What Are Unit IDs?

Light-O-Rama controllers are connected to a data network for communications.  In typical configurations, the controllers are daisy-chained, one after the other, in a line. To receive their lighting commands, each controller requires a unique identifier called a Unit ID. 

Your Unit ID assignments must match in both the Sequencer AND on the physical controller in order for your sequences to play.

Hexadecimal Numbering

Unit IDs use hexadecimal, a numbering system with 16 digits instead of 10 (Base 16). After 9, it continues with the letters A through F, then moves on to 10. A run of Unit IDs looks like this:

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 0A, 0B, 0C, 0D, 0E, 0F, 10, 11

This means 10 is the sixteenth Unit ID, not the tenth. Jump to the full Unit ID table → to see all available IDs on a LOR network.

Controllers with Multiple IDs

Every controller has at least one Unit ID. Some controllers use a single ID. Pixel controllers use a block of consecutive IDs, up to 32 per controller.

You only set the first ID. The first ID acts as the controller’s name, and the remaining IDs are assigned automatically in order. For example, a Pixie8 set to start at 09 uses 09, 0A, 0B, 0C, 0D, 0E, 0F, and 10.

In 2026, we introduced the concept of Double Unit IDs to expand the capacity fo Pixie Controllers. Learn more →

Setting a Unit ID

Unit IDs on each controller must be set to receive their correct lighting commands. All controllers ship with a default ID of 01, so any additional controllers on your network will need a new one. How you set the ID depends on your controller type.

Not sure which applies to your controller? See the full controller list below →

Before you Start:

• Use one method per controller. If any DIP switch is ON, the controller returns to its switch setting every time it powers up, even if you set a different ID from your computer. To set an ID from your computer, turn all DIP switches OFF. A common cause of an ID that keeps resetting is the 8th switch left ON, which sets the ID to 01.
• Power the controller off before changing DIP switches. Changes won’t take effect while it’s powered.

Set via Hardware Utility
Connect the controller to your computer with a USB adapter, then use the Control Panel's Hardware Utility to find it and assign its ID. [Steps to add]

Set via DIP or rotary switches
ON is up and OFF is down. Match the switch positions to the ID tables below: 8 switches on Pixie controllers, 12 on the CTB04PC and CMB24D. [Add rotary dial steps]

Set via front panel
Use the buttons and LCD on the controller to enter the ID. See your controller’s manual for the exact steps.

For any controller not listed here, check the product manual →.

Setting Other Devices?

Devices like the Aurora Core, Pixielink and others are set using their web page. View their product manual for details.

What Unit ID do I set my controller to?

• If you're using one of our default previews (RGBPlus or Pixel Bright), you must match the preview's ID settings. 
• If you're using a custom preview, there's no right or wrong way to set IDs, though it's best to organize your unit IDs sequentially. You can put up to 240 IDs per network. If you reach the capacity of your network, start with a second network.

Configuring a CPC Package? Use the package default IDs found in your Quick Guide. Unit IDs must match your Preview. Visit the RGB Plus or Pixel Bright page for the correct setting.

Dip switch calculator(block)

Setting the Controller Unit ID

How to make each controller unique for sequencing

Light-O-Rama controllers are connected to a data network for communications.  In typical configurations, the controllers are daisy-chained so each requires a unique Unit ID. How that unique Unit ID is assigned depends on the type of controller. Here's how our most common controller families have their IDs set:

• CTB16PC = Hardware Utility Program (Connect to Computer via USB485 Adapter)
• LOR160x = Front LCD Panel on Controller
• CMB24D = 12 DIP Switches on Controller Board (see table at bottom of this page)
• Pixie Controllers = DIP Switches (Recommended), OR Hardware Utility Program/USB Adapter (only use ONE method)
• Aurora Core Controller = Webpage interface

Here's what DIP Switches look like on a Pixie Controller

For an in depth look at all of our products and how to set the IDs, see the chart below. The instruction manual for the controller is also an excellent source for how to configure your controller.

If you need the DIP switch table for Pixie Controllers, are trying to configure a CPC Package for use with an RGBPlus sequence, or the last 6 ports on your Pixie16 "aren't working:" 

