# DMX / ArtNet > Symcon documentation · English · generated on 2026-09-26 > Index: https://www.symcon.de/en/llms.txt Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/ DMX or DMX512 is a protocol for controlling lighting technology components. The connection to IP-Symcon is established, for example, via a DMX USB interface (serial) or DMX LAN interface. The IP protocol ArtNet is also supported via the LAN interface. > **Note:** The following devices are supported by IP-Symcon: > > [Supported components](dmx-artnet.md) ### Description DMX (lighting technology) or also called DMX512 is a digital control protocol that is used in stage and event technology. It is used to control dimmers, spotlights and effect devices on stages or in discos. The abbreviation DMX stands for Digital Multiplex, it is a standard that was standardized by DIN 56930-2. The connection to IP-Symcon takes place via a DMX USB interface/DMX LAN interface. ArtNet has also been supported since IP-Symcon 3.0. It is an IP based protocol for transferring large amounts of DMX information over LAN. The specification was created by the company "Artistic License" and is freely available. IP-Symcon supports all ArtNet-compatible DMX interfaces. ### Setup video-tutorial ### Integration in IP-Symcon A prerequisite for operation in connection with IP-Symcon is properly installed hardware and knowledge of the COM port interface used or the IP address. A DMX instance must be added in IP-Symcon and the DMX or ArtNet mode for the connected hardware must be selected in the parent instance. With ArtNet the "Universe" is usually 0 and with DMX the entry is irrelevant. ![DMX gateway configuration](https://www.symcon.de/media/pages/service/dokumentation/modulreferenz/geraete/dmx-artnet/3eb6ba0266-1790424938/dmx-gateway.png) When using ArtNet, the following settings must be made in the parent instance: 'Send Host' is the IP address of the ArtNet interface and the 'Send Port': 6454 - the default port of the ArtNet protocol. 'Receive Host' is the IP address of the network card to which the interface is connected. It is usually the address of the PC on which the IP-Symcon server is running. > **Note:** If several ArtNet interfaces are created, the receiving port (default: 53000) must be increased by 1 for each each UDP Socket. (i.e. the second interface has e.g. port 53001) ![DMX UDP](https://www.symcon.de/media/pages/service/dokumentation/modulreferenz/geraete/dmx-artnet/6ffa400840-1790424938/dmx-udp.png) With a DMX interface that is connected via USB, a virtual COM port is installed in the Windows device manager. This is to be entered here. The other baud rate settings: 38400,8,1,N must not be changed. Once all the settings have been made, the port or socket must be opened and "Apply" pressed. ![DMX Serial](https://www.symcon.de/media/pages/service/dokumentation/modulreferenz/geraete/dmx-artnet/da8f4aec87-1790424938/dmx-serial.png) In the 'DMX output' instance the functionality can be checked in the test environment. ![DMX Output](https://www.symcon.de/media/pages/service/dokumentation/modulreferenz/geraete/dmx-artnet/657d5b8730-1790424938/dmx-output.png) > **Note:** Several channels of the DMX device can be addressed with one instance. This is useful, for example, to be able to display complete DMX-RGB spotlights as a coherent device in the visualization. All channels assigned to the instance can be switched on or off using the "All On" and "All Off" buttons. > **Warning:** In the case of a DMX RGB instance with channel(type) = 16bit, it should be noted that not only the set channel is used, but also the next higher one. DMX channels are 8 bit. To control 16 bit, 2 channels are used. Example: Channel(Red) = 40 means that channels 40 and 41 are used. ## DMX_FadeChannel Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-fadechannel/ `bool DMX_FadeChannel(int $InstanceID, int $Channel, int $Value, float $FadeTime)` **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$Channel` (int): 0 = all module channels, 1 – 512 depending on configuration - `$Value` (int): 0-255 - `$FadeTime` (float): Time in seconds **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. Time in seconds **Example** ```php DMX_FadeChannel(12345, 0, 255, 2.5); //Dim all channels of the module to 255 in 2,5 sec ``` ## DMX_FadeChannelDelayed Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-fadechanneldelayed/ `bool DMX_FadeChannelDelayed(int $InstanceID, int $Channel, int $Value, float $FadeTime, float $DelyTime)` **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$Channel` (int): 0 = all module channels, 1 – 512 depending on configuration - `$Value` (int): 0-255 - `$FadeTime` (float): Time in seconds - `$DelyTime` (float): Time in seconds **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. Time in seconds **Example** ```php //Dims a module completely down and back up. DMX_FadeChannel(12345, 0, 255, 5.0); //Dim all channels of the module to 255 in 2,5 sec DMX_FadeChannelDelayed(12345, 0, 0, 2.5, 5); //Dim all channels of the module to 0 in 2,5sec., after a delay of 