Complete Madrix with Seekway A608/A308 Art-Net Controller Tutorial: From Mapping to Art-Net Recording

For professionals and enthusiasts in LED lighting control, Madrix is a powerful pixel-mapping software, while the Seekway A608 (and Seekway A308) controller serves as the hardware that ensures stable communication between your computer and the LED fixtures. This article walks you through the entire process – from initial setup, mapping export, and IP configuration to creating effects in Madrix and recording them into Seekway Magic Player – so you can achieve professional-grade lighting results with ease.

Whether you are a stage lighting designer, architectural lighting engineer, or a DIY enthusiast, this tutorial will help you master this mainstream control solution quickly.

1. Preparation: Software, Hardware & Environment

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

Software Requirements

· Madrix software (version 3.x or higher recommended)
· Madrix hardware dongle (required – the software will not work without it)
· Magic Player software (used to configure the controller and play back recorded effects)

Hardware Requirements

· One A608 or A308 controller
· LED fixtures (choose the chip type according to your project)
· Ethernet cable (to connect the computer and the controller)
· SD card (optional – for playing recorded effects without a computer)

Environment Check

· The computer must have a wired network adapter (Gigabit recommended)
· Power on the controller and connect the Ethernet cable to the "IN" port of the controller

Note: Each port on the A608 controller can output up to 6 DMX universes (512 channels/universe). When using RGB fixtures, the maximum number of pixels per port is 1020 (512÷3×6).

2. Detailed Magic Player Configuration

Seekway Magic Player is the core configuration tool for the controller. All mapping, IP, and port assignments are done here.

2.1 Create a New Project and Open Maptools

1.Launch Magic Player and click New Project.

2.The software will automatically open the Maptools interface.

2.2 Select Controller Model and Fixture Parameters

In MapTools 4, set the following:

1. Controller model – choose A308 or A608 LED Controller.

2. LED chip type – select according to your actual LED IC (e.g., WS2811, UCS1903, etc.).

3. Channel order – typically RGB, RGBW, etc. – refer to your fixture’s datasheet.

2.3 Mapping

On the software canvas, map your LED fixtures according to the physical layout:

1. Set the start point and direction for each port (Port1 to Port8).

2. Supports horizontal, vertical, matrix, and other layout types.

3. Real-time preview of pixel mapping.

2.4 Export MPX File (for Madrix)

After completing the mapping:

1. Click Project → Export Mpx in the top-left corner.

2. Save the file as an .mpx file. This file contains all fixture positions and channel information, and can be directly imported into Madrix later.

2.5 Save the Project

After exporting, return to the Seekway Maptools main interface and click Save to save the whole project.

2.6 Set the Computer’s Network Adapter IP Address

To enable communication between the computer and the A608 controller, you must set a static IP manually:

1.Open your computer’s network connection settings and locate the wired network adapter.

2.Double-click to open properties → select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

3.Use the following static IP (typical values):

· IP address: 2.0.0.98

· Subnet mask: 255.0.0.0

· Default gateway: leave blank or set to 2.0.0.1

Note: The controller’s default IP is usually in the 2.0.0.x subnet. Make sure the computer and the controller are on the same subnet.

2.7 Select the Network Adapter in Magic Player

1. Go back to the Magic Player main interface and click Menu → Setting → Software.

2. Switch to the Network tab.

3. Select the wired network adapter whose IP you just set, then click Save.

2.8 Detect the Controller (Art-Net Tool)

Click Menu → Tool → Art-Net to open the Art-Net tool.

Ensure the A608 controller is powered on and connected to the computer via Ethernet (plugged into the IN port).

After a few seconds, the tool will show the detected controller device(s).

Click the arrow on the left to expand the port details (Port1–Port8) and check the universe assignment for each port.

Select the controller, then click Send in the top-right corner to send the configuration to the controller.

At this point, the Magic Player configuration is complete. Next, we move on to integrating Madrix.

3. Madrix Configuration: Import Mapping & Device Management

Madrix is responsible for generating lighting effects. It needs to know the fixture positions and controller information.

3.1 Import the MPX File (Patch Editor)

Open Madrix, then click Preference → Patch Editor.

