MAX to DMX
Hi Everyone,
I'm about to start a project and I may want to use dmx to control some lights through max.
Now, I'm not sure about what I need to set up the network. In my thoughts the network should be a thing like that: maxmsp->dmxusbpro(enttec)->splitter dmx(?)->lights.
The only device that I'm sure to use is the dmxusbpro by enttec, for the rest I may need some suggestion. Maybe the real network is not even similar to what I thought.
Thank you guys.
http://www.midi2dmx.eu
not sure what you mean by "splitter". In my case max->entec->lights works very well
I mean this kind of device, it distribute dmx signal https://www.amazon.com/Way-Isolated-DMX-Splitter-3-Pin/dp/B00EHHVPVU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499872443&sr=8-2&keywords=splitter+dmx
So you used dmxusbpro by enttec, how did you wired the lights? I mean, I see that the enttec's device has only one dmx output. What if I need more than one light? As you can understand this is the first time with dmx's stuff.
well, I am not, by any means a lights specialist but on the enttec I think you can send 255 different channels (not sure but at least) basically you send lists of channel_number-value (values 0-255). On some other boxes you can have different "universes" but I never got to this. 255 different individual light sources was always enough for me
got it, so how is the wiring of the lights to the enttec? I missed this passage.
depends
If we are talking about working in a theatre (or club, or festival etc) you just ask for one dmx output cable, and then ask for the channel numbers the various lights are on. If it is a more "home made" situation, you have what is called (in french, sorry I don't know the english name) "power blocks", the small ones have 4 channels, bigger have... more you connect your dmx box (entec) to them and plug the lights in (you can daisy-chain them, so you can have more channels) - but those power blocks, even the small ones are heavy, I don't know of anyone bringing his/her own ; and in the case of LED lights you simply plug your entec into one (define by small switches the channel(s) number(s) of it) and then daisy chain your led projectors, changing their channels numbers.
this is just a basic explaination but that should be enough for a start. controlling lights with max is, in my opinion, a much more elegant solution that the usual light board, which seems to be from a far away past (which it it - hey, they even use floppy disks !!!)
Great, Thank you Kasper!! That's a good start point.