BlackTrax and WYSIWYG FAQs

BlackTrax is real-time tracking technology for live productions and immersive experiences. It calculates the location of performers and moving objects in 3D space, then sends that positional data to compatible production technologies. Connected lighting, audio, media, camera, or automation systems can use the data to follow movement or trigger programmed responses as they happen.

A small active infrared Beacon is attached to the person or object being tracked. Sensors positioned around the tracking area detect its signal, while the BlackTrax Server calculates its location in X, Y, and Z coordinates. BlackTrax then streams that information to connected production systems, which use it to position equipment or activate effects.

Yes. BlackTrax can use a performer’s live position to steer compatible moving lights, allowing multiple fixtures to follow the same person from different angles. BlackTrax manages positioning functions such as pan, tilt, focus, zoom, and iris, while the lighting console retains control over intensity, color, and gobo. Whether it supplements or replaces conventional follow spots ultimately depends on the production design.

A BlackTrax Beacon is a hardware device that transmits its 3D location in X, Y, and Z coordinates to the BlackTrax Server. A BlackTrax Beacon can be any of the following devices, and any combination of them can work together in the same BlackTrax System simultaneously: Classic Beacon, Mini-Beacon, Mini-Beacon Wave, or Beacon 2.0.

BlackTrax tracking technology can be used to track a wide variety of things, such as performers, props, scenics, vehicles, animals, or drones, to name a few.

A BlackTrax Stringer is a cable that connects an infrared LED to a BlackTrax Classic Beacon, Beacon 2.0, or Mini-Beacon Wave. When placed on a performer, the Stringer's LED should be routed to a location such as a collar, lapel, shoulder, hat, or wig. It can also be run alongside a mic headset for a seamless, integrated placement.

Yes, the Classic Beacon, Beacon 2.0, or Mini-Beacon Wave can be placed discreetly in a pocket within a performer's costume. Only the infrared LED at the tip of the BlackTrax Stringer needs to be visible, and even that can be placed under thin fabric to disguise it further. The Mini-Beacon's face needs to be visible, but it too can be hidden under a fabric layer.

Yes. BlackTrax follows a performer’s actual position rather than depending on the performer reaching predetermined marks. It’s ideal for productions involving improvised or unpredictable movement, including keynote speakers, unscripted performances, interactive experiences, and audience participation. The production team still determines how each connected system should respond to that movement

In a typical performer-tracking setup, each person wears a small active infrared BlackTrax Beacon or Beacon-and-Stringer configuration. Its unique signal allows BlackTrax to distinguish between multiple performers in the same tracking area. The Beacon can usually be concealed in a costume, while the infrared tracking point is positioned where the sensors can detect it.

None. BlackTrax beacons operate silently; they can only be seen in infrared, not heard.

BlackTrax tracks at 100 frames per second, with a low latency of 7.5ms, delivering real-time, precise coordinates streamed continuously to downstream technologies.

BlackTrax achieves approximately 1/4-inch (7 mm) accuracy at a 50-foot distance thanks to it's active infrared optical tracking. BlackTrax provides a precise, fixed measurement of tracking data, not a plus-or-minus centimeter-scale tolerance that can lead to inconsistencies in performances featuring tracking.

BlackTrax is a fully scalable tracking solution, capable of covering everything from small theatrical stages to an entire stadium. Larger tracking areas are achieved through higher-resolution BlackTrax Sensors, additional Sensors, or specialty lenses. Upgraded packages can extend the tracking range up to 982 feet (300 meters) or beyond.

BlackTrax can track up to 255 active infrared LEDs simultaneously; in any combination, whether that's up to 85 Classic Beacons or Beacon 2.0s (3 LEDs each), or up to 255 Mini-Beacons or Mini-Beacon Waves (1 LED each). Adding more LEDs doesn't increase the latency of your BlackTrax System.

No. BlackTrax can send positional data to immersive audio systems, media servers, game engines, camera systems, and automation controllers. Depending on the integration, it can help position sound around a moving performer, map projected content onto moving scenery, automate PTZ cameras through CONVRG, or trigger an event when someone enters a virtual zone.

Most of the time. BlackTrax is designed to connect with third-party technologies through supported integrations and the published Real-Time Tracking Protocol, or RTTrP. It can work alongside compatible lighting consoles, media servers, spatial audio platforms, game engines, and automation systems. Exact requirements depend on the products and protocols already in your system, so confirm compatibility when planning your configuration.

BlackTrax uses the open protocol RTTrPL to communicate with a merge node. The merge node then listens to the lighting console via Art-Net or sACN.

RTTrPL is currently supported by select merge nodes from Luminex, ProPlex, or Sundrax. The protocol is also published on GitHub for third-party developers, so non-compatible lighting merge nodes can be updated to support BlackTrax.

BlackTrax controls the pan, tilt, focus, zoom, and iris of moving lights. For conventional (static) fixtures, BlackTrax can still control beam size (zoom/iris), even though pan and tilt don't apply. Intensity, colour, and gobo remain in control of the lighting console.

No. You may use any fixtures from your rig at any time and return them to your console's control whenever needed. The console retains overall authority over all fixtures.

Yes. Currently through partnership with Pangolin Beyond you can control lasers.

BlackTrax can define virtual zones within the tracked space and fire events when a trackable enters or exits those zones. Example uses include turning lights on or off as a performer walks through a boundary, stopping a robotic camera pan as a performer exits the stage, muting wireless microphones until a performer returns, and triggering projected video effects tied to performer position.

Calibration time varies based on the size of your tracking area. Calibrating small spaces with BlackTrax, such as a small theatrical stage, can take 5-10 minutes, whereas much larger spaces such as full-scale arenas can take 15-20 minutes.