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How to Set Up LED Stage Lights

LED lighting for theatre and live music use is connected and controlled by the Digital Multiplex communications protocol, also known as DMX512, or simply DMX. DMX systems are expandable, allowing up to 512 individual channels to be connected and operated with DMX three-conductor cable. The cables are daisy-chained from the main control unit to individual DMX power or dimmer packs, usually containing four channels each. The packs route signals to each fixture on a designated channel, which is assigned in binary fashion using switches on the pack. We'll discuss the procedures for connecting four lighting fixtures using four DMX channels.

Things You'll Need

  • DMX dimmer or power pack
  • LED light fixture
  • DMX cable
  • DMX controller
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Instructions

  1. Connect LED Lights

    • 1

      Set the DMX binary address for four channel operation by moving the number one dimmer or power pack DIP switch to the "On" position. For packs with digital controls, set the address to "001".

    • 2

      Plug the lighting fixtures into the AC outlets on the pack, plugging each fixture into one of four channels. If the pack contains more than one outlet per channel, you may plug additional fixtures into a single channel.

    • 3

      Plug the DMX cable into the input of the pack. Additional packs may be daisy-chained through the output jack of the first unit.

    • 4

      Insert the cable from the pack into the output jack of the DMX controller. The controller will recognize the DMX address information entered on the DMX pack.

    • 5

      Turn on dimmer or power pack and DMX controller power switches. LED monitor lights on the pack will illuminate on active channels.

    • 6

      Turn LED lighting fixture power switches on if equipped.

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