch & address map buttons side by side

  2. Click Fixture Library.

    Fixture Library screen, Demo Venue category collapsed, Import from Folder button at the top

  3. Click Import from Folder.

    Import Fixtures from Folder dialog, with a single Load from folder button

Your first evening: step by step

Patch with your old addresses

If the physical rig hasn’t changed, your DMX addresses haven’t either: you can type your old QLC+ address in here exactly.

  1. Click Cancel in the dialog, then click the Back arrow in the top bar.

    Back on the Settings screen

  2. Click Patch & address map; the DMX Console screen opens.

    DMX Console screen, collapsed Demo Venue category on the left, empty universe map on the right

  3. In the library on the left, expand Demo Venue, then select LED PAR RGBW.

    LED PAR RGBW selected, patch form and a five-row channel table open

  4. Check Start address: it already reads 1. If your old QLC+ address is different, type that instead.

    Start address field reads 1

  5. Click Add to patch.

    Universe map filled from 1 to 5, a new row in the Patched Fixtures table

Build your first Scene from Live Control

The fastest way to build a Scene is through LIVE CONTROL: set the look you want with the faders and save it — the scene lands straight in your library.

  1. Click the Back arrow in the top bar twice (DMX Console → Settings → home screen).

    Back on the home screen

  2. Click LIVE CONTROL on the home screen.

    Live Control screen, DMX channel 1-16 faders, MASTER and BLACKOUT on the right

  3. Drag the CH 001 and CH 005 faders up (Dimmer and White — full white light).

    CH 001 and CH 005 faders up, values at 255

  4. Click Record in the top bar, then + Step.

    Record tool active, red indicator and a 1-step counter

  5. Click the save icon; type “White” into Name in the dialog that opens.

    Save recording dialog, Save as Scene note, Name field reads White

  6. Click Save in the dialog.

    Dialog closed, record tool reset

What opens up after the switch

What you did in QLC+ with Audio Triggers, Show Manager and the Virtual Console has a home in Relackout too: Sound Reactive reacts in real time to a microphone or line input, Show Timeline times scenes to a song, and Designer lets you build your own mixer panel. Relackout also keeps each venue’s setup in its own workspace instead of a separate project file, and keeps multi-page production notes with the show in Notes.

What’s next

You’ll find the detailed feature comparison between Relackout and QLC+ on the comparison page. For the full fixture-import walkthrough, see Fixture library and OFL import; if you’re starting from scratch in Relackout, see Your first scene in 5 steps.

Updated: October 8, 2026

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