Chauvet Music Mixer DMX 44 User Manual
DMX-44  
DMX Controller  
USER MANUAL  
Chauvet, 3000 N 29th Ct, Hollywood, FL 33020 U.S.A  
(800) 762-1084 – (954) 929-1115  
FAX (954) 929-5560  
www.chauvetlighting.com  
 
BEFORE YOU BEGIN  
What is included  
DMX-44 controller  
DC 9-12V 500mA, 90V~240V Power Adapter  
Manual with warranty card  
Unpacking Instructions  
Immediately upon receiving a fixture, carefully unpack the carton, check the contents to ensure that  
all parts are present, and have been received in good condition. Notify the shipper immediately and  
retain packing material for inspection if any parts appear damaged from shipping or the carton itself  
shows signs of mishandling. Save the carton and all packing materials. In the event that a fixture  
must be returned to the factory, it is important that the fixture be returned in the original factory box  
and packing.  
Safety Instructions  
Please read these instructions carefully, which includes important  
information about the installation, usage and maintenance?  
Please keep this User Guide for future consultation. If you sell the unit to another user, be sure that  
they also receive this instruction booklet.  
Always make sure that you are connecting to the proper voltage and that the line voltage you are  
connecting to is not higher than that stated on decal or rear panel of the fixture.  
This product is intended for indoor use only!  
To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not expose fixture to rain or moisture. Make sure there are no  
flammable materials close to the unit while operating.  
The unit must be installed in a location with adequate ventilation, at least 50cm from adjacent  
surfaces. Be sure that no ventilation slots are blocked.  
Always disconnect from power source before servicing or replacing lamp or fuse and be sure to  
replace with same lamp source.  
In the event of serious operating problem, stop using the unit immediately. Never try to repair the unit  
by yourself. Repairs carried out by unskilled people can lead to damage or malfunction. Please  
contact the nearest authorized technical assistance center. Always use the same type spare parts.  
Don’t connect the device to a dimmer pack.  
Make sure power cord is never crimped or damaged.  
Never disconnect power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.  
Do not operate this device under 113° F ambient temperature conditions.  
Caution!  
There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not open the housing or attempt  
any repairs yourself. In the unlikely event your unit may require service, please contact  
CHAUVET.  
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INTRODUCTION  
Features  
Universal DMX-512 Controller  
240 scene memory  
192 DMX channels of control  
Polarity selector  
Fog control button  
Strobe control button  
Removable rubber edge guard  
3 space 19" rack and table top mount with edge removed  
Midi compatible  
Controls up to 12 intelligent lights  
30 banks of 8 scenes  
Beat-activation, tap sync, auto run  
6 sets of chases containing 240 scenes  
General Overview  
The DMX-44 is a universal intelligent lighting controller. It allows the control of 12 fixtures composed  
of 16 channels each and up to 240 programmable scenes. Six chase banks can contain up to 240  
steps composed of the saved scenes and in any order. Programs can be triggered by music, midi,  
automatically or manually.  
On the surface you will find various programming tools such as 8 universal channel sliders, fog and  
strobe control buttons, quick access scanner and scene buttons, and an LED display indicator for  
easier navigation of controls and menu functions.  
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Introduction  
Product Overview (front)  
12  
10  
11  
18  
22  
1
2
3
13  
5
6
8
16  
17  
9
21  
4
7
19 20  
14  
15  
Item  
Button or Fader  
Function  
1
2
3
4
Scanner select buttons  
Scanner indicator LEDS  
Scene select buttons  
Channel faders  
Fixture selection  
Indicates the fixtures currently selected  
Universal bump buttons representing scene location for storage and selection  
For adjusting DMX values, Ch 1~8 can be adjusted immediately after pressing the  
respective scanner select button, Ch 9~16 after pressing the Page select button  
5
Page A Indicator LED  
Represents Ch 1~8 range selected  
6
7
Page B Indicator LED  
Page select button  
Represents Ch 9~16 range selected  
In manual mode, press to toggle between pages of control or to select both pages  
simultaneously. Both LEDS on will allow control of both lower and upper range channel.  
