In this video, we will review how to properly set up and get you started with the basics of programming an LED Par light to your console. Whether it’s an older or newer unit you will be up and running in no time.

Setting a DMX Address

The first step is setting the DMX address for your LED light. You will either have a digital screen or if you are working with an older unit it may have dip switches on the back instead.

When working with an older console you will notice that the DMX address starts with 1 on the first fixture and that will take up to 16 channels. Then, the second fixture would have the DMX addresses of 17 through 33, and so on.

If you are working with software such as ENTTEC’s DMXis all you would need to is bring the light in, patch it into the software, and then see what the DMX address is supposed to be. Once you patch in the light to the software you can set the DMX address on the back of the lights.

DMX Address for LED Pars

As mentioned earlier in the post you will either have an older unit with the dip switches or you’ll be working with newer light that has the digital screen instead.

If you are working with an LED Par that has the dip switches then you will need to set the DMX address using those dip switches. Each switch has a numerical number and each switch doubles. This is called a binary switch scheme.

For example, if you needed to set the DMX address to 17 then you would flip the dip switches 16 and 1 up, and leave the rest of the switches down.

When working with a newer LED Par light you will most likely be able to set the DMX address using the digital function on the back of the lights.

To set the DMX address using the digital screen you would hit “Enter”, “Up and Down”, to select the address, and then hit “Enter” again. With most newer LED pars this should set the DMX address for your light.

Programming Your LED Pars

Now that you have your LED Pars set up you should be able to have control over them using your console or software.

To test this and make sure you do have control select the first fixture you set up. Using the faders or buttons you should be able to select or mix the colors available for that LED Par. Most units you have red, blue, green, and white.

Programming with Hardware Base Consoles

Now you are ready to start programming your LED Pars. If you are working with a console similar to the Chauvet Obey 40 (as pictured above) you will first select the fixture you want to program. Using the faders you can adjust and create the color you want to work with.

If you are working with a second light you can do the same and set your color. Once you have dialed in the colors you will select “MIDI-Add” and assign it to a scene. To get out of the scene just select “MIDI-Add” again. Now, you have just programmed your first scene!

Programming with a Software

If you’re working with software such as DMXis, it is actually easier to program your LED Pars.

Instead of trying to figure out what channels you are working with, inside of DMXis it’s already labeled for you. To program your LED Pars with DMXis you will use the faders as seen above to set your colors for the lights.

Next, you will go to the Banks and save it as a preset (or known as Scenes). You can name the new preset and then save it. You will be able to playback the preset and even set the fade in and fade out for that preset.

That is the basics of how to get started with your LED Pars. Of course, there is so much more to lighting so be sure to check out the rest of the resources available on Learn Stage Lighting.