When working with multiple fixtures like pixel tubes, LED strips, or grouped lights in a softbox, you often want them to run the same effect simultaneously rather than chasing from one fixture to another. This guide covers how to synchronize effects across multiple fixtures or group fixtures/pixels together as one unit using Blackout's grouping and offset features.
The Problem
By default, when you apply an effect to multiple fixtures, Blackout creates a chase sequence that runs through each fixture individually. While this is useful for many applications, sometimes you want all fixtures to perform the exact same action at the same time - like having 30 pixel tubes pulse in unison rather than sequentially.
Simple Example: Synchronized Softbox Units
Let's start with a common scenario: You have multiple S60 units in a softbox and want them to pulse as one unified fixture instead of chasing through each unit.
Solution:
Select all the S60 fixtures
Press OFFSET → Num of groups 1
Record your effect with this grouping
Alternatively, you can change the grouping to 1 inside the effect engine page after creating the effect.
How to get one effect to play simultaneously over multiple different selections
Method 1: Multiple Effects with Synchronized Playback
If you've already created individual effects for each fixture (e.g., 30 separate effects for 30 tubes), you can synchronize them using these approaches:
Option A: Record into a Look
Start all 30 effects running simultaneously
Record them into a look while they're playing
Turn off the look from the fader page
Turn the look back on - all effects will now start at the same time
Option B: Use Syntax Command
Use the syntax: ON EFFECT 1 Thru 30 (replace with your actual effect numbers)
This command starts all effects simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Method 2: Single Effect with Offset Grouping (Recommended)
This is the more elegant solution that uses Blackout's offset features to treat multiple fixtures as synchronized groups.
For Pixel Tubes (Advanced Example)
Assuming your tubes are channels 201 through 230:
Step 1: Create Offset Group
Select channels
201 thru 230Press OFFSET → Cell → Cells only → OFFSET
Set Fixtures per group to 30
Press OFFSET → Interleave
RECORD → Group → Name it "Pixels w/ OFFSET"
Step 2: Record Effect
Select the "Pixels w/ OFFSET" group (which contains the offset information)
Record your effect from this selection
Now you have one effect that controls all fixtures simultaneously
To spice things up even more you could grab your Pixels w/ OFFSET group and add an offset to that group before recording your effect if you wanted to take advantage of OFFSET "inside out" for example.
Key Concepts
Offset Grouping: This feature allows you to change how Blackout treats multiple fixtures when applying effects. Instead of treating each fixture individually, you can group them to act as a single unit.
Fixtures per Group: This setting determines how many fixtures are grouped together. Setting it to the total number of fixtures (like 30 in our example) makes them all act as one unit.
Interleave: This function changes how fixtures are selected when grouping. Without interleave, "fixtures per group" grabs consecutive fixtures (like pixels 1-30, then 31-60, etc.). With interleave enabled, it distributes the selection across your fixtures - so instead of taking the first 30 pixels from one area, it takes pixel #1 from each of your 30 tubes, creating a more evenly distributed grouping pattern.
Inside Out: This offset option affects the pattern direction, which can be useful for creating different visual effects while maintaining synchronization.
Troubleshooting Tips
Remember: You can always UPDATE your effects! If your selection is wrong try again and once you have your new selection, hit UPDATE and select the effect you want to Update.
Effects starting at different times: Use the look recording method or syntax commands to ensure simultaneous start times
Fixtures still chasing: Check your effect "Selection". Fixtures inside Parenthesis are grouped together. You can also see this in your groups by double tapping the GROUP menu in the sidebar.