5sec. ``` ## DMX_FadeRGB Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-fadergb/ `bool DMX_FadeRGB(int $InstanceID, int $R, int $G, int $B, float $FadeTime)` dims the RGB channel with a fade time **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$R` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$G` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$B` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$FadeTime` (float): Time in seconds **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. Time in seconds **Example** ```php // Fade color to yellow in 5 seconds // 8bit instance DMX_FadeRGB(12345, 255, 255, 0, 5.0); // 16bit instance DMX_FadeRGB(12345, 65535, 65535, 0, 5.0); ``` ## DMX_FadeRGBDelayed Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-fadergbdelayed/ `bool DMX_FadeRGBDelayed(int $InstanceID, int $R, int $G, int $B, float $FadeTime, float $DelayTime)` dims the RGB channel with a fade time **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$R` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$G` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$B` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$FadeTime` (float): Time in seconds - `$DelayTime` (float): Time in seconds **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. Time in seconds **Example** ```php //Dims a module completely up and down to yellow. //8bit //Dim the instance to yellow within 5 seconds DMX_FadeRGB(12345, 255, 255, 0, 5.0); //Dim the instance to yellow within 2.5 seconds, after a delay of 5 seconds DMX_FadeRGBDelayed(12345, 255, 255, 0, 2.5, 5); //16 bit //Dim the instance to yellow within 5 seconds DMX_FadeRGB(12345, 65535, 65535, 0, 5.0); //Dim the instance to yellow within 2.5 seconds, after a delay of 5 seconds DMX_FadeRGBDelayed(12345, 65535, 65535, 0, 2.5, 5); ``` ## DMX_RequestInfo Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-requestinfo/ `bool DMX_RequestInfo(int $InstanceID)` Queries the information of a DMX instance **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the DMX splitter instance **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. ID of the DMX splitter instance **Example** ```php // Request information from instance 12345. DMX_RequestInfo(12345); ``` ## DMX_ResetInterface Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-resetinterface/ `bool DMX_ResetInterface(int $InstanceID)` Sets the DMX interface back with the ID __InstanceID__. It is recommended that in case of problems, create a script with this command and declare it as startup script. - **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of DMX I/O Instance **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. ID of DMX I/O Instance **Example** ```php //Reset interface DMXI_ResetInterface(12345); ``` ## DMX_SetBlackout Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-setblackout/ `bool DMX_SetBlackOut(int $InstanceID, bool $Status)` **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$Status` (bool): __TRUE__ for old value, __FALSE__ for 0 **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. __TRUE__ for old value, __FALSE__ for 0 **Example** ```php //Deactivate all channels DMXI_SetBlackout(12345, true); //Reactivate all channels DMXI_SetBlackout(12345, false); ``` ## DMX_SetChannel Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-setchannel/ `bool DMX_SetChannel(int $InstanceID, int $Channel, int $Value)` **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$Channel` (int): 0 = all module channels, 1 – 512 depending on configuration - `$Value` (int): 0-255 **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. 0-255 **Example** ```php DMX_SetChannel(12345, 0, 255); //Switch channel 0 to 255 ``` ## DMX_SetRGB Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/dmx-setrgb/ `bool DMX_SetRGB(int $InstanceID, int $R, int $G, int $B)` sets the RGB channel to a certain value **Parameters** - `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the device to be switched - `$R` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$G` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) - `$B` (int): Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) **Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__. Brightness value 0 (off) to 255/65535 (8/16 bit) (on, maximum brightness) **Example** ```php // set color to yellow // 8bit instance DMX_SetRGB(12345, 255, 255, 0); // 16bit instance DMX_SetRGB(12345, 65535, 65535, 0); ``` ## Device list Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/dmx-artnet/device-list/ ### Supported Interfaces * DMX4ALL Mini-USB-DMX-Interface * DMX4ALL NanoDMX USB Interface * DMX4ALL USB-DMX STAGE-PROFI MK2 * DMX4ALL USB-DMX STAGE-PROFI MK3 * LAN-DMX STAGE-PROFI * AVR Art Net Node * Art Net Box (Quad Art Net Box) * All ArtNet interfaces are supported ### Supported Devices #### Up to version 4.0 All devices that use the interfaces listed above and a maximum of 8 bit (256 steps) resolution. #### Version 4.1 and above All devices that use the interfaces listed above. The 16bit (65535 steps) resolution is also supported.