Another Basic Question...

RadaMagic

Member
Its a two parter,

Part a. Ok, I am going to be buying 2 Microh Arena Profile 250 Moving Heads (used) from a friend of mine...
I also am about to buy 'myDMX' computer controller (basic version $300). I downloaded the program and really understand it quite well.

So, here lies my question. I have 8 Par56 Cans. Normally I plug them into 4 channels (by color....2 red cans in one channel, 2 green in another etc etc) on my dimmer and operate it off my controller by connecting the xlr cable from the dimmer to the controller. Now, I'm going to be using my computer for controlling and no longer want to use my analog controller. Do I connect the dimmer into the dongle which then connects to my computer?? Seems logical....so I assume yes...

If yes, I now want to add my moving head lights....do I connect the MH lights together with XLR and then patch it into the back of the dimmer which has my PARs in it already. Then do I connect that into my Dongle which now plugs into my USB?

Do I have this right?

Here is a silly chart I drew up.


DIMMER with 8 cans plugged into 4 channels >>>XLR>>> to Dongle > CPU

^^^^^XLR to back of Dimmer
Moving Head Light 1
^^^^XLR link ^^^^
Moving Head Light 2
 
Rada that's the basic gist of what you'd need to do. Just make sure to terminate at the end of the DMX chain.
 
It sounds like you are going to "T" in to the dongel. I would dasiy chain the DMX. and of course check all your addressing.
 
It actually depends on what dimmers you have and if they are DMX or not. Some of the older shoebox dimmers (especially of the Leviton/NSI flavor) use proprietary protocols. So just make sure that they are DMX or it won't work. Other than that, as has been said, just daisy chain them all together and connect to the dongle.
 
You can make your own DMX terminators. This is the simplest way to do it.
Nick
 

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