Universes
DMX
The DMX section of the Universes tab in Setup, allows you to configure the behaviour of the DMX ports of the rear of the console. FLX series consoles have two DMX ports.
If you are outputting DMX over the network, and you are not using the DMX ports, it is possible to disable them.
DMX Out
By default, DMX port 1 outputs Desk Universe 1 and DMX port 2 outputs Desk Universe 2 (on 1 Universe FLX S consoles, both DMX ports output Desk Universe 1). This means as soon as a fixture is patched onto universe 1, DMX will be output from DMX port 1.
To configure which Desk Universe is sent from a DMX Output, scroll down to the "Desk Universe" you need. You can then add a DMX port to the Desk Universe, so that the Desk Universe is then sent from the chosen DMX Output.
When a DMX port is configured as a DMX Output, a RigSync switch will be shown for that port, allowing you to Disable or Enable RigSync on that port. For example, both DMX Outputs could be sending the same Desk Universe, however one with and one without RDM data.
RigSync must be enabled globally, to allow RigSync to be enabled on either DMX output.
Either of the console's DMX ports, can be configured as a DMX Input rather than an output. Using a male-to-male XLR adapter, this allows you to send a DMX signal into your console from an external DMX source, which can then be used to control fixture intensities, or playback levels.
Only one DMX port can be used as an input at a time.
Once a DMX port is configured as a DMX Input, the incoming DMX can be viewed in Z -> System Information -> DMX Outputs -> DMX In
FLX series consoles will only receive DMX from DMX sources that send a whole DMX universe. DMX controllers that only send the first few channels, for example a Zero 88 Level 6, will not work.
FLX series consoles can receive Vision.Net commands over RS-485, using either of the DMX ports. Once you have chosen the DMX port you wish to receive Vision.Net messages, you can then configure Vision.Net in the Triggers tab of Setup.
A Vision.Net to XLR adapter is required with the following pinout:
Vision.Net 9-Pin connector:
- Data +
- Data -
- (nothing)
- 24V
- COM
- 24V
- COM
- 24V
- COM
Transmission
You can change the DMX Transmission between Continuous or Delta. Continuous transmission will result in DMX data being sent at a steady refresh rate, and is the default option. FLX series consoles transmit at 29Hz.
Changing the Transmission to Delta, will result in the console sending DMX "updates". This means DMX frames will be sent whenever there are level changes on the console. If there are no level changes, DMX will be transmitted at 1Hz. If you are controlling a fixture that doesn't seem to be responding correctly, change the Transmission to see if the fixture prefers the change in frame rate. If it does, your fixture is not truly DMX compliant.
Reset to Defaults
If you have configured individual Desk Universes, you can press the Reset to Defaults button to reset the DMX Outputs to their default settings.