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[Mike Karseboom]

I want to split the MPX  (multiplex, not DMX)  signal from an NSI control board to a couple of NSI 4600 MPX dimmer packs.


I was wondering if there is any reason I can't just use an XLR "Y" cable for this.  Will there be any problems with the power that comes over the xlr cables from the dimmer packs to the controller?  Can it mess up the internal timing or something?


It seems like it should be OK since the NSI control board has a male and female XLR jacks on it and I often plug  both of these in at the same time and run xlr cords to two separate dimmer packs.  I thought these jacks were just parallel wired with no special circuitry between them.  If that is the case then wouldn't a "Y" cable from one of the jacks be no different?


The reason I want to do this is because I  have a DMX to MPX converter that only has 1 jack on it and I need to go to 2x MPX dimmers.  To daisy chain the dimmer packs would be less convenient.

[Nathan Riddle]

You'd probably be fine splitting MPX or DMX for short runs.

It's not correct, and might not work or be reliable, bla bla bla.... /disclaimer

[Scott Hofmann]

I want to split the MPX  (multiplex, not DMX)  signal from an NSI control board to a couple of NSI 4600 MPX dimmer packs.


I was wondering if there is any reason I can't just use an XLR "Y" cable for this.  Will there be any problems with the power that comes over the xlr cables from the dimmer packs to the controller?  Can it mess up the internal timing or something?


It seems like it should be OK since the NSI control board has a male and female XLR jacks on it and I often plug  both of these in at the same time and run xlr cords to two separate dimmer packs.  I thought these jacks were just parallel wired with no special circuitry between them.  If that is the case then wouldn't a "Y" cable from one of the jacks be no different?


The reason I want to do this is because I  have a DMX to MPX converter that only has 1 jack on it and I need to go to 2x MPX dimmers.  To daisy chain the dimmer packs would be less convenient.

You should be fine using a Y-cable for the Microplex, but I would not do it with DMX as it's a less forgiving signal (it will work until it decides not to work at the most in-opportune time) without proper cabling.
If you have to run 100' or more with Microplex, you might consider using the wall wart power supply that is to be used if your console can also output DMX. It will counter the voltage drop in the power supply voltage sent from the dimmer packs to power the console.

[Mike Karseboom]

ok - y cable will work with multiplex.


I won't try it with dmx.  I have dmx splitters I can use for that.


thanks for the advice.

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