Show Buddy Active
Powerful lighting & video control software for performers, DJs and designers
Show Buddy Active Frequently Asked Questions
Show Buddy Active is our latest generation of lighting & video control software. With multiple universes of DMX control, advanced visual effects, simplified graphical programming and video output, this is the perfect software for performers and designers wanting to create ambitious automated multimedia shows.
- Use Show Buddy Active to manually run your lighting & video from mouse, MIDI control surface, or wirelessly from an iPad (using an OSC app like TouchOSC).
- Automate your lighting & video shows from an audio sequencer like Ableton Live, with Show Buddy Active’s powerful VST & Audio Unit plug-ins.
- Partner Show Buddy Active with Show Buddy Setlist for complete hands-free playback of your backing tracks, video, lighting and MIDI equipment.
Show Buddy Active can transmit DMX data to any of the following hardware devices:
- Enttec PRO compatible interfaces (e.g. DMX USB PRO, PRO Mk2, DMXIS)
- Enttec Open DMX compatible interfaces
- Any Art-Net to DMX node.
Important note : only one universe of DMX data (i.e. 512 channels of control) can be transmitted to a USB interface. The second output universe on an Enttec PRO mk2 box is not supported. An Art-Net interface is required for multiple universes of output.
Show Buddy Active is available in three versions
| Show Buddy Active | Show Buddy Active Projection | Show Buddy Active Max | |
| DMX Universes [1] | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 2D Visualiser | ● | ● | ● |
| Light Show FX Engine | ● | ● | ● |
| Video Playback and Animated Video FX | ● | ● | |
| Performance Buttons | ● | ● | ● |
| DMX Output [2] | ● | ● | ● |
| Art-Net Output | ● | ● | ● |
| Touch-Friendly GUI | ● | ● | ● |
[1] A single universe can be transmitted to a compatible USB interface. To transmit multiple universes, an Art-Net interface is required.
[2] via any ENTTEC PRO or Open DMX compatible interface, or any Art-Net node. Only 1 universe can be transmitted to a USB interface – multiple universes require an Art-Net interface!
System Requirements
Show Buddy Active supports PCs running Windows 10 or better, and Macs running macOS 10.12 or better.
As a minimum, we suggest a computer with an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of memory. A solid state drive is highly recommended.
Show Buddy Active makes extensive use of OpenGL. As an absolute minimum you need Intel HD Graphics 4400 integrated graphics, or equivalent. (Some older chipsets such as HD Graphics 3000 will not work).
If you want to generate complex video output at higher resolutions, a modern Intel Core i7 (quad core) processor with 16GB of RAM and a capable discrete graphics card is highly recommended.
If you want to know if Show Buddy Active will run on your computer, we highly recommend you try the demo first. The demo is fully functional and can be used to evaluate the suitability of your computer.
Show Buddy Active Features
Unified control of DMX Lighting, LED Pixels and Video
It doesn’t matter if you have a traditional DMX lighting rig, or addressable LED pixels like tape, panels or bars. Use the 2D Visualiser and the Light Show FX Engine’s graphical programming to seamlessly program any combination and arrangement of fixtures, along with a dedicated video output for projectors.
Up to 16 DMX Universes
All you need to control larger lighting rigs or mixed DMX/LED setups.
2D Visualiser
For easier programming of lighting scenes.
Light Show FX Engine with Graphical Programming
The all-new Light Show FX Engine generates advanced chases, visual effects and complex pixel-mapped animations, simply by drawing them on the 2D Visualiser. Any aspect of the FX can be synced to tempo or driven from audio.
Light Show FX are independent of the fixtures in your rig. Just position your PAR cans, light bars, moving heads, pixel tape – whatever – in the 2D Visualiser, and their colour and level is mapped in real time from the animations. So you can change your rig layout or add new fixtures without having to reprogram your entire show.
Video Playback and Sound-Animated Video FX
Display video clips, high resolution custom gobos and other images to the audience by video projector. Any aspect of the projected image can be animated in sync to tempo or audio.
Team up Light Show FX and Video FX for unbeatable creative possibilities!
Performance Buttons
Fast random access to presets via touchscreen, MIDI or OSC. Perfect for pairing up Show Buddy Active with your favourite pad controller.
DMX and Art-Net Output
Adds Art-Net support to the DMX output offered via ENTTEC PRO or Open DMX compatible USB interfaces.
Touch-friendly User Interface
A re-sizeable user interface, with fast access to all channel faders, and fast-patching tools for easy configuration of large numbers of fixtures.
Run Standalone or as Plug-In
Show Buddy Active runs as standalone software, or as a VST or Audio Unit plug-in within compatible audio workstation software such as Ableton Live or Logic.