Did you think that DMX lighting has nothing to do with regular LED strip lighting? However, the truth is that there is a deep connection between DMX control and LED strip light control. And that connection is what we are going to explore in this article.
DMX (DMX 512) is a versatile lighting control system that connects and talks between multiple fixtures. With the proper hardware, you can connect multiple LED light strips to a single DMX controller for centralized control.
This connection and dialog of the DMX512 allows LED lighting strips to be more than simple stand-alone lighting units. It makes them to be integrated into larger lighting systems. Learn more about the possibilities this connection offers you for your home and commercial lighting designs.
What is DMX Lighting and How it Works with LED Strip Lights?
DMX (Digital Multi-Signal) Lighting allows users to precisely control a variety of DMX enabled devices. Multiple lighting devices can be coordinated and synchronized with a single DMX 512 control signal. Each lighting device has a unique DMX address that identifies the device’s position in the signal chain.
The DMX control signal is essentially a digital data stream containing multiple channels. Each channel can control a certain attribute of the DMX light, such as color, brightness, speed, and so on. Unique lighting effects are achieved by sending different values in each channel. Its high degree of programmability and flexibility distinguishes DMX lighting control from ordinary LED lighting control.
Therefore we can draw such a conclusion. When DMX controls led lighting strip, make the led strip have a DMX control signal. DMX led strip can achieve this requirement directly. With the built-in digital control chip, DMX 512 led strip can work seamlessly with DMX controller.
However, can DMX control other strip light types?
Can All LED Light Strips be DMX Controlled?
Please note that the ability to use DMX light control depends on whether the LED strip itself supports DMX signal input. If you already have LED strips that do not support DMX signal input, you may consider using a DMX decoder.
A DMX decoder converts DMX signals to signals suitable for LED strips that are not directly controlled by DMX. By connecting a DMX decoder to an LED strip, you can realize DMX control of a normal strip. This allows you to add DMX control to an existing LED strip without having to replace the entire strip.
Some common types of DMX decoders:
- Converting DMX signals to SPI signals
- Converts DMX signals to PWM signals
- Converts DMX signals to 0/1-10V signals
- Converts DMX signals to Triac signals
LED Strip Lighting DMX Controlled Wiring Diagram
Next, we’ll go through a series of DMX controlled led lighting strips wiring diagrams to get an in-depth look. Each type of light strip has its own specific wiring needs, and proper wiring is the key to smooth control.
We’ll present you with wiring examples for each light strip type. And it will help you understand how to achieve the desired lighting effect with DMX control.
1) DMX direct control DMX led strip lighting
4-pin (V+, D, P, GND) and 5-pin (V+, A, B, P, GND) are two common connections for DMX light strips. The difference between them is whether there is a spare signal wire. The spare signal line maintains the stability of the whole DMX 512 lighting system. (D, A, B are dmx data wires, P/ADD is address wire.)
K-1000C is a commonly used controller for programming DMX lighting effects. Below is the wiring diagram for the K-1000C DMX controller to connect 4 pin and 5 pin DMX led strips.
2) DMX control SPI led strip lighting
To convert DMX signals to SPI signals, you need to use a DMX-SPI decoder. The DMX-SPI led decoder parses the signals from the DMX controller and converts them into a format suitable for SPI communication. In this way, each addressable LED is able to display a specific color and brightness based on the dmx512 data.
3) DMX control RGBCCT led strip lighting
5CH RGBCCT led dmx decoder converts DMX512 signals to control RGBCCT LED strips.
4) DMX control RGBW led strip lighting
RGBW LED strip light DMX decoder can accept DMX512 master control, able to convert DMX512 control signal into constant voltage PWM way to control RGBW color change.
5) DMX control RGB led strip lighting
RGB LED strip light DMX decoder is used to convert DMX512 control signal to constant voltage PWM signal to control the color and brightness change of RGB LED strip light. This dmx decoder can control the three basic colors of red, green, and blue LEDs at the same time, and achieve color mixing and brightness adjustment by adjusting the current and PWM frequency.
6) DMX control single color led strip lighting
DMX dimming system is relatively simple, it is often possible to mix different brands of equipment in the same lighting system. A DMX dimmer decoder is used for a variety of single-color strips and LED lights. Each DMX address, i.e. a DMX decoder is unique. By programming and setting these addresses, you can customize your home lighting.
DMX Control System – How to Control DMX Lighting?
In the field of home lighting, various dmx wall controllers are often used to control DMX lights. They make real-time adjustments via buttons, knobs, touchscreens, and so on.
These led wall dmx master controllers usually feature simple interfaces. Preset with different lighting modes and effects for different scenes. Some even allow different areas or rooms to be divided into different lighting partitions for detailed adjustments.
If you want the DMX controller to be cable-free, this requires it to be compatible with wireless communication technology. By connecting with a wireless DMX driver, the DMX wall led controller can easily adjust the DMX lighting within a movable range.
Using computer software and the Internet to control DMX lighting systems is a common choice for larger projects. Large led lighting projects often involve multiple lighting fixtures, and require switching between different lighting settings for different scenes. With computer software, you can centrally manage and control the various dmx lights. Set up and save multiple presets and scenes in advance, and quickly switch lighting configurations as needed.
Computer software provides a wealth of features and parameters that allow precise control of various attributes of multiple lighting fixtures. Through the Internet, you can achieve unified remote control and management of DMX lighting.
Here it is important to discuss how Art-Net controls DMX lighting systems. Art-Net is an open protocol for encapsulating DMX512 signals in Ethernet packets for transmission over Ethernet networks.
Use specialized lighting control software or lighting consoles that support the Art-Net protocol to control DMX lights. It is ideal for lighting projects that require remote control and advanced programming across different locations.
You need to make sure that the dmx lighting control software, dmx console, and dmx lighting equipment are all on the same LAN so that they can communicate over the network.