The first thing I like to do is to give my fixtures some active DMX, so I can see when things stop working. Once you’ve verified that, there are a few more tricks you can use to troubleshoot this DMX problem. If you are using microphone cables to connect your lights instead of DMX cables, this is likely the source of your problems! While microphone cables can work, they are not recommended, and over time WILL give you problems – click here to read my full article on using microphone cables for DMX lighting!

If you’ve had your rig setup for a while and not changed anything, then you can skip this step and move forward to check your cables and connections… Step 2: Check Your Cables Some modes can be very similar and cause you to believe that the fixture was working and then started “acting up”, but the truth is, it was never fully right!

Then, whip out the manuals for your fixtures to be sure the modes are set right – if I fixture is supposed to be in 4 channel mode, but it’s actually in 7 channel mode, then you’re going to have problems!Ī wrong mode setting can be particularly difficult to diagnose from afar because the light may be working “mostly” right. Make sure that everything matches up the way that it is supposed to, and that it’s all plugged into the proper universes. If your console has an “output” screen that you can view, pop that up and check it as well. The first step in finding a DMX problem is to check your console’s patch and the fixture’s modes/addresses.Īlso, ensure that the console’s Grand Master and any other masters are where they should be. This is where things get tricky… Fixing Your DMX Problems Step 1: Check Your Console and Fixture Settings While it’s a sign that there is some sort of DMX-like signal present, it can be on when there is not good data or can be off when there is good data! To make things worse, the “DMX” indicator light on the back of many lights isn’t really helpful either.

The fixture working “mostly right”, or has some control but not all functions of the light work correctly.

Flickering, flashing, or uncontrolled changes to the light.

The fixture is not responding to data (but it has good power).

Most often, DMX problems are exhibited by: However, with a few tricks, it can be simple to diagnose and fix your DMX issues pretty quickly. On the surface, DMX problems can see very mystical and difficult to understand or troubleshoot. If you’ve never encountered a DMX problem before, be prepared to be a little confused. The uncertainty of where the problem is, coupled with a little confusion can make things really tough. One of the most crushing feelings you can encounter when working with lighting comes when things don’t work right!

Martin mpc and open dmx usb