Click Open and select the .mpx file you exported earlier from Maptools.

After a successful import, you will see the complete fixture matrix layout in the Patch Editor window.

This step is crucial – it tells Madrix the physical coordinates of every pixel, allowing effects to be mapped correctly to your fixtures.

3.2 Device Manager Settings

1. Go back to the main menu and click Preference → Device Manager.

2. In the right panel:

· Check Enable to turn on device management.

· Check Artsync (ensures Art-Net synchronization).

3.Click the Search button (magnifying glass icon) at the bottom left to scan for A608 controllers on the network.

3.3 View and Enable DMX Devices

After the search finishes, a device name like SWAN001-1-0002 will appear:

· AN001 = first controller

· 1 = port 1

· 0002 = second universe of that port

Click the DMX Devices tab and Enable all detected device ports.

Now Madrix can output effects in real time to the A608 controller and drive your LED fixtures.

4. Art-Net Recording: Save Madrix Effects to the Controller

Magic Player’s Art-Net recording feature captures the effect currently playing in Madrix and saves it into Magic Player. You can then transfer the recorded effect file to an SD card, allowing you to play Madrix effects without a computer.

4.1 Prerequisites

All the steps above have been completed.

Madrix is outputting effects correctly (fixtures are lit).

Magic Player and Madrix are running on the same computer.

4.2 Open the Recording Interface

In Magic Player, click Art-Net Record.

4.3 Select the Network Adapter

In the pop-up window, correctly select the wired network adapter that is bound to the A608 controller. After selection, the preview window on the right will show the Madrix effect in real time.

4.4 Three Recording Modes

Magic Player offers three flexible recording methods:

4.5 Start Recording

· Click Start (or press F10) to begin recording.

· Play the desired effect in Madrix.

· When finished, click Stop (or press F11).

After recording stops, the effect file is automatically added to Magic Player’s playlist. You can:

· Preview and play it directly in Magic Player.

· Export the show and save it to an SD card. Insert the SD card into the A608 controller, and the effect will loop without a computer.

Tip: With this feature, you can design complex effects in Madrix in advance and record them to an SD card in one go – ideal for exhibitions, commercial lighting, and other projects that require long-term, stable operation.

5. Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Q1: The controller is not detected by the Art-Net tool.

· Check that the Ethernet cable is plugged into the IN port of the controller.

· Make sure the computer and controller are on the same IP subnet (e.g., 2.0.0.x).

· Disable the firewall or allow Art-Net protocol (port 6454).

Q2: Fixtures do not light up after importing the MPX file into Madrix.

· Verify that all DMX devices are enabled in Device Manager.

· Ensure the number of universes per controller port matches (max 6 per port).

· Double-check that the chip type is set correctly.

Q3: No preview image in the recording window.

· Make sure the correct network adapter is selected in the Record window.

· Ensure Madrix is playing an effect and is not paused.

· Try restarting both Magic Player and Madrix.

Q4: How to calculate the maximum number of pixels per port?

· Formula: Max pixels = (512 / channels per pixel) × 6

· Example for RGB fixtures (3 channels): 512 ÷ 3 ≈ 170, 170 × 6 = 1020 pixels.

· For RGBW fixtures (4 channels): 512 ÷ 4 = 128, 128 × 6 = 768 pixels.

6. Summary & Further Suggestions

Through the steps above, you have mastered the complete workflow for Madrix + A608/A308 controllers:

1. Magic Player – configure fixture parameters, map, export MPX, set IP.

2. Madrix – import MPX, scan devices, enable DMX, create effects.

3. Art-Net Recording – save effects to Magic Player, then to SD card.

This solution combines powerful effect generation with hardware stability, making it ideal for large-scale LED grids, architectural lighting, stage backgrounds, and similar applications.

To extend your system:

· Multiple controllers in cascade – A608 supports connecting multiple units via a switch; Madrix will auto-detect them.

· Use 3D visualisation plugins – Madrix includes a built-in 3D preview for real-time effect checking.

· Combine with a DMX console – via the Art-Net protocol, you can integrate with professional lighting consoles.

We hope this tutorial has been helpful. For more information about Magic Player and the A608 controller, feel free to leave Seekway Innovations a comment.