Disguise is replacing its existing Disguise Cloud platform with a new unified portal called MyDisguise, launching within the next week. The core pitch is consolidation — subscriptions, licenses, downloads, billing, and team management all in one place instead of scattered across the current cloud tools. Your existing Disguise Cloud login carries over and the migration is automatic.

The shift also signals something larger: MyDisguise is where Disguise will launch X Series, described as bringing “the full Designer experience together with live output.” Details on X Series are still coming, but it’s framed as a significant expansion of the software-only licensing direction Disguise started with X1 last year — which put the full Designer stack on non-Disguise hardware for $6,000/year. X Series appears to be the next step in that direction, landing alongside the portal relaunch.

What MyDisguise Brings

• Single sign-on using existing Disguise Cloud credentials — no new account needed
• Unified dashboard for all subscriptions and licenses
• Access to Mapping Matter and other Disguise Cloud apps
• Browse, compare, and purchase subscriptions in-platform
• Team license management with flexible role assignment
• Designer downloads from within the portal
• Automatic migration of all existing products, subscriptions, and licenses

Disguise says there’s nothing users need to do before launch. More on X Series to follow. Learn more about MyDisguise at disguise.one.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Stagerack: Build Your Racks Quick and Online, NO DRAFTING REQUIRED

Stagerack is a browser-based rack layout tool aimed squarely at touring and live event production. The pitch is straightforward: drag gear into a rack, get front, rear, and side views, add labels and color coding, and export a PDF project report to send to your A/V provider. No Visio, no Excel rack diagrams, no CAD software required. The device library is the main selling point — 7,341 devices across audio, lighting, video, and network gear… Read more

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Hippotizer MX Series Brings 10-Bit Playback and SMPTE 2110 to MX Series

Green Hippo has refreshed its media server hardware with the Hippotizer MX Series, adding 10-bit video playback and native support for SMPTE 2110 and IPMX workflows. The MX Series marks Green Hippo’s first major hardware revision built around IP video standards from the ground up. For touring crews and integrators already working in SMPTE 2110 environments, this should simplify integration considerably — no more conversion boxes or workarounds. The practical touches here are worth noting:… Read more

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

LSC’s NEXEN Gateway Range Brings Sig-Net Security to Lighting Networks

LSC Control Systems is rolling out a new family of protocol converters that handles the usual suspects — DMX, sACN, Art-Net, RDM — but arrives as one of the first gateway systems certified for the Sig-Net secure lighting protocol. The NEXEN Gateway Range spans five configurations, from a USB-C powered single-port unit sized for a tech’s pelican case up through 4- and 8-port rackmount options, plus an IP65 2-port portable and a wall-mount version for… Read more

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Araneo Studio v1.2.1: UI Fixes and a LumiNode Device ID Bug Squashed

Luminex has pushed Araneo Studio v1.2.1, a maintenance release with no new features — just bug fixes and UI polish. If you’re running v1.2.0, the fixes here are worth having, particularly the LumiNode Device ID display inconsistency and the cursor glitch in the Fixture Explorer search field. UI Improvements Selection groups now make it easier to distinguish between Online and Project mode devices The ‘Assign GDTF’ pop-up window is now uniform in size across different… Read more

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

BlackTrax Core Brings Real-Time Tracking to Productions Without Dedicated Hardware

CAST Software is lowering the barrier to entry for real-time tracking with BlackTrax Core, a new deployment option that runs on users’ own computers rather than requiring a dedicated BlackTrax server. For productions that have eyed BlackTrax but couldn’t justify the full server investment, this is the news worth paying attention to. Core lets you run the tracking software on your own compatible machine, though CAST is being characteristically tight-lipped about what “compatible” actually means.… Read more

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

ChamSys QuickQ+ Brings More Universes and Bigger Screens to the Entry-Level Console Line

ChamSys has refreshed its QuickQ range with the QuickQ+ series, bumping up processing power, expanding to an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and adding a new Studio model aimed at fixed installations. The original QuickQ line carved out a solid niche when it launched in 2018—affordable, approachable consoles that gave volunteers and students real control without the learning curve of a full MagicQ system. The QuickQ+ refresh keeps that same workflow philosophy but addresses the hardware limitations that… Read more

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Spotlight Maestro Wants to Kill Your Paper Spot Plot

Australian LD Gavan Swift has released Spotlight Maestro, a browser-based followspot cueing system that syncs to your lighting console and puts every operator on the same live cue sheet. If you’ve ever watched a spot op frantically flip through a dog-eared paper plot mid-show, or spent tech reprinting sheets after every cue change, this one’s for you. Spotlight Maestro runs on a single networked computer and serves the plot to any device with a browser… Read more

