thomann SDC-16 User Manual

DMX Controller SDC-16

DMX controller

User manual

Musikhaus Thomann
Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.thomann.de

16.10.2017, ID: 224882

Table of contents

1 General notes............................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Further information........................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 Notational conventions.................................................................................................................... 6

1.3 Symbols and signal words............................................................................................................... 7

2 Safety instructions..................................................................................................................................... 9

3 Features....................................................................................................................................................... 13

4 Starting up.................................................................................................................................................. 14

5 Connections and controls................................................................................................................... 17

6 Operating.................................................................................................................................................... 20

7 Technical specifications....................................................................................................................... 22

8 Plug and connection assignments.................................................................................................. 23

9 Protecting the environment.............................................................................................................. 24

Table of contents

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DMX controller

1 General notes

This manual contains important instructions for the safe operation of the unit. Read and follow
the safety instructions and all other instructions. Keep the manual for future reference. Make
sure that it is available to all those using the device. If you sell the unit please make sure that
the buyer also receives this manual.

Our products are subject to a process of continuous development. Thus, they are subject to
change.

General notes

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1.1 Further information

On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the
following points:

Download This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download.

Keyword search

Use the search function in the electronic version to find the topics of
interest for you quickly.

Online guides

Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics
and terms.

Personal consultation For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.

Service

If you have any problems with the device the customer service will
gladly assist you.

General notes

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1.2 Notational conventions

This manual uses the following notational conventions:

The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.

Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.

Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’.

Letterings

Displays

General notes

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The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a step is
indented and highlighted by an arrow.

Example:

1. Switch on the device.

2. Press [Auto].

ð

Automatic operation is started.

3. Switch off the device.

1.3 Symbols and signal words

In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are
used in this manual.

Instructions

General notes

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Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an

immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or
serious injury if it is not avoided.

NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos-

sible dangerous situation that can result in material and
environmental damage if it is not avoided.

Warning signs Type of danger

Warning – danger zone.

General notes

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2 Safety instructions

This device is used to control spotlights, dimmers, lighting effects equipment or other DMX­controlled devices. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use
under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal
injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper
use.

This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual
abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this
device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.

Intended use

Safety instructions

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DANGER!
Danger for children

Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not
within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard!

Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from
the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke!

Never let children unattended use electrical devices.

NOTICE!
Risk of fire

Do not block areas of ventilation. Do not install the device near any direct heat
source. Keep the device away from naked flames.

Safety

Safety instructions

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NOTICE!
Operating conditions

This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never
expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and
strong vibrations.

NOTICE!
External power supply

The device is powered by an external power supply. Before connecting the
external power supply, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet) matches the
voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual cur­rent circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and pos­sibly the user.

Unplug the external power supply before electrical storms occur and when the
device is unused for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric shock or
fire.

Safety instructions

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NOTICE!
Possible staining

The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react
with the coating of your parquet, linoleum, laminate or PVC floor and after some
time cause permanent dark stains.

In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the floor, but use felt-pad
floor protectors or a carpet.

Safety instructions

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3 Features

Special features of this DMX controller:

n 16 channel faders
n

1 master fader

n

Compact design

n

Simple operation

n

Power supply via the supplied 9 V external power adapter

Features

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4 Starting up

Unpack and carefully check that there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep
the equipment packaging. To fully protect the device against vibration, dust and moisture
during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material
suitable for transport or storage, respectively.

Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for
all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.

NOTICE!
Possible data transmission errors

For error-free operation make use of dedicated DMX cables and do not use ordi­nary microphone cables.

Never connect the DMX input or output to audio devices such as mixers or ampli­fiers.

Starting up

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Connect the DMX output of the device (C) to the DMX input of the first DMX device (1). Con­nect the output of the first DMX device to the input of the second one, and so on to form a
daisy chain. Always ensure that the output of the last DMX device in the daisy chain is termi­nated with a resistor (110 Ω, ¼ W).

