Part of the rebuilding is adding in DMX controls.  So I needed to build a DMX controller. The truth be known is that I already had a controller, My PC.  In fact I have several but we will talk about that in another post.

What I really needed was a way to get my computer to talk DMX.

They call it a USB DMX dongle,  I call it a DMX protocol interface.   All the parts we will need are listed here at DIY Light Animation

So it is over to DIY Animated Lighting site and sign up.  The DMX controller is about a 20 part project that takes about 20 minutes to build after you get the parts.

Requirements: Soldering pencil, Solder, flux, A little alcohol to clean things up and some parts that are ordered on line at mouser.com .   I got my lynx Dongle board from RJ over at DLA.    Here is the Manual on it.  I tested it after I had built it and it worked fine with what I had available.

Since I had LOR equipment already (reuse) I made a Lynx LOR crossover cable.

NOTE you will need the latest firmware on the LOR boards.

This Crossover cable gives me the ability to take the DMX signal my computer now is able to do (LYNX Dongle)  and send it to my LOR boards via my crossover cable.  You will need 1 crossover cable for each set of LOR controllers as they do pass-through the now DMX signal correctly.

There are 2 programs I use Light O Rama because there is some great stuff in there and Vixen another very flexible Light sequencing program.

There are some distinctive differences but similarities as well.  LOR talks LOR language.  A language that talks to the LOR boards as well as can put out DMX with it own DMX controller.  LYNX talks DMX and can talk to the LOR boards at a DMX level with the use of a crossover cable.

Is there any differences, YAH. Is it important … not really all you need to know is there is differences,

They both use the same protocol, so they can be tied together with a little work.

People ask me, “do you use both programs”  and I say Why not? … I have several Screwdrives, a couple of hammers, different saws and drills .. so in the same LIGHT this is just 2 similar but different tools.     Are they compatible? Close enough for me as I use a LOR to Vixen  convertor program .

So I will start with LOR and build up some of the sequence there, then use my convertor and convert it to VIXen and finish it off there.

I also like an add in Plug for windows media player for my LOR boards for quick and simple shows called LORVIS.  Basically download and install it and it will turn your LOR controller in what at one time was called a light organ.

The first Item to do always is communications, and with this project done we have our communications.

See ya next time.