The DMX2-24 can work either as a 12 string controller that lets you just run the same classic effect across all 12 or you can control from a pc via DMX (commonly via a usb dmx dongle). This allows you to synchronise the lights to music, do chases across the strings etc. The controller doesn't allow you to change the colour of the strings beyond the fixed colours the strings already do. You also can't do chases down the length of the string etc.
Appalling video but below video shows about a dozen 2 wire 2 channel icicles running from 2 dmx2-18 which pre-date the dmx2-24. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozX_3OKWvBs