by David 

What is DMX? DMX 512 for Lighting ExplainedLighting Console Layout for Events with Camera (A.K.A Every Event)

What is DMX?

When you’re beginning with lighting, it’s not going to be long before you have questions about DMX.

In lighting, DMX is everywhere, and it is how our lights get information on what to do from our consoles or software.

Whether you’re 100% new to lighting or have been around the block, it’s super-important to have an understanding of DMX so that you can set your lights up correctly and troubleshoot any problems that come up.

DMX can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

When you follow the rules, your gear will work great and be a blessing to you.

On the other hand, if you don’t follow the rules, you’ll run into some serious headaches and trouble!  Below, I cover the basic terms and information that you need to begin with DMX.  Then, we dive deeper and show you how to do some deeper level wiring, splitting and converting.  Let’s dive in!

What is DMX 512?

DMX512 stands for digital multiplex 512.  This means that 512 channels are controlled digitally through 1 data cable.

A channel is a set of 255 steps that are assigned to control attributes in each light.  This may be a color like red, green or blue, and intensity, strobe, pan/tilt or other attributes.

This is pretty incredible if you remember some old analog control systems where you had 1 pair of wires for each channel of the console!

I don’t miss those one bit!

Data is sent down this line via pulses of electricity from a lighting console, into your fixtures that are usually “daisy-chained” together.

This means that you plug the initial DMX cable into the first fixture, the “OUT” of the first fixture into the second fixture, etc, up to 32 fixtures maximum – more on that below.

DMX is not manufacturer specific.  DMX-controlled lights from any manufacturer can be controlled by any DMX console – even if that console is made by someone else. This is one of the biggest advantages of DMX and why it’s the standard that we use to control stage lighting today.

What is an address?

One of the first things you’ll have to do when you begin lighting is to address your fixtures.

An address is the location in the 512-channel universe that the DMX device begins.  Often, this is referred to as the “start address” since it is the first address that a given fixture uses.

If you have a one-channel device, like a single-colored light that simply turns on and off, then you can address the fixtures one right after another.  This would give you the first on address 1, the second on 2, etc.

Pretty simple.

However, if it is a multiple channel fixture, like an LED or moving light, you need to be sure and leave the total amount of channels the fixture takes open before patching the next fixture.

Not quite as simple!

So, if you have a 3-channel fixture starting at channel 28, the next open address would be address 31.

If you don’t do this, you’ll be trying to control one light, and another one may start doing something you did not expect!

While this might sound like you’re headed out to do a bunch of math – never fear! Your console or software likely will handle all the number-crunching for you in the “Patch” screen. Do this before you address your lights.

What is a Universe?

If you’ve been reading this article thus far, you’ve heard me mention Universes, but also maybe noticed that I haven’t told you how to assign them!

DMX stage lighting

A universe of DMX is 512 channels of output from the console.

When you finish out the first universe of 512, you move over to the 2nd universe and restart at address 1.

Some consoles will continue the numbering scheme with the 2nd universe at 513-1024, while many will simply note each universe with a letter or number, and then the address – an example being “1.214” or “a.214” for a light on address 214 of the first universe.

On the back of your lighting console, you may see writing that says “Universe 1”, “Universe 2”, or “DMX A”, “DMX B”, etc. These are the DMX universe output ports.

Universes can’t be combined together, and each universe needs its own DMX cable run. When it comes down to your lights – they don’t know what a universe is, and quite frankly, they don’t care.

Each universe is “identical” looking to a light – it’s just happy to have DMX signal. That’s why it’s important to wire the correct universe up to your lights because they will not respond as you desire when they’re receiving the wrong universe!

How Do I Wire DMX?

In general, you begin at your console, and wire each fixture, looping through in a “daisy-chain”.

However, sometimes you need to split your signal or need to convert 3-pin to 5 pin DMX.   Get all the details and a video explanation on this page – my complete guide to wiring DMX!

Can I Use Mic Cable for DMX Lighting?

