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Integrating Wall Control Stations with a DMX Capable Lighting Console

Posted by Mark Knight on 28th May 2021

 

There are primarily 2 different ways to integrate wall control stations with a DMX capable lighting console or DMX capable lighting controller. One option is the "Y" option and the other option is the "I" option, also referred to as the straight-line method. The "Y" option has more capability and costs more money, while the "I" option has less capability, but is a cheaper option.

The first option is the "Y" option, which offers more features and is more expensive.  

In this option, the wall control stations are using RS 485 (or proprietary protocols) to move data both to and from the control stations. There is then a central processor that receives and translates this information into an output of DMX. In addition, the central processor is capable of receiving DMX from the lighting console and merging that DMX signal with the control station signal for a single DMX output. This merging of the data is either on a highest take precedence (HTP) or on a last take precedence (LTP) basis. This functionality is typically set by the user on the central processor.

In this example, I would use the Interactive Technologies CueServer CS-920, which is also referred to as the CueServer 2 Mini. The CueServer 2 Mini (CS-920) comes with a wall mount power supply. This unit has all of those features, plus it is able to have an Ethernet Drop connect to it with WiFi for remote access through a phone or tablet app. The CueServer 2 Mini is very powerful and can handle a lot of functions (it's basically like a small computer). The CueServer 2 Mini is packed with features and allows wall station, DMX, SACN, ArtNet, time schedules, internal lighting console and many more features. Please note that you MUST choose one of the input and output modules if you are using DMX in and DMX output (not needed if you are using sACN, ArtNet, or other ethernet protocols). The modules are on the same page as the CueServer 2 Mini.

In addition, if you want wired control stations, then you will need a power supply interface for the control stations. The power supply interface that works with the CueServer 2 Mini is the Interactive Technologies ST-HUB-EN Cue Station Hub with Ethernet. The Cue Station Hub with Ethernet (ST-HUB-EN) comes with a wall mounted power supply. This connects to the CueServer 2 Mini via an Ethernet connection. In addition, the Interactive Technologies Control Stations connect via either 2 wire or 5 wire. You will have a lot more control stations with 5 wire and fewer with 2 wire. In a new installation, we would recommend running the 5 wire to provide the greatest room for expansion in the future.

Next, you have the choice of two styles of control stations (wall mounted stations), which are the Interactive Technologies Mystique Series and the Interactive Technologies Ultra Series. The only real difference between Mystique and Ultra is a slight difference in the design of the buttons and the LEDs, while all of the other functions are the same. For example, here is a Mystique Series 5 wire 8 button station. In addition, here is an Ultra Series 5 wire, 6 button station.

In the scenario above with the CueServer 2 Mini (CS-920) system with wired wall mount control station, you would need the following equipment:

1) Interactive Technologies CueServer 2 Mini (CS-920)

2) Interactive Technologies Cue Station Hub with Ethernet (ST-HUB-EN)

3) Interactive Technologies Mystique Series 5 wire 8 button station (ST-MN8-xx-xxx) or Interactive Technologies Ultra Series 5 wire 6 button station (ST-UN6-xx-xxx)

 

The second option is the "I" option, which offers fewer features and is less expensive. 

In this option of wall mounted control stations, you MUST run the DMX from the lighting console to the wall mounted control station and then on to the dimmers or DMX controlled devices. This is a more cost-effective option, but also requires everything to work right in the system for the DMX data to get through correctly. In this scenario, you would use the Interactive Technologies SceneStation. In addition, you will want a SceneStation USB Stick, which allows for the programming of the station via a free computer program. You will also need a power supply for powering up the SceneStation. In addition, the SceneStation is capable of communicating with other SceneStation via a 2.4GHz wireless link, but the other stations will need power from the transformer.

Big Note: The wireless 2.4GHz will not go through walls, so that, all of the control stations should be in the same room and be relatively close to each other (think less than 100 feet).

This option does not have time schedules, on-board lighting console, Wi-Fi Mobile App, Ethernet Connection, multiple universes of DMX control, sACN, ArtNet, as well as other features that you would have if you used the "Y" option. In other words, this is a very simple control solution.

In this scenario you would have the following items for your system:

1) Interactive Technologies SceneStation (Master, wired to DMX run) (SS-305)

2) Interactive Technologies SceneStation USB Stick (SS-USB-STICK)

3) Interactive Technologies Power Supply (AC-CL2T-120B12)

4) Interactive Technologies SceneStation (Slave, wireless to Master SceneStation) (SS-305)

In conclusion, the first option or "Y" option offers more functionality but is the more expensive option, while the second option or "I" option is cheaper but has a lot less capability than the first option. We have used both methods on many different systems around the country with great success. Please reach out to Knight Sound & Lighting at info@goknight.com or 1-866-457-5937 if you would like to discuss your lighting control system further to see if either of these methods would work well for your application.