# Intro to DMX

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/853/medium800/leds_larscurtaindmx.jpg?1732669143)

https://youtu.be/S4CD-t_65bs

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/134/109/medium800/leds_IMG_2940.jpg?1733953948)

https://youtu.be/e62JUEZyaG4

DMX512 is the protocol that runs most of the lighting and control systems used in theaters, concerts, and other large-scale events, as well as more advanced architectural lighting. It's been around since the early 1980s, and it's still relevant today.

In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of **DMX512** and how you can use it to control lights and effects from typical DMX controllers as well as from a microcontroller with a DMX board.

## Parts

 

## Light Fixtures

There are plenty of inexpensive DMX controlled light fixture options to get started with, such as LED PARs, washes, light bars, spots, and even moving head lights.

You can also run foggers, strobes, and other effects via DMX control.

![leds_Intimidator-Spot-110-RIGHT.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/701/medium640/leds_Intimidator-Spot-110-RIGHT.jpg?1732069491)

![leds_SlimPAR-56-RIGHT.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/702/medium640/leds_SlimPAR-56-RIGHT.jpg?1732069509)

### Part: SlimPAR
quantity: 1
26W RGBA light fixture
[SlimPAR](https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/slimpar-q6-ils/)

or

### Part: LED Stage Par Lights
quantity: 1
36W RGB
[LED Stage Par Lights](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJLD5QXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?th=1)

## XLR Cable

You'll use either 5-pin or 3-pin XLR cables to send data through the system. The DMX512 spec calls for 5-pin, but 3-pin is very common, especially in less expensive systems.

Each cable will have one plug end and one socket end, sometimes known as XLR3M to XLR3F cable. 

Proper DMX512 cable has 110Ω impedance, but you can often get away with using regular old (cheaper) XLR microphone cable, especially for shorter runs.

![leds_DMX-300-Full.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/695/medium640/leds_DMX-300-Full.jpg?1732065937)

![leds_DMX-300-Front.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/696/medium640/leds_DMX-300-Front.jpg?1732066567)

### Part: DMX512 Cable
quantity: 1
Hosa XLR3M to XLR3F
[DMX512 Cable](https://hosatech.com/products/data/dmx-cable-adapter/dmx-300/)

or

### Part: Economy Microphone Cable
quantity: 1
Hosa XLR3F to XLR3M
[Economy Microphone Cable](https://hosatech.com/products/analog-audio/microphone-cables/mbl-100/)

## DMX Shield for Arduino

You can use most Arduino-compatible boards along with a MAX485-based DMX shield to send and receive messages to and from your DMX fixtures and controllers.

There are a few different designs out there, we'll be using [this one from Conceptinetics](https://dmxshield.blogspot.com/).

![leds_DMX_Shield-1-1000x1000.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/703/medium640/leds_DMX_Shield-1-1000x1000.jpg?1732076519)

### Part: DMX Shield for Arduino
quantity: 1
MAX485 shield with XLR 3-pin connectors
[DMX Shield for Arduino](https://www.cqrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1005)

or from Amazon:

### Part: DMX Shield for Arduino
quantity: 1
MAX485 shield with XLR 3-pin connectors
[DMX Shield for Arduino](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DUHZAT0/)

## Arduino Uno or Metro 328

The library we'll use for the DMX shield only works on AVR-based microcontrollers, so an Arduino Uno R3 or a Metro 328 will be a good choice.

![leds_2488-09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/706/medium640/leds_2488-09.jpg?1732128175)

### Part: Metro 328
quantity: 1
Metro ATMEGA328
[Metro 328](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/2488/5353674)

or

### Part: Metro 328
quantity: 1
Metro ATMEGA328
[Metro 328](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488)

### Optional

You won't need a controller like the one shown below if you're only sending DMX from your microcontroller to your fixtures, but they are pretty cool to play around with!

Also, one can be used to send DMX _ **to** _ your microcontroller, which we'll cover in an update to this guide coming soon.

## DMX512 Controller

A compact, DJ-style controller is enough to get started with hands-on lighting control as well as basic chase and scene programming.

![leds_1308113.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/700/medium640/leds_1308113.jpg?1732067712)

### Part: DMX512 Controller
quantity: 1
Compact, 36-channel
[DMX512 Controller](https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/obey-6/)

or

### Part: Generic DMX Controller 
quantity: 1
compact, 192-channel
[Generic DMX Controller ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D4HK3KX5)

### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Star Shape Pixel Strand - 20 LEDs

[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Star Shape Pixel Strand - 20 LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5982)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little shooting stars of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel LEDs that come in adorable 5-pointed star shapes.

Each strand has **20 stars with a single RGB...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5982)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5982/guides)
![Video of glowing star-shaped LED strip.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5982-00.jpg)

### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Heart Shape Pixel Strand - 20 LEDs

[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Heart Shape Pixel Strand - 20 LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5983)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little beating hearts of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel LEDs that come in adorable heart...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5983)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5983/guides)
![Video of LED strand with 20 heart-shaped LEDs glowing rainbow colors.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5983-00.jpg)

### Proto-Screwshield (Wingshield) R3 Kit for Arduino

[Proto-Screwshield (Wingshield) R3 Kit for Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/196)
The next generation Proto-ScrewShield is a dual-purpose prototyping shield. Not only does it have a large 0.1" grid prototyping area but it also extends the Arduino pins to sturdy, secure, and dependable screw terminal blocks. You even get a few bonus terminals for extra GND and four...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/196)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/196/guides)
![Angled shot of Proto-Screwshield (Wingshield) R3 Kit.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/196-00.jpg)

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/intro-to-dmx/dmx512.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit METRO 328 - Arduino Compatible - with Headers

[Adafruit METRO 328 - Arduino Compatible - with Headers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488)
This is the  **Adafruit METRO Arduino-Compatible - with headers. ** It's a fully assembled and tested microcontroller and physical computing board with through-hole headers attached.  If you don't want a Metro with the headers attached for...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2488/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)

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