Am I right in thinking?

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

Hi All,

Just a quickie... (no dirty minds please)

I'm presuming XLR Leads for speakers and DMX for lighting?

Can you use DMX for speakers or does it effect the quality?

Cheers

[Charlie Brown]

Nah, No difference.

I may be wrong - but I use them both for everything.

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

Nah, No difference.

I may be wrong - but I use them both for everything.

I was told DMX cables carry data and XLR carry audio, not sure how true that is, hopefully someone here can elighten me.

[Reminisce disco]

I go with Charlie on this one. I use them for both, never had a problem as yet!

[Paul S]

On shorter runs you will find no real difference. On longer runs then you can get problems with using audio cables for DMX.

[BeerFunk]

On shorter runs you will find no real difference. On longer runs then you can get problems with using audio cables for DMX.That about sums it up, so with regards to mobile disco use, they are one and the same :)

[Danno13]

It's best not to use proper DMX cable for audio, although it will work. The other way round, I've never had any problems, even on long runs of uplighting.

Oh, and to be completely accurate the XLRs are for amps or interconnects between line level components, not for speakers which use different cable capable of carrying the higher current of amplified audio signal. Obviously exception being Bose 802s.. but we won't go there!

[Excalibur]

It's best not to use proper DMX cable for audio, although it will work. The other way round, I've never had any problems, even on long runs of uplighting.

Oh, and to be completely accurate the XLRs are for amps or interconnects between line level components, not for speakers which use different cable capable of carrying the higher current of amplified audio signal. Obviously exception being Bose 802s.. but we won't go there!

Though I think there are even some unusual ones which do use them for this purpose. Also, I reckon the OP was expecting us to understand the word "Active" before "Speakers ", which is quite acceptable.

[Danno13]

Yep, as I say Bose 802s use XLR connectors, but you couldn't use an XLR signal cable such as the one you'd use with your mic, or to connect from your mixer to an amplifier. You would have to use proper speaker cable with XLR connectors fitted, although most of the time people just use short adaptor from the back of the cab to convert to Speakon.

Even "active speakers" could be misinterpretted, I can use my speakers as active, but they don't have amps attached to them like powered speakers do. All active means is that crossovers are applied at signal level and not post-amp.

Sorry to be pedantic :D

[A1DL]

Returning to the OP, whilst you will probably get away with using mic cable on a small DMX universe, you should ensure the line is correctly terminated with a 110/120r resistor wired between pins 2 & 3 at the last luminaire. Outside of theatre & other professional applications, it's generally not critical or even noticed if gobo movement is not ultra smooth (can result from using incorrect cable &/or not terminating), and you probably don't want to invest considerably more in dedicated Belden 100r DMX cables, when you've already got dozens of mic cables. Anyway, the disco industry is guilty of straying from the specified DMX protocol standard 5-pin XLR, which forced the use of dedicated cables.

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

I fear my simple question has really opened up a can of worms :D

But I always read all posts, and found them most informative.

Thanks

[Shaun]

I've split the "active" related posts into a separate thread. Link is below.

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25115

[Ajaysdisco]

I fear my simple question has really opened up a can of worms :D

But I always read all posts, and found them most informative.

Thanks

To put it simply you shouldn’t use mic cables for DMX but for short runs you can get away with it.

It’s all to do with resistance and shielding of the cable, but I wont go there! ;)

[paull]

Like most of the replies, in lighting forums they advise against using XLR for lights, but when I have done I have no problems with the DMX being transmitted

[A1DL]

Like most of the replies, in lighting forums they advise against using XLR for lights, but when I have done I have no problems with the DMX being transmitted

what nonsense!

(5 pin) XLR is the connector specified within the ANSI 1990 standard for the DMX protocol. Many manufacturers of budget/disco luminaires now opt for 3 pin XLR, where a second universe is not envisaged. Some budget early 90s fixtures (NJD stuff & similar) did use TRS jacks but they were few & far between.

[Excalibur]

Like most of the replies, in lighting forums they advise against using XLR for lights, but when I have done I have no problems with the DMX being transmitted


what nonsense!

(5 pin) XLR is the connector specified within the ANSI 1990 standard for the DMX protocol. Many manufacturers of budget/disco luminaires now opt for 3 pin XLR, where a second universe is not envisaged. Some budget early 90s fixtures (NJD stuff & similar) did use TRS jacks but they were few & far between.

Err, think you're probably not arguing. ;) Tony, I'm guessing that when a lot of folk say "XLR" they mean mic cables et al, as opposed to " DMX" which they ( erroneously) regard as totally separate, and purely for use in the black art of lighting control. :D :D :D

[A1DL]

Err, think you're probably not arguing. ;) Tony, I'm guessing that when a lot of folk say "XLR" they mean mic cables et al, as opposed to " DMX" which they ( erroneously) regard as totally separate, and purely for use in the black art of lighting control. :D :D :D

But Peter, XLR is purely a type of connector, completely independent and irrespective of what may be connected to it. There is no such thing as "XLR cable", just like there is no such thing as "ceeform cable", simply because there are so many variants of cables that can be assembled with these connectors.

[Excalibur]

But Peter, XLR is purely a type of connector, completely independent and irrespective of what may be connected to it. There is no such thing as "XLR cable", just like there is no such thing as "ceeform cable", simply because there are so many variants of cables that can be assembled with these connectors.

You know that. I know that. Custom and usage however........................................... .......