diff --git a/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h b/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
index a666639f..95026ca8 100644
--- a/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
+++ b/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
       temperature = -127.0f; // default to -127, DS18B20 only goes down to -50C
       if (enabled) {
         // config says we are enabled
-        DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Allocating temperature pin..."));
+        USER_PRINTLN(F("Finding temperature pin..."));
         // pin retrieved from cfg.json (readFromConfig()) prior to running setup()
         if (temperaturePin >= 0 && pinManager.allocatePin(temperaturePin, true, PinOwner::UM_Temperature)) {
           oneWire = new OneWire(temperaturePin);
@@ -175,13 +175,14 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
           }
         } else {
           if (temperaturePin >= 0) {
-            DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Temperature pin allocation failed."));
+            USER_PRINTLN(F("Temperature pin allocation failed."));
           }
           temperaturePin = -1;  // allocation failed
         }
       }
       lastMeasurement = millis() - readingInterval + 10000;
       initDone = true;
+      USER_PRINTLN(F("temperature usermod initialized."));
     }
 
     void loop() {
diff --git a/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h b/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
index 5cce050f..0a0c1d05 100644
--- a/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
+++ b/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
@@ -1302,9 +1302,11 @@ class AudioReactive : public Usermod {
       #ifdef WLED_DEBUG
         DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("AR: Failed to initialize sound input driver. Please check input PIN settings."));
       #else
-        ERRORSR_PRINTLN(F("AR: Failed to initialize sound input driver. Please check input PIN settings."));
+        USER_PRINTLN(F("AR: Failed to initialize sound input driver. Please check input PIN settings."));
       #endif
         disableSoundProcessing = true;
+      } else {
+        USER_PRINTLN(F("AR: sound input driver initialized successfully."));        
       }
 
       if (enabled) connectUDPSoundSync();
diff --git a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display/usermod_v2_four_line_display.h b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display/usermod_v2_four_line_display.h
index ac65508b..c3e9667f 100644
--- a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display/usermod_v2_four_line_display.h
+++ b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display/usermod_v2_four_line_display.h
@@ -177,9 +177,9 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
         isHW = (ioPin[0]==i2c_scl && ioPin[1]==i2c_sda);
         //isHW = true;
         if (isHW) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C;  // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins
-        if (ioPin[0] < 0 || ioPin[1] < 0)  { type=NONE; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid
+        if (ioPin[0] < 0 || ioPin[1] < 0)  { type=NONE; enabled = false; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid
         PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { { ioPin[0], true }, { ioPin[1], true } };
-        if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { type=NONE; return; }
+        if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { type=NONE; enabled = false; return; }
       }
 
       DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Allocating display."));
@@ -224,14 +224,14 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
       }
 
       if (nullptr == u8x8) {
-          DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Display init failed."));
+          USER_PRINTLN(F("Display init failed."));
           pinManager.deallocateMultiplePins((const uint8_t*)ioPin, (type == SSD1306_SPI || type == SSD1306_SPI64) ? 5 : 2, po);
           type = NONE;
           return;
       }
 
       initDone = true;
-      DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Starting display."));
+      USER_PRINTLN(F("Starting display."));
       /*if (!(type == SSD1306_SPI || type == SSD1306_SPI64))*/ u8x8->setBusClock(ioFrequency);  // can be used for SPI too
       u8x8->begin();
       setFlipMode(flip);
diff --git a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
index 79fef942..9474faab 100644
--- a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
+++ b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
@@ -339,8 +339,8 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
         // isHW = true;
         if (isHW) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C;  // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins
         PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { {ioPin[0], true }, { ioPin[1], true } };
-        if (ioPin[0] < 0 || ioPin[1] < 0)  { type=NONE; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid
-        if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { type=NONE; return; }
+        if (ioPin[0] < 0 || ioPin[1] < 0)  { type=NONE; enabled=false; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid
+        if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { type=NONE; enabled=false; return; }
       }
 
       DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Allocating display."));
@@ -418,14 +418,14 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
       }
 
       if (nullptr == u8x8) {
-          DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Display init failed."));
+          USER_PRINTLN(F("Display init failed."));
           pinManager.deallocateMultiplePins((const uint8_t*)ioPin, isSPI ? 5 : 2, po);
           type = NONE;
           return;
       }
 
       lineHeight = u8x8->getRows() > 4 ? 2 : 1;
-      DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Starting display."));
+      USER_PRINTLN(F("Starting display."));
       u8x8->setBusClock(ioFrequency);  // can be used for SPI too
       u8x8->begin();
       setFlipMode(flip);
diff --git a/wled00/fcn_declare.h b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
index ab975711..fbee0fdb 100644
--- a/wled00/fcn_declare.h
+++ b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
@@ -369,6 +369,7 @@ void clearEEPROM();
 //wled_serial.cpp
 void handleSerial();
 void updateBaudRate(uint32_t rate);
+bool canUseSerial(void);   // WLEDMM returns true if Serial can be used for debug output (i.e. not configured for other purpose)
 
