Straight answers, no marketing.

Windows 11 64-bit (x86-64) is the officially supported platform. ARM64 is not supported. Some people run it on Windows 10 64-bit and it generally works, but that is not officially supported.

Almost any modern Windows PC. SDC barely touches the CPU, even with hundreds of fixtures running movement and dimmer effects. Memory matters more than CPU: usage grows with the size of your show, so give a large rig plenty of RAM.

Yes. The interface is designed to work on a laptop screen, and it scales up nicely on a big monitor too.

Yes, both.

For Art-Net, no - the setup file is all you need. For USB you also need the drivers that came with your interface.

Yes, in unlimited 2-hour sessions. Every feature is available without a licence.

All channels reset to 0 and you restart the app to carry on. You do not start over - settings and saved data are preserved.

Yes. The only difference is that you must restart the app every two hours.

By email with your receipt. It is automated, so it arrives quickly.

There is a 31-day grace period where the app behaves as if the licence were still valid. After that it reverts to 2-hour sessions.

No. The licence is locked to the computer where it was activated.

No, one machine per licence.

Yes. Be aware your settings may not be compatible with a newer version, so you might need to set up again. The app is built for simple setups, so this is rarely a big job.

The setup file is signed with a high-level EV certificate validated by Microsoft, which guarantees the file comes from Simple DMX.

SDC supports standard USB-to-DMX and Art-Net devices, and is not locked to a brand. You may already own something that works - see the hardware page for tested devices.

Yes - Enttec Open DMX and DMX USB Pro, the Eurolite equivalents, and other affordable USB-to-DMX dongles. Test your own hardware in free mode before buying a licence.

An Art-Net device. If you must use USB, choose a Pro version with a built-in processor for a stable signal - the licence agreement notes that stable DMX control is not guaranteed with low-cost Open DMX devices.

Yes.

In theory yes, but we do not recommend it. It may work some of the time, and you will probably see dropouts.

Yes, one or more Akai APC Mini MK2 controllers.

Yes. Palettes can be fired by UDP commands over the network, so a media server, show controller or a simple script can trigger them.

SDC uses GDTF, the professional fixture file format, and nothing else. If your fixture has no GDTF file, SDC can make one.

Yes, two ways. Manual To GDTF generates the file automatically from your fixture's PDF manual, and the Simple GDTF Maker lets you type in the channels. Both save a standard .gdtf file that works in other software too.

Anything that speaks DMX, plus RGB and RGBW pixel strips.

Yes, there is a dedicated section for pixel strips and LED bars, using Art-Net to SPI or Art-Net to DMX.

Yes, for dimmer, pan and tilt.

As many as you like, across up to 32 full DMX universes.

32.

As many as you like.

Yes, from Settings. It is quick.

Yes - the How To page has the full PDF manual, a quick start guide, and a step-by-step walkthrough from your first fixture to a full show.

Check Release History on the News page to see whether a newer version fixes it. If not, get in touch.

New features keep coming, but under the same philosophy: keep it simple. Do not expect it to turn into a full-blown console app.

Still unsure? Two hours costs you nothing.