Jands Event 480 2 DMX output issue

[paulnick]

I am using LightFactory with an ENTEC USB PRO converter in place of a Jands Event 480 desk. The desk has two no. female DMX outputs. Two DMX cables from it plug into two DMX sockets at the rear of a hall but only one pears at the dimmer rack. I can connect one cable from the ENTTEC unit to one of the DMX wall sockets but no signal seems to get through. I have even tried plugging the enttec directly into the first dimmer rack but I still get no signal. I have tried the LightFactory/Enttec combination in three other installations and it has worked flawlessly. Can anybody offer any advice please?

 

many thanks

 

paulnick

[nickb12345]

The Event 480 has 2 DMX outputs that send out the same thing so chances are in the original installation one of these sockets is connected to the dimmers and one goes to the rig for any intelligent fixtures. If that's the case you can control either the dimmers or the movers from LightFactory by connecting the appropriate cable to the Entec box. If you want to control them both from LightFactory you are going to need a DMX splitter, and if you want to be able to control it all from either LightFactory or the 480 without changing any cables you are going to need a DMX merger and a DMX splitter (plenty of boxes that will do both for you).

 

The other option is to ignore the cable that goes to the rig, and if you are using any intelligent lighting run a new cable from the DMX output of the dimmers.

 

Nick

 

 

Edit: just spotted the bit plugging it straight into the dimmer rack - have you checked the phase of the DMX is the correct way round? What model dimmers are they?

[paulnick]

Nick, thank you so much for your reply.

 

I have now ordered a DMX splitter.

 

Re phase of DMX: I didn't know there was an option here. The racks are Lightmaster Paradim models. I guess that ENTTEC USB pro will only output one type. Where can I check the dimmer rack configuration?

 

Many thanks

 

paulnick

 

The Event 480 has 2 DMX outputs that send out the same thing so chances are in the original installation one of these sockets is connected to the dimmers and one goes to the rig for any intelligent fixtures. If that's the case you can control either the dimmers or the movers from LightFactory by connecting the appropriate cable to the Entec box. If you want to control them both from LightFactory you are going to need a DMX splitter, and if you want to be able to control it all from either LightFactory or the 480 without changing any cables you are going to need a DMX merger and a DMX splitter (plenty of boxes that will do both for you).

 

The other option is to ignore the cable that goes to the rig, and if you are using any intelligent lighting run a new cable from the DMX output of the dimmers.

 

Nick

 

 

Edit: just spotted the bit plugging it straight into the dimmer rack - have you checked the phase of the DMX is the correct way round? What model dimmers are they?

 

 

 

[DrV]

I have now ordered a DMX splitter.

 

Re phase of DMX: I didn't know there was an option here. The racks are Lightmaster Paradim models. I guess that ENTTEC USB pro will only output one type. Where can I check the dimmer rack configuration?

 

It strikes me that you need to check that the Enttec PRO is actually outputting something. If your new splitter has lights on it to tell you what's going on that will be a great help - you can also use the lights to check out the whole DMX path by taking it along to the dimmer room and putting it between the incoming cable and the first dimmer. Your fault finding sequence should definitely be to get the Enttec PRO talking to the dimmers directly before moving up to the control room.

 

What NickB meant by the phase of the DMX was to check that the data pins (2&3) on the XLR leads had not been swapped somewhere along the route, although that is very unlikely if this is an installed cable - more likely if you've got a whole string of extensions and 3-5/5-3 way adaptors.

 

By the way, "phase" is not strictly corrrect - "polarity" is probably better, especially when we are talking about dimmers which employ "phases" in a very different way B-)

 

Dave