 //wled_server.cpp
 bool isIp(String str);
diff --git a/wled00/pin_manager.cpp b/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
index 7dc69d0f..00dbfa4d 100644
--- a/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
@@ -300,6 +300,8 @@ bool PinManagerClass::allocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type * mptArray, by
       DEBUG_PRINT(gpio);
       DEBUG_PRINT(" as "); DEBUG_PRINT(mptArray[i].isOutput ? "output": "input"); // WLEDMM
       DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(""));
+      #else  // WLEDMM
+      USER_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC: cannot use GPIO%d for %s.\n", gpio, mptArray[i].isOutput ? "output": "input");
       #endif
       if ((gpio < WLED_NUM_PINS) && (gpio >= 0) && (tag != PinOwner::None)) {
         ownerConflict[gpio] = tag; // WLEDMM record conflict
@@ -317,6 +319,8 @@ bool PinManagerClass::allocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type * mptArray, by
       DEBUG_PRINT(F(" already allocated by "));
       DebugPrintOwnerTag(ownerTag[gpio]);
       DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(""));
+      #else  // WLEDMM
+      USER_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC: failed to assign GPIO%d to %s.\n", gpio, getOwnerText(tag).c_str());
       #endif
       shouldFail = true;
     }
@@ -375,6 +379,10 @@ bool PinManagerClass::allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output, PinOwner tag)
         DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(" - HW I2C & SPI pins have to be allocated using allocateMultiplePins()"));
       }
     }
+    #else  // WLEDMM
+      if (gpio < 255) { 
+        USER_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC: cannot use GPIO%d for %s.\n", gpio, output ? "output": "input");
+      }
     #endif
     return false;
   }
@@ -386,6 +394,8 @@ bool PinManagerClass::allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output, PinOwner tag)
     DEBUG_PRINT(F(" already allocated by "));
     DebugPrintOwnerTag(ownerTag[gpio]);
     DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(""));
+    #else  // WLEDMM
+    USER_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC: failed to assign GPIO%d to %s.\n", gpio, getOwnerText(tag).c_str());
     #endif
     return false;
   }
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index 8d44efec..966e8d76 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
         #ifdef ESP32
         if (((buttonType[i] == BTN_TYPE_ANALOG) || (buttonType[i] == BTN_TYPE_ANALOG_INVERTED)) && (digitalPinToAnalogChannel(btnPin[i]) < 0)) { // WLEDMM
           // not an ADC analog pin
-          DEBUG_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC error: GPIO%d for analog button #%d is not an analog pin!\n", btnPin[i], i);
+          USER_PRINTF("PIN ALLOC error: GPIO%d for analog button #%d is not an analog pin!\n", btnPin[i], i);
           btnPin[i] = -1;
           pinManager.deallocatePin(hw_btn_pin,PinOwner::Button);
         } else { // WLEDMM end
diff --git a/wled00/wled.cpp b/wled00/wled.cpp
index 9ebc4fd3..0a836b79 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled.cpp
@@ -279,12 +279,16 @@ void WLED::setup()
   #if defined(WLED_DEBUG) && (defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S2) || defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32C3))
   delay(2500);  // allow CDC USB serial to initialise
   #endif
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN();
-  DEBUG_PRINT(F("---WLED "));
-  DEBUG_PRINT(versionString);
-  DEBUG_PRINT(" ");
-  DEBUG_PRINT(VERSION);
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(" INIT---"));
+  USER_PRINTLN();
+  USER_PRINT(F("---WLED "));
+  USER_PRINT(versionString);
+  USER_PRINT(" ");
+  USER_PRINT(VERSION);
+  USER_PRINTLN(F(" INIT---"));
+  #ifdef WLED_RELEASE_NAME
+  USER_PRINTF("WLEDMM_%s %s\n", versionString, releaseString); // WLEDMM specific
+  #endif
+
 #ifdef ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32
   DEBUG_PRINT(F("esp32 "));
   DEBUG_PRINTLN(ESP.getSdkVersion());
@@ -354,20 +358,21 @@ void WLED::setup()
   pinManager.allocatePin(2, true, PinOwner::DMX);
 #endif
 