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Get That Hot Spot From An LED? Yes, ROXX CLUSTER EVO Blinder

ROXX has unveiled the CLUSTER B2 EVO and B4 EVO, a pair of LED audience blinders engineered to replicate not just the dimming curve of a PAR36 DWE, but the actual visual appearance of the lamp itself—glass lens structure, filament glow, and all. The lighting industry has spent years perfecting tungsten-like dimming curves in LED fixtures, but ROXX is tackling a different problem: what happens when the audience is staring directly at the source? The… Read more

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Cameo’s ZIYA Series Brings IP65 Zoom PARs in RGBL and COB Flavors

Cameo has rolled out a four-fixture IP65 zoom PAR series splitting the difference between punchy RGBL multi-lens optics and softer COB Fresnel wash options. The ZIYA lineup gives outdoor-rated rental houses two distinct optical paths in matching IP65 shells: the standard ZIYA 200 and 400 run RGBL LEDs through multi-lens arrays with a 5–49° and 5–57° zoom respectively, while the COB variants swap in RGBALC engines behind Fresnel glass for that soft-edge wash theatre and… Read more

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Neutrik’s FIBERFOX Line Gets Ruggedized for Harsh Environments

Neutrik has added two new expanded beam multimode connector variants to its FIBERFOX lineup, targeting applications where standard fiber connections would get destroyed. The new EBC25 connectors come in two- and four-channel configurations with a jam-nut chassis design — a departure from the typical bayonet-style HMA housings. For touring and outdoor production work, the X-TREME variant is the interesting one: double-jacketed cable construction with glass yarn that’s rated cut-proof and rodent-resistant. Anyone who’s had a… Read more

The new EBC25 connectors come in two- and four-channel configurations with a jam-nut chassis design — a departure from the typical bayonet-style HMA housings. For touring and outdoor production work, the X-TREME variant is the interesting one: double-jacketed cable construction with glass yarn that’s rated cut-proof and rodent-resistant. Anyone who’s had a fiber run chewed through on a festival site knows exactly why that matters.

Neutrik is positioning these for broadcast, networking, and lighting infrastructure where “mission critical” isn’t marketing speak. The aramid yarn cable retention and PUR outer jacket suggest these are built for permanent outdoor installs or rough touring environments rather than careful studio work.

More from Neutrik:

FIBERFOX EBC25 is a ruggedised development of the FIBERFOX HMA expanded beam multimode fibre-optic connector system. The chassis is a jam-nut design, intended to meet a vast array of network, audio, video, lighting and broadcast applications, in all manner of industrial, defence and civil engineering environments, wherever consistent levels of performance and reliability are mission critical.

FIBERFOX X-TREME EBC25 is an especially hardened cable assembly variant that additionally offers a cut-proof, rodent resistant double jacket glass yarn cable construction. Exceptional cable retention is achieved by the use of aramid yarn, and the entire cable design is encased by a black PUR outer jacket, making the cable assembly ideal for use in the harshest outdoor applications, able to withstand far greater environmental impact.

FIBERFOX EBC25 and FIBERFOX X-TREME EBC25 join Neutrik’s expanding fibre optical connectivity solutions portfolio, comprising the FIBERFOX HMA expanded beam, opticalCON LITE, opticalCON ADVANCED, opticalCON HYBRID MED and opticalCON DRAGONFLY series.

Learn more at neutrik.com.

Cameo has rolled out a four-fixture IP65 zoom PAR series splitting the difference between punchy RGBL multi-lens optics and softer COB Fresnel wash options.

The ZIYA lineup gives outdoor-rated rental houses two distinct optical paths in matching IP65 shells: the standard ZIYA 200 and 400 run RGBL LEDs through multi-lens arrays with a 5–49° and 5–57° zoom respectively, while the COB variants swap in RGBALC engines behind Fresnel glass for that soft-edge wash theatre and broadcast folks actually want. The COB models hit CRI 92/97 at tungsten and daylight — numbers that’ll actually hold up on camera — while the RGBL versions land around CRI 80-83, more typical for live event work.

The real convenience play here is Cameo’s SPIN16 quick-rigging system across the entire series, plus a beveled housing rear that keeps connectors accessible when the fixtures are clamped overhead. Silent zoom modes and IP65 ratings check the outdoor festival boxes. Notably absent from the announcement: any pricing or ship dates, so rental houses eyeing these for summer inventory may want to get quotes moving.

