DMX controllers for choreographed lighting control
DMX lighting control desks, or DMX controllers, enable centralised lighting control of all lighting components. Depending on the features of spotlights and other DMX devices like fog machines, different parameters must be continuously adjusted or altered, such as static colours and scenic intensity, as well as other functions including motorised focus adjustments, pan/tilt movements, automated program retrieval, and customised chases, to name just a few. If you are looking to buy DMX controllers or DMX lighting control desks, you will have all the tools needed to adjust the colour scene or brightness with a simple fader movement or the push of a button, and you can even use spotlights to follow performers on stage.
DMX as a standardised digital language across devices
DMX512 is a standardised protocol for transmitting digital control data within lighting technology. While this might sound somewhat pretentious and complex, it is essentially a unified language that allows two digital devices to communicate as sender and receiver. The standardisation of this data protocol across virtually every device allows a single "sender", such as a DMX controller, to control multiple spotlights, effects, and other components, provided that these are equipped with a DMX interface.
Priced for different requirements
DMX controllers are available in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from compact and affordable designs to extensively equipped and correspondingly expensive models. The number of spotlights and intended use will primarily determine which device is right for you. For example, mobile entertainers may opt for compact, user-friendly solutions, while professional event technicians working in theatres or at festivals with massive light shows will be looking for extensive features and an organised overview of zones, faders, and buttons. While standard operations may only require a few scenes, larger-scale productions typically involve pre-programmed shows that still allow manual access to scenes for insertion. To satisfy this requirement, the relevant control desks must include an *SD slot, allowing shows to be imported.
Available and required DMX channels
The DMX512 is typically referred to using the colloquial term "DMX". The "512" represents the number of DMX channels available within a DMX universe. It is worth mentioning at this point that DMX controllers with only 256 channels, for example, also operate to the DMX512 protocol. The number of controllable devices is determined by the number of channels required by the individual spotlights. For example, a simple DMX-PAR spotlight typically requires fewer DMX channels than a moving head. While a static spotlight only needs sufficient channels to control colours, colour transitions, and any automated programs, moving heads require additional channels to perform rotational movements and other functions. The maximum number of controllable lights is primarily determined by the number of control circuits needed for the spotlights rather than by the DMX controller itself. When buying a DMX control desk, you should therefore first calculate how many DMX channels your spotlights require.
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