You may have ended up on this site because you are doing research and are considering buying a DMX controller, or maybe you are just trying to figure out what a DMX controller is. Either way, you are in the right place. But first, it’s important to know what you are getting into.

So … what is a DMX controller? First off, DMX is the abbreviation for a Digital Multiplex. The controller is used to coordinate lighting effects for use as a DJ or for stage shows of all sorts. The system can be either software on a computer or (more commonly) it can be a stand-alone unit.

It is a complicated piece of equipment that can become very intuitive once you understand how it operates. A common unit is the DMX512, which can handle 512 different pieces of information. You are using the unit to determine those bits of information.

In simple terms, the unit is controlling which lights are on, color schemes, brightness and duration. Each light cue is set up through using the sliders and control knobs to get the desired effect, and then you save that cue to the unit’s memory and move on to program the next cue.

Stage shows often have 40 or 50 lighting cues, but there can be hundreds depending on the complexity of the show.

Lighting cues for DJs are mostly not as complicated as that. They are usually set up in some sort of repeating patterns to match up with the beat of the music playing. An example of that might be a “chase pattern” where a series of lights are set up and a particular color or colors flash through the entire sequence.

The most commonly used lights are LED light arrays which, through a combination of red, blue and green intensity levels, can make pretty much any color desired. The intensity and color combinations are set up on the sliders when you are programming your cues.

Lights are not the only thing controllable through a DMX controller, though. Any sort of effect that can be triggered electronically can be added to a cue. That effect may be a sound effect, a fog machine, strobe lights or other special effects.

DMX controllers can also be used to set up lighting effects in non-theatrical interior and architectural lighting.

This is a quick overview and explanation of a DMX controller. Hopefully this gave you a basic understanding of how the controller can be used. Check out other articles on this site for more specific information.