DMX Controllers

Lighting consoles are used to control lights via the DMX protocol. From one place, you can control lighting effects, spotlights, LED bars and moving heads, and prepare scenes, chase sequences and lighting shows for a concert, club or theatre stage. The range includes models from brands such as LWS, Light4Me, ADJ, Cameo and Wolfmix.

How many channels do you need?

The most important factor is the number of DMX channels the console supports. Designations such as 54, 192 or 384 on many models indicate the number of controlled channels. The larger the lighting setup, the more channels you need.

Setup size	Suitable for	What to check
Smaller, approximately 54 channels	Home use, small clubs and rehearsal rooms	Number of faders and scene buttons
Medium, approximately 192 channels	Stages with several lights	Scene memory and the ability to run sequences
Larger, approximately 384 channels	More extensive shows and installations	Control layout and PC connection

Hardware or software

Conventional hardware consoles with faders are quick and easy to navigate, making them suitable for technicians who want hands-on control of the lights. Software solutions combined with an interface, such as SoundSwitch, let you program more complex shows and synchronise the lights with music. DMX interfaces and software are used to connect to a computer.

Cables and connections

The console connects to the lights with a DMX cable, so remember to choose a sufficiently long cable. In larger installations, you can use splitters and mergers to distribute the signal into several branches. Check that you have enough channels for all the lights and that the DMX addresses are set correctly.

If simple control without programming is enough for you, take a look at simple lighting controllers. Dimmer units provide smooth dimming. Wireless lighting control gives you freedom of movement. You can find the full range in the lighting controllers and dimmers category.