ATEM control
Use a compatible ATEM controller as another control surface for the production running inside SwitchEffect.
On this page
What ATEM control means
SwitchEffect can accept connections from compatible ATEM controllers, such as MixEffect and Bitfocus Companion. The controller operates the software switcher running inside SwitchEffect, with familiar controls such as Program, Preview, Cut, Auto, and supported keyer or audio operations.
This gives you another control surface for the same production. It does not turn SwitchEffect into an app for operating a separate physical ATEM switcher, and the connection does not carry camera video.
Connect a controller
- Put the controller and SwitchEffect device on a network where they can reach each other.
- Open Settings → Automation → ATEM and enable Allow ATEM Control.
- Start your SwitchEffect switcher.
- Enable Advertise ATEM via Bonjour for automatic discovery where the controller supports it, or connect to the device’s IP address manually.
- The control service uses UDP port 9910. Test Program, Preview, and transitions before using the controller during a show.
Turning off Bonjour advertising removes automatic discovery; it does not block direct IP connections while ATEM control remains enabled. Turning off Allow ATEM Control disconnects controllers.
What you can operate
| Area | User-facing controls |
|---|---|
| Switching | Program and Preview selection, Cut, Auto, and manual transition position. |
| Transitions and keyers | Supported transition settings, Fade to Black, upstream keyers, and downstream keyers. |
| Composition and routing | Supported SuperSource-style controls for SuperScene, color generators, input names, and auxiliary routing. |
| Audio and playback | Supported audio mix controls and playback-deck/HyperDeck-style controls exposed by the current switcher. |
| Macros and outputs | Supported macro controls and recording/streaming controls and status exposed to the controller. |
| Feedback | Source names, bus selection, tally, and supported production/output status stay synchronized with SwitchEffect. |
The controls available depend on the controller, switcher configuration, and capabilities it exposes. SwitchEffect-specific appearance tools and features do not necessarily have an ATEM equivalent. Treat compatibility as support for the controls described here, rather than every function of every ATEM model.
MixEffect and Companion examples
Prepare your sources and SuperScene layouts in SwitchEffect, enable ATEM control, and start the switcher. Then connect your preferred controller to the device running SwitchEffect.
MixEffect: a second touch control surface
- On another iPhone or iPad, open MixEffect and add a New ATEM Switcher connection.
- Give the connection a name, such as SwitchEffect, and enter the IP address of the iPhone or iPad running your production.
- Connect, select the next camera on Preview, then use Cut or Auto to take it to Program.
One person can prepare the production in SwitchEffect while another operates supported switching controls from MixEffect. Both control surfaces work with the same live switcher state.
Bitfocus Companion: buttons for your production
- In Companion, add a Blackmagic Design ATEM connection.
- Enter the IP address of the device running SwitchEffect and connect.
- Assign ATEM actions to buttons—for example, one to select a camera on Preview and another to perform Cut or Auto.
This puts familiar switcher operations into a button layout you can arrange around your show. You can keep using SwitchEffect’s touch controls alongside the connected controller.
Connection and permission checks
Check Allow ATEM Control, the running switcher, IP reachability, UDP port 9910, and local-network permissions. If discovery fails, try a direct IP connection. If control is blocked in View Only Mode, review Settings → Automation → Allowed in View Only → ATEM.
ATEM control is available to reachable IPv4 networks when enabled. Use it on a network you trust, and disable the service when you no longer need connected controllers.