In this guide: The short answer · Safety comes first · The four ways to control a laser · DMX and Art-Net · ILDA · Laserworld ShowNET · Pangolin FB4, QuickShow and BEYOND · Which model has what · Simple looks or timecoded shows · Popular picks · FAQ

The short answer

Show lasers offer up to four levels of control, and the model you buy decides which ones you get.

• Auto and sound-to-light. The laser plays its built-in patterns on its own. Laserworld’s Ecoline effect lasers such as the Laserworld EL-230RGB MKII, and the BeamBar 10RGB, all do this.
• DMX from your lighting desk. The laser behaves like a lighting fixture: pick a pattern, size, colour and movement on DMX channels. Almost every Laserworld laser we sell has DMX, and the network-equipped ones also take Art-Net.
• Computer control over ILDA. Laser software sends the drawing signal through a USB-to-ILDA interface, such as the Pangolin FB3 QuickShow Set, into the laser’s ILDA input. That gives you custom graphics, text, logos and timeline shows.
• Computer control over the network. Lasers with a Laserworld ShowNET mainboard or a built-in Pangolin FB4 take the software signal straight over an Ethernet cable, with no separate interface. ShowNET models come with Laserworld’s Showeditor software. FB4 models run Pangolin QuickShow or BEYOND.

If all you want is lasers that change look with the rest of the lighting, any DMX model will do. For your own content, an ILDA input is the minimum, and ShowNET or FB4 is the tidier route. For a show locked to timecode, plan on an FB4 laser with Pangolin BEYOND, or a ShowNET laser with Laserworld’s Showcontroller.

Safety comes first, and it is not in this guide

Most show lasers are Class 3B or Class 4. All the Diode Series and Purelight models in the table below are Class 4. This guide covers control only. It does not cover beam placement, exposure limits or audience scanning, and nothing here should be read as advice on any of them.

Three points where control and safety meet:

• Software safety zones are a backstop. Laserworld’s ShowNET Professional DMX mode lets you set projection and safety zones, and the FB4 has its own Scan Guard and geometry settings. Useful, but where the projector is aimed is the primary control.
• Leave scan safety switched on. Laserworld’s manual for the DS-15.000 and DS-30.000 IP65 warns that running with the built-in Scan Safety disabled may not be allowed in some countries, and that the maximum permissible exposure must not be exceeded anywhere the public or staff can reach. Any change to it is a decision for your Laser Protection Adviser, not the operator.
• Wire the interlock to an E-stop. Laserworld lists a key and an interlock connector in the delivery scope of its lasers. The Laserworld SAFETY Unit is Laserworld’s E-stop accessory for that interlock. Put it where the operator stands.

The four ways to control a laser

These are not exclusive. On ShowNET and FB4 lasers you can design content in software, store it on the laser’s SD card, and then trigger it from a lighting desk with no computer at the show.

DMX and Art-Net: the laser as a lighting fixture

DMX control works like any other fixture: address the laser, patch it on your desk and drive its channels. If DMX addressing or patching is new to you, start with DMX explained and lighting desk basics. Laserworld’s DMX layouts depend on which control board the laser has.

ShowNET lasers: 19 or 34 channels

• DJ Mode, 19 channels. Laserworld’s default on most ShowNET lasers. It is built for easy, automated effects. Position starts centred, safety measures stop projections getting too small, and the short channel count suits basic controllers.
• Professional Mode, 34 channels. This mode gives 16-bit control of position and rotation, individual colour control and no zoom limits. It also has a setup mode for setting the projection zone, safety zone, colour balance and geometric correction from the desk, then storing them in the laser so that every mode works inside that frame. Laserworld notes that fixture profiles for professional consoles usually refer to Professional Mode.
• Addressing. On DIP-switch ShowNET boards the DMX address is set in binary on the switches. Laserworld publishes an online calculator for this.

FB4 lasers: 16 or 39 channels

On lasers with a built-in Pangolin FB4, such as the Laserworld DS-15.000 FB4 IP65, you set the operation mode, start address and profile with the rotary dial and display. Laserworld lists two profiles: a 16-channel layout (the FB3 profile) and a 39-channel FB4 profile. There is also a DMX timeout: if no DMX arrives within the set period, laser output stops.

