Glossary

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2D

MADRIX makes it possible to control numerous LED fixtures, also of different kinds, and to position them according to your needs in nearly any form or shape. This could be LED walls, arch shapes, ceilings, stripes, tiles, dance floors, etc. You can control pixel by pixel [pixel mapping].

3D

MADRIX supports volumetric pixel rendering as well [voxel mapping]. That means, MADRIX also allows you to control real 3D LED matrices. This approach is fundamentally different to the 3D projections or the physical layout of 2D surface areas that are widely known nowadays.

Art-Net

Art-Net is a communication protocol that allows to distribute DMX512 data over Ethernet network. Often, so-called Art-Net nodes then act as Ethernet-to-DMX512 converters and hardware interfaces. MADRIX LUNA is such an Art-Net node, for example.

Art-Net Remote

Art-Net Remote refers to DMX512 input that is sent and received over Ethernet network.

CITP

Is another communication protocol for exchanging information, often used between media servers, lighting consoles, and visualizers.

Colorlight 5A, Colorlight A8, Colorlight T9, Colour Smart Link

Are network-based communication protocols to control compatible LED fixtures and classified as DVI-based output in MADRIX.

DMX512 [DMX-OUT]

DMX512, often abridged to DMX, is an unidirectional communication protocol used mainly to control stage lighting, which uses 5-pin XLR connectors as defined by the standard. 3-pin connectors are also common, but not defined as standard connectors.
When working with DMX-based products, each fixture needs a specific attribution via its DMX channel and its DMX universe. With the specific DMX channel and DMX universe, the LED product can be identified directly for a correct communication with the fixture.

DMX-IN

You can send or receive DMX512 data. DMX-IN refers to DMX512 input, which you can receive in MADRIX.

DMX Channel

A total of 512 DMX channels is available per DMX universe. Each DMX channel is an individual control channel. Valid values range from 0 to 255, with a total of 256 values.

DMX Universe

A DMX universe contains 512 DMX channels and represents 1 DMX line. To control more than 512 DMX channels, more than 1 DMX universes need to be used. For example, 2 DMX universes represent 1024 DMX channels.

For example, you can control 170 RGB fixtures per DMX universe. That means, calculating 170 fixtures x 3 channels results in 510 DMX channels. Therefore, channel 511 and 512 will be left empty.
And if your are using more then 170 fixtures, those DMX channels will be assigned to a new DMX universe [e.g., DMX universe 2].

DVI

DVI is another way to output a video signal for your LEDs. Certain LED products use this type of communication. MADRIX features 2 DVI outputs, which are 1-to-1 output windows. You can then send the DVI outputs to any graphics card port [such as, VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc.]. Other solutions use screen-capturing to capture such a DVI output window and send them to the LED controller via Ethernet.

Eurolite T9

Is a network-based communication protocol to control compatible LED fixtures and classified as DVI-based output in MADRIX.

Fixture

When talking about an LED product, the specific product is often called fixture. When talking about fixtures, often you will automatically get the information about the number of color channels [e.g., RGB] and the number of pixels.

Input

MADRIX can send data out, but at the same time data can be sent to MADRIX. That means data is sent to the MADRIX PC through various means [mostly USB or network]. MADRIX can then be controlled remotely by you, or you can merge or use incoming signals, etc.

Insta / ROBE protocols

The manufacturers Insta and ROBE launched several, specific products that were controlled with their own communication protocols. MADRIX natively supports these two communication protocols.

IP Address

Is an identifier for devices that enables network communication. When using network protocols, it needs to be set up for each individual sender or recipient in the network.

KiNET

KiNET, the Philips Color Kinetics network protocol, is another communication protocol. It transfers data over Ethernet network as well. Only declared Philips Color Kinetics products work with this type of protocol.

MAC Address

Is a unique, technical identifier for interfaces in a network.

MA-Net

Is a proprietary communication protocol from MA Lighting between compatible products in a network.

MIDI

MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a well-known technical standard that provides standardized ways for equipment to communicate. In case of MADRIX, MIDI can be used for MIDI Time Code, MIDI notes, or other MIDI hardware, such as DJ/VJ controllers.

Output

To control your LEDs, MADRIX needs to send data to the LEDs. In this way it communicates with your controllers and/or your LEDs. This is referred to as output. There are different ways on how this process can work [e.g., protocols]. But most importantly, you need to configure which output method MADRIX should use in order to control your LED products.

Pixel

A pixel refers to one lighting point. When using RGB LEDs, one pixel usually includes 1 [or 2] red LEDs, 1 blue LED, and 1 green LED. 1 control channel is required for each color [3 in total per pixel], but as a total they represent one pixel. LED fixtures often have a certain number of pixels per unit.

Remote HTTP

Remote HTTP is a way to control MADRIX remotely using standards known from the internet [HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol].

RGB

The acronym stands for Red, Green, Blue. The 3 colors are the main colors for additive color mixing of LED fixtures. As a result, a vast number of colors can be mixed.

RGBW

The acronym stands for Red, Green, Blue, White. The 4 colors are also used for additive color mixing of LED fixtures. As a result, a vast number of colors can be mixed.

Streaming ACN [sACN / E1.31]

Streaming ACN or sACN or E1.31 is another communication protocol that allows DMX512 data to be transmitted over Ethernet. Data is broadcasted by MADRIX to recipients in the network.

Subnet Mask

Is a technical grouping mechanism for network devices. When using network protocols, it needs to be set up for each sender or recipient in the network for correct data routing.

Virtual LED Matrix

MADRIX needs to know how your LED installation looks like and which fixtures you want to use. [You can use the Matrix Generator or the Patch for this task.] In the end you will have configured the virtual LED matrix with its total pixel count in X, Y, and Z set up as the Matrix Size as well as the position and location of each pixel or fixture. The virtual LED matrix represents your LED installation in MADRIX.

Volume Rendering

MADRIX contains an effect generator as well as a graphics render engine that support pixel rendering for 2D effects and volume rendering for 3D effects.

Voxel

Voxel is short for volumetric pixel. In addition to its pixel mapping features [2D], MADRIX can control 3D LED matrices, which is called voxel mapping. Lighting effects are correctly mapped to each voxel of a 3D LED matrix.

XLR Pin Layout

XLR connectors are used for DMX512. There are different types.

5-Pin, Female

5-Pin Male

Pin Assignment

3-Pin, Female

3-Pin, Male

1 Ground

2 Data -

3 Data +

4 Spare

5 Spare

 

MADRIX 3.6j
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