Martin Stagebar 2 RGBAW, User Manual, Page: 11 / 32

Control data link 11
Control data link
Stagebar 2 fixtures must be connected via a control data link for DMX controller operation.The following
considerations must be taken into account when planning the data link:
• DMX cable of a suitable type and 5-pin XLR connectors must be used. Flexible cable with good bend and
torsion recovery is required for touring installations. Martin DMX cables are recommended.
• The maximum permitted control data cable length before a control signal amplifier is required is 500
meters (1640 ft.) if AWG 14 cable is used, or 300 meters (984 ft.) if AWG 16 cable is used.
• Fixtures must be ‘daisy-chained’, i.e. the data cable must be connected in one single chain of fixtures.
• Each chain may connect a maximum of 32 fixtures.
• An optically isolated amplifier-splitter such as the Martin DMX 5.3 Splitter (P/N 90758140) must be used
to:
- extend a link beyond the maximum permitted control data cable length,
- extend the link to include a further maximum 32 fixtures, or
- branch the link into further single chains, each containing 32 fixtures. The Martin DMX 5.3 Splitter
allows a link to be branched into five new chains.
• Each chain on the link must be terminated by inserting a DMX termination plug into the data output of the
last Stagebar 2 on the chain. The termination plug places a 120 ohm resistance across data hot (+) and
cold (-).
• Long parallel runs of AC power and control data cables may cause interference on the data link and must
be avoided.
• One DMX universe has 512 DMX control channels available. If individual control of the Stagebar 2 fixtures
in an installation is required, each fixture must be given its own channels until the limit of 512 is reached.
At this point, a new DMX universe must be created before more fixtures can be added.
• The number of Stagebar 2 fixtures that can be individually controlled in one DMX universe depends on
the number of DMX channels they use, which in turn depends on which mode they are set to. For
example, if fixtures are set to individual pixel control in HSI mode, they will each require 18 DMX channels
(one channel for hue, one for saturation and one for intensity on each of six pixels). The total number of
fixtures that can be linked in one DMX universe will therefore be 512/18 = 28. See Table 2 on page 13 for
an overview of the number of DMX channels required by Stagebar 2 fixtures in different modes.
Connecting the data link
The Stagebar 2 has a 5-pin male XLR connector for data input and a 5-pin female connector for data output
Both connectors are located on the connections panel and have standard XLR DMX pin-out.
To connect the data link:
1. Cut power to all devices. If the fixture has been in use, allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
2. Connect a suitable cable to the DMX output socket on the DMX controller and route it to the first fixture
on the link.
3. Connect the cable to the first fixture’s DMX input socket, and continue adding fixtures, connecting DMX
output to DMX input sockets.
4. On the last fixture in each chain on the link, insert a DMX termination plug in the DMX output socket.
5. When you have made all connections, set up the fixtures as described in the next section of this manual
before applying power.