Understanding Dmx; Data Cable Requirements - Elation Color Tone 50 User Instruction

Color Tone 50™

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 Color Tone 50™
can be controlled via DMX-512 protocol. The Color Tone 50™ is a 3 channel DMX fixture (3
channel default, can also be a 7 channel fixture). The DMX address is set electronically
using the controls on the LCD menu (see page 23 for DMX addressing).
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 rated at
120 ohms; this cable is 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™.
©Elation Professional® 13 Color Tone 50™