Let’s Talk DMX

What is a DMX Lighting System?

DMX, or Digital Multiplex, is the foundational language of modern lighting systems, spanning between processors, modules, and wall stations.

DMX in lighting contains “universes” with 512 distinct channels, each transmitting a value from 0 to 255 to a specific address, controlling parameters such as brightness, color, and motion.

What makes DMX indispensable is its ability for fine-tuned customization and real-time responsiveness.

As the demand for smarter, more flexible lighting continues to rise, DMX remains the protocol of choice, especially in retrofit environments where modern functionality needs to integrate with legacy infrastructure.

What is a DMX Universe, Channel, and Address?

Universe: The Highway

Think of a DMX universe as a digital highway with 512 lanes, and each lane carries specific instructions such as a light’s brightness level, color value, or motor position.

Most standard DMX controllers output one universe, meaning 512 controllable parameters. However, in larger installations, more advanced systems can output multiple universes, enabling thousands of control channels to operate in parallel across a venue.

Channel: The Lanes

While the universe is the highway, channels are the individual lanes, each one carrying a single, precise instruction to a specific device. Every fixture, processor, or module knows which lane to monitor and what behavior to perform when data comes through.

That might look like:

• Channel 1: Trigger relay on
• Channel 2: Dim lighting to 50%
• Channel 3: Set color to blue

Each of these channels carries one distinct command. Devices are programmed to “listen” to specific channels based on their DMX address, which we’ll cover next.

Address: The Destination

If the universe is the highway, and channels are the lanes carrying specific instructions, then the DMX address is the street number that tells each fixture or module where to “live” on that highway.

In simple terms, a DMX address defines the starting channel to which a device listens. That address determines which channel, or group of channels, it will respond to.

For example:

• You install a JSI non-dim relay module and assign it DMX address 101. That relay will monitor channel 101 for its command, an on/off signal.
• If you’re using a more complex device, such as an RGBW fixture that needs four channels, and you assign it address 201, it will respond to channels 201 through 204.

Assigning DMX addresses strategically ensures each device listens to the right data, and nothing else.

Overlapping or duplicate DMX addresses can lead to system glitches, misfires, or complete control failure. That’s why every retrofit or upgrade we do at JSI Manufacturing starts with proper channel mapping and address planning.

A Real-World Example: Retrofits Made Easy

Let’s say you’re retrofitting a church auditorium with JSI hardware:

• You install 10 JSI non-dim relay modules to control house lights, each assigned to its own unique DMX address, channels 1 through 10.
• A JSI wall station is programmed to recall lighting scenes by sending precise DMX values to those 10 channels.
• In the AV rack, a custom JSI processor pushes DMX data through universe 1, syncing control between the wall station and the relay modules.

Everything, including the processor, relay modules, and wall station, speaks the same DMX language, within the same universe, with non-overlapping addresses and clean channel mapping.

Why Does DMX in Lighting Matter in Retrofits?

DMX’s strengths, including simplicity, speed, and compatibility, make it especially appealing for retrofit and general lighting environments.

You’re not dependent on network connectivity, but have that option depending on the retrofit. You can daisy-chain fixtures, which involves linking wall stations using affordable cable without the need to buy into a proprietary ecosystem.

Here’s the challenge: older processors and dimming modules are failing, inefficient, and incompatible with today’s control strategies. LED fixtures and color variations aren’t tasks OEM manufacturers took into consideration.

That’s where JSI Manufacturing steps in.

At JSI, we aim to innovate and build ease.

Our systems’ constant testing and evolution help us help you. We specialize in manufacturing and modifying hardware to keep DMX systems alive, smart, and efficient.

Here are some examples of what we offer:

✅ 20A Dimming and Non-Dimming Relay Modules

Perfect for high-load switching, our JSI 20A modules are a direct drop-in replacement for aging 20-amp dimmers.

• Non-dim air gap design for true mechanical isolation.
• DMX-addressable, tested for rugged reliability.

✅ 50A Dimming and Non-Dimming Relay Modules

Perfect for high-load switching, our JSI 50A modules are a direct drop-in replacement for ageing 50-amp dimmers.

• Non-dim air gap design for true mechanical isolation.
• DMX-addressable, tested for rugged reliability.
• This is a retrofit kit to modify existing 50Amp dimmer modules to 50Amp Non-Dim modules.

Whether it’s a single zone or a full auditorium, this is your no-compromise solution for high-current circuits.

✅ DMX-Compatible Processors

Not all processors are created equal. At JSI, we build DMX-native processors that interface seamlessly with your wall stations, dimmer packs, or LED drivers, while maintaining compatibility with legacy wiring infrastructure.

• Custom mapping for universes and channel control
• Support for DMX in/out, dry contact inputs, and signal conversion
• Drop-in compatibility with Strand, EDI, and Colortran

We offer retrofit systems for everything from churches to community centers and schools, ensuring that when the show must go on, the lights do too.

✅ Presidor Wall Stations

Yes, wall stations can be beautiful and functional. JSI designs and manufactures tactile, programmable DMX-compatible wall stations for architectural spaces, performance venues, and multipurpose rooms.

• Scene recall, dimming sliders, momentary overrides, all configurable
• Designed to work with DMX512 or hybrid protocols

Be sure to look at our Presidor Wall Station product page for more information!

JSI manufactures the PWS-20P with UBD- Unipolar Bidirectional Data to run over existing building wiring regardless of whether it is DMX compliant.

✅ Cross-Protocol Integration

Many retrofit clients need more than just DMX. We support protocol bridging between DMX, Analog 0-10V, ACN, and contact closure systems on all our CD-3000 range products. No need to choose one ecosystem; we help you bridge them together.

Why JSI Manufacturing?

• Our products are fully USMCA and CUSMA compliant
• Located in Calgary, Alberta, we serve clients across North America with fast turnaround and full technical support.
• We know the ins and outs of aging systems, Strand, Leviton, NSI, Colortran, and Lutron, and we make them better.
• Every unit is tested in-house, and every project includes a real person to walk you through wiring, addressing, and integration.

Let’s Get to Work

If you’ve got an underperforming lighting system or a rack full of blinking question marks, let’s talk. 

JSI offers the retrofit hardware, DMX expertise, and Canadian-built reliability to bring your system into the present, with zero compromise.
Call us, email us, or send us photos, and we’ll build what you need right.