+  USER_PRINTLN();
   DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Registering usermods ..."));
   registerUsermods();
 
   for (uint8_t i=1; i<WLED_MAX_BUTTONS; i++) btnPin[i] = -1;
 
   bool fsinit = false;
-  DEBUGFS_PRINTLN(F("Mount FS"));
+  DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Mount FS"));
 #ifdef ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32
   fsinit = WLED_FS.begin(true);
 #else
   fsinit = WLED_FS.begin();
 #endif
   if (!fsinit) {
-    DEBUGFS_PRINTLN(F("FS failed!"));
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("FS failed!"));
     errorFlag = ERR_FS_BEGIN;
   } 
 #ifdef WLED_ADD_EEPROM_SUPPORT
@@ -398,7 +403,7 @@ void WLED::setup()
   DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Initializing strip"));
   beginStrip();
 
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Usermods setup"));
+  USER_PRINTLN(F("Usermods setup ..."));
   userSetup();
   usermods.setup();
 
@@ -472,15 +477,14 @@ void WLED::setup()
   #endif
 
   // WLEDMM : dump GPIO infos (experimental, UI integration pending)
-  #ifdef WLED_DEBUG
-  Serial.println(F("WLED initialization completed."));
-  Serial.println(F("\nGPIO\t| Assigned to\t\t| Info"));
-  Serial.println(F("--------|-----------------------|------------"));
+  //#ifdef WLED_DEBUG
+  USER_PRINTLN(F("\nGPIO\t| Assigned to\t\t| Info"));
+  USER_PRINTLN(F("--------|-----------------------|------------"));
   for(int pinNr = 0; pinNr < WLED_NUM_PINS; pinNr++) { // 49 = highest PIN on ESP32-S3
     if(pinManager.isPinOk(pinNr, false)) {
-      if ((!pinManager.isPinAllocated(pinNr)) && (pinManager.getPinSpecialText(pinNr).length() == 0)) continue;      // comment out to include no-name,unused GPIO pins
+      //if ((!pinManager.isPinAllocated(pinNr)) && (pinManager.getPinSpecialText(pinNr).length() == 0)) continue;      // un-comment to hide no-name,unused GPIO pins
       bool is_inOut = pinManager.isPinOk(pinNr, true);
-      Serial.printf("%s  %2d\t  %-17s %s\t  %s\n", 
+      USER_PRINTF("%s  %2d\t  %-17s %s\t  %s\n", 
           (is_inOut?"i/o":"in "), 
           pinNr, 
           pinManager.getPinOwnerText(pinNr).c_str(),
@@ -489,8 +493,16 @@ void WLED::setup()
       );
     }
   }
-  Serial.println();
+  USER_PRINTLN(F("WLED initialization done.\n"));
+  delay(50);
+  // repeat Ada prompt
+  #ifdef WLED_ENABLE_ADALIGHT
+  if (!pinManager.isPinAllocated(hardwareRX) && !pinManager.isPinAllocated(hardwareTX)) {
+    Serial.println(F("Ada"));
+  }
   #endif
+
+  //#endif
   // WLEDMM end
 }
 
@@ -527,8 +539,8 @@ void WLED::initAP(bool resetAP)
     WLED_SET_AP_SSID();
     strcpy_P(apPass, PSTR(WLED_AP_PASS));
   }
-  DEBUG_PRINT(F("Opening access point "));
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN(apSSID);
+  USER_PRINT(F("Opening access point "));  // WLEDMM
+  USER_PRINTLN(apSSID);                    // WLEDMM
   WiFi.softAPConfig(IPAddress(4, 3, 2, 1), IPAddress(4, 3, 2, 1), IPAddress(255, 255, 255, 0));
   WiFi.softAP(apSSID, apPass, apChannel, apHide);
 
@@ -631,7 +643,7 @@ bool WLED::initEthernet()
   }
 
   successfullyConfiguredEthernet = true;
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("initC: *** Ethernet successfully configured! ***"));
+  USER_PRINTLN(F("initC: *** Ethernet successfully configured! ***"));  // WLEDMM
   return true;
 #else
   return false; // Ethernet not enabled for build
@@ -660,7 +672,7 @@ void WLED::initConnection()
   lastReconnectAttempt = millis();
 
   if (!WLED_WIFI_CONFIGURED) {
-    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("No connection configured."));
+    USER_PRINTLN(F("No WiFi connection configured."));  // WLEDMM
     if (!apActive) initAP();        // instantly go to ap mode
     return;
   } else if (!apActive) {
@@ -675,9 +687,9 @@ void WLED::initConnection()
   }
   showWelcomePage = false;
 
