The DMX lighting controller represents the ability to adjust the intensity, color, and other characteristics of light. If you are new to lighting, you won’t have to wait long to be introduced to DMX. DMX is also called Digital Multiplex, and it’s a protocol that allows you to control lights, fog machines, or other devices in a performance setting. DMX controllers transmit the messages to the lights that will create the best lighting show at your venue.
Dimer is an example of a lighting control. Lighting a stage correctly requires skill. When colors and shapes are put together and flow in a set correctly, they create a sensory experience that makes the rest of the stage stand out. This requires a great deal of coordination. During performances, there can be hundreds or even dozens, of light sources. Almost all automated lighting fixtures can communicate with each other using the DMX controller. You can use different controllers to control a variety of lights using this digital “language.” DMX can be sent between devices using Ethernet standards.
This article will describe what a DMX control is and how to use it in order to create the best possible lighting for your next event.
What is a DMX lighting controller?
DMX is a digital standard for controlling lighting and effects. The brain of the DMX is the controller, such as a desk, console, and playback. Because of its features, you may connect devices in minutes rather than running individual cables from each one. In other words, DM is a digital, user-friendly technique for connecting and controlling lighting and other effects. It refers to the user’s ability to completely control their LED lighting systems. Nowadays, the DMX console has built-in a varied range of LED lights.
List of Top 5 DMX lighting controller in China
1: Shenzhen Leynew Technology
Shenzhen Leynew Technology Company is specializes in LED controllers for high-tech companies. Leynew is established in 2005. So, it was one of the first enterprises in China to specialize in LED lighting technology research and development. Leynew has more than 10 years of experience.
WiFi LED Controller
DMX digital dial decoder
Wireless remote
Wireless charger
2: Shenzhen Sperll Optoelectronic Technology
Shenzhen Sperll Optoelectronic Technology is a company that integrates independent development, sales, and service for intelligent LED control systems. Sperll is a leading provider of DMX lighting controllers.
Basic Colorful LED Controller
Bluetooth Colorful LED Controller
WiFi Colorful LED Controller
RF Colorful Remote Controller
3: Igracelite
Igracelite is a leading supplier of LED strip lights, LED neon lights, and LED controllers in China. The company was founded in 2014.
A cold spark machine
LED dance floor
LED moving light
LED par light
DMX controllers
4: Futlight Optoelectronics Co
Futlight Optoelectronics Company is a high-tech company. It is located in Shenzhen. They manufacture different products.
Remote
Controller
Bulb
Garden Light
Floodlight
Wall Washer
5: LEDYI
LEDYi is a professional Chinese manufacturer of LED strip lights, neon lights, and LED controllers. LEDYi, founded in 2011, has a dust-free, modern workshop with more than 5,000 square meters, 200 employees, and a 15-member R&D team.
Single-color LED Strip
COB LED Strip
High-Efficiency LED Strip
Neon Flex
How does a DMX lighting controller work?
Originally designed for stage shows, DMX controllers are now used in all types of live events that utilize LED lighting. DMX controllers offer four different control modes.
Tone selection
Colour Selection
Program Selection
Dimming and Fading
You must first set up your light displays before you can use the DMX control. After you’ve selected the lighting units that you want to use, you can customize the display by choosing a colour output. You can now add any dimming and fading effects for LEDs. You can add programmed effects at the end. If you own a DMX controller that is more advanced, this can be done completely bespoke, but on more basic models, you will be able to use pre-programmed effects.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using DMX lighting controller?
Advantages
DMX controllers are a great way to enhance LED lighting. This is especially true when creating a display. They include:
Energy Efficiency: DMX controllers operate on a low-voltage current. This makes them a highly energy-efficient system.
Easy-to-use: You can control a large display LED from a laptop using a DMX controller due to its intuitive design and ease of use.
Scalability and integration: You may use a DMX controller in an existing system, or you can set it up for LED lighting. This increases scalability and makes it easier to create lighting scenes. It also improves energy efficiency.
Custom Lighting Options: You can create custom lighting shows easily when you use a DMX controller. You can create a stunning light show on the fly by choosing the intensity, color, and light effects.
Disadvantages
Of course, nothing is perfect. Here are a few things to keep in mind when working with DMX lighting:
You’ll need to invest in cables: DMX will require you to have a full stock of low-capacitance cables (so those mic cables you might have lying around won’t work for these purposes).
Pay attention to distance: Every fixture that you connect to your network has the ability to diminish or interfere with the signal. Best practices say to keep your cable length at about 1,000 feet. If you need more cable than that, a data splitter might just be your new best friend.
Watch your load: One fixture equals one load. Pretty straightforward. We recommend not using more than 32 loads to make sure that your lighting will perform correctly. Lean on your handy data splitter if you require more than 32 loads.
Setup can take some time: While things can be pretty smooth-sailing once your system is set up, getting there can take a little time. Factor time into your schedule to build your custom light show before your big reveal or event.
How do I use a DMX lighting controller?
Some functions can vary depending on the controller selected. A DMX control is usually divided into four modes of operation:
Selecting a Zone or Circuit
Color Selection
Dimming/Fade Control,
Program selection (for example, strobe).
First, you need to choose which lights you would like to control. You then select the color of your selected lights. Most basic controllers have a dial that allows you to select the desired color. More advanced controllers will allow you to specify the exact color you want to achieve. Then you can adjust the fade and dimming aspects to help you achieve the desired color shade. You can also choose to use any pre-programmed effects, like fog or strobe, if needed.
As a rule, each fixture or light should use one DMX channel for each parameter (pan, tile, colour, etc.). The DMX controller sends a signal through the cable to the lighting. This value corresponds to the lighting intensity from 0 to 100%. This value represents the intensity of the lighting, from 0 to 100 percent. Each light has a unique address so that it knows the color, dimming, and angle at which it should be. It is normal for some lights to have more than one programmed address.
Final Thoughts
A DMX controller makes lighting control easier. especially when advanced lighting effects will be used. What began on stage is now being used in bars and restaurants. Theaters still use it because you can plan, record, and edit your show in advance to see how it works and appears.
The DMX controller is a great tool for creating a professional, easy-to-use light show. It is no wonder that DMX lighting has become so popular over the years. With the help of your DMX control, you can create lighting displays that are simple or complex. Some DMX controllers have fewer channels, but not all. This is important to consider when buying your DMX controller.
It is possible to create a lighting display without a DMX control, but you will not have the same level of control. The DMX control gives you complete control over lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a DMX terminator and why should you use it?
Ans: The DMX terminator is an integral part of any DMX lighting system. You will terminate all of your DMX chains when you use them. DMX terminators stop the light fixtures from acting strangely. You need them when a light flickers, changes patterns randomly, or seems out of sync.
Q2: Do I need a DMX lighting controller or software?
Ans: Hardware-based DMX requires a great deal of planning, just like DMX software. The complexity of the light show will determine what you need. In most cases, a simple DMX control is the most cost-effective and best option for more straightforward shows or the occasional party. Before you purchase any DMX control, you must first determine how many DMX channels you require. We can advise you if you are planning to create complex multi-fixture shows.
Q3: Why do I need to set a DMX Lighting Controller address on every fixture?
Ans: You must enter a separate start address for every DMX fixture you want to control. Let’s say the first three fixtures each have eight channels. You would then set its address to channel 1, before setting the second fixture’s to channel 9, and the third to channel 17. Your DMX controller will be able to keep track of the “start and end” of each fixture. However, keep in mind that DMX only offers 512 channels. Some controllers reserve 16 channels for each fixture as a default. The start address is entered by the built-in display of the device in most cases.