Published 06^th May, 2025

Obsidian Control Systems unveiled the NXW, a new addition to its ONYX lighting control platform. Presented as a compact yet fully featured PC control wing, the NXW is designed to meet the operational demands of freelancers, touring technicians, and permanent installations, offering professional-grade control capabilities in a portable format.

The NXW connects to any PC system via USB-C, effectively turning a computer into a high-performance lighting console without compromising on responsiveness or hardware quality. With a layout that mirrors larger NX consoles, the NXW offers an intuitive and familiar control surface for existing ONYX users.

“The NXW might be small in size, but it's packed with features our users have been asking for," says Koy Neminathan, Business Development Director at Obsidian. “Whether you're working live on stage or pre-programming at home, this little powerhouse delivers. It's responsive, flexible, and ready for anything."

The NXW includes 10 motorised faders with RGB backlighting, offering visual feedback and precision control for complex lighting setups. The faders are accompanied by low latency optical buttons, also RGB backlit, which enhance real-time responsiveness during operation.

Additional control is provided by four RGB parameter encoders, a dedicated programming keypad, and 10 multi-function buttons that can be customised to suit various user preferences or show requirements. These features allow for a high degree of control flexibility, supporting a wide range of programming workflows.

Connectivity options on the NXW are extensive. The device includes four integrated DMX/RDM ports, enabling direct control of fixtures without the need for external nodes. A gigabit network port is also available for high-speed networked control environments. The unit comes standard with a 16-universe ONYX licence, which can be upgraded to 32, 64, or 128 universes via the integrated USB licence port.

Its ergonomic layout ensures ease of use, even during extended programming sessions, and its plug-and-play design allows immediate integration into ONYX PC systems with no additional setup required.

For users seeking scalability, the NXW can be expanded using the NXP motorised fader wing. It also functions effectively as a supplementary control surface for the NX1 console, enabling seamless expansion of control capacity for larger or more complex productions.

The NXW is intended for a broad spectrum of lighting professionals, from those operating in live concert environments to those managing lighting in theatres and broadcast studios. The unit's compact size and comprehensive feature set make it a practical solution for professionals who require high performance in a smaller footprint.