DMX Configuration | The DMX fixture configuration consists in determining how many channels |
| each fixture will need as well as assigning the corresponding DMX channels to |
| each fixture in order to size correctly the DMX controller. |
Personalities
Starting Address
Assigning Addresses
A DMX personality describes what channel or channels control which fixture parameters. A DMX fixture may have many personalities to choose from. Each personality requires a different number of channels, based on the number of features the fixture enables. The number of DMX channels used by a fixture may vary from only one (usually the general dimmer control) to 15 or more.
When a job does not require using all the fixture’s capabilities, the user can select a more basic personality (less channels), allowing the DMX controller to accommodate more DMX fixtures.
For the DMX controller to control each DMX fixture, the user must first configure each fixture’s personality to determine the number of channels required to control the fixture. Each channel will have a DMX address assigned to it.
However, since assigning a particular DMX address to each channel is impractical, the user will only need to configure the DMX address on each fixture that corresponds to the fixture’s first channel of control. This is the fixture’s starting address. The fixture will automatically assign the other channels to the subsequent DMX addresses.
Once this assignment is complete, and based on the number of channels used, the fixture will respond to the DMX signals sent to the range of DMX channels that begins with the starting address.
For example, a fixture that uses six DMX channels with a starting address of 100, will accept DMX data sent by the DMX controller to channels 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105.
The user must carefully assign the starting addresses for each individual fixture to avoid DMX channel overlapping. If the DMX channels do overlap, the impacted fixtures could operate erratically.
However, the user may decide to configure two or more similar fixtures with the same personality and starting address. In this case, all the fixtures with the same starting address will operate in unison.
DMX Connectivity
Fixture Location
Connecting the DMX fixtures to a DMX controller in small to medium installations is usually a rather simple operation that requires a minimum of tools and some planning (not including the actual fixture rigging and configuration).
However, in large installations it may be necessary to plan carefully the position and cabling of each fixture to avoid unexpected problems.
The order in which the fixtures connect to the DMX controller is not important and has no effect on how a controller communicates to each fixture. However, the user should always define a physical location for the fixtures that provides for the easiest and most direct cabling to the controller and other fixtures.
Page 18 of 21 | Impulse™ 648 User Manual Rev. 6 |
