How to program DMX lights for beginners (simple lesson)

A very simple introduction to DMX programming using two PAR 64 lights and a Chauvet Obey 40 controller.
--These exact lights are no longer available but you can buy similar ones here:
(they have DMX functions like the ones in the video as well as sound active mode)
--You can also buy the Obey 40 and 2 DMX cables here:

[spencer]

I watched this video over 6 years ago, and it almost singlehandedly got me into lighting. I just found it again today and looking back, this is the best basic lesson I ever got. I've designed full shows on ETC consoles with over 500 intelligent fixtures, but it all started with this. Thank you for inspiring me those years ago.

[Joshuanathan]

9 years later and this is the best video that I have found for programming a DMX controller! Thank you sir for your explanation and clarity! Your videos have been very helpful!

[DaveLopezMixing]

I'm an audio guy that knows nothing about lighting, but I love lighting deign. Your video really explains a lot. GREAT JOB!

[TiagoMBelo]

I'm a sound engineer studying lighting for a new job, and this man is my saviour.

[juuujuuu]

You dont even know how much you changed the world with this video!

[Eitolaigo]

WOW! This is the BEST video EVER!!!
FINALLY! A video that talks to human beings and not Light Engineers with all their complex terminology. You made it all make sense in plain English! Thank you !!!!
I SOO needed this video, I just got a DMX Operator PRO and now these terminologies and make sense and I can program my scenes. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank YOU!!!

[thatmemeguy]

Im the assistant light and audio manager at my high school theater and my teacher just called me to tell me he wants me to work the upcoming show by myself. This video saved me and clares me of any doubts I had as to what to do with the lighting. I just wana thank you for uploading this, you have made not only a student with an opportunity to prove himself happy, but also a lot of teachers and school staff happy as well.

[dilyaknight]

I was lost and now I'm found! I bought gear last year and could not figure out how to do what you just showed.. I can now get it back out and make it work. THANK YOU for such an informative video. It was VERY WELL

[richardnyakoi]

Simple, straight to the point. I used to think that it is a complex issue but the way it has been explained I think and believe that I am ready for my next task in lighting

[CretvMG]

I've done live events for decades. (Multiscreen live video projection.) And the presenter here looks like every professional lighting guy I've ever worked with! :-) That's why I chose this video first. Sure enough, he's competent and explains it all clearly. Thanks!

[carlosoliveira]

Thank you, Steve! It was important for me to start off with your tutorial. Easy as it may be, I really needed something that smooth, since I am a complete beginner!

[gearoidmullins]

If only all other tutorials on YT were like this!
Easy to understand, follow, educational, interesting and not pushing some random advert crap.
Also, this was posted in 2013 and so much better than a lot of 'tutorials' out there today!

[heathercummins]

It only took me 4 times watching this to realize that each light HAS to be disconnected from others in the chain in order to program correctly. That would have been nice to know... LOL Other than that, this was the most helpful tutorial I've found. Thank you very much! Took me from old school par cans into the 21st century!

[Ghoulieghoulproductions]

Hey there buddy I’ve texted you before and you’ve responded which I appreciate I just wanna let you know your tutorials are super helpful and I have become so much better over the last couple months with the system. It’s people like you who do these videos that make everything amazing so I just want to again, thank you so much. I’ll send you some of the videos of the lighting that I did that, it’s all because of you, buddy

[LearnLizard]

Really appreciate all the positive comments! FYI- My par lights are 36 x 3W RGB PAR 64 lights that I bought on eBay. (from a seller in Southern California called "musicsupply" They are from China and were inexpensive (4 for $265) So far I have been very happy with them.

[discoghost]

Thank you so much! I am a janitor who was just handed a pile of equipment and told to make it work for a concert at the community-center where I work. I was about to cry but you made it seem logical.

[UncleFeedle]

Much thanks. This vid helped me get started putting together a DMX setup for my band. It's not as complex as I thought, certainly no worse than MIDI. I've found uses beyond music as well. With this same controller and only a couple of fixtures, I've been able to produce a flickering fire glow effect, lightning flashes and a starry sky scene, all of which I plan to use in a school play. Am hoping to add more fixtures later on. The creative possibilities are fantastic.

[soyhim]

Thank you very much from Russia. I watched your video about basics of DMX. And now it all makes sence to me. I found it a bit confusing at the beginning, but thanks to your video where you explain everything in detail and really show the simple basics on how to start making scenes and programm the controller. It makes me want to make something like your video in russian language, so that people will learn the basics in just 10 minutes, like I did watching your vide. Thansk again and keep up the good work!!! Good luck to you!

[jskatton]

Thank you very much. Now I can read the DMX controller user manual again and understand what it is saying 😆

[LearnLizard]

Thanks so much for the compliment! On the Obey 40 you can group scenes into "Banks" which can contain up to 8 scenes. The reason this is relevant is that you can call up a bank and have a cycle (chase) through the 8 scenes automatically. Its an easy way to make chases without having to program them scene by scene.