The XLR and DMX cables overlap a bit, making it difficult to separate them. In short, XLR cables are used for audio, while DMX cables are used for lighting. Two cables use the same type of connector, with the same appearance but different interiors. There is a bit of cross functionality, but XLR and DMX should not be interchanged unless they can be used in certain special circumstances.
1、 Are DMX and XLR connectors the same?
DMX refers to something specific, while 'XLR' is more like an all encompassing term. It can refer to XLR cables, XLR connectors, or even general audio cables. Typically, microphone cables are referred to as XLR, even though they may also have another type of audio connection. DMX cables do indeed use XLR connectors, but their special purpose also gives them their own names. Users who are not familiar with all the different XLR options may need to clarify the exact meaning of "XLR" when hearing the terminology used.
XLR Pro audio cable, XLR Male/XLR Female
XLR cables are used for professional audio equipment such as microphones, mixers, amplifiers, and sound cards. Although there are several different varieties of XLR connectors, the most common one is the 3-pin version. Each pin is used for positive, negative, and ground respectively. If additional signals require more pins, XLR connectors with more than 3 pins can be used.
2、 What is a DMX cable?
The DMX cable was originally designed in the 1980s using pre-existing XLR technology. The idea behind DMX was to adopt existing technology and apply it to lighting systems, which at the time used bulky old-fashioned cables. Externally, the DMX connector is identical to the XLR equivalent connector. The text printed on the outside of the cable will display "DMX" or "XLR" to identify the cable.
Like XLR, the most common version of DMX is the 3-pin version. There is also a common 5-pin version of DMX. The initial idea was that the functionality of the 5-pin connector could be the same as the 3-pin version, and then two additional pins could be used for future upgrades. Although there have been attempts over the years to utilize these additional pins, none of these attempts have become industry standards. Due to this similarity, some DMX adapters can be used for 3-pin to 5-pin and vice versa.
The key difference between 3-pin and 5-pin DMX lies in the size and layout of the pins. Because the two additional pins on a 5-pin DMX are rarely used, many DMX cables on the market today are actually not connected, only connecting the main three pins. It should also be noted that the 5-pin DMX is similar to some 5-pin DIN connectors, especially the 180 ° version, but these connectors are different and cannot be interchanged.
3、 Can I use XLR for DMX?
The difference between XLR and DMX lies in cable performance. Yes, XLR cables can be used for DMX connections (but not recommended). The impedance of DMX (110 ohms) is higher than XLR (75 ohms). This means that the signal used by XLR is different from the signal that needs to be processed by DMX. XLR cables can transmit DMX signals, but they cannot transmit them well. XLR cables used for this purpose may cause flickering lights or signal loss if they are functioning properly.
Simultaneously using XLR and DMX will not damage your device, but the signal may degrade. The probability of degradation or total signal loss will also increase depending on the distance of the cable, the number of connections used, and the number of XLR and DMX connections.