More from Cameo:

The ZIYA 200 and ZIYA 400 models use four 60W (3,200lm) and seven 60W RGBL LEDs (6,200 lm), respectively. With a zoom range of five degrees to 49 degrees for the ZIYA 200 and five degrees to 57 degrees for the ZIYA 400, both models can be used flexibly for everything from narrow beams to wide surface effects. The motorized silent zoom is vibration-free and allows smooth transitions between focused accent lighting and wide-angle lighting effects. Both models achieve a CRI of 83 at 3,200K and 80 at 5,600K.

With the ZIYA 200 COB and ZIYA 400 COB models, RGBALC-COB LED technology and Fresnel optics create homogeneous light distribution without hotspots, making it particularly suitable for applications when uniform illumination, nuanced colors, and white tones are required. The ZIYA 200 COB (5,600lm) offers a zoom range of 13 degrees to 49 degrees, while the zoom range of the ZIYA 400 COB (9,800lm) is 13 degrees to 54 degrees. Motorized silent zooms facilitate a flexible transition between accent and flood lighting.

Regardless of their LED and optical design, all four ZIYA models feature robust IP65 housings for outdoor and touring applications. Various fan modes allow for application-specific operation, while the beveled rear of the housing provides easy access to the connections, even when rigged. The entire series is equipped with the integrated, patented SPIN16 system. Cameo also offers matching flight cases for all models, as well as barndoors with eight individually adjustable blades.

Learn more at cameolight.com.

ROXX has unveiled the CLUSTER B2 EVO and B4 EVO, a pair of LED audience blinders engineered to replicate not just the dimming curve of a PAR36 DWE, but the actual visual appearance of the lamp itself—glass lens structure, filament glow, and all.

The lighting industry has spent years perfecting tungsten-like dimming curves in LED fixtures, but ROXX is tackling a different problem: what happens when the audience is staring directly at the source? The EVO generation addresses the reality that blinders aren’t just about output—they’re a visual element, and a modern LED emitter looks nothing like a DWE when you’re on the receiving end of 80,000 lumens.

The approach here is genuinely interesting. ROXX developed a custom glass lens that mimics the elongated structures of a traditional DWE, paired with a patent-pending dual-zone LED array. The inner amber section creates the filament-like core while RGB+WW surrounds it for color work. They’ve even programmed in the subtle hot spots and non-uniform glow characteristics that real tungsten exhibits at low intensities and during fades. Whether that level of detail matters on a festival stage at 50 meters is debatable, but for camera work and intimate venues, it could be the difference between “LED blinder” and “blinder.”

The spec bump is substantial: 750W engines per cell versus 300W in the previous FC generation, pushing the two-eye B2 EVO to 40,000 lumens and the four-eye B4 EVO to 80,000 lumens at 3,000K. Both carry IP66 ratings. Weight drops roughly 20%—the B2 EVO comes in at 8.55 kg (18.8 lbs) and the B4 EVO at 14.2 kg (31.3 lbs). Existing CLUSTER mechanical accessories remain compatible, and a Legacy Mode allows mixed rigs with older FC units.

More from ROXX:

The EVO Concept
The EVO concept addresses a fundamental aspect of audience-blinder design: the source itself is part of the visual. While modern LED technology can reproduce the colour and dimming characteristics of tungsten, the fixture is also viewed directly by the audience – making the appearance of the lens and filament an integral part of the effect.

From Tungsten Behaviour to Visible DWE Aesthetics
At the heart of the CLUSTER Blinder EVO is a newly developed, DWE-inspired glass lens combined with a patent-pending dual-zone LED array. The custom ROXX glass lens recreates the characteristic elongated structures of a traditional DWE lens. Behind it, the LED array incorporates a dedicated amber section that forms a filament-like core, surrounded by an RGB+WW zone for full-colour creative operation.

The design goes beyond the geometric appearance of the filament. A real tungsten filament does not glow completely uniformly, creating subtle hot spots that become particularly visible at lower intensities and during start-up and fade-out. The EVO has been designed to reproduce these characteristics as part of the overall visual impression.

Evolution Without a System Break
The EVO platform has been designed around continuity with the existing CLUSTER ecosystem, giving customers long-term investment security. Existing mechanical components and accessories remain fully compatible. Legacy Mode enables the B2 EVO and B4 EVO to be used in mixed rigs with existing B2 FC and B4 FC fixtures.

Updated Operational Features
The CLUSTER EVO generation features a high-resolution display, backlit controls and an integrated handle, together with USB-C, NFC and KLSTR technology.