Click Here to Jump to the Unit ID Table and Learn How to Set a Pixie's Unit ID

Cosmic Color Bulbs/Pixels/Floods/Ribbons		Set Unit ID via Hardware Utility	Set Unit ID via front panel	Set Unit ID via board DIP/rotary switches
CCB-100	Cosmic Color Bulbs using latest available firmware.
CCP-100	Cosmic Color Pixels using latest available firmware.
CCR-150	Cosmic Color Ribbon using latest available firmware.
High-Power-RGB-Flood-50W	Cosmic Color Flood using latest available firmware.
Pixel Controllers		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board DIP switches
CMB24D	8 pixel controller board using latest available firmware.
PixCon16	16 SPI ports and 4 DMX-512 ports, each with 340 pixel addressability using latest available firmware.	set via Advanced Configuration
Pixie2	2 SPI ports, each with 100 pixel addressability using latest available firmware.	if all DIP switches off
Pixie4	4 SPI ports, each with 100 pixel addressability using latest available firmware.	if all DIP switches off
Pixie8	8 SPI ports, each with 100 pixel addressability using latest available firmware.	if all DIP switches off
Pixie16	16 SPI ports, each with 100 pixel addressability using latest available firmware.	if all DIP switches off
DC Controllers		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board rotary dials
CMB16D	16 channel DC controller board using latest available firmware.
Digital I/O		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board rotary dials
DIO32	Digital I/O motherboard and daughter boards using latest available firmware.
DMX Bridge		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board DIP/rotary switches
idmx1000	DMX-512 bridge to Light-O-Rama data network using latest available firmware.
Servo Control		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board DIP/rotary switches
ServoDog	ServoDog servo controller board using latest available firmware.
CTB04PC/CTB16PC Residential High Voltage AC Light Controllers		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board DIP switches
CTB04PC	Residential Generation 3, 4 channel controller using latest available firmware.
CTB16PCg3	Residential Generation 3, 16 channel controller using latest available firmware.
CTB16PC	Residential 16 channel V2 controller boards.
CTB16PC-Kit	Residential 16 channel kit built controller boards.
CTB16/32/LOR8xx/LOR16xx Professional High Voltage AC Light Controllers		via Hardware Utility	via front panel	via board rotary dials
CTB16 blue	Professional 16 channel blue controller V7 controller board. Latest firmware version. if your board already has firmware version 4.40 or higher then it cannot use version 4.30 or lower.
CTB16 green	Professional 16 channel green controller board using latest available firmware.
CTB32LDg3	Professional Generation 3, 16 channel commercial controller board using latest available firmware.
LOR160x	Professional 16 channel commercial controller (metal box) using latest available firmware.
LOR160xWG3	Professional Generation 3, 16 channel commercial controller (metal box) using latest available firmware.
LOR800Wg3	Professional Generation 3, 8 channel commercial controller for LOR800Wg3 (metal box) using latest available firmware.

See the appropriate product manual for how to set other unit IDs.  The manual will also discuss what the other switches are for.

Setting the Unit ID via DIP switches on controllers with 8 Switches (Pixie16, Pixie8, Pixie4, etc)

With Pixie controllers, each port on the controller gets its own Unit ID or DMX Universe, but you only need to tell the controller what the FIRST port is assigned to, then it will automatically assign the rest. When you look for a Pixie controller in the Hardware Utility, the "name" of the controller will have the FIRST Unit ID of the Unit - remember that there are more numbers assigned to each.

Pixie2 = 2 Unit IDs/DMX Universes

Pixie4 = 4 Unit IDs/DMX Universes

Pixie8 = 8 Unit IDs/DMX Universes

Pixie16 = 16 Unit IDs/DMX Universes

We recommend setting the Unit ID of a Pixie controller using the DIP Switches located on the physical controller board (see picture below). You controller does NOT need to be connected to a computer.

Take a look at the picture below for an example Pixie8 controller set to start at Unit ID 40 (the ID our 6'6" Pixel Tree needs to start with to work with our store sequences). "ON" is up and "OFF" is down. Turning any DIP switch on means the controller's ID can no longer be set with the computer - it will revert to the Unit ID setting of the DIP switches every time its repowered. To set the Unit ID of a Pixie with your computer, ensure all DIP switches are turned OFF. It is easier to set the ID with the DIP Switches, NOT the computer. You cannot set it using both methods at once.

A common problem is that the 8th DIP switch is left in the 'on' position (which sets the Pixie start at Unit ID 01), then trying to change the Pixie to start at another ID using a computer. The ID will revert to the DIP Switch's directions (01), every time you remove power from the Pixie. Turn all DIP Switches off to set the ID with a computer, or ensure the DIP switches are at the correct number (not 01).

LOR Unit IDs include 6 additional hexadecimal assignments in every normal set of 01 through 10. This means that a Pixie16 controller with a starting ID of 01 will use the following Unit ID assignments for its 16 ports:

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 0A, 0B, 0C, 0D, 0E, 0F, 10

NOT

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Your Unit ID assignments must match in both the Sequencer AND on the physical controller in order for your sequences to play. Take a look at the table below to make sure your controller's DIP switch settings are correct. a "1" means the switch should be in the "on" position and a "0" means the switch should be "off."

The Pixie controller must be disconnected from power when you change DIP Switches. If the controller is powered, the change will NOT take effect.

For DMX Settings and other specifications, please reference the Pixie manual.

Setting the Unit ID via DIP switches on controllers with 12 Switches (CTB04PC, CMB24D, etc)

It’s easy to get intimidated setting the controller Unit ID via the little on/off switches on the circuit board.  The good news is it typically only has to be done once.

The manual goes into great details on how to set all the switches.  Here’s a quick example.

Locate the switches on the controller.  It should look like this if the controller is set for Unit ID 02.

Look carefully and orient the controller to see the switches as shown in the above image (click the picture to make it larger if needed).  On one side of the switch set there’s a marking for off/on.

ON is up

OFF is down

Each little switch is marked 1-12.  Using something small like a toothpick, set the switches as needed for the Unit ID required.  To make it easy, we’ve created a chart showing how to set Unit ID 01-09.