The INs and OUTs of DMX

   DMX-512 stands for Digital Multiplex that can control up to 512 channels in a lighting system. These channels are what make up the control operation per fixture. Each fixture has an assigned amount of channels to make it change functions built into the unit. The amounts vary on the fixture, for example a 4 channel dimmer pack would only use 4 channels, where as a Q Spot 200 Yoke can have up to 14.

   The trick to have more fixtures than the allowed channels on the controller is to pair the fixtures, or simply address them to be the same. Addressing is done by selecting a code to correspond to the controller's set channels grouping. If you have 50 yoke's and set them all to be the same address, then all 50 would do the exact same thing. For instance on a Chauvet Obey40, there are 12 groupings called scanners. Each scanner holds 16 channels that operate the fixture.

Fixture	Channel	Dip switch set to ON	Digital
1	1-16	0 or 1	1
2	17-32	1,5	17
3	33-48	1,6	33
4	49-64	1,5,6	49
5	64-80	1,7	65
6	81-96	1,5,7	81
7	97-112	1,6,7	97
8	113-128	1,5,6,7	113
9	129-144	1,8	129
10	145-160	1,5,8	145
11	161-176	1,6,8	161
12	177-192	1,5,6,8	177

   There are 2 basic types of DMX control we offer; table top hands on console with multiple sliders and bump keys, and then a PC software control system. A beginner would be suitable to learn DMX from a console style like a Chauvet Obey10 with easy to read sliders and keys to program for automatic operation. Getting into advanced operators a ShowXpress PC user interface would allow onscreen control and a vast amount of creativity with the Stage Creation program. Although we have seen many advanced DMX users in the field not know how to program a table top console but learn the PC software in a day. So it's up to the user's level of understanding the key basics of programming in deciding to go with a table top board or PC style interface.