It used to be that we just used simple DMX cable out of our console to our lights to control everything. Today, it’s becoming more and more common to use Art-Net and sACN – common forms of networked DMX – to control our lights.
If you are used to working with other hardware lighting consoles, you may find yourself at the end of your first time running ONYX, and wonder "how in the world do I shut this thing down?"
If you’re using more than a few DMX fixtures, or have them spread out across your stage, you’re going to want to split your DMX signal!
When it comes to plugging in your lights to DMX, ask 5 different people, and you’ll probably get 5 different answers to the question “What cables should I use?”. There’s a lot of confusion out there with how DMX works, what’s needed, and what cables are acceptable – so let’s go slay some myths!
DMX, the signal we use to talk to our stage lights, requires the use of DMX cable so that everything works correctly and stays happy…or does it? While it is important not to use mic cable for our DMX, we can run DMX signal over other types of cable designed for a digital signal as well – including network cable!
Whether you like it or not, networking is quickly becoming a necessary part of stage lighting. While you still can operate a 100% DMX system, the fact is, a lot of modern fixtures, consoles, and PC software utilize networking, and it’s a great way to send a lot of data through a simple cable.