Connections in DMX mode

Starting up

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DMX controller

Connect the included 9V power supply unit to the power supply input of the unit and then
plug the power cord plug into the wall outlet.

When all cable connections are made, turn on the device with the main switch on the rear
panel. The device is immediately ready for operation, the display shows the current DMX start
address, for example ‘A001’ .

Connecting the power adapter

Turning the unit on

Starting up

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5 Connections and controls

Front panel

Connections and controls

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1 [1] … [16]

Channel faders 1 through 16.
Use the channel faders to individually control DMX channels 1 … 16.

2 Display for DMX address and set values with indicator LEDs:

n [%]: indicates that the display has been switched to percentage display
n

[0-255]: indicates that the display has been switched to DMX value display

3 [MASTER]

Master fader
The master fader serves as a controller for all 512 channels of the DMX universe.

4 Control buttons

[MODE]: Toggles the display mode.
[UP], [DOWN]: Increases or decreases the displayed value.

Connections and controls

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5 [Dc Input]

Connection socket for the power adapter.

6 [POWER]

Main switch. Turns the device on and off.

7 [DMX OUT]

DMX output

Rear panel

Connections and controls

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6 Operating

On delivery, the DMX start address, i.e. the DMX channel controlled by channel fader [1], is set
to 1. Proceed as follows to change the DMX start address:

1. Press [UP] or [DOWN] once to increase or decrease the DMX start address by one. The

value has to be within a range of 1 to 512.

2. If you press and hold [UP] or [DOWN], the set value changes more quickly.

ð

The new DMX start address is shown in the display.

1. Move the channel faders to the desired value. The corresponding DMX value in the

range 0 to 255 appears in the display for approximately 10 seconds.

2. To switch the display to percentage (0 to 100), press [MODE].

ð

The LED [%] lights.

3. To switch the display to DMX values (0 to 255), press again [MODE].

ð

The [0-255] LED lights.

Setting the DMX start address

Using channel faders

Operating

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1. Move the master fader to the desired value. It is output on all 512 channels of the DMX

universe. The corresponding DMX value in the range 0 to 255 appears in the display for
approximately 10 seconds.

2. To switch the display to percentage (0 to 100), press [MODE].

ð

The LED [%] lights.

3. To switch the display to DMX values (0 to 255), press again [MODE].

ð

The [0-255] LED lights.

Using the master fader

Operating

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7 Technical specifications

Output XLR socket, 3-pin
Voltage supply

9 V plug-in power supply , 300 mA, positive pole via inner contact
Dimensions (W × H × D) 482 mm × 80 mm × 132 mm
Weight 2.3 kg

Technical specifications

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8 Plug and connection assignments

This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equip­ment so that a perfect light experience is guaranteed.

Please take our tips, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is indicated: Even if a plug
fits into a socket, the result of an incorrect connection may be a destroyed DMX controller, a
short circuit or ‘just’ a not working light show!

The unit offers a 3-pin XLR socket for DMX output and a 3-pin XLR plug for DMX input. Please
refer to the drawing and table below for the pin assignment of a suitable XLR plug.

Pin Configuration

1 Ground, shielding
2 Signal inverted (DMX–, ‘cold signal’)
3 Signal (DMX+, ‘hot signal’)

Introduction

DMX connections

Plug and connection assignments

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9 Protecting the environment

For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been
chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.

Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that

they are fed to a recovery. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.

Batteries must not be disposed of as domestic waste or thrown into fire. Dispose of the bat­teries according to national or local regulations regarding hazardous waste. To protect the
environment, dispose of empty batteries at your retail store or at appropriate collection sites.

Disposal of the packaging mate­rial

Disposal of batteries

Protecting the environment

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This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
(WEEE). Do not dispose with your normal household waste.

Dispose this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste
facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your
country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

Disposal of your old device

Protecting the environment

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Notes

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Musikhaus Thomann · Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 · 96138 Burgebrach · Germany · www.thomann.de