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Cowlinn
17-01-2009, 11:25 PM
Hi All,

Just a quick question, is DMX and XLR the same thing?

or are there differences

many thanks
nigelwright7557
17-01-2009, 11:28 PM
DMX is a system used for controlling lighting.
XLR is a set of connectors.
I think !
Danno13
17-01-2009, 11:30 PM
No, they're completely different.. XLR leads are used to connect audio sources, whereas DMX is a protocol for controlling lights.. the similarity is that they often use the same 3-pin connectors (often just called XLRs, although the DMX standard actually uses 5-pin XLRs)

The male/female ends are the opposite way round to avoid confusion. i.e. an audio output uses a male connection, whereas a DMX output is a female.

In practical terms though, for short cable runs, you can quite happily use normal mic/siginal leads to send a DMX signal, but you can't use proper DMX cable for audio.

Hope that helps.
DeckstarDeluxe
17-01-2009, 11:31 PM
correct dmx is used with lighting
xlr is an audio connection
Danno13
17-01-2009, 11:34 PM
Further to my last post, XLR is simply the name of the type of connection used ( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xlr_cable )

It just so happens to be used for both mic/line signals and DMX signals.

But, in my experience, when people refer to XLR cables/leads they're talking audio...
Cowlinn
17-01-2009, 11:39 PM
Many thanks guys looks like ill spend a little more on DMX
:)
Danno13
17-01-2009, 11:40 PM
Can you clarify what you're intending to do here?

On several occasions, I've run close to 100m of DMX connections between LED par cans just using standard mic cable.. so I doubt you'd really need to spend the extra..
Cowlinn
17-01-2009, 11:48 PM
Can you clarify what you're intending to do here?

On several occasions, I've run close to 100m of DMX connections between LED par cans just using standard mic cable.. so I doubt you'd really need to spend the extra..

Ohh ok well i inted to daisy chain 8 scanners. only around 2 metres in between.
discomobiledj
18-01-2009, 08:31 AM
Ohh ok well i inted to daisy chain 8 scanners. only around 2 metres in between.

Can you fit 8 scanners on a 2 metre stand??
djgordyp
18-01-2009, 09:10 AM
Ohh ok well i inted to daisy chain 8 scanners. only around 2 metres in between.

If you're connecting that many lights you might need one of these.
http://www.djsoundkit.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=G019SA

See. I have learnt something in all my time on this forum :p :D
Cowlinn
18-01-2009, 12:44 PM
Can you fit 8 scanners on a 2 metre stand??

It wont be on a 2 metre stand :)

Will be on a school lighting rig.

Thanks :)
Jiggles
18-01-2009, 12:50 PM
Simple enough to make a DMX terminator. Old XLR Plug and a 120:r: resistor over pins 2 and 3! Simple.