This is a biggie, and a big debate in the lighting community.  While manufacturers and many professionals will tell you to never, ever use microphone cable for DMX lighting, it still does work, doesn’t it?

On this page, I get to the bottom of this debate, and why you need to use real DMX cable in your lighting, even if mic cable seems to work okay!  This post is very important and will save you many headaches if you are considering using mic cable for DMX!

What are the limitations of DMX 512?

DMX is a great protocol to run our lights, but it can’t do everything.

One rule, which I mentioned above, is that you can’t have more than 32 devices on 1 DMX cable run.

What’s the deal with that?

As the DMX signal moves through your lights, it loses signal strength over time. At some point, it will become too weak to be reliable.

According to the specification, that is at 32 fixtures.

In real life, that number can vary from slightly lower than 32 to much higher, depending on a variety of factors.

I typically won’t go over 16 fixtures myself, just to be on the safe side.  Remember: When lights are hung in a position that you require a ladder or lift to troubleshoot a data issue, play it safe and keep your numbers down!

While you can technically run DMX signal for 1800 feet, I’ve found that anything over 500 feet gets a little scary and can get flaky depending on the number of fixtures attached.

The good news is that if you do begin to have signal problems, you can always split and boost your signal to solve them!

DMX Splitting and Boosting

If you have too many lights for a single daisy-chain, but haven’t filled up your universe yet, you can buy a DMX Splitter, also known as a DMX opto-split or DMX repeater.  (Here’s my review of my favorite low-cost DMX splitter)

This is the only way to split your DMX feed into more lines, and each output of the splitter can send data to 32 devices, allowing you to expand your capabilities.

If you try to do a passive split (a y-cable), then your DMX signal will get very weak very fast and you will have problems.

If a fixture has both 3-pin and 5-pin connectors, connecting to both on the output side is a passive split and will cause problems, but you can go into the fixture 3-pin and out 5-pin, or vice versa, which is a handy trick to save on adapter usage!

Another thing to note is that sometimes you may run into a piece of equipment that doesn’t play well with others.

Some cheaper fixtures can go into an automated mode when they lose data and send out funky data to other fixtures down the line.  You certainly don’t want that in the middle of your show!

A DMX splitter will isolate those fixtures onto their own lines so that they don’t cause any problems with other fixtures.  It’s a good tool to keep in your back pocket for emergencies!

Learn more about splitting, merging and converting DMX signal here!

Got DMX Problems?

One of the top reasons that people land on this page is because they are facing a DMX problem.

DMX problems can manifest themselves in a few ways.  It may be that your lights aren’t working at all, or perhaps they’re not doing the correct thing!

Either way, read this page which will help you get to the bottom of your problems and get you on your way to a great show!

What about RDM, Art-Net, and sACN?

Art-Net and sACN
Learn more about Art-Net and sACN here!

These days, you don’t have to hang around lighting people for long before hearing these terms, but what do they mean?

RDM stands for remote device management and is a cool way to change “menu settings” on your lights from afar.  Learn more about RDM with my complete guide here!

While we’re not totally to the “self-addressing rig” yet, we’re getting there, and that’s exciting!

Art-Net and sACN, on the other hand, are ways to send your DMX data over a network.  Both have their pluses and minuses, and I’ve prepared a complete guide over here!

Whether you’re just beginning with DMX or wanting to dive deeper, I’m glad you’ve found this article.  Be sure to poke around this site, and sign up for the free guide that I have for you below, and keep learning about light!

About the author 

David

  • Hi David, I just stumbled across your site and wondering if you can help this beginner out with some info!!

    I do stage plays. Would like to invest in a simple small scale DMX lighting system where I can have an automated lighting design that changes the lights in timely sequences. For example: Acting scene 1 lasts for 4-5 minutes. Acting scene 2 lasts about 8 mins. And the lights automatically change according to this type of design/time frames. This way I can present both ACT 1 & 2 in it’s entirety in a non-stop fashion.

