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
®
P56P LED. The American DJ
®
P56P LED 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 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 single
controller, as long as all fixtures and the controller are DMX compli
-
ant. 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 Operation):
The P56P LED can be controlled via DMX-512 protocol. The P56P LED
is a six channel DMX unit. The DMX address is set on the back panel of
the P56P LED. 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 - P56P LED Instruction Manual Page 5
P56P LED Set Up
©
American DJ Supply
®
- www.americandj.com - P56P LED Instruction Manual Page 6
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 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.
P56P LED
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 stan-
dard 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
