vMix has a built-in tally feature — but it only works on the same local WiFi network as the vMix PC. Cue Light bridges your vMix tally to the cloud so any phone anywhere shows the correct state.
vMix's built-in Web Controller includes a tally display. It's functional — but it has a hard limitation.
vMix's built-in tally requires all devices to be on the same local network as the vMix PC. If your camera operator, talent, or second shooter is in a different room on a different network — or at a remote location entirely — vMix's tally won't reach them without complex network configuration.
| Scenario | vMix built-in tally | Cue Light |
|---|---|---|
| Crew on same WiFi as vMix PC | ✓ Works | ✓ Works |
| Crew on different network / 4G | ✗ Blocked | ✓ Works |
| Remote talent in a different city | ✗ Requires VPN or tunneling | ✓ Works by default |
| Director at venue, talent backstage | Depends on venue network | ✓ Always works |
| Setup time | Built into vMix | ~5 min with bridge script |
Cue Light reads your vMix tally state using a small bridge script on your vMix PC and displays it on any device anywhere.
Open cuelight.io and create a free room. You'll get a room code and a shareable display link for your camera operator.
Your camera operator opens the display link on their phone. It shows fullscreen green, red, or amber. The screen stays awake automatically — no manual brightness settings needed.
Download the lightweight bridge script (Python, ~50 lines). It polls the vMix HTTP API at localhost:8088 to detect which input is live, and sends the tally state to your Cue Light room automatically.
The script runs in the background on your vMix PC. No server to manage — it's a single Python file.
In the Cue Light dashboard, name each display slot to match your vMix inputs (Camera 1, Camera 2, etc.). When vMix switches live to Camera 1, that operator's phone turns red automatically.
The bridge handles all communication via the cloud. Your crew can be on 4G, at a remote venue, or in a different city. The tally reaches them wherever they are.
vMix API note: vMix exposes tally data via its HTTP API and TCP API (port 8099). The Cue Light bridge uses the HTTP API — no additional vMix configuration needed. Just enable the Web Controller in vMix settings (it's on by default).
Any production running vMix where crew can't rely on being on the same local network.
Large church buildings where camera operators are spread across the room, often on different WiFi access points.
Speakers backstage need to know when they're live before walking on stage — they can't be on the venue LAN.
Remote guests joining via video call need an on-air signal. vMix tally can't reach them — Cue Light can.
Multi-camera talking head productions in venues where you can't guarantee the same WiFi network for all crew.
Works where vMix's built-in tally can't reach. Free to start.