    If this is possible is there an inexpensive way to do this? If so, any DMX system suggestions?

    THANKS…
    [email protected]

  • Hey David! I love your website. I have a question, and I’m not sure where else to go… I’m such a beginner, I’m not even sure if my question will make sense.

    I’m a musician and music teacher who recently took over teaching Drama at my school. I acted in plays all through high school and college, and am good with audio mixers, but am totally new to Lighting. Your website and a few other online resources got me up to speed and I’m feeling great!

    However, my school has this bizarre lighting setup, and everyone assumed it didn’t work for the longest time. Turns out, they just didn’t know how to use them.

    We have 3 color LED Scanners (#1 – 3) on the left side of the theater, and 3 on the right (#4 – 6). I set the channel (?) numbers on the back of each LED light to 1, 13, 25, 37, 49, and 61. For most of the lights, this put the dimmer (brightness) on channel 1, Red on Channel 2, Green on Channel 3, and Blue on Channel 4.

    Light #4 is a different brand, though… for some reason, on the control board, Light #4 channel 1 is the dimmer, Channel 5 is Red, 6 is Green, and 7 is Blue.

    I can remember this well enough, but it’s a little confusing when I train students how to use it. I have tried changing the channels and doing everything I can to adjust this 4th light to behave like the others, but to no avail.

    Is there a setting on the “off-brand” one that I can change to make it behave more like the other lights? or is the fact I’m using different brand LED lights inherently the problem?

    Any advice is very appreciated

    • Hi James,

      There is a good chance that you won’t be able to change the “off-brand” light to match your other lights exactly.

      IF it is possible, it will be called the “patch” function inside of your console. Check your console’s manual to see if it has the ability to “patch” or move channels to different faders to your liking.

      If your console can do this, then you can re-arrange the faders to match the other fixtures (at least mostly – since the fixtures are different).

      Thanks!
      -David

  • David,

    Good stuff. I am looking at sending DMX over Cat5 using a Sescom adapter, just to avoid a long DMX cable. I’ll use standard DMX cables between fixtures. Have you ever done this?

  • My husband and I are assisting our show choir director in creating stage pieces for their competition performances. This means the pieces must be somewhat lightweight, portable, and easy to dismantle quickly. She wants to create five separate lighting screens (four 18″x7′ and one 18″x9′) with color changing, easily programmable lighting behind them. The idea is to change the screen colors based on the musical number. We are prepared for the screens; unfortunately, we do not even know where to begin with the lighting equipment. We are not knowledgeable regarding lighting lingo or equipment. We have no idea what we need. It is a public school so there is a limited budget. Can you give up suggestions?

    • Hi Denise,

      I don’t have a ton of information to go off of, but I know a good bit about show choirs and how that world works. For something like this, I’d probably recommend some Chauvet Freedom Pars ( http://amzn.to/2AcJLGK ) with a Enttec DMXIS PC controller: http://amzn.to/2krE0hQ

      You can go less expensive, but the tough part is the quick setup. That’s why I specified all wireless and battery-powered units – you could do this with some Chauvet wired Slimpars for a lot less ($115 per light + cables).

      Thanks!
      -David

  • Hi there,

    I recently got my hands on a rather analog Chauvet Obey 40 controller as I am working on a theatre project for youths with special needs. I have read all the tutorials and instructions to chase modes and all, but what I really want to do is to fade between different static scenes. The shows I work on are not complex, but I can’t find any information as to how to programme fade time into the scenes so that a young crew member can just press the scene buttons and change the ambience. Hope I haven’t gotten the wrong type of product, please help!

    Best regards

  • Dear Someone!
    I am interested in a dmx light controller that works.
    I have already bought something that is good for nothing. This is a device called marq sceniq 1.
    My need is as follows
    1 Light effect can be edited for music.
    1 There should be no restrictions in the control program.
    3 Do not freeze the computer.
    4 The control program should have a user-friendly interface.
    Can they help you?

    Yours sincerely, Vilmos Pászti

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