8
Program button  
Used to enter programming mode  
9
Music/Bank Copy button  
LCD display window  
Mode Indicator LEDS  
Bank Up button  
Used to activate Music mode and as the copy command during programming  
Status window displays pertinent operational data  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
Provides operating mode status, (manual, music or auto)  
Function button to traverse Scene/Steps in banks or chases  
Function button to traverse Scene/Steps in banks or chases  
Bank Down button  
Tap Display button  
This is a Tap-Sync during playback and during programming changes the DMX value  
displayed in the LCD panel to percentages  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
Blackout button  
Midi/Add button  
Auto/Del button  
Chase buttons  
Speed fader  
Sets the shutter or dimmer value of all fixtures to “0” causing all light output to cease  
Activates MIDI external control and also used to confirm the record/save process  
Used to activate Auto mode and as the delete function key during programming  
Chase memory 1 ~ 6  
This will adjust the hold time of a scene or a step within a chase  
Also considered a cross-fade, sets the interval time between two scenes in a chase  
Built in Chauvet fog controller  
Fade-Time fader  
Fog button  
Strobe button  
Built in Chauvet strobe controller  
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Product Overview (rear panel)  
28  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
29  
Item  
Button or Fader  
Function  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
28  
29  
MIDI input port  
For external triggering of Banks and Chases using a MIDI device  
May be used to correct signal polarity  
DMX control signal  
DMX polarity switch  
DMX output connector  
DC Input jack  
Main power feed  
Strobe connector  
ON/OFF power switch  
Fog connector  
Chauvet Mono Strobe ¼” connector for built in strobe controller  
Turns the controller on and off  
Chauvet fog controller IEC connector  
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Common Terms  
The following are common terms used in intelligent light programming.  
.
.
Blackout is a state by where all lighting fixtures light output are set to 0 or off, usually on a temporary  
basis.  
DMX-512 is an industry standard digital communication protocol used in entertainment lighting  
equipment. For more information read Sections “DMX Primer” and “DMX Control Mode” in the  
Appendix.  
.
.
Fixture refers to your lighting instrument or other device such as a fogger or dimmer of which you can  
control.  
Programs are a bunch of scenes stacked one after another. It can be programmed as either a single  
scene or multiple scenes in sequence.  
.
.
.
Scenes are static lighting states.  
Sliders also known as faders.  
Chases can also be called programs. A chase consists of a bunch of scenes stacked one after  
another.  
.
.
.
Scanner refers to a lighting instrument with a pan and tilt mirror; however, in the ILS-CON controller it  
can be used to control any DMX-512 compatible device as a generic fixture.  
MIDI is a standard for representing musical information in a digital format. A MIDI input would provide  
external triggering of scenes using midi device such as a midi keyboard.  
Stand Alone refers to a fixture’s ability to function independently of an external controller and usually  
in sync to music, due to a built in microphone.  
.
.
.
Fade slider is used to adjust the time between scenes within a chase.  
Speed slider affects the amount of time a scene will hold its state. It is also considered a wait time.  
Shutter is a mechanical device in the lighting fixture that allows you to block the lights path. It is often  
used to lessen the intensity of the light output and to strobe.  
.
.
Patching refers to the process of assigning fixtures a DMX channel.  
Playbacks can be either scenes or chases that are directly called to execution by user action. A  
playback can also be considered program memory that can be recalled during a show or running  
mode.  
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS  
Setup  
SETTING UP THE SYSTEM  
1) Place the DMX-44 on a leveled surface. Note! The DMX-44 can also be rack mounted,  
occupying 3U spaces by removing the outer rubber edge guard.  
2) Plug the AC to DC power supply to the system back panel and to the mains outlet.  
3) Plug in your DMX cable(s) to your intelligent lighting as described in the fixtures respective  
manual. For a quick Primer on DMX see the “DMX Primer” section in the Appendix of this  
manual.  
