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Flair 7 DMX - USB Controller Disabled, Ethernet Art-Net Required

CONFIRMED DMX / NETWORK

Summary

If an operator has bought or connected a cheap USB-only Enttec controller, Flair 7 will not use it for the current DMX workflow. Community guidance repeatedly separated the older Flair 6 / Flair Classic USB DMX path from Flair 7, where DMX is sent over Ethernet / Art-Net through a real DMX node such as Enttec ODE MK3, Showtec Net-2/3 Pocket, Obsidian EN4, or another compatible Ethernet DMX interface.

Symptoms / Questions

  • Operator has an Enttec USB controller but Flair 7 shows IP and port fields.
  • Operator asks whether USB DMX or Ethernet DMX is best.
  • Operator says usb has been disabled some time ago.
  • Operator says I just bought a cheapest usb only controler.
  • DMX test buttons do not affect the light when using a USB interface.
  • USB box works in another program such as Freestyler, but Flair still does not control the light.

Settings Location

Task Flair location
Flair 7 Ethernet DMX / Root DMX setup Setups -> External Devices -> DMX / Root DMX
DMX channel programming Setups -> DMX
Flair 6 / Classic USB DMX driver checks Flair installation folder and DMX driver files
Vendor IP setup for Ethernet node Enttec NMU, device web UI, or vendor utility

Community Solutions

[CONFIRMED] Flair 7 Uses Ethernet DMX, Not USB DMX

For Flair 7, use an Ethernet DMX / Art-Net node. Gordon stated in 2022 that the USB interface is compatible with Flair 6, but Flair 7 no longer supports USB DMX and uses Ethernet instead. MRMC Support repeated the same outcome in the 2026 Enttec case: the USB-only device was the wrong type, and the operator decided to get a Showtec Net-2/3 Pocket instead.

Confidence: 0.88

[CONFIRMED] USB DMX In Flair 6 / Classic Is Not Frame Accurate

Flair Classic and previous Flair 6 builds supported USB DMX, but this runs under Windows timing. For frame-accurate control, the community guidance is to use Ethernet DMX available with Flair 7 / Classic.

Confidence: 0.84

[LIKELY] If A USB Box Works Elsewhere, The Box May Still Be The Wrong Flair Path

Testing the USB interface in another DMX application is useful to prove the light, cable, and interface are alive. It does not prove that Flair 7 can use that USB controller.

Confidence: 0.76

[LIKELY] Watch For 8-Bit Channel Limits

Older Flair DMX guidance noted that Flair DMX control handles 8-bit channels, not dual / 16-bit values. Check the fixture personality and channel mode if the signal path is otherwise confirmed.

Confidence: 0.70

Evidence

Timestamp User Evidence
2021-10-19 Ben / Dan Gottesman Velleman USB interface did not respond from Flair; Dan suggested checking DMX enabled in your ini file, testing the DMX setup buttons, and verifying the USB box in other software.
2021-10-19 Gordon Eschke Warned that Dragonframe or other software can fight for the same DMX controller, and that Flair DMX handles 8-bit channels rather than dual / 16-bit values.
2021-10-20 Gordon Eschke USB DMX support should be working in Flair 6 and Classic; Ethernet DMX support in Flair 7 was being worked in.
2022-03-01 Gordon Eschke Flair 7 no longer supports USB DMX but uses Ethernet instead.
2022-11-21 Gordon Eschke USB DMX in Flair Classic / previous Flair 6 works under Windows timing and is not frame accurate; Ethernet DMX is recommended for frame accuracy.
2023-01-04 Gordon / Timothy / Valentin Ethernet devices discussed as current options: Enttec ODE MK3, DMXKing eDMX 4 PRO, and Showtec Net-2/3 Pocket.
2026-05-18 Rapha / MRMC Support Operator realised they had bought a USB-only Enttec controller; support said it needs Ethernet; operator chose Showtec Net-2/3 Pocket.
Image description: DMXKing eDMX 4 PRO Ethernet DMX interface box, labelled eDMX 4 PRO, DMXKing.com, PN 0104-1.0. Image description: Enttec ODE MK3 Ethernet dual DMX interface, shown as the type of device expected rather than a USB-only controller.
  • Media 1: Image description: DMXKing eDMX 4 PRO Ethernet DMX interface box, labelled eDMX 4 PRO, DMXKing.com, PN 0104-1.0.
  • Media 2: Image description: Enttec ODE MK3 Ethernet dual DMX interface, shown as the type of device expected rather than a USB-only controller.

Media Text / Description

  • Visible device text: eDMX 4 PRO, DMXKing.com, PN 0104-1.0, SN 001A19201CE7.
  • Image description: DMXKing eDMX 4 PRO Ethernet DMX interface box shared as a reliable and straightforward Flair-compatible Ethernet DMX option.
  • Image description: Enttec ODE MK3 Ethernet dual DMX interface, not a USB-only DMX controller.

WhatsApp Excerpts

  • 2021-10-19 22:00 - Ben: We are trying to run dmx and unfortunately it's being unresponsive. We have the velleman usb interface provided by mrmoco.
  • 2021-10-19 22:39 - Gordon Eschke: Make sure you don't have any other software such as dragon frame running on the same machine as they will be fighting for use of the dmx controller.
  • 2021-10-19 22:39 - Gordon Eschke: Also our DMX control only handles 8bit channels not dual (16 bit values) so check the specs of the lights or other kit you are trying to run.
  • 2021-10-20 00:29 - Gordon Eschke: Ethernet DMX support in Flair 7 is being worked in. Meanwhile USB DMX support should be working in Flair 6 and Classic.
  • 2022-03-01 06:07 - Gordon Eschke: The USB interface is compatible with Flair 6. Flair 7 no longer supports USB DMX but uses Ethernet instead.
  • 2022-11-21 20:27 - Gordon Eschke: Flair Classic (and previously Flair 6) has support for USB DMX, however this works under Windows timing and therefore does NOT provide frame accurate control.
  • 2026-05-19 00:05 - Rapha: Mmm looks like I got the wrong enttec device.. usb connected.
  • 2026-05-19 00:18 - MRMC Support: ah yes needs to be ethernet.
  • 2026-05-19 00:54 - Rapha: Thanks Gordon - will get the Showtec Net 2/3 pocket instead.