SourceRaver Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thought I’d just put together some basics on intelligent lighting for those of you who like to set up your own lighting shows...DMX 512DMX lighting fixtures are all connected together in series (or daisy chained) via a DMX cable and are usually controlled by a lighting desk. DMX controllers send out discreet packages of information to all the fixtures in the chain. As each fixture can be given a unique address, only those fixtures with the correct address will respond to commands from the lighting controller.DMX fixtures can operate on a number of channels in that each channel represents a different function performed by the light. One channel may represent brightness (i.e. intensity) and others may change the colour or gobo (shape of the projected image). Some lighting fixtures such as the MAC 700 can have over 30 channels! A DMX system works on 512 channels in that if you add up all the channels for your individual fixtures, they can’t be more than 512.The output form a DMX desk is usually via a DMX cable but in most cases a normal XLR cable (i.e. microphone cable) will do the job. Some DMX equipment require a 5 pin cable but as the 4th and 5th pin aren’t used, a 5 pin to 3 pin adaptor will work fine. For large installations, when the DMX signal reaches the end of the chain, it sometimes ‘bounces’ back resulting in the lights behaving strangely. In this case you would use an inexpensive DMX terminator on the end of the chain to stop the signal in its track.DMX CONTROLLERSDMX controllers vary in size and price. You can either opt for a dedicated lighting desk, or use a USB to DMX dongle and control your lights with a computer. A good example of the USB dongle is the Enttec USB Pro:http://www.enttec.com/index.php?main_me ... escriptionYou can buy the dongle for around $300 and then download some free software from the net to control your lights. An excellent example is a program called Freestyler:http://users.telenet.be/freestylerdmx/Freestyler has all the options you need as a DJ and is a great platform for creating lighting shows. It also comes with a free 3D visualiser that allows you to program a show in 3D on a virtual stage without ever actually having to set up your gear.SWITCHPACKOk...so you have already have a bunch of lighting that isn’t DMX controlled. That’s OK as you can buy a switchpack that basically acts as a DMX controlled power board. The switchpack responds to a DMX signal by allowing power to pass through a standard 10 amp plug. You can use a switchpack to remotely control pretty much any non DMX lighting fixture but only to turn them on or off.DIMMERA dimmer acts much the same way as switchpack but allows you to vary the amount of power going to the fixture. They work well with floods and par cans (but not LED floods or par cans!). Dimmers are sometimes also connected to a chaser. A chaser automatically varies the amount of power sent to the dimmer. The chaser may be triggered by sound or have built in sequences so that the lights (e.g. par cans) turn on and off in a specific order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyblue Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 man, Nice write up! Very informative! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pill Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Where would you reccommend to get this dongle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupe Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Where would you reccommend to get this dongle?Not from kings cross! JKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabRat Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 those 3D lighting design programs are PRO! best guide ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pill Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I'd never buy any kind of dongle from King's Cross, no matter what shape or how many buttons it had But in reality does anyone know a distributor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andythemusician Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I'd never buy any kind of dongle from King's Cross, no matter what shape or how many buttons it had But in reality does anyone know a distributor?Head Office Address:ENTTEC Pty LtdUnit 17/5 Samantha Court Knoxfield 3180Australia Tel: +61 3 9763 5755 Fax: +61 3 9763 5688 Found that on their website: http://www.enttec.com/?main_menu=ContactI think I've seen the ENTTEC dongle on eBay too.A venue I work at got it as part of a full installation from Lightmoves in Noble Park, Victoria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pill Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Alright have found a supplier in Perth, turns out the one that uses your computer's cpu as a procesor is around $100, or $250 for the one with its own microprocessor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siker Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 thanks for that, it has explained alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodderz Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 Get the $250 one.Those entecs are good little units. We use them at work a fair bit.Great for doing a lot of presets. Look to use MagicQ software with it as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andythemusician Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 Yeah make sure you know what software you are wanting to use first, as some software requires certain dongles, and won't work with others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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