-  DEBUG_PRINT(F("Connecting to "));
-  DEBUG_PRINT(clientSSID);
-  DEBUG_PRINTLN("...");
+  USER_PRINT(F("Connecting to "));
+  USER_PRINT(clientSSID);
+  USER_PRINTLN("...");
 
   // convert the "serverDescription" into a valid DNS hostname (alphanumeric)
   char hostname[25];
@@ -728,7 +740,7 @@ void WLED::initInterfaces()
     MDNS.end();
     MDNS.begin(cmDNS);
 
-    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("mDNS started"));
+    USER_PRINTLN(F("mDNS started."));
     MDNS.addService("http", "tcp", 80);
     MDNS.addService("wled", "tcp", 80);
     MDNS.addServiceTxt("wled", "tcp", "mac", escapedMac.c_str());
@@ -807,7 +819,7 @@ void WLED::handleConnection()
     }
   }
   if (forceReconnect) {
-    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Forcing reconnect."));
+    USER_PRINTLN(F("Forcing reconnect."));
     initConnection();
     interfacesInited = false;
     forceReconnect = false;
@@ -816,7 +828,7 @@ void WLED::handleConnection()
   }
   if (!Network.isConnected()) {
     if (interfacesInited) {
-      DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Disconnected!"));
+      USER_PRINTLN(F("Disconnected!"));
       interfacesInited = false;
       initConnection();
     }
@@ -836,8 +848,8 @@ void WLED::handleConnection()
     }
   } else if (!interfacesInited) { //newly connected
     DEBUG_PRINTLN("");
-    DEBUG_PRINT(F("Connected! IP address: "));
-    DEBUG_PRINTLN(Network.localIP());
+    USER_PRINT(F("Connected! IP address: "));
+    USER_PRINTLN(Network.localIP());
     if (improvActive) {
       if (improvError == 3) sendImprovStateResponse(0x00, true);
       sendImprovStateResponse(0x04);
@@ -853,7 +865,7 @@ void WLED::handleConnection()
       dnsServer.stop();
       WiFi.softAPdisconnect(true);
       apActive = false;
-      DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Access point disabled (handle)."));
+      USER_PRINTLN(F("Access point disabled (handle)."));
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 196d4e98..40aa0f4a 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -715,6 +715,20 @@ WLED_GLOBAL volatile uint8_t jsonBufferLock _INIT(0);
   #define DEBUG_PRINTF(x...)
 #endif
 
+// WLEDMM: macros to print "user messages" to Serial
+#ifdef WLED_DEBUG
+  // use DEBUG_PRINT
+  #define USER_PRINT(x) DEBUG_PRINT(x)
+  #define USER_PRINTLN(x) DEBUG_PRINTLN(x)
+  #define USER_PRINTF(x...) DEBUG_PRINTF(x)
+#else
+  // check if serial is availeable, then use Serial.print directly
+  #define USER_PRINT(x)      { if (canUseSerial()) {Serial.print(x);   Serial.flush();}}
+  #define USER_PRINTLN(x)    { if (canUseSerial()) {Serial.println(x); Serial.flush();}}
+  #define USER_PRINTF(x...)  { if (canUseSerial()) {Serial.printf(x);  Serial.flush();}}
+#endif
+// WLEDMM end
+
 #ifdef WLED_DEBUG_FS
   #define DEBUGFS_PRINT(x) DEBUGOUT.print(x)
   #define DEBUGFS_PRINTLN(x) DEBUGOUT.println(x)
diff --git a/wled00/wled_serial.cpp b/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
index 2f457887..de030684 100644
--- a/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
@@ -67,6 +67,18 @@ void sendBytes(){
   }  
 }
 
+bool canUseSerial(void) {   // WLEDMM returns true if Serial can be used for debug output (i.e. not configured for other purpose)
+  if (pinManager.isPinAllocated(hardwareTX) && (pinManager.getPinOwner(hardwareTX) != PinOwner::DebugOut)) 
+    return false;  // TX allocated to LEDs or other functions
+  if ((realtimeMode == REALTIME_MODE_GENERIC) ||  (realtimeMode == REALTIME_MODE_ADALIGHT) || (realtimeMode == REALTIME_MODE_TPM2NET)) 
+    return false;  // Serial in use for adaLight or other serial communication
+  //if ((improvActive == 1) || (improvActive == 2)) return false; // don't interfere when IMPROV communication is ongoing
+  if (improvActive > 0) return false;              // don't interfere when IMPROV communication is ongoing
+  if (continuousSendLED == true) return false;     // Continuous Serial Streaming
+
+  return true;
+} // WLEDMM end
+
 void handleSerial()
 {
   if (pinManager.isPinAllocated(hardwareRX)) return;