Art-Net and your own content

ShowNET and FB4 lasers can take the same control over Art-Net instead of a DMX cable. On a ShowNET laser you choose Art-Net input in Laserworld’s Admin Tool. With an address set, the board then moves itself into the standard 2.x.x.x Art-Net IP range so consoles can find it. Our Art-Net and sACN nodes guide covers the network side.

The built-in patterns are only the start. Laserworld describes the stored frames as laser “gobos” that can be animated. On ShowNET and FB4 lasers you can make your own in software, load them onto the internal SD card and trigger them from the desk. ShowNET lasers can also run the other way round: the desk sends DMX to the laser software, which then does the drawing.

ILDA: the classic computer connection

ILDA is the analogue control signal used across the laser industry. A computer cannot output it directly, so you need a DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) between the software and the laser’s ILDA input. Laserworld’s example is a USB interface such as Pangolin’s FB3. Pangolin describes the FB3QS as plug and play: connect it to the PC, run an ILDA cable to the laser, and QuickShow is included.

• ILDA on ShowNET lasers. Laserworld says that while an external ILDA interface is connected, the ShowNET board’s internal modes are disabled and the external signal takes priority.
• Cable length. Laserworld notes that ILDA cable length is limited by the way the signal is carried. We stock Laserworld ILDA cables in 0.5m, 10m and 20m. For anything longer, go over the network.
• ILDA streaming. An external ShowNET interface takes an ILDA signal from any DAC and sends it over a standard Ethernet network to a ShowNET laser or a second ShowNET interface. Sender and receiver work as a fixed pair, and the signal can pass through ordinary network switches.

Lasers that list ILDA among their operation modes include the CUBE series, the CS-3000 micro and CS-6000 micro, and every Diode Series and Purelight model. The Ecoline, BeamBar and ScanBar models do not, so those are DMX and auto only.

Laserworld ShowNET

ShowNET is Laserworld’s own control board. In Laserworld’s words, it combines network-based laser control, an integrated DAC, local content memory and lighting-control functions in one system. Points worth knowing:

• Ethernet only. Software sends the full laser data stream to ShowNET over a LAN cable. It is not Wi-Fi.
• Built in or external. ShowNET comes as a mainboard inside lasers such as the DS-3000RGB MK5, DS-1000RGB MK5, Laserworld DS-30.000 IP65, PL-5, PL-10 and CS-24.000RGB ShowNET. The external Laserworld ShowNET interface adds it to lasers with an ILDA input.
• Software. Laserworld includes a full Showeditor licence with every ShowNET laser. Showeditor handles timeline and live shows, imports and exports ILDA files, and takes DMX and MIDI. Laserworld also lists Showcontroller, MadMapper/MadLaser, TouchDesigner, ILD Render and Millumin as directly compatible.
• Showcontroller. Laserworld Showcontroller is the professional step up: live and timeline control with MIDI, timecode and DMX support. Laserworld notes that no extra hardware is needed with a ShowNET laser.
• Club Series micro lasers. The CS-3000 and CS-6000 micro have auto, sound and DMX on board plus an ILDA input. Laserworld says most buyers who want computer control pair them with an external ShowNET interface.

Pangolin FB4, QuickShow and BEYOND

Pangolin describes the FB4 as its most modern control hardware: a media server designed to sit inside a laser projector, which can also be used as an external unit. Laserworld’s FB4 models, including the DS-30.000 FB4 IP65, DS-3000RGB FB4 MK5, PL-5 FB4, PL-10 FB4, PL-20 FB4 and PL-30 FB4, have it built in and take QuickShow or BEYOND directly over Ethernet. The Laserworld FB4 MAX² interface is an external FB4 in its own housing, for driving lasers of any brand over ILDA or DMX. It has an SD card for stand-alone playback, DMX in/out, an ILDA output and a QuickShow licence.

Laserworld lists these modes for its internal FB4: computer software, ILDA from a third-party interface, DMX, Art-Net, Autoplay, Timecode, Slave and Test. Autoplay can run scheduled shows from the SD card. To play at set dates and times the FB4 needs a CR1220 battery for its clock, which is not fitted as delivered.

QuickShow or BEYOND?

Pangolin includes QuickShow free with all of its control devices. QuickShow has a live cue grid, a timeline show builder, BPM sync, DMX and MIDI, and Zones for running several lasers. BEYOND comes in three tiers. Pangolin’s comparison chart is clear on the differences that matter for control:

Upgrade paths: Laserworld sells upgrades from QuickShow to BEYOND Essentials, Advanced and Ultimate. Laserworld describes both the FB3 QuickShow Set and the FB4 MAX² as upgradable to BEYOND, so you can start on QuickShow and move up when the shows demand it.

