{"id":275,"date":"2026-10-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/?p=275"},"modified":"2026-10-20T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T07:00:00","slug":"obsidian-nx1-16-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/obsidian-nx1-16-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Obsidian NX1-16 Review: The Compact Onyx Console"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Obsidian NX1-16 is the compact Onyx console that replaced the original NX1. It keeps a small footprint, doubles the included universe count to 16, pairs 10 motorized faders with a Full HD touchscreen, and runs the same Onyx software as the rest of the range. This review is an analysis based on Obsidian&#8217;s published specifications and user feedback, not a hands-on test.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/obsidian-nx1-16-officiel-1024x604.jpg\" alt=\"Obsidian NX1-16\" class=\"wp-image-247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/obsidian-nx1-16-officiel-1024x604.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/obsidian-nx1-16-officiel-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/obsidian-nx1-16-officiel-768x453.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/obsidian-nx1-16-officiel.jpg 1144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Photo: Obsidian Control Systems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Obsidian and Onyx in a nutshell<\/h2>\n<p>Obsidian Control Systems is part of the Elation family, and Onyx is its lighting control platform. The current console line includes the NX1-16, NX2 and NX4, plus the NX W wing. The original NX1 (8 universes) and the NX Touch are now legacy products: fine on the used market if the price is right, but not what you should buy new. For a broader look at the software, read our <a href=\"\/en\/obsidian-onyx-owner-review\/\">Obsidian Onyx review<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>NX1-16 specifications<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Licence:<\/strong> Onyx licence for 16 universes included<\/li>\n<li><strong>Screen:<\/strong> 10.1-inch Full HD multitouch, plus support for one external touch display over HDMI<\/li>\n<li><strong>Playbacks:<\/strong> 10 motorized 60 mm playback faders and 10 customizable playback or multi-function keys<\/li>\n<li><strong>DMX:<\/strong> 4 DMX\/RDM universes in\/out on 5-pin locking XLR<\/li>\n<li><strong>Network:<\/strong> 2 Gigabit RJ45 ports for Art-Net, sACN and Onyx X-Net<\/li>\n<li><strong>USB:<\/strong> 2 x USB 3.2 and 2 x USB 2.0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Size and weight:<\/strong> 636 x 298.5 x 71 mm (25 x 11.75 x 2.8 in), 8.1 kg (17.8 lb)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pricing varies by dealer; treat it as price on request and compare quotes.<\/p>\n<h3>What changed from the NX1<\/h3>\n<p>The name says it: 16 universes instead of the NX1&#8217;s 8. That is the difference that matters most for LED-heavy rigs, where pixel bars and multi-cell fixtures eat addresses quickly. The 10 motorized faders are also a real asset on a console this size, for operators who switch pages during a show and want the physical faders to follow.<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding Onyx licensing<\/h2>\n<p>Onyx licensing is where many buyers get confused, so it&#8217;s worth being precise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Free licence:<\/strong> the Onyx software runs for free, but outputs Universe 1 only, over Art-Net or sACN.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paid licences:<\/strong> Essential, Premier and Elite tiers raise the ceiling, up to 128 universes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consoles:<\/strong> the NX1-16 ships with a 16-universe licence built in, so you don&#8217;t need to buy one separately to use its full capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is different from ChamSys&#8217;s approach. MagicQ PC\/Mac without any ChamSys hardware already outputs 64 universes of Art-Net or sACN, with some remote and automation features locked. If you plan to run mainly from a laptop, that difference is significant; see our <a href=\"\/en\/onyx-vs-chamsys\/\">Onyx vs ChamSys<\/a> comparison for the full picture.<\/p>\n<h2>NX1-16 vs ChamSys QuickQ and MQ50<\/h2>\n<p>In the compact console market, the NX1-16&#8217;s natural competitors come from ChamSys: the QuickQ+ range for simplicity and the MagicQ MQ50 for full MagicQ programming.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>Obsidian NX1-16<\/th>\n<th>ChamSys QuickQ 30+<\/th>\n<th>ChamSys MQ50<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Universes<\/td>\n<td>16 (licence included)<\/td>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Main screen<\/td>\n<td>10.1&#8243; Full HD touch<\/td>\n<td>11.6&#8243;<\/td>\n<td>10.1&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Playback faders<\/td>\n<td>10 motorized<\/td>\n<td>See ChamSys specs<\/td>\n<td>10, non-motorized<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>DMX ports<\/td>\n<td>4 (DMX\/RDM)<\/td>\n<td>See ChamSys specs<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Software<\/td>\n<td>Onyx<\/td>\n<td>QuickQ (shows open in MagicQ)<\/td>\n<td>MagicQ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Thomann UK, 09\/2026<\/td>\n<td>Price on request<\/td>\n<td>about \u00a33,499<\/td>\n<td>about \u00a34,799<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h3>Versus QuickQ<\/h3>\n<p>The QuickQ range is built for ease of use: volunteers, schools, small venues. The QuickQ 30+ gives you 6 universes and an 11.6-inch screen, and a show built on it can later be loaded into MagicQ. The NX1-16 is a more &#8220;pro&#8221; tool: a full programming console with motorized faders and more than twice the universe count. If your operators change every week and need to get a show running quickly, a QuickQ is easier to hand over. If you have a regular programmer and a growing LED rig, the NX1-16 gives you more room. Our <a href=\"\/en\/chamsys-quickq-owner-review\/\">ChamSys QuickQ review<\/a> goes deeper on that range. Note that the original QuickQ 10\/20\/30 (non-plus) are superseded by the &#8220;+&#8221; versions.