Open Sound Control (OSC) provides a powerful way to remotely control your Blackout Lighting Console from external devices like smartphones, tablets, game controllers, or custom hardware. Unlike MIDI, which is limited to 7-bit values, OSC offers unlimited precision and supports custom messages, making it ideal for advanced lighting control applications.
What is OSC?
OSC (Open Sound Control) is a protocol that allows different devices and software to communicate over a network. It's particularly useful for lighting control because it:
Supports high-resolution data (not limited to MIDI's 7-bit range)
Works over standard network connections
Allows custom message formats
Is supported by a wide range of hardware and software
Prerequisites
Before setting up OSC control, ensure that:
Your Blackout console and OSC device are connected to the same network
Your OSC control app or software is properly configured
In this example we will be using TouchOSC as our OSC control device, but the process is the same for any OSC Device
Network Setup
Step 1: Verify Network Connection
In Blackout, navigate to Link Status to view your console's network information
Note the IP address of your Blackout console
On your OSC device (phone, tablet, etc.), verify you're connected to the same network
Note the IP address of your OSC device
Example IP addresses:
Blackout console: 192.168.0.2
Mobile device: 192.168.0.19
Step 2: Access OSC Documentation
In Blackout, go to Connect Device
Select the OSC tab
Click OSC Documentation to view all available OSC messages
Keep this documentation open for reference when configuring your OSC device
Configuring OSC in Blackout
Basic OSC Settings
In Blackout, navigate to Connect Device > OSC
Configure the following settings:
Blackout Receive Settings:
Address: Your Blackout console's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.2)
Port: 9999 (default OSC receive port)
Blackout Send Settings (for feedback):
Address: Your OSC device's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.19)
Port: 8888 (default OSC send port - must match your device's receive port)
Setting Up Touch OSC
This example uses Touch OSC, but the principles apply to any OSC application.
Step 1: Create OSC Controls
Open Touch OSC on your device
Press and hold in the middle of the canvas
Add a fader or button control
Resize the control as needed
Step 2: Configure Fader Control
Select your fader and tap the bar graph icon
Scroll down to the messages section
Delete any existing MIDI messages by clicking the X
Tap OSC to add an OSC message
Configure the OSC Address:
In the address field, delete the default name
Enter the OSC path from Blackout's documentation
Example for Global Fader 1:
/blk/fader/global/1/level
Configure Arguments:
Change the conversion type from "float" to "integer"
Set the range from 0 to 255 (as specified in Blackout's documentation)
Step 3: Configure Button Control
Follow the same process as above for button controls
For action buttons, use paths like:
Example for Global Fader 1 Key:
/blk/fader/global/1/key_1
The button will automatically send float values of 0 or 1, which matches Blackout's expectations.
Step 4: Configure Network Settings in Touch OSC
Go to Link > OSC in Touch OSC
Configure the following:
Host Settings:
Host: IP address of your Blackout console (e.g., 192.168.0.2)
Send Port: 9999
Receive Settings:
Receive Port: 8888 (for feedback from Blackout)
Testing Your Setup
Click Done to save your OSC configuration in Blackout
In Touch OSC, tap the play button to enable control
Test your faders and buttons - you should see:
Movement on your OSC device reflected in Blackout
Changes in Blackout reflected on your OSC device (feedback)
Common OSC Message Formats
Fader Control
/blk/fader/global/[fader_number]/level Arguments: Integer 0-255
Button/Key Control
/blk/fader/global/[fader_number]/key_[key_number] Arguments: Float 0.0 or 1.0
Troubleshooting
Connection Issues
Verify both devices are on the same network
Check that IP addresses are correct
Ensure firewall settings aren't blocking OSC traffic
Confirm port numbers match between devices
Control Not Working
Verify the OSC path matches Blackout's documentation exactly
Check that argument types (integer/float) match requirements
Ensure value ranges are correct (e.g., 0-255 for faders)
No Feedback
Confirm Blackout's send address matches your device's IP
Verify your device's receive port matches Blackout's send port
Check that your OSC app supports bidirectional communication
Advanced Applications
OSC's flexibility allows for creative control solutions:
Game Controllers: Map lighting controls to gaming hardware
Custom Hardware: Build dedicated control surfaces
Multiple Devices: Control from several devices simultaneously
Automation: Integrate with other software for automated shows
Port Reference
Direction | Device | Default Port |
To Blackout | OSC Device → Blackout | 9999 |
From Blackout | Blackout → OSC Device | 8888 |
Next Steps
Once you have basic OSC control working, explore Blackout's full OSC documentation to discover additional control possibilities. You can map OSC to virtually any control in Blackout, opening up endless possibilities for custom control interfaces.
For the complete list of available OSC messages and their parameters, always refer to the official OSC documentation accessible through Blackout's Connect Device menu.