©
American DJ
®
- www.americandj.com - Starball LED DMX™ Instruction Manual Page 6
©
American DJ
®
- www.americandj.com - Starball LED DMX™ Instruction Manual Page 5
dipswitch 10 it is used for special functions.
Each dipswitch has a preset value. A specific DMX address is set by
combining the dipswitches that sum your desired value. For example:
To achieve a DMX address of 21, combine dipswitches 1, 3, and 5.
Sense dipswitch 1 has a value of 1, dipswitch 3 has a value of 4, and
dipswitch 5 has a value of 16, the combination of the create a DMX
value of 21.
Set DMX address 21:
Set DMX address 201:
Dipswitch # 1 = 1
Dipswitch # 1 = 1
Dipswitch # 3 = 4
Dipswitch # 4 = 8
Dipswitch # 5 = 16
Dipswitch # 7 = 64
= 21
Dipswitch # 8 = 128
= 201
Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements (For DMX and Master/
Slave Operation):
The Starball LED DMX™ can be controlled via DMX-
512 protocol. The American DJ
®
Starball LED DMX™ is a two channel
DMX unit. The DMX address is set on the back panel of the Starball LED
DMX™. 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 conduc-
tor 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.
Power Supply:
Before plugging your unit in, be sure the source volt-
age in your area matches the required voltage for your American DJ
®
Starball LED DMX.™ The American DJ
®
Starball LED DMX™ is avail-
able 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 pro
-
tocol 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 trav
-
els from fixture to fixture via the DATA “IN” and DATA “OUT” XLR ter
-
minals 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 sin-
gle controller, as long as all fixtures and the controller are DMX com
-
pliant. 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.
Dip-switches in DMX mode:
This unit uses dipswitches to assign a
DMX address. Each dipswitch represents a binary value.
Dipswitch 1 address equals 1
Dipswitch 2 address equals 2
Dipswitch 3 address equals 4
Dipswitch 4 address equals 8
Dipswitch 5 address equals 16
Dipswitch 6 address equals 32
Dipswitch 7 address equals 64
Dipswitch 8 address equals 128
Dipswitch 9 address equals 256
Dipswitch 10 - Some units omit dipswitch 10. When a unit does include
Starball LED DMX™
Set Up
ON
1
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
10
128
2
8 32
256
65
16
4
1
SP
DMX CHANNEL
Figure 1
Starball LED DMX™
Set Up
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 cable’s shield conductor to the ground lug or allow the shield
conductor to come in contact with the XLR’s outer casing. Grounding
the shield could cause a short circuit and 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 2
