Now in Alpha

Choreograph Light.
Unleash the Show.

An open source timeline sequencer designed specifically for marching bands. No DMX cables. No subscription fees.

Download Studio Online Version View Source
PicoLume Studio Interface

Timeline Workflow

Stop coding loops. Start dragging clips. Visualize your lighting effects perfectly synchronized to your audio track.

Smart Grouping

Control 224 receivers as easily as one. Assign effects to "Small Props" or "Trumpets" without managing individual addresses.

Binary Sync

Compiles your show into a lightweight binary format optimized for the RP2040. No lag. No dropped packets.

From Field Test to Open Source

PicoLume began as a real world challenge: could we build a lighting system tough enough to survive the daily grind of rehearsals, travel, and show day? To find out, we put it to the ultimate test on the field with Summerville High School during the 2025 season.

This is the story behind the project, from the spark of inspiration and the messy early prototypes, to the lessons we learned trying to make hardware work in the real world.

Read the Story

Why PicoLume?

There are several ways to wirelessly control LEDs. Here's why we chose a different path.

Approach Scalability Reliability Cost Live Control
Pixel Streaming (WLED) Poor at scale Depends on Wi-Fi Low Yes
Wireless DMX (CRMX) Universe limited Excellent High Yes
PicoLume (Timecode) Unlimited Excellent Low Pre-programmed

PicoLume inverts the problem. Instead of streaming data (colors), we stream time. The show is already loaded onto the prop; the radio just keeps everyone on the same page of the script.

The Good

  • Infinite Scalability: 5 or 5,000 listeners - same radio traffic
  • "Flywheel" Effect: Missed packet? Props keep playing, resync on next heartbeat
  • Spectrum Silence: 915MHz avoids stadium Wi-Fi chaos
  • Hardware Agnostic: Same show file works on 100-LED flags and 20-LED hats

The Trade-offs

  • Preparation Required: Shows must be pre-programmed
  • Workflow: Changes require updating files on devices

Why Not Other Radio Modules?

LoRa (Long Range)

Incredible range, but the radio modules are significantly more expensive. At the scale of a full field show, the cost per receiver adds up quickly compared to RFM69.

Zigbee / Thread (Mesh)

Great for smart homes, bad for timing. In a mesh network, data hops from device to device, creating a "popcorn effect."

ESP-NOW

A faster version of Wi-Fi, but still suffers from the same 2.4GHz congestion issues found in crowded stadiums.

Built with AI Assistance

PicoLume is proudly developed with help from AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. We believe in leveraging modern tools to accelerate open source development.