On August 20, 2024, Amaran released a brand-new app for wireless light control on mobile devices and desktops. It offers an interface for controlling an ecosystem of multiple lights at once and promises simpler, more intuitive, yet powerful control of lights that support wireless connections.
The new Amaran app is designed to work with iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS devices, as well as macOS and Windows systems, allowing for easy control without the need for a separate remote device. Stream Deck integration is also supported.
The company says this is the first lighting app designed with creators in mind. It is built on the same technology that made Sidus Link popular in Hollywood, but is easy to use as well.
The app allows for real-time control, such as toggling lights on and off, adjusting brightness, and setting color temperature, with quick and easy identification for each light in the setup.
Users can port over existing lights from Sidus Link, and the app integrates with Stream Deck. Shortcuts can be created to activate a setup of multiple lights with just one touch.
How to Start
After installing the app, registration is mandatory unless you already have an account. Registration through the app is somewhat difficult. However, once that’s completed, pairing with existing lights is easy and quick. I used the Amaran 60x S, and it recognized the light immediately without any additional actions required.
Once pairing is completed the first time, it recognizes the light flawlessly every time the app is launched and the light is switched on. This makes using the app quick and responsive.
Direct Access
Every light that is paired with the app can be configured to some degree, depending on the type of light. For the Amaran 60x S, the fan speed can be configured, and firmware updates can be performed through the app. The app also shows valuable information like remaining operation time based on battery capacity.
In thumbnail or list mode, every connected light is accompanied by all necessary information. Besides remaining operation time, the intensity setting is visible, along with a creative mode setting. The color of the intensity bar indicates the color temperature, although it is not very accurate. It also features an on/off switch.
With this information, it’s easy to change some basic settings for each connected light without diving into the details page, except for color temperature and any effects settings you want to use.
Detailed Settings for Each Connected Light
The details tab of a connected light offers additional settings, depending on the type of light. For the Amaran 60x S, you can choose a custom CCT setting by adjusting the slider or selecting one of three predefined settings. A button labeled "Colors" opens another page where you can set a predefined light source emulation.
On the effects page, there are nine different effects available: paparazzi, lightning, TV, fire, strobe, explosion, faulty bulb, pulsing, and fireworks. The behavior of these effects can be customized within the limits of the light itself. Color, frequency, and intensity can be adjusted to your preference. You need to find a small icon in the top right corner of the effects button to access these options.
Once you have your light set up as desired, it can be saved as a preset. There are separate presets for CCT, color, and effects, and all can be managed through the presets button.
Shortcuts and Scenes
If more than one light is connected to the Amaran app, it’s possible to create complex light setups. You can make groups of multiple lights, and scenes can be saved, containing the settings of groups and individual lights. By creating multiple scenes, you can easily change the light setup with just one tap, eliminating the need to adjust every light separately.
Each scene also offers the ability to adjust all connected lights with a single intensity slider. These scenes can be saved as shortcuts, which create a nice colored button that can be named for easy recognition.
Both scenes and shortcuts provide quick and easy access to complex multi-light setups. Defining different scenes makes it effortless to switch during filming.
Conclusion
It’s important for a video light to be accessible via wireless or Bluetooth control. This allows you to change settings without needing direct access to the light, especially if the light is in a hard-to-reach spot.
The Amaran app takes wireless control to the next level by allowing you to predefine one or multiple lights in various ways. Simply selecting a scene or shortcut is enough to manage any complex light setup without issues.
The Amaran app is easy to use, whether controlling a single light or multiple lights. Unfortunately, I only had one light available at the time, making it difficult to fully assess the app's capabilities in a complex light setup. I would love to try the app with more lights, like LED tubes and panels. Hopefully, this will be possible in the near future.
The Amaran app only works with Amaran and Aputure lights. It would be great if it could connect to lights from other brands, which would make it a real game-changer. However, I doubt this will become a possibility, assuming it’s technically feasible at all.
There are no significant downsides to the Amaran app. It works flawlessly, and I was able to operate the Amaran 60x S from over 30 meters away using my iPhone. The app offers a wide range of possibilities for users with multiple Amaran or Aputure lights and serves as the heart of a great ecosystem.
What I Like
- Easy and straightforward user interface
- Easy control for every connected light
- Presets can be saved for individual lights
- Scenes and shortcuts for easy access to complex light setups
- Available on a wide range of devices, including desktop computers
- Stream Deck integration
- Manages an entire ecosystem of lights
- Functions well as a controller for one light without a complex interface
What Can Be Improved
- Registration process through the app
- Some options are hidden
- Color temperature in the intensity bar does not match the accurate color setting
Though I was initially skeptical, thinking it was just another remote controller for video lights, the Amaran app has surprised me. Despite having only one light, I’ve grown to love using it. The flexibility it offers would make me choose Amaran or Aputure lights for future projects.
