How to Program a DMX Controller for an LED

A DMX controller can control lights that move and change colors.

LED lighting that is used for theater lighting and live music is controlled by a Digital Multiplex communications protocol (DMX). The DMX has nodes that are strung together in what is called a daisy chain. The cables are daisy-chained from the main DMX controller to individual DMX power packs, which usually contain four channels each. The packs then route signals to each fixture on the channel. When you learn the basic functions of programming a DMX LED controller, you can program different lighting sequences, patterns and scenes.

Instructions

Basic Functions for Programming

1. Activate the programming mode. Hold down the "Record/Shift" button and press the flash buttons 1, 5, 6 and 8 in sequence. The buttons are located below the slider control in the upper Preset A row. Release the "Record/Shift" button and the red programming LED lights up

2. Hold the "Record/Shift button, then press down "Rec/Exit" simultaneously to exit programming mode. The red programming LED goes off.

3. Erase all programs. Hold down the "Record/Shift" button and press the flash buttons 1, 5, 6 and 8 in sequence, located below the slider control in the upper Preset A row. Release the "Record/Shift" button and the red programming LED lights up.

4. Hold down the Record/Shift button and press the flash buttons 1, 3, 2 and 3 in the section Preset A. Release the "Record/Shift" button. The stored running light scenes are erased from the ROM. All of the LEDs flash to confirm. Press the "Record/Shift" and the "Rec/Exit" buttons at the same time to exit programming mode.

5. Erase the RAM. Activate the programming mode. Hold down the "Record/Shift" button and press the flash buttons 1, 5, 6 and 8 in sequence, located below the slider control in the upper PRESET A row. Hold down the "Record/Shift" button while holding down the "Rec/Clear" button. All of the LEDs flash one time, which indicates the RAM has been erased.

Program Running Light Patterns and Scenes

1. Activate the programming mode. Select the mode "1-24" single, and the green LED lights up via the Mode Select button. While in this mode, you can use all 24 channels.

2. Push the Master slider controls A and B to the maximum position. Slider Control A is completely up and control B is completely down. Set the desired light position using the slider controls 1 to 24. Press the "Record/Shift" button to save the position in the RAM. Repeat using different positions of the slider controls until you reach the optimal light effect. It stores up to 99 steps per memory.

3. Transfer the programmed steps from the RAM to the ROM. Press the "Page/Rec Clear" button to select a memory page (1 to 4). Hold the "Record/Shift" button and press one of the flash buttons 1 to 13 in section Preset B. It can store up to 99 steps per memory. There are a total of four pages with 12 memories each.

4. Press the "Record/Shift" and "Rec Exit" button to exit programming mode. The red programming LED goes off.

Program a Linear Running Light Effect

1. Activate the programming mode as described in Step 1 of the Basic Programming Functions. Set the "Master" slider control to maximum. Slider Control A needs to be completely up, and slider control B completely down. Select mode "1-24 single" via the Mode Select button and the green LED lights up.

2. Push the control 1 to 10 (maximum), then press the "Record/Shift" button one time. Push the controls 1 to 0 and 2 to maximum, then press the "Record/Shift" button. Push controls 2 to 0 and 3 to maximum, then press the "Record/Shift" button. Repeat these steps up to control 24.

3. Select a memory page (1 to 4) via the "Page/Rec Clear" button. Press one of the flash buttons in section Preset B to save the linear running light effect.

4. Press "Record/Shift" and "Rec Exit" simultaneously to exit programming mode.

References

• Color Keyed: 24 Channel DMX Controller Manual