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©Elation Professional® 17 impression™
7. UNDERSTANDING DMX
DMX-512: DMX is short for Digital Multiplex. This is a universal protocol used by most
lighting and controller manufactures as a form of communication between intelligent fixtures
and controllers. DMX allows all makes and models of different manufactures to be linked
together and operate from a single controller. This is possible as long as all the fixtures and
the controller are DMX compliant. A DMX controller sends the DMX data instructions to the
fixture allowing the user to control the different aspects of an intelligent light. DMX data is
sent out as serial data that travels from fixture to fixture via data “IN” and data “OUT” XLR
terminals located on the fixtures (most controllers will only have output jacks).
DMX Linking: To ensure proper DMX data transmission always use proper DMX cables and
a terminator. When using several DMX fixtures try to use the shortest cable path possible.
Never split a DMX line with a “Y” style connector. The order in which the fixtures are
connected in a DMX line does not influence the DMX addressing. For example; a fixture
assigned a DMX address of 1 may be placed anywhere in the DMX chain, at the beginning,
at the end, or anywhere in the middle. The DMX controller knows to send data assigned to
address 1 to that fixture no matter where it is located in the DMX chain. The Impression™
can be controlled via DMX-512 protocol. The Impression™ is a 14-channel DMX fixture. The
DMX address is set electronically using the controls on the LCD menu.
Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements (For DMX and Master/Slave Operation): Your
fixture and your DMX controller require a standard 3-pin or 5-pin XLR connector for data
input and data output (the figure on the next page is of a 3-Pin XLR connector). If you are
making your own cables, be sure to use two conductor shielded digital DMX cable (not
microphone cable) rated at 120 ohms; this cable is specifically designed for DMX
transmission and may be purchased from your Elation dealer or at most professional lighting
retailers. Your cables should be made with a male and female XLR connector on either end
of the cable. Also, remember that a DMX line must be daisy chained and cannot be split,
unless using an approved DMX splitter such as the Elation Opto Branch 4™ or DMX
Branch/4™.