<\/p>\n<h3>Versus the MagicQ MQ50<\/h3>\n<p>The MQ50 is the entry point into full MagicQ, with 8 universes, 10 non-motorized playbacks, a 10.1-inch screen and 4 DMX outputs. On paper the NX1-16 offers more universes and motorized faders. The MQ50&#8217;s advantage is the MagicQ ecosystem: the same software scales up to the MQ70, MQ250M and MQ500M+ Stadium, and MagicQ PC is powerful even without hardware. The Onyx ecosystem scales too, to NX2 and NX4, so the decision often comes down to which software your team already knows.<\/p>\n<h2>Who should buy the NX1-16?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Small and mid-size venues, clubs and houses of worship with LED-heavy rigs up to 16 universes<\/li>\n<li>Production companies that want a compact, 8 kg desk for corporate and event work<\/li>\n<li>Existing Onyx users moving up from the free licence or replacing a legacy NX1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you need more than 16 universes, look at the larger NX consoles or a networked Onyx system. And if you are still weighing your first console, our guide to the <a href=\"\/en\/best-dmx-console-for-beginners\/\">best lighting console for beginners<\/a> puts compact consoles like this one in a wider context.<\/p>\n<h2>Verdict<\/h2>\n<p>The Obsidian NX1-16 is a sensible, well-specified compact console: 16 universes included, 10 motorized faders, a Full HD touchscreen, four DMX\/RDM ports and Gigabit networking in an 8.1 kg frame. It is a clear upgrade over the discontinued NX1 and a strong rival to ChamSys&#8217;s compact desks. Its main trade-off is licensing: free Onyx software gives you only one universe, while free MagicQ gives you 64, so factor that in if much of your work will happen on a laptop.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Is the Obsidian NX1-16 the successor of the NX1?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The original NX1 with 8 universes is discontinued, and the NX1-16 replaces it with a 16-universe Onyx licence included.<\/p>\n<h3>How many universes does the free Onyx licence give?<\/h3>\n<p>The free Onyx licence outputs Universe 1 only, over Art-Net or sACN. Paid Essential, Premier and Elite licences go up to 128 universes.<\/p>\n<h3>What are the main specs of the NX1-16?<\/h3>\n<p>It has 10 motorized 60 mm playback faders, a 10.1 inch Full HD multitouch screen, 4 DMX\/RDM ports, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and weighs 8.1 kg.<\/p>\n<h3>Is the NX1-16 better than a ChamSys QuickQ 30+?<\/h3>\n<p>It offers more universes (16 versus 6) and motorized faders, so it suits a regular programmer with a growing rig. The QuickQ is simpler for volunteer or rotating operators.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the Obsidian NX1-16 the successor of the NX1?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The original NX1 with 8 universes is discontinued, and the NX1-16 replaces it with a 16-universe Onyx licence included.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How many universes does the free Onyx licence give?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The free Onyx licence outputs Universe 1 only, over Art-Net or sACN. Paid Essential, Premier and Elite licences go up to 128 universes.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What are the main specs of the NX1-16?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It has 10 motorized 60 mm playback faders, a 10.1 inch Full HD multitouch screen, 4 DMX\/RDM ports, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and weighs 8.1 kg.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the NX1-16 better than a ChamSys QuickQ 30+?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It offers more universes (16 versus 6) and motorized faders, so it suits a regular programmer with a growing rig. The QuickQ is simpler for volunteer or rotating operators.\"}}]}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"lce-sources\"><strong>Sources<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/obsidiancontrol.com\/nx1-16\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Obsidian Control Systems &#8211; NX1-16<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/obsidiancontrol.com\/onyx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Obsidian Control Systems &#8211; Onyx<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/chamsyslighting.com\/collections\/quickq-consoles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ChamSys &#8211; QuickQ consoles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/chamsyslighting.com\/pages\/magicq-software-licensing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ChamSys &#8211; MagicQ software licensing<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Obsidian NX1-16 is the compact Onyx console that replaced the original NX1. It keeps a small footprint, doubles the included universe count to 16, pairs 10 motorized faders with a Full HD touchscreen, and runs the same Onyx software as the rest of the range. This review is an analysis based on Obsidian&#8217;s published [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":247,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=275"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":295,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275\/revisions\/295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lighting-console-expert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}