Moving head lights

Moving head lights allow control of not only the light output, but also the direction the light, both horizontally and vertically. This is typically referred to pan and tilt or x and y position. These lights may be spot lights or flood lights. They are controlled via DMX and depending on the exact model may have up to 30 (or more) channels that controls various functions. Examples of functions that may be present include:

• Master dimmer (Light intensity)
• Red dimmer (Red intensity)
• Blue dimmer (Blue intensity)
• Green dimmer (Green intensity)
• Pan position (Horizontal/X axis)
• Tilt position (Vertical/Y axis)
• Pan/tilt speed
• Strobe
• Pan fine movement (for more precise control)
• Tilt fine movement (for more precise control)
• Colour wheel (e.g. for MH with only white light)
• Gobo wheel pattern (i.e. built in patterns)
• Gobo wheel rotation
• Gobo focus

Refer to the instructions for your specific moving head light for details on what specific channels do. Channel orders and light features vary from model to model.

Moving head lights can be sequenced in xLights using a combination of the moving head model and the DMX effect. State effect may also be used for position changes and Colour wash or On effect may be used for colour output. Watch the following video for a demonstration:


One of the most well known displays incorporating multiple moving head lights:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5dfpe_-Lgg