The Ultimate Guide to Controlling Aputure, ARRI, and Nanlux Lights via CRMX with Blackout App and RTctrl

The Challenge: Wireless Control Across Multiple Fixture Brands

Modern film and broadcast lighting rigs are rarely single-brand. A typical set might include an Aputure LS 1200d Pro as a key light, a pair of ARRI SkyPanel S60-C overhead soft lights, a Nanlux Evoke 2400B for large-area fill, and a handful of Creamsource Vortex8 or Godox Knowled M600Bi units as practicals and backlight.

Every one of these fixtures supports LumenRadio CRMX — the industry standard for wireless DMX in cinema and broadcast. But controlling them all wirelessly has traditionally meant one of two things:

• 1. Expensive standalone CRMX transmitters — devices like the LumenRadio CRMX Nova TX or TX2 require an external lighting console, DMX cabling from that console to the transmitter, and a separate power supply. This works, but it's expensive, bulky, and overkill for many productions.
• 2. Manufacturer-specific apps — Aputure's Sidus Link, ARRI's Stellar, or Nanlux's own control app each control only their own brand. Running three different apps on three different devices for three different fixture brands is a workflow nightmare.

The RTctrl ecosystem eliminates both problems — with one USB-C hardware device and one cross-platform app that controls every CRMX-enabled fixture from every manufacturer.

The Solution: RTctrl 1U + Blackout App

The solution consists of two components working together:

Together, they give you complete wireless control of every CRMX fixture on set from a single iPad — with named channels, intuitive controls, RDM discovery, and zero network setup.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your CRMX Rig

Follow these steps to go from unboxing to wirelessly controlling an Aputure LS 1200d, ARRI SkyPanel S60, and Creamsource Vortex — all from one iPad.

Hardwiring Legacy Fixtures via XLR-5

Not every fixture on set has a built-in CRMX receiver. Older tungsten units, conventional LED panels without wireless, or DMX-controlled dimmers and hazers still need a wired DMX512 connection. The RTctrl 1U handles this too.

Using the XLR-5 DMX Output

The RTctrl 1U's rear XLR-5 output mirrors the same DMX data being transmitted wirelessly via CRMX. Connect a standard XLR-5 DMX cable from the RTctrl 1U's output to the first fixture in your wired DMX chain, then daisy-chain additional fixtures as normal. This means your wireless and wired fixtures share the same universe — controlled from the same app, at the same time, in perfect sync.

Using the XLR-5 DMX Input

If you already have a wired lighting console (grandMA, ETC Eos, ChamSys, etc.), you can connect its DMX output to the RTctrl 1U's XLR-5 input. The RTctrl 1U will broadcast that DMX data wirelessly via CRMX — turning your wired console into a wireless console without any software changes or IP configuration. This is the simplest possible upgrade path for existing rigs.