xdandev91x
New elf
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2020
- Messages
- 23
Thank you to all last year who got me through my first show!
Looking to scale up this year and redesign a few things. I've started looking into DMX and all the cool things which can be done with it. I am keen on adding moving heads, fog, snow and bubble machines eventually.
My understanding of DMX use in reference to the Falcon boards:
- DMX devices are daisy chained via DMX in and DMX out ports on each accessory. Terminate the end of the chain using a Terminator.
- I understand that there are multiple DMX cable ends (3 pin xlr, 5 pin xlr, rj45). I don't understand how the different standards interact or their implications (see below).
- DMX devices use 'channel's' to delineate and control functions (e.g. Channel 1 is pan, channel 2 to tilt, channel 3 is slow pan etc.)
- Different DMX devices may have different amounts of channels required, depending upon its functions.
- I have a maximum of 512 channels on one daisy chain, between 32 devices.
- Forum posts recommend halving to 16 devices to avoid issues.
- Don't use microphone cables even if it technically works for small distances.
My questions:
- How do the different standards of DMX work together?
- Can I use 3 pin, 5 pin or Rj45 port DMX accessories together on the Falcon DMX output? If yes, does this mean I just need to buy converters (or DIY an RJ45 cable to XLR end) as the cable ends go to different DMX device standards (i.e. Falcon (rj45) to 3pin xlr moving head to 5pin xlr smoke machine to 5pin xlr terminator)
- Some DMX devices explicitly mention DMX512 compatibility. Are these the only DMX devices I can use with Falcon boards or does this literally imply it simply has an RJ45 input in / out?
- Are there any other gotchas I should know before I buy these DMX devices?
Thanks peeps!
Looking to scale up this year and redesign a few things. I've started looking into DMX and all the cool things which can be done with it. I am keen on adding moving heads, fog, snow and bubble machines eventually.
My understanding of DMX use in reference to the Falcon boards:
- DMX devices are daisy chained via DMX in and DMX out ports on each accessory. Terminate the end of the chain using a Terminator.
- I understand that there are multiple DMX cable ends (3 pin xlr, 5 pin xlr, rj45). I don't understand how the different standards interact or their implications (see below).
- DMX devices use 'channel's' to delineate and control functions (e.g. Channel 1 is pan, channel 2 to tilt, channel 3 is slow pan etc.)
- Different DMX devices may have different amounts of channels required, depending upon its functions.
- I have a maximum of 512 channels on one daisy chain, between 32 devices.
- Forum posts recommend halving to 16 devices to avoid issues.
- Don't use microphone cables even if it technically works for small distances.
My questions:
- How do the different standards of DMX work together?
- Can I use 3 pin, 5 pin or Rj45 port DMX accessories together on the Falcon DMX output? If yes, does this mean I just need to buy converters (or DIY an RJ45 cable to XLR end) as the cable ends go to different DMX device standards (i.e. Falcon (rj45) to 3pin xlr moving head to 5pin xlr smoke machine to 5pin xlr terminator)
- Some DMX devices explicitly mention DMX512 compatibility. Are these the only DMX devices I can use with Falcon boards or does this literally imply it simply has an RJ45 input in / out?
- Are there any other gotchas I should know before I buy these DMX devices?
Thanks peeps!