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🎛️ Chataigne — Show Control Configuration

Chataigne v1.9.24 is the central show control application for the Forest of Light. It manages DMX Art-Net output, WebSocket communication, TCP projector control, and MIDI laser triggering. Configuration file: ForestOfLight.chataigne

System Architecture

  HA / Node-RED
       |
       | WebSocket
       v
  +-----------------+
  |   CHATAIGNE     |
  |  (Show Control) |
  +-----------------+
   |    |    |    |
   v    v    v    v
  DMX  TCP  MIDI WebSocket
   |    |    |    |
   v    v    v    v
Art-Net  Projector  Lasers  Node-RED
Nodes    10.50.0.5
(.140-.154)

DMX Modules (Art-Net Output)

All DMX modules output via Art-Net to PKnight CR041R nodes on the 10.50.0.x subnet. Each module targets Universe 0 unless otherwise noted.

Module NameDMX IDNode IPUniverseNotes
HoopsDMX Z110.50.0.1400—
HoopsDMX210.50.0.1410—
HoopsDMX310.50.0.1420—
MushroomsDMX410.50.0.1430—
Umbrellas LBallsDMX510.50.0.1440—
WelcomeDMX610.50.0.1453Uses Universe 3 (non-standard)
Red TreesDMX710.50.0.1460—
RBallsDMX810.50.0.1470—
Father TimeDMX910.50.0.1480—
Hay BalesDMX1010.50.0.1490—
LasersDMX1310.50.0.1520—
DoorsDMX1410.50.0.1530—
EntranceDMX1510.50.0.1540Typo in config: "Edntrance"
⚠️
Welcome (DMX6) uses Universe 3 instead of Universe 0. This is the only non-standard universe assignment. The Entrance module has a typo in the config file: Edntrance.

Network Modules

WebSocket Server

Chataigne runs a WebSocket server that accepts trigger commands from Home Assistant and Node-RED.

Trigger MessageAction
/onMaster lights ON
/offMaster lights OFF
/0All zones to value 0 (blackout)
/1All zones to value 1 (standby)
/laserTrigger laser sequence
/wingsOnButterfly wings projection ON
/wingsOffButterfly wings projection OFF
/falseReset / cancel

WebSocket Client

Connects to Node-RED at 10.50.0.30:1880/ws/timer to receive timer synchronization data.

Projector TCP

TCP connection to the main projector at 10.50.0.5:10000.

CommandAction
0000\rProjector status query
C00\rProjector power OFF
C01\rProjector power ON

MIDI

MIDI output is used for laser control triggers.

Time Module

Internal time module used for scheduled state transitions (see Timers state below).

State Machine

The Chataigne state machine has 4 states that control the overall show behavior.

State: "State" — Individual ON

Sets each DMX zone to value 250 individually. This is the normal show-running state.

ZoneDMX Value
Hoops Z1250
Hoops DMX2250
Hoops DMX3250
Mushrooms DMX4250
Umbrellas LBalls DMX5250
Welcome DMX6250
Red Trees DMX7250
RBalls DMX8250
Father Time DMX9250
Hay Bales DMX10250
Lasers DMX13250
Doors DMX14250
Entrance DMX15250

State: "State 1" — Individual OFF

Sets each DMX zone to value 0 (blackout) or 1 (standby). This is the shutdown state.

State: "Control" — Master ON/OFF

Responds to WebSocket /on and /off triggers to switch between the Individual ON and Individual OFF states globally.

State: "Timers" — Scheduled Transitions

TimerTimeStatus
Power On16:30Disabled
Power Off21:35Disabled
Projector On—Active
Projector Off—Active
Lasers On—Active
⚠️
Power On/Off timers are disabled. The show is currently started and stopped manually or via Home Assistant triggers rather than on a fixed schedule.

Butterfly Projector Sub-Configuration

WebSocket Triggers

TriggerAction
/laserTrigger butterfly laser
/rebootReboot butterfly projector Mac
/offTurn off butterfly projection

WebSocket Client

Connects to 10.50.0.30:8080 for butterfly-specific communication.

States

  • Laser — Laser trigger and sequence control
  • System — System-level control (reboot, power)
  • Scheduler — Time-based automation

Scheduler

EventTimeStatus
Reboot16:45Enabled
Arm Laser16:50Disabled
Disarm21:30Disabled

Flower Projector Sub-Configuration

WebSocket Triggers

TriggerAction
/laserTrigger flower laser
/rebootReboot flower projector Mac

States

  • Laser — Arm + Playlist with MIDI notes D1, D#1, E1
  • Mac — Forced reboot of the flower projector Mac
  • Scheduler — Time-based automation

Scheduler

EventTimeStatus
Reboot14:30Enabled
Laser On—Enabled
Laser Off21:30Disabled

Butterfly vs Flower Projector Comparison

PropertyButterflyFlower
Reboot Time16:4514:30
MIDI OctaveStandardD1, D#1, E1
Playlist Notes—D1, D#1, E1
Laser Trigger/laser/laser
Reboot ModeWebSocket /rebootForced Mac reboot
DashboardButterfly Wings ProjectionFlower Laser
WebSocket Client10.50.0.30:8080—

Cross-System Integration Map

SourceProtocolTargetPurpose
Home AssistantWebSocketChataigne ServerMaster on/off, laser triggers
Node-REDWebSocketChataigne ServerTimer sync, wing triggers
ChataigneWebSocket ClientNode-RED (10.50.0.30:1880)Timer data
ChataigneArt-Net (UDP)PKnight Nodes (.140-.154)DMX zone control
ChataigneTCPProjector (10.50.0.5:10000)Projector power on/off/status
ChataigneMIDILaser HardwareLaser sequence triggers
Chataigne (Butterfly)WebSocket Client10.50.0.30:8080Butterfly-specific control

Known Issues

IssueDetailsImpact
Welcome DMX6 Universe 3Only module not on Universe 0 — may cause confusion during troubleshootingLow
"Edntrance" typoDMX15 module named "Edntrance" in config file instead of "Entrance"Cosmetic
Power timers disabledPower On (16:30) and Power Off (21:35) are disabled — show must be triggered manuallyOperational
Butterfly Arm/Disarm disabledArm Laser (16:50) and Disarm (21:30) schedulers are disabledOperational
Flower Laser Off disabledLaser Off at 21:30 is disabled — laser must be stopped manuallyOperational
DMX11/DMX12 gapNo modules assigned to DMX11 or DMX12 — nodes .150 and .151 are unusedLow