FIXTURE ADDRESSING  
The DMX-44 is programmed to control 16 channels of DMX per fixture, therefore the fixtures you wish  
to control with the corresponding “SCANNER” buttons on the unit, must be spaced 16 channels apart.  
FIXTURE OR DEFAULT DMX STARTING  
SCANNER # ADDRESS  
BINARY DIPSWITCH SETTINGS  
SWITCH TO THE “ON POSITION”  
1
1
1
2
17  
1,5  
3
33  
1,6  
4
5
49  
65  
1,5,6  
1,7  
6
7
8
9
10  
11  
12  
81  
97  
1,5,7  
1,6,7  
1,5,6,7  
1,8  
1,5,8  
1,6,8  
1,5,6,8  
113  
129  
145  
161  
177  
Please refer to your individual fixture’s manual for DMX addressing instructions. The table above  
refers to a standard 9 dipswitch binary configurable device.  
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Programming  
A program (bank) is a sequence of different scenes (or steps) that will be called up one after another.  
In the DMX-44, 30 programs can be created of 8 scenes in each.  
ENTERING PROGRAM MODE  
1) Press the PROGRAM button for 3 seconds until an LCD dot next to the label PROG blinks. This  
indicates that the user is in programming mode.  
CREATE A SCENE  
A scene is a static lighting state. Scenes are stored in banks. There are 30 bank memories on the  
controller and each bank can hold 8 scene memories. The DMX-44 can save 240 scenes total.  
Action  
Notes  
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
Deselect Blackout if LED is lit.  
A SCANNER button represents one lighting fixture.  
seconds.  
2) Select a SCANNER (fixture) to program.  
You can access channels 9~16 by pressing the Page  
Select button. This is necessary for fixtures that use  
more than 8 channels of control. When switching  
pages it will be necessary to move previously moved  
faders up then down to activate.  
3) Compose a look by moving the FADERS.  
(Changes in fixture attribute such as colors  
and gobos.) Press Page Select to access  
Channels 9~16 on the faders.  
4) To program another SCANNER press the  
SCANNER button you have just finished  
programming then select another  
Pressing the same Scanner button again will hold the  
parameters changed for that fixture in the program  
scene.  
SCANNER button to program.  
5) Repeat steps 2 ~ 4 until you have your look.  
6) Tap Midi/Add button to prepare to store.  
There are 8 scenes available in every bank.  
7) Choose a BANK (01~30). Use the Up and  
Down arrow Bank buttons to change if  
necessary.  
SCANNER COPY:  
8) Select a SCENES button to store. All LEDs  
will blink 3 times. The LCD will now display  
the bank and scene number that is stored.  
You can copy the settings in one SCANNER to  
another. Just press and hold a previously  
programmed SCANNER, then press another  
SCANNER button to record onto.  
9) Repeat steps 2 ~ 8 to record more scenes.  
( Read Important notes on the right ->)  
Press the BLACKOUT button to deselect.  
10) To exit program mode, hold the PROGRAM  
button for 3 seconds. The controller will  
default to a BLACKOUT when exiting the  
programmer.  
EDIT A SCENE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press the PROGRAM button for 3 seconds.  
Deselect Blackout if LED is lit.  
2) Locate the scene in the program BANK.  
Use BANK UP/DOWN to navigate program  
banks.  
! Remember the scene number on the controller that  
you will edit, otherwise, you could overwrite the  
contents of another scene.  
3) Select the SCENE in the program BANK to  
edit.  
4) Adjust FADERS to change the look.  
5) Press the Midi/Add button then the SCENE  
button again previously selected for editing.  
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Operating Instructions  
SCENE COPY  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press the PROGRAM button for 3 seconds.  
2) Locate the scene in the program BANK.  
Use BANK UP/DOWN to navigate program  
banks.  
3) Select the SCENE in the program BANK to  
copy.  
4) Locate the destination scene in the program  
BANK. Use BANK UP/DOWN to navigate  
program banks.  
5) Press the Midi/Add button then the new  
SCENE button to copy to.  