“For years, manufacturers have tried, with varying degrees of success, to give LED blinders the dimming behaviour and warm glow associated with tungsten sources,” says Daniel Garcia, Managing Director of ROXX and Director of Research & Development. “For us, that was no longer enough. We wanted to get much closer to the real thing – not only in the way the light behaves, but in what you actually see when you look into the fixture. The lens, the filament, the subtle imperfections in the glow: all of that is part of what makes a DWE instantly recognisable.”

Learn more at roxxlight.com.

Australian LD Gavan Swift has released Spotlight Maestro, a browser-based followspot cueing system that syncs to your lighting console and puts every operator on the same live cue sheet.

If you’ve ever watched a spot op frantically flip through a dog-eared paper plot mid-show, or spent tech reprinting sheets after every cue change, this one’s for you. Spotlight Maestro runs on a single networked computer and serves the plot to any device with a browser — tablets, phones, laptops — with zero installs on the operator end. When the console fires a cue, every screen in the venue scrolls to match.

The console integration is the real selling point here: Eos, grandMA2, and grandMA3 are supported natively, so cue tracking is automatic. For houses running other desks, you can drive it manually via keyboard, footswitch, or Stream Deck. Every edit syncs instantly across all connected devices with a full undo history — no save button, no version conflicts, no “which plot is current?” chaos.

Swift’s also thought through the edge cases that plague spot-heavy shows. The software generates calling scripts, prints PDFs of operator sheets and master plots, handles CSV import/export for existing spreadsheet plots, and can even feed spot data to show recording systems like VOR and KoalaCue. There’s a live summary view that sits right on an Eos magic sheet as a video object. The $60 per-production licensing (no subscription) covers unlimited operators and devices, which is refreshingly straightforward.

More from Spotlight Maestro:

Three operator layouts cover the spot position: a large tracking plot for a tablet in portrait, a traditional list view for a laptop, and a summary sheet with color loads, sizes, and the cast with photographs.

Built-in settings for remote-control followspots ensure those operators see exactly what they need.

Network-first design — never needs the Internet, works on fixed IP or DHCP, wired or wireless. If a second copy of the app appears on the same network, every connected device shows a warning.

“I built Spotlight Maestro after years of watching operators run shows from paper plots that needed constant updating and reprinting,” Swift says. “Every operator now reads from the same plot, live, on a tablet that is always up to date, and it follows the console so nobody has to hunt for the cue. Paper plots are consigned to the past.”

A free demo license that never expires, with a fully plotted sample show, is available for download. The app runs on macOS 11 or later and on Windows 11.

Learn more at spotlightmaestro.com.

ChamSys has refreshed its QuickQ range with the QuickQ+ series, bumping up processing power, expanding to an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and adding a new Studio model aimed at fixed installations.

The original QuickQ line carved out a solid niche when it launched in 2018—affordable, approachable consoles that gave volunteers and students real control without the learning curve of a full MagicQ system. The QuickQ+ refresh keeps that same workflow philosophy but addresses the hardware limitations that made the originals feel cramped on larger shows.

The bigger touchscreen (up from the original 10.1 inches) and increased processing headroom are the practical wins here. ChamSys is also emphasizing reliability upgrades: internal Wi-Fi antenna, locking power connectors, and dual network ports—features that suggest they’ve been listening to feedback from installed environments where the originals saw heavy use. The new QuickQ Studio+ variant explicitly targets AV and hospitality markets, which makes sense given how many of these consoles end up in permanent rack mounts rather than road cases.

Notably, ChamSys says existing QuickQ show files remain compatible, so venues with current QuickQ hardware can upgrade without starting from scratch. What’s not mentioned: specific universe counts for each model or pricing. If you’re spec’ing these for a project, you’ll want to confirm those details directly.

More from ChamSys:

Increased Processing Power
Every QuickQ+ model features increased processing power, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen for smoother operation and easier programming.

New QuickQ Studio+ Model
The new QuickQ Studio+ model extends the QuickQ range into studio, installation, hospitality, worship, and AV applications. It will excel in studios, hospitality venues, houses of worship, and fixed AV environments.

Reliability Features
All products in the QuickQ+ Series were designed with real-world use in mind, which is one reason why they have an internal Wi-Fi antenna, a locking power-supply connector, and dual network ports to make them more dependable in live and installed environments.

Show File Compatibility
Existing QuickQ show files remain compatible, enabling customers to gain increased capability without retraining or reprogramming.

Learn more at chamsys.co.uk.

CAST Software is lowering the barrier to entry for real-time tracking with BlackTrax Core, a new deployment option that runs on users’ own computers rather than requiring a dedicated BlackTrax server.

