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DMX Universe Explained
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DMX DIP Switch Addressing Chart (1–512)
Use this DIP switch chart to set DMX start addresses fast and avoid overlaps.
Y-LinkJanuary 28, 20266 minDIP switch addressing is simple binary—add the values and avoid overlaps by planning channel counts.
DMX DIP Switch Addressing Chart (1–512)
Quick answer: DIP switch DMX addressing is binary. Once you map switch values correctly, you can set reliable start addresses in seconds.
DMX DIP switch addressing is just binary addition. Once you know the values of each switch, you can set any start address quickly and avoid overlaps.
Binary in 60 seconds
Short answer: turn on the switches that add up to your address.
- Switch 1 = 1
- Switch 2 = 2
- Switch 3 = 4
- Switch 4 = 8
- Switch 5 = 16
- Switch 6 = 32
- Switch 7 = 64
- Switch 8 = 128
- Switch 9 = 256
Common examples
Short answer: add the values that equal your address.
- Address 17 = 16 + 1 (switches 5 and 1)
- Address 73 = 64 + 8 + 1 (switches 7, 4, 1)
- Address 257 = 256 + 1 (switches 9 and 1)
How to avoid address overlap
Short answer: add the fixture’s channel count to get the next start address.
Use these tools to plan safely: DMX address calculator and DMX addressing chart.
When DIP switches aren’t enough
Short answer: multi‑mode fixtures need channel‑mode planning.
See: DMX channel modes explained and DMX patch lists and channel planning.
Related guides for modern fixtures
Find the address on menu‑based fixtures: How to find the DMX address on a light
Build fixture profiles: How to build a DMX fixture profile
Quick reality check
Short answer: a DMX universe has 512 slots, so keep your total within 1–512.
More on universes: DMX universe explained
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