Moving head lights

Moving head lights allow control of not only the light output, but also the direction of 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
• Prism effect (which may also rotate)

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.

Two broad categories of moving head lights exist. Lower power units are designed to light up a surface (e.g. house wall or ground). Typically these do not produce the beams of light in the sky without the assistance of additional fog, smoke, haze, etc. Higher power units can create beams of light that are visible in the sky at night, however as a result may need approval if used near an airport.

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 by Tom BetGeorge from Magical Light Shows in the USA:

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

• (AUS) DJ City (Vic, NSW, Qld, WA): https://djcity.com.au/category/lighting/moving-light/
• (AUS Importer bulk buy) Ink Creations: https://inkcreations.com.au/product-category/pre-sale-and-bulk-buy/pre-sale-and-bulk-buy-items/
• (China) AliExpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-moving-head-light-dmx.html