DELETE SCENE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Locate the scene in the program BANK.  
Use BANK UP/DOWN to navigate program  
banks.  
The action of deleting a scene is actually a value reset  
to 0 on all DMX channels available to the scene  
memory. The physical location of the scene memory  
remains.  
2) Press and hold AUTO/DEL button while  
pressing the SCENE you want to delete.  
DELETE ALL SCENES  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button and  
the BANK () while you turn the controller  
Off.  
All scenes should be erased when the controller is  
turned back on.  
BANK COPY  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press the PROGRAM button for 3 seconds.  
2) Locate the program BANK. Use BANK  
UP/DOWN to navigate program banks.  
3) Press and release the Midi/Add button.  
4) Locate the destination program BANK. Use  
BANK UP/DOWN to navigate program  
banks.  
5) Press the Music / Bank-Copy button to  
The LCD display will blink to indicate a successful  
copy.  
compete copy.  
BANK DELETE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds.  
2) Locate the BANK to delete. Press the  
Auto/Del and Music/Bank-Copy at the  
same time to delete the Bank.  
The LCD display will blink to indicate a successful  
copy.  
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Operating Instructions  
Chase Programming  
A chase is created by using previously created scenes. Scenes become steps in a chase and can be  
arranged in any order you choose. It is highly recommended that prior to programming chases for the  
first time; you delete all chases from memory. See “Delete All Chases” for instructions.  
CREATE A CHASE  
A Chase can contain 240 scenes as steps. The term steps and scenes are used interchangeably.  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds.  
2) Press the CHASE (1~6) button you wish to  
program.  
3) Change BANK if necessary to locate a  
scene.  
4) Select the SCENE to insert.  
5) Tap the MIDI/REC button to store. All LEDs  
will flash 3 times.  
6) Repeat steps 3 ~ 5 to add additional steps  
in the chase. Up to 240 steps can be  
recorded.  
7) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to save the chase.  
COPY BANK INTO CHASE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to enter programming mode.  
2) Select the BANK to be copied using the  
BANK UP/DOWN buttons.  
3) Press MUSIC/BANK COPY and Midi/Add  
buttons at the same time to copy.  
4) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to exit programming mode.  
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Operating Instructions  
ADDING A STEP TO A CHASE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to enter programming mode.  
2) Press the desired CHASE (1~6) button.  
3) Press the TAPSYNC/Display and the LCD  
will display the scene and bank number.  
This displays the scene you will be adding.  
4) Press the TAPSYNC/Display again and the  
LCD will display the chase you previously  
selected.  
5) Use the BANK UP/DOWN buttons to scroll  
through the chase and arrive at the step  
number for which you would like to add or  
append a scene/step to.  
6) Press Midi/Add button and one step  
number will be added to the previously  
displayed step number.  
7) Press the SCENE button that corresponds  
to the scene to be copied.  
8) Press Midi/Add button again to add the  
new step.  
9) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to exit programming mode.  
DELETE A SCENE/STEP IN A CHASE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
Remember that we use scene and steps  
interchangeably.  
seconds to enter programming mode.  
2) Press the desired CHASE (1~6) button that  
contains the scene to be deleted.  
3) Press the TAP DISPLAY button to switch  
the LCD display to steps.  
4) Select the scene/step to be deleted using  
the BANK UP/DOWN buttons.  
5) Press AUTO DEL button to delete the  
step/scene.  
6) Press and hold PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to exit.  
DELETE A CHASE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
Scenes will remain programmed on the controller.  
Only the chase is affected.  
seconds to enter programming mode.  
2) Press the CHASE button (1~6) to be  
deleted.  
3) Press and hold AUTO DEL button and the  
respective CHASE button then release to  
delete the chase. All LEDs will blink 3 times.  
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Operating Instructions  
DELETE ALL CHASE PROGRAMS  
CUATION! This procedure will result in irrevocable loss of chase step memory. The individual scenes  
and program banks will be preserved.  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the BANK DOWN button  
and the AUTO DEL button while turning  
OFF the controller.  
