DMX Control Device

DMX (Digital Multiplex) is a communications protocol used to control lighting and other stage equipment in the entertainment industry. It is widely used in theatre, concert, and architectural lighting, among other applications.

The DMX protocol uses a digital signal to transmit data between a lighting console (or other control device) and the devices being controlled. The signal is sent over a single cable, with up to 512 channels (or “slots”) of information. Each channel corresponds to a specific function on a lighting device, such as the intensity of a light or the position of a moving head.

The DMX signal is sent as a series of packets, with each packet containing the data for one channel. The packets are sent at a high rate (typically around 44 Hz) to ensure smooth and responsive control of the lighting.

DMX devices (such as lights, dimmers, and moving head fixtures) have an DMX input and output connectors, and are connected in a daisy-chain fashion. A DMX controller sends the DMX signal to the first device in the chain, which in turn passes it on to the next device and so on. The last device in the chain receives the signal and uses the information in the appropriate channels to control its functions.

DMX is widely adopted in entertainment industry and it is an open standard, meaning that DMX equipment from different manufacturers can work together.