dMx

DMX refers to two well-known meanings in different fields. In lighting and stage technology, DMX512 is a widely used standard for digital communication networks that control lighting, effects, and related devices. The protocol transmits control data from a single controller to multiple devices on a unidirectional channel. A DMX universe supports up to 512 channels, with each channel carrying an 8-bit value from 0 to 255 that typically represents dimming, color, movement, or other parameters. Data are sent over a serial link based on RS-485 electrical characteristics, commonly using 5-pin XLR connectors, though other connectors are sometimes used. DMX data are continuously refreshed, with a controller updating all 512 channels in a regular frame sequence. The system is designed for daisy-chained networks of devices; a terminator resistor at the far end helps prevent signal reflections. Extensions such as DMX512-A and Remote Device Management (RDM) provide improved compatibility and, in the case of RDM, two-way communication for device management. The protocol has limited built-in error checking, and many modern productions supplement it with Ethernet-based control protocols like sACN or Art-Net.

DMX also refers to Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), an American rapper and actor who performed under the stage name DMX or Dark Man X. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with a gritty, energetic style and released multiple successful albums, including It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998) and And Then There Was X (1999). His career encompassed film roles and a lasting influence on mainstream hip hop. DMX died in 2021 at age 50.