qlc-virtual-console

name: qlc-virtual-console description: > Design QLC+ Virtual Console layouts — covers audio-reactive OSC faders, submaster control, frame-based grouping, and layer architecture for VC widgets. USE FOR: VC slider setup, OSC input mapping, submaster patterns, audio reactivity control, frame organization, level vs submaster modes. DO NOT USE FOR: function creation (use qlc-moving-head), fixture patching, shader code. metadata: author: André Bossard version: "1.0"

QLC+ Virtual Console Patterns

Audio-Reactive OSC Control

Architecture: Frame + Submaster

Use a frame with a submaster slider to control all audio-reactive inputs as a group.

┌─ Audio Reactive Frame ──────────────────┐
│                                          │
│  [Wash OSC]   [Spot OSC]   [Sub Master] │
│   level        level        submaster    │
│   ch13         ch5          (scales all) │
│   ← OSC in     ← OSC in                 │
│                                          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘

How it works

1. OSC level sliders receive values from external sources (e.g. Magic Music Visuals shader)
2. Each slider targets a specific fixture channel in level mode
3. The submaster slider scales all output from sibling widgets proportionally:
   • Submaster 0% → all outputs zero (audio reactivity off)
   • Submaster 50% → all outputs halved
   • Submaster 100% → full passthrough
4. The frame enable button provides instant on/off toggle

Creating the widgets

1. Create a Frame (parent container) using pageIndex
   - For nested frames, use parentID instead of pageIndex
2. Add level sliders inside the frame:
   - mode: "level"
   - channels: [{fixtureID: 0, channel: 13}]  (wash dimmer example)
   - Map OSC input via: inputUniverse + inputChannel
3. Add one submaster slider inside the same frame:
   - mode: "submaster"
   - No channel binding needed — it scales all siblings

Note: Channel numbers are fixture-specific. Always call query_fixture_channels first to discover the correct channel indices for your fixtures.

OSC Input Mapping

To connect a slider to an OSC source:

• inputUniverse: QLC+ universe index (0-based) with OSC plugin configured
• inputChannel: Auto-detect by sending OSC from source, or look up in Input/Output panel
• Multiple inputs: Use map_vc_inputs with mode: "add" to bind multiple controllers to one widget

QLC+ derives OSC channel numbers from the OSC address path. Use auto-detect when setting up manually.

Slider Modes

Key Behaviors

• Level sliders are always active — they write to DMX continuously, like Simple Desk faders
• They participate in HTP/LTP like any other source
• Submaster only affects widgets in the same frame
• Frame enable button stops all child widget output instantly

Layer Separation with VC

Problem: Channel Conflicts

When multiple sources write to the same DMX channel:

• HTP channels (default for intensity): highest value wins — can't dim below other sources
• LTP channels: last writer wins — continuous OSC updates override scene values

Solution: Exclusive Channel Ownership

Each layer (movement, look, wash) must own its channels exclusively:

Critical rule: No scene outside the wash layer should include ch13–18. No VC slider should target movement channels.

Combining OSC with Scene-Based Control

Use Case: Audio-reactive wash in a chaos buildup

The chaos buildup chaser steps through collections, each with a wash scene setting RGBW colors. The OSC fader independently drives wash dimmer (ch13).

When ch13 is LTP (forced via configure_channels):

• The scene and the OSC slider both write to ch13
• Whichever wrote last wins
• OSC at ~60Hz usually wins over static scene values

Practical solution for phased control:

• Phases 1–3: wash scenes set ch13 to fixed values (0, 80, 180) — scene controls brightness
• Phases 4–5: wash scenes omit ch13 — OSC fader takes over (audio-reactive brightness)
• Use the submaster to scale overall audio reactivity intensity

Frame Enable as Phase Gate

Alternative approach: keep the audio reactive frame disabled during early phases. Enable it manually or via a button when you want audio reactivity to kick in. The frame enable button acts as a binary gate.