For productions that have eyed BlackTrax but couldn’t justify the full server investment, this is the news worth paying attention to. Core lets you run the tracking software on your own compatible machine, though CAST is being characteristically tight-lipped about what “compatible” actually means. System requirements, pricing, and the specific capability limitations compared to a full deployment are all promised “in the coming weeks.”

What we do know: you’ll still need BlackTrax tracking hardware (beacons, cameras, the works), so this isn’t a software-only solution. The target applications are telling, compact live shows, immersive installations, festivals, suggesting Core is positioned for the gigs where a full BlackTrax rig was overkill but manual tracking wasn’t cutting it. Whether the tracking performance matches a dedicated server setup remains to be seen.

More from CAST Software:

BlackTrax Core is a new deployment option designed to make professional real-time tracking more accessible for a wider range of productions. This allows the BlackTrax software to run on users’ own compatible computers, removing the need for a dedicated BlackTrax server and expanding the possibilities of real-time tracking within their environments.

Designed for more compact live shows, immersive installations, music festivals, and other applications, Core provides access to the BlackTrax software experience within the supported capabilities of the Core configuration.

Production teams and designers interested in exploring whether BlackTrax Core could be the right fit for their setup can contact the BlackTrax team for more information.

Learn more at cast-soft.com.

Luminex has pushed Araneo Studio v1.2.1, a maintenance release with no new features — just bug fixes and UI polish. If you’re running v1.2.0, the fixes here are worth having, particularly the LumiNode Device ID display inconsistency and the cursor glitch in the Fixture Explorer search field.

UI Improvements

• Selection groups now make it easier to distinguish between Online and Project mode devices
• The ‘Assign GDTF’ pop-up window is now uniform in size across different screen configurations
• ‘Apply Template’ now responds faster, including during rapid mouse clicks

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a cursor glitch in the Fixture Explorer search field that caused the cursor to jump unexpectedly
• Fixed a bug in LumiNode device settings where leading zeros in the Device ID field displayed inconsistently between Online and Project mode
• Resolved an issue where an incorrect Device Mapping status message was displayed

Download Araneo Studio v1.2.1 at araneo.luminex.be.

LSC Control Systems is rolling out a new family of protocol converters that handles the usual suspects — DMX, sACN, Art-Net, RDM — but arrives as one of the first gateway systems certified for the Sig-Net secure lighting protocol.

The NEXEN Gateway Range spans five configurations, from a USB-C powered single-port unit sized for a tech’s pelican case up through 4- and 8-port rackmount options, plus an IP65 2-port portable and a wall-mount version for install work. What catches the eye here is the Bluetooth BLE configuration — every unit in the range can be monitored and reconfigured from a smartphone up to 15 m (49 ft) away, which means fewer ladder climbs and less crawling around in cable runs just to change a universe assignment.

The Sig-Net certification is the bigger story. With the EU Cyber Resilience Act now in force, secure lighting networks are shifting from “nice to have” to “compliance requirement” for European venues and tours. LSC getting certification early positions these gateways for specifiers who need to tick that box.

The rackmount and wall-mount units include TFT touchscreens for local config, and LSC’s HOUSTON X software (Windows, Mac, Android) handles network-wide monitoring. A “Show Mode” kills all LEDs and disables Bluetooth — no glowing indicators visible from house, no accidental config changes mid-show.

More from LSC Control Systems:

The NEXEN Gateway Range is a new family of lighting network tools providing robust and reliable conversion of protocols used by the entertainment industry. These include DMX512, DMX-512A, sACN, RDM, Art-Net, Art-Net II, Art-Net III and Art-Net IV.

The NEXEN Gateway Range is one of the first such systems in the world to be certified for the new Sig-Net secure lighting network protocol – a free, royalty-free communication framework for entertainment lighting designed to secure lighting networks and comply with the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

Range Configurations:
– USB-C powered 1 in, 1 out portable unit
– 4-port rackmount
– 8-port rackmount
– IP65-rated 2-port portable
– 2-port wall-mount version (for installation markets)

Key Features:
– TFT touchscreen UI on rack mount and wall mount units
– Colour coded status information
– HOUSTON X software compatibility (Windows, Mac, Android)
– Bluetooth BLE configuration and monitoring up to 15 m (49 ft)
– Show Mode to lock units, disable LEDs, and turn off BLE transmitter

The NEXEN Gateway Range has been nominated for the 2025 PLASA Awards for Innovation.

Learn more at lsccontrol.com.au.