In the quiet moments before a show begins, while the audience files in and performers prepare backstage, someone is working behind the scenes to create the perfect atmosphere. That someone is often a lighting technician with a critical tool at their fingertips: a DMX controller.
A DMX controller is the command center of professional lighting systems. It allows lighting technicians to control multiple LED lights simultaneously, creating synchronized light shows with precise timing and color transitions. DMX (Digital Multiplex) is the industry-standard protocol that enables communication between lighting equipment.
The world of stage lighting has transformed dramatically over the past decades. What once required massive dimmer racks and analog control boards now fits into compact digital interfaces. LED technology revolutionized the industry, but with this evolution came new challenges in control and synchronization.
The heart of any DMX setup is the controller. In professional lighting control, specialized programs and consoles generate Art-Net and sACN protocols over Ethernet. This allows combining equipment from various manufacturers into a single system. Sundrax offers a wide selection of devices that convert various protocols to the standard DMX512, simplifying the integration process.
DMX nodes serve as translators between your controller and lighting fixtures. The PixelGate family of controllers converts ArtNet to the SPI protocol, which all addressable LEDs understand. LED strips and modules with the SPI protocol use serial data transmission. Information formed by the controller is transmitted along the pixel chain, with each pixel "reading" only its part of the data and passing the remaining part to the next.
Network Infrastructure
Modern lighting setups rely on network equipment to distribute control signals
🟠 Network switches ⮕ connect multiple devices
🟠 Ethernet cables ⮕ carry data between components
🟠 PixelGate ⮕ contains 2 Ethernet ports:
🔸 One for connecting to a computer or control console
🔸 Second for connecting another PixelGate using RJ45, avoiding the need to lay an additional network cable from the computer
Setting up a DMX system requires careful planning and configuration. Here's a step-by-step approach:
Configure your controller
Set up your console or software to output the correct protocol (Art-Net or sACN).
Set up your network
Assign static IP addresses to all devices. LED groups in PixelGate have their own IP addresses and web interfaces for individual configuration.
Configure your nodes
PixelGate technology converts 16 DMX universes into SPI format. The driver has 8 SPI outputs, each of which can address up to 1024 LEDs.
Connect your fixtures
Run DMX cables from nodes to lighting fixtures, supporting a wide range of LED strips with power supply voltages from 5 to 48V and various control protocols (2 or 3-wire).
Test your setup
Send test signals to verify proper operation.
When selecting DMX nodes, consider these factors:
Ease of Configuration
Quality nodes offer simple configuration methods. PixelGate products start within 3 seconds after being connected to the network and have a simple yet functional web interface. They are easily configurable and can be supplemented with other PixelGates, branched with splitters, and support modularity.
Nodes vary in the number of DMX universes they can handle. PixelGate can control thousands of pixels, creating complex light effects:
🟠 If the strips are monochrome and all outputs are used ⮕ you can control 8192 pixels
🟠 When using RGB LEDs ⮕ the number of addressable pixels is 2730
🟠 When using RGBW LEDs ⮕ the number of addressable pixels is 2048
🟠 LEDs can be configured ⮕ both individually and in groups
Professional-grade nodes feature robust construction, reliable electronics, and better performance under demanding conditions. PixelGate LED drivers are available in three formats to meet different installation needs:
PixelGate DIN - Mounted onto a DIN rail, installed in a cabinet on a standard mounting rail, occupying 4 modules. Its aluminum housing ensures durability combined with lightness.
PixelGate Arma - Housed in a reinforced casing with IP65-rated protection against dust and water jets, operational in 100% humidity and temperatures from -40°C to +70°C.
PixelGate Board - A casing-free board designed for use in positive temperatures (0°C to +60°C) and indoor environments, ideal for installation in niches or housings of other equipment.
Flickering LEDs are often caused by:
🟠 Incorrect PWM drivers ⮕ Dimming problems
🟠 Contact issues ⮕ in connections
🟠 Electromagnetic interference
🟠 Device incompatibility
As noted in the documentation, inexpensive drivers and homemade solutions often cause problems with LED strips, causing flickering, uneven illumination, and quick failure. The cause is usually in the driver, not in the LEDs themselves.
If your fixtures aren't responding:
🟠 Verify ⮕ IP address configurations
🟠 Check ⮕ network connections
🟠 Ensure ⮕ the correct universes are being sent
🟠 Test ⮕ cables for continuity
When your system becomes unresponsive:
🟠 Limit ⮕ universe broadcasts to only what's needed
🟠 Use ⮕ unicast or multicast instead of broadcast
🟠 Employ ⮕ a dedicated network for lighting control
Integrate wall panels with your DMX system to control night club lights. This allows for seamless transitions between preset lighting states and full console control. For non-addressable strips, Sundrax recommends using the LEDGate controller.
For complex shows, organize your universes logically. The PixelGate technology converts 16 DMX universes into SPI format, allowing for extensive organization:
🟠 Universe 1 ⮕ Dance floor
🟠 Universe 2 ⮕ DJ booth/stage
🟠 Universe 3 ⮕ Lounge area
🟠 Universe 4 ⮕ Bar
Thanks to extensible addressing, Sundrax equipment easily adapts to any scale of temporary installations - from small events to large festivals.
PixelGate offers an advantageous solution for those who want to reduce expenses on professional lighting equipment while improving its performance. Thanks to its architecture with 8 ports, PixelGate allows creating complex light systems at a more affordable price. On average, such systems cost 5 times less than similar DMX-based systems.
As technology advances, we're seeing the emergence of more intelligent control systems that integrate with other production elements. By 2030, leading electronics manufacturers predict a complete transition from soldering to internal mounting technologies. Special software products allow visual design and programming of light shows, creating scene sequences, configuring effect timings, and synchronizing light with music or other external devices.
DMX controllers have revolutionized stage lighting, giving technicians unprecedented control over LED fixtures. Whether you're lighting a small venue or a major production, understanding DMX technology is essential for creating impactful lighting designs.
Behind every great show is a lighting technician who understands their tools. With the right DMX controller and knowledge, you can transform any space and elevate any performance with light. PixelGate LED controllers, designed using high-quality components and materials, ensure exceptionally reliable, uninterrupted operation for your lighting installations.
