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Aside from being able to make some cool sounds, one of the most pioneering features of Teenage Engineering‘s popular OP-Z multimedia synthesizer and sequencer is its ability to output DMX protocol in order to control lighting that can sync with your beats and visually take your performance to the next level.

There are a lot of questions floating around out there as to precisely how this is done, so we’ve teamed up with the brains from Teenage Engineering and one of Britain’s finest electronic musicians in order to present the definitive guide to using the DMX function on your Teenage Engineering OP-Z: what gear you’ll need, how to configure it, and most of all … how to maximise your fun.

So let’s power up and get started!

We’ll begin by assuming that you’ve already studied the brief introduction to lights section on Teenage Engineering’s website.

If you haven’t, go have a look – and be sure to bookmark that page, because it contains some handy information including an important configuration table.

What you’ll need:

Instrument

Teenage Engineering OP-Z sequencer/synthesizer. This comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable, with which you can power your USB hub. Find a stockist near you.

Power

Teenage Engineering have tested and recommend the Kingston Nucleum powered USB-C hub, which features a variety of ports including 2 x USB-A. Find a stockist near you.

Lighting controller

The industry standard classic ENTTEC DMX USB PRO. This comes with a USB cable (USB-A to USB-B) with which to connect your device to a powered USB hub. In the video below, you’ll notice that while Luke talks about the DMX USB Pro, he’s actually using a Mk2 version for his demonstration. Because the Mk2 has since been discontinued, it’s the standard Pro you’ll need to pick up (unless you want to try to score a second-hand Mk2 somewhere online). As Luke says though, the setup for both devices alongside what they can achieve with the OP-Z is essentially the same, so given that a new Pro is likely to be cheaper than a used Mk2, you’d be doing yourself a favour in sticking with the Pro.

Watch the tutorial

Let’s go!

 Tremendous love to the very talented Luke Palmer (aka luke jay____), who wrote and presented this tutorial for the benefit of humankind. Huge thanks also to Jonas Åberg, Grant Smith and Emil Kullänger of Teenage Engineering, as well as our own VJ Suriya for their assistance and encouragement.

Hopefully you’ve learned a thing or twenty here. And for one last demonstration of what’s possible before you get stuck into your own creations, why not sit back, set your brain to Chill Mode, and get your groove on with Luke’s cover of Drake’s “Passionfruit”. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh????

 As part of the London Design Festival, Teenage Engineering were invited by Tom Dixon to collaborate for a conceptual event at the Coal Office in Kings Cross.

Together, they installed room lighting and a crazy chandelier centrepiece made from OD-11 speakers and 16 RGB LED strips. Musician George Lazenbleep configured a series of instruments, including OP-Z synths and two ENTTEC DMX USB Pro interfaces to control and blend sound and light into a unique live performance. Learn more HERE.

Any questions?

If you’re still left scratching your head, then drop us an email. Our friendly customer service team will help get on your way to creating something epic.