A flexible LED controller designed, developed and tested with live theatrical performances in mind

Ira is an LED lighting and effects system. It can be controlled via a self-contained website, over USB Serial, I2C, DMX slave, or used as a standalone device.

Designed to work with all WS28xx series LEDs (WS2811, WS2812b, WS2813, etc.) and all other protocols supported by the FastLED library.

• Live theatrical productions
• Visual status aid for 3D printer
• Server rack status indicator
• Halloween and Christmas decorations

See wiki for full usage. Below is an abbreviated summary.

In order to use these to control lights, you need several things:

• Lights - WS2811 or compatible series lights
• A signal Generator - This turns the desired effect into the proper signal to send to the lights. This is usually provided by a microcontroller, such as an Arduino or esp32.
• An information Controller - something to tell it what to do and when (this can be the same device as the signal generator, or it might be an external source of information, or both!)

This is the actual WS2811 controller, in charge of constantly generating the right signal for the lights. It can receive information over WiFi, I2C, Serial, or even a physical button.

See examples/basic for a simplified version, or generator for a full example.

The controller might be a DMX lighting board, a python script, a node server with a GUI frontend, an internal preprogrammed set of effects, or anything else that can send instructions. Specific details for Serial, I2C, DMX, and Server interfaces can be found in the wiki

Electricity is dangerous. Follow all appropriate safety guidelines and obey all electrical and fire safety laws at all times!