Which Laserworld model has what

Compiled from Laserworld’s product pages, datasheets and manuals. Laserworld’s own page for the CS-24.000RGB ShowNET is no longer online, so its row comes from the Laserworld datasheet as published by UK distributor Leisuretec. “Network” means Art-Net and/or software control over LAN. Check the manual for your exact model before you commit to a control plan.

The ShowNET version of the DS-15.000/DS-30.000 IP65 has front-panel X/Y inversion and colour knobs that the FB4 version lacks. On the FB4 version those settings are made on the display or in software.

Simple DMX-cued looks or a timecoded show?

Simple looks with the rest of the lighting

You need a DMX laser and a desk. Use Professional Mode on a ShowNET laser if you want to set zones and colour balance from the desk, or the 39-channel profile on an FB4. If the stock patterns do not suit, build your own once in Showeditor or QuickShow, store them on the laser’s SD card, and trigger them from the desk as gobos. No computer is needed at the show. For several lasers, ShowNET and FB4 models can run on a network over Art-Net. Do not forget haze: beams need something to show up in, as our smoke, haze and low fog guide explains.

Live busking from a laptop

QuickShow or Showeditor with a MIDI controller suits a DJ or operator playing cues live. A ShowNET or FB4 laser connects straight to the laptop over Ethernet. Any laser with an ILDA input can join through an FB3 or an external ShowNET.

Timecoded shows

When lasers must hit exact points in a track or follow a show-control system, the software or hardware has to take timecode:

• Pangolin BEYOND, any tier. It accepts Art-Net timecode and MIDI timecode, and SMPTE through Pangolin’s TC2000/TC4000. Pangolin’s chart lists none of these inputs for QuickShow. QuickShow’s timeline builder syncs cues to a music track, but if the lasers must follow external timecode, plan on BEYOND.
• FB4 stand-alone Timecode mode. Laserworld documents an FB4 mode that starts a prepared file when incoming Art-Net timecode reaches a set offset. The file is exported from QuickShow or BEYOND, and no computer is needed on the night.
• Showcontroller on ShowNET. Laserworld lists timecode support for Showcontroller.

Bigger multi-laser shows also need to fit the projector count. Pangolin lists QuickShow at up to 9 projectors and BEYOND Essentials, Advanced and Ultimate at 10, 25 and 40.

Popular picks from the shop

Frequently asked questions

Can I control a show laser from my lighting desk?

Yes, if it has DMX, and nearly every Laserworld laser does. Address it, patch it with the right profile and it runs like any fixture. ShowNET lasers offer 19-channel DJ and 34-channel Professional modes. FB4 lasers offer 16 and 39-channel profiles. Network models also accept Art-Net.

Do I need QuickShow or BEYOND to run a laser?

No. Laserworld lasers have automatic or stand-alone playback, and almost all have DMX. You need laser software only for your own graphics, text, logos or timeline shows. FB4 lasers use Pangolin QuickShow or BEYOND. ShowNET lasers come with Laserworld’s Showeditor.

What is the difference between ShowNET and FB4?

Both are network control boards with an on-board DAC, an SD card and DMX/Art-Net. ShowNET is Laserworld’s own and works with Showeditor, Showcontroller and other compatible software. FB4 is Pangolin’s and works with QuickShow and BEYOND. Pick the one that matches the software you or your programmer use.

Can QuickShow run a show to timecode?

Pangolin’s comparison chart lists no external timecode input for QuickShow. Art-Net timecode, MIDI timecode and SMPTE via TC2000/TC4000 all need BEYOND, from Essentials up. An FB4 laser can also start a prepared show from incoming Art-Net timecode in its stand-alone Timecode mode.

How far can I run an ILDA cable?

Laserworld says ILDA length is limited by the way the analogue signal travels, so keep runs short. For long runs, go over the network: a ShowNET or FB4 laser connects to the computer by Ethernet, and a pair of ShowNET devices can stream ILDA across a network.

If the software has safety zones, can I scan the audience?

No. Software zones are a backstop, not a safety assessment, and this guide gives no advice on audience exposure. Anything at or near audience level must be assessed by a Laser Protection Adviser or equivalent competent person for that exact show, projector and venue, and run under a named Laser Safety Officer. Start with our UK laser show safety guide.