Patch & program
your Moving Heads
Patch, movement limits, shutter, color wheel, 3D stage view, symmetry and dynamic effects — everything you need to take control of your moving heads with MyStrow in a few clicks.
Moving heads hold no more secrets
Moving heads are the most versatile machines in stage lighting: pan, tilt, color wheel, gobo, shutter, dynamic effects… that is a lot of parameters, and they can look intimidating at first.
With MyStrow, the complexity disappears. In a few clicks in the patch interface you declare your moving heads, set their movement limits, and immediately get a 2D and 3D stage view to position them visually. Automatic symmetry, position presets and the built-in effects engine do the rest.
In this video we cover the whole moving-head workflow — from the initial patch all the way to building dynamic effects that are ready for the stage.
Heads-up: this video is narrated in French. No problem though — YouTube automatically provides English subtitles and an English dubbed audio track. Subtitles are on by default; you can switch the spoken language from the player settings (⚙️ → Audio track).
What you are going to learn
Patching your moving heads in MyStrow
The first step is declaring your moving heads in MyStrow's DMX patch. Pick the "Moving Head" fixture type, select the channel count (16CH, 17CH mode, or whatever your manual says), set the start DMX address and assign it to a group. MyStrow works out the addressing of every channel automatically.
Setting the movement limits
Every moving head has mechanical end stops in pan (horizontal rotation) and tilt. In MyStrow you set the min/max limits of each axis so the fixture never leaves the useful area of your stage. Those limits are respected automatically by every programmed effect and movement.
The shutter and the dimmer
The shutter is the mechanism that opens and closes the beam. In MyStrow it is mapped straight onto the right channel of your fixture's profile. The dimmer (intensity) and the strobe are also reachable from the interface, without you having to know the exact channel number.
2D stage plot and groups
Once your moving heads are patched, they appear in the interactive stage plot. You can click a fixture to select it, drag to aim its beam, and organise your machines into groups to control them collectively. The stage plot reflects the position of the beams on stage in real time.
Color wheel or RGB: picking the right mode
Some moving heads have a color wheel with fixed filters, others use RGB or CMY mixing. MyStrow detects your fixture's color type and adapts the interface: a wheel-position selector for color wheels, a free color picker for RGB/CMY. The keyboard shortcuts (W = white, R = red…) work in both modes.
Hands-on and 3D view
MyStrow includes a 3D view of your room that renders your moving heads' beams in real time. Orbit the camera to check the beam angles from any viewpoint, and use the camera presets (front of house, top view, side) to move around quickly. The 3D view updates at the same pace as your moves on the 2D plot.
Automatic symmetry
MyStrow's SYM mode lets you control two symmetrical moving heads with a single gesture: when you move one fixture's pan, its mirror automatically goes the opposite way. Ideal for V setups, crossed "X" looks or beam-convergence effects, without programming each fixture by hand.
Recording a sequence
With the Light REC button you record your actions live: moving head movements, color changes, shutter openings… MyStrow turns those actions into keyframes on the timeline. You can then edit, move and fine-tune each keyframe to build a sequence perfectly synced to your music.
Creating dynamic effects
MyStrow's effects engine generates automatic movements: circles, figure eights, horizontal/vertical sweeps, random moves. Every effect is adjustable (speed, amplitude, movement centre) and applies in one action to all your selected fixtures. No line-by-line programming — a few clicks are enough for a professional show.
MyStrow's moving-head tools
Moving head patch
Declare your moving heads with their exact profile (channel count, address, 16-bit mode) in a few clicks. MyStrow automatically maps pan, tilt, dimmer, shutter, color wheel and gobo.
Pan / Tilt limits
Set the useful zones of your moving heads so they never point into the wings or the audience's eyes. The limits are respected by every effect and recorded sequence.
2D plot + 3D view
Control your beams with the mouse on the 2D plot and check the result in real time in the 3D view of the room. Click a fixture, drag to aim — it is that simple.
Color wheel & RGB
An interface matched to each fixture's color type: an indexed color wheel for mechanical wheels, a free picker for RGB/CMY fixtures. The keyboard shortcuts work in both modes.
SYM symmetry
SYM mode creates an automatic pan mirror between the selected fixtures. One gesture controls two moving heads symmetrically — perfect for crossed, V-shaped or converging looks.
Effects engine
Circle, figure eight, sweep, random — pick an effect, set speed and amplitude, and your moving heads move instantly. The effect can be recorded into a sequence for perfect repetition at every show.
💾 Download the effect from the video
The effect shown in the video is available to download. Import it straight into your MyStrow sequencer and adapt it to your rig.
DMX moving heads with MyStrow
Which moving heads are compatible with MyStrow?
Any standard DMX moving head is compatible. MyStrow handles 8-bit and 16-bit profiles for pan/tilt, color wheels, gobos, dimmers and shutters. If your fixture speaks DMX (the universal standard protocol), MyStrow controls it — whether it is a Eurolite, Chauvet, Cameo, Showtec or a professional brand.
How do I handle several moving heads with different profiles?
Every fixture can have its own profile in the MyStrow patch. You can mix 12CH and 16CH moving heads in the same show, on different addresses. MyStrow normalises the commands so you can control them collectively from the same interface, whatever channel mode each machine uses.
Does symmetry work with more than 2 moving heads?
Yes. MyStrow applies pan symmetry across the left/right halves of your selection, whatever the number of fixtures. With 4 fixtures selected, the first 2 go one way and the next 2 the other — perfect for multi-fixture setups on a lighting bar.
Can I combine dynamic effects and recorded sequences?
Absolutely. Start a dynamic effect on your moving heads, then hit Light REC: MyStrow records the movement into the timeline in real time. You get a smooth, repeatable sequence that you can then edit keyframe by keyframe to refine it.
Download MyStrow and patch your first moving heads
Free to get started — within minutes your moving heads answer your commands from the stage plot or the AKAI APC mini.