Playback (Scenes)  
MANUAL RUN SCENE  
When power is first turned ON, the controller will be in manual scene mode.  
Action   
Notes   
1) Make sure neither Music Trigger nor Auto  
Trigger leds on the LCD display are on.  
If by chance you are in programming mode you can  
also press and hold the PROGRAM button until the  
Program LED goes off.  
2) Select the program BANK that stores the  
scene you want to run manually by using  
the BANK UP/DOWN.  
3) Press the SCENE button to run.  
RUNNING IN SOUND-MODE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press the Music/Bank-copy button until the In the Sound mode, programs will be triggered by the  
Music Trigger LED turns on.  
sound using its built-in microphone. All scenes in a  
Bank will chase.  
2) Change BANK programs by using BANK  
UP/DOWN buttons if necessary.  
3) Press the Music/Bank-copy to exit.  
RUNNING IN AUTO-MODE  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press the AUTO DEL button until the Auto  
Trigger LED turns on.  
In the Auto mode, programs will be triggered by  
controllers fade and speed time as set on the faders.  
All scenes in a Bank will chase.  
2) Change BANK programs by using BANK  
UP/DOWN buttons if necessary.  
3) You can adjust the time between steps by  
moving the SPEED fader and the duration  
of the step by moving the FADE TIME  
fader.  
CAUTION! The fade setting should never be slower  
than the speed setting or the scene will never  
complete execution.  
4) You can change Banks while in operation  
by using the BANK UP/DOWN buttons.  
BLACKOUT  
The Blackout button brings all lighting output to 0 or off.  
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Operating Instructions  
Playback (Chases)  
MANUAL RUN CHASES  
This function allows the user to manually step through each individual step in a chase.  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to enter programming mode.  
2) Start a chase by pressing any one of the  
CHASE buttons.  
3) Press the Tapsync/Display button to  
manually step through the chase.  
4) Use the BANK buttons to scroll through the  
chases.  
5) Press and hold the PROGRAM button for 3  
seconds to exit programming mode.  
AUTO RUN CHASES  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press any one of the CHASE buttons.  
CAUTION! The fade setting should never be slower  
than the speed setting or the scene will never  
complete execution.  
2) Press and release the Auto / Del button.  
The corresponding LED will blink.  
3) Adjust the SPEED and FADE faders to your  
liking.  
4) You can override the speed and fade time  
by tapping the Tapsync/Display button  
(three) times. The chase will now run on the  
interval time of the taps.  
MUSIC RUN CHASES  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press any one of the CHASE buttons.  
2) Press and release the Music/Bank-copy  
buttons. The corresponding LED will blink in  
the display.  
3) Your chase will now run to sound.  
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Operating Instructions  
Midi Operation  
The controller will only respond to MIDI commands on the MIDI channel which it is set to full stop. All  
MIDI control is performed using Note on commands. All other MIDI instructions are ignored. To stop a  
chase, send the blackout on note.  
Action   
Notes   
1) Press and hold the Midi/Add button Until  
the third and fourth digits on the LED  
display blink.  
This is the Channel that the controller will receive  
MIDI note commands.  
2) Select the MIDI control channel (1~16) via  
the BANK UP/DOWN buttons to set.  
3) Press and hold the Midi/Add button to store  
midi setup settings.  
MIDI NOTE  
00 to 07  
08 to 15  
16 to 23  
24 to 31  
32 to 39  
40 to 47  
48 to 55  
56 to 63  
64 to 71  
72 to 79  
80 to 87  
88 to 95  
96 to 103  
104 to 111  
112 to 119  
120  
FUNCTION (TURN ON/OFF)  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 1  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 2  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 3  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 4  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 5  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 6  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 7  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 8  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 9  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 10  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 11  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 12  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 13  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 14  
Scenes 1~8 in BANK 15  
Chase 1  
121  
Chase 2  
122  
Chase 3  
123  
Chase 4  
124  
Chase 5  
125  
Chase 6  
126  
BLACKOUT  
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