P
ower Supply:
Before plugging your unit in, be sure the source volt-
age in your area matches the required voltage for your American DJ
®
Concept 1.™ The American DJ
®
Concept 1
™
is available in a 120v and
220v version. Because line voltage may vary from venue to venue, you
should be sure your unit voltages matches the wall outlet voltage before
attempting to operate you fixture.
DMX-512:
DMX is short for Digital Multiplex. This is a universal
protocol used as a form of communication between intelligent fixtures
and controllers. A DMX controller sends DMX data instructions from
the controller to the fixture. DMX data is sent as serial data that travels
from fixture to fixture via the DATA “IN” and DATA “OUT” XLR terminals
located on all DMX fixtures (most controllers only have a DATA “OUT”
terminal).
DMX Linking:
DMX is a language allowing all makes and models of
different manufactures to be linked together and operate from a single
controller, as long as all fixtures and the controller are DMX compliant.
To ensure proper DMX data transmission, when using several DMX
fixtures try to use the shortest cable path possible. The order in which
fixtures are connected in a DMX line does not influence the DMX
addressing. For example; a fixture assigned a DMX address of 1 may
be placed anywhere in a DMX line, at the beginning, at the end, or
anywhere in the middle. When a fixture is assigned a DMX address of
1, the DMX controller knows to send DATA assigned to address 1 to
that unit, no matter where it is located in the DMX chain.
Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements (For DMX and Master/
Slave Operation):
The Concept 1™ can be controlled via DMX-512
protocol. The American DJ
®
Concept 1™ is a nine channel DMX unit. The
DMX address is set on the front panel of the Concept 1™. Your unit and
your DMX controller require a standard 3-pin XLR
connector for data input and data output (Figure
1). If you are making your own cables, be sure to
use standard two conductor shielded cable (This
cable may be purchased at almost all pro sound
and lighting stores). Your cables should be made
with a male and female XLR connector on either
end of the cable. Also remember that DMX cable
must be daisy chained and can not be split.
©American DJ® - www.americandj.com - Concept 1™ Instruction Manual Page 7
Concept 1™ Set Up
©
American DJ Supply
®
- www.americandj.com - Concept 1™ Instruction Manual Page 8
Figure 1
Notice:
Be sure to follow figures two and three when making your own
cables. Do not use the ground lug on the XLR connector. Do not con-
nect the cableʼs shield conductor to the ground lug or allow the shield
conductor to come in contact with the XLRʼs outer casing. Grounding
the shield could cause a short circuit and erratic behavior.
Concept 1™
Set Up
DMX512 IN
3-PIN XLR
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
DMX512
DMX+,DMX-,COMMON
1
2
3
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
and interference. It is always advisable
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture.
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX +
DMX -
COMMON
DMX512 OUT
3-PIN XLR
Figure 2
Figure 3
1 Ground
1 Ground
XLR Male Socket
XLR Pin Configuration
3 Hot
2 Cold
2 Cold
3 Hot
XLR Female Socket
Pin 3 = Data True (positive)
Pin 2 = Data Compliment (negative)
Pin 1 = Ground
Special Note: Line Termination.
When longer runs of cable are
used, you may need to use a terminator on the last unit to avoid erratic
behavior. A terminator is a 90-120 ohm 1/4 watt resistor which is con-
nected between pins 2 and 3 of a male XLR connector (DATA + and
DATA -). This unit is inserted in the female XLR connector of the last
unit in your daisy chain to terminate the line. Using a cable terminator
(ADJ part number Z-DMX/T) will decrease the possibilities of erratic
behavior.
DMX512 IN
3-PIN XLR
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
DMX512
DMX+,DMX-,COMMON
1
2
3
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
and interference. It is always advisable
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture.
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX +
DMX -
COMMON
DMX512 OUT
3-PIN XLR
Figure 4
5-Pin XLR DMX Connectors.
Some manufactures use 5-pin XLR
connectors for DATA transmission in place of 3-pin. 5-pin XLR fixtures
may be implemented in a 3-pin XLR DMX line. When inserting standard
5-pin XLR connectors in to a 3-pin line a cable adaptor must be used,
these adaptors are readily available at most electric stores. The chart
below details a proper cable conversion.
Conductor
5-Pin XLR Male (In)
3-Pin XLR Female (Out)
Pin 1
Do Not Use
Do Not Use
Pin 3
Pin 2
Pin 1
Pin 3
Pin 2
Not Used
Not Used
Data True (+ signal)
Data Compliment (- signal)
Ground/Shield
3-Pin XLR to 5-Pin XLR Conversion
