How to Control Moving Head Lights with a DMX Controller: Channel Guide + Effect Programming

New to DMX lighting? Learn how to set up and control moving head lights step by step. Covers DMX channels, address setup, and basic programming tips.

Why DMX Control Is Essential

DMX lighting control is the backbone of modern stage, event, and DJ lighting setups. It allows you to command every aspect of a fixture’s behavior — from movement and dimming to color changes, strobe effects, and advanced patterns. But for many beginners, DMX can feel like a black box.

This guide breaks down exactly how to control moving head lights using a DMX controller. You’ll learn what DMX channels do, how to assign addresses, and how to program basic lighting effects — using an 11-channel LB150 moving head fixture as a practical example.

What Equipment You Need

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• A DMX controller (hardware unit or software like Wolfmix, Daslight, or Chamsys)
• 3-pin XLR DMX cables
• Moving head lights that support DMX512
• (Optional) A DMX terminator for long cable runs

This guide uses the 11-channel mode of a typical  LB150 beam moving head as the example

Understanding DMX Channels

Each DMX channel controls a specific function of a light — such as pan, tilt, color, dimmer, or strobe. When your controller sends a value from 0 to 255 to a channel, it activates that feature accordingly.

For example:

• Channel 5 (Dimmer):
  0 = Off, 255 = Full brightness
• Channel 6 (Strobe):
  0 = No strobe, 255 = Fast strobe

Moving head lights often offer multiple DMX modes. We’ll focus on the 11-channel mode, which provides essential functionality while keeping things easy to manage.

11-Channel Layout: Example Breakdown

Here’s how an 11CH moving head fixture typically maps each channel:

Channel	Function	Description
CH1	Pan	Controls horizontal movement (left to right)
CH2	Pan Fine	Adds smoothness to pan motion
CH3	Tilt	Controls vertical movement (up and down)
CH4	Tilt Fine	Adds smoothness to tilt motion
CH5	Dimmer	Controls overall brightness
CH6	Strobe	Enables flash effects, from slow to rapid
CH7	Color Wheel	Switches between preset colors (e.g., red, green, blue)
CH8	Gobo Wheel	Selects patterns or beam shapes
CH9	Gobo Shake	Adds motion to gobos for animated effects
CH10	Prism	Turns on prism and controls its rotation
CH11	Reset	Resets the fixture to default position and settings

Note: Channel values vary slightly by model. Always check your fixture’s DMX chart for accurate value ranges.

Setting DMX Addresses Correctly

DMX addressing determines how your controller communicates with each fixture. The address is simply the starting channel number for that fixture.

If you're using 11-channel fixtures, your addresses might look like:

• Fixture 1: Address 001
• Fixture 2: Address 013
• Fixture 3: Address 025

This way, each light occupies its own channel block without overlap.

There are two typical control setups:

• Synchronized control: All fixtures share the same DMX address, so they respond identically.
• Independent control: Each fixture has a unique address, allowing you to control them separately.

Programming Basic Effects Step-by-Step

Here’s how to create some foundational lighting effects using DMX channels:

• 🎨 Static Color Scene
  Set CH5 (Dimmer) to 255 (full brightness)
• Set CH7 (Color) to a fixed value (e.g., 0 = red, 64 = green)

⚡ Strobe Effect

• Set CH6 (Strobe) to 200–255 for a fast flashing effect

🔄 Sweep Movement

• Adjust CH1 (Pan) and CH3 (Tilt) to move the beam across the stage
• Use CH2 + CH4 for smooth motion

🔮 Gobo + Prism Combo

• Choose a pattern using CH8
• Activate prism with CH10 for a multi-beam effect

Use your DMX software or console to save these as preset scenes or cues for quick access during live shows.

Pro Tips for Reliable Control

• Keep all fixtures in the same DMX channel mode (e.g., all in 11CH)
• Use “Pan Fine” and “Tilt Fine” channels for smooth, professional movement
• Label your lights physically and digitally to avoid confusion during setup
• Save basic looks (color + position + effect) as presets and build from there

Explore DMX-Compatible Moving Head Lights

Now that you know how to control moving heads with a DMX controller, you’re ready to start building your own lighting setup.

Whether you’re working on weddings, stage performances, mobile DJ gigs, or corporate events, reliable DMX-compatible moving heads are essential for creating impactful shows.

👉 Explore our full range of moving head lights
👉 Learn more about the LB150 beam moving head

All fixtures listed on our website support DMX512 and are compatible with most major lighting consoles and software.

Frequently Asked Questions About DMX & Moving Heads

Q1: Do all moving head lights use the same DMX channel layout?

No. Each fixture model has its own channel map and often supports multiple modes (e.g., 11CH, 16CH, 19CH). Always consult the manual.

Q2: Why is my light not responding to the DMX controller?

Common causes include incorrect DMX address, faulty XLR cable, wrong operating mode (e.g., Auto instead of DMX), or mismatched channel settings.

Q3: Can I control multiple moving heads at once?

Yes. Set the same DMX address for synchronized control, or assign different addresses to control each fixture individually.

Q4: What value range triggers the strobe effect?

Typically, Channel 6 (Strobe) activates between 128–255, depending on the fixture model.

Q5: Do I need a DMX terminator?

If you’re using long cable runs or connecting many fixtures, yes. A DMX terminator helps reduce signal interference.

Q6: What DMX controllers or software work best with moving heads?

Most DMX-compatible systems work well, including Wolfmix, Daslight, and Chamsys. Just make sure you load or create the correct fixture profile.