Allanson ColorMix ACL-MC-DMX-1U DMX Master Controller

The Allanson ColorMix ACL-MC-DMX-1U is a stand-alone DMX master controller for color-changing sign and architectural lighting. It stores your scenes on board and plays them back without a computer, so once the show is programmed the laptop goes home with the installer and the sign keeps running on its own.

Wire it to Allanson decoders and RGB modules for a complete color-changing channel letter or cove lighting package, drop it into a larger DMX system as a splitter or merger, or run it on its own from dry-contact triggers. It outputs 512 channels in and out, defaults to a 2 x 512 splitter, and links with up to 32 units in master/slave for 64 universes on large installations.

What it does

• Runs without a computer. Program your scenes, then trigger them from the on-board buttons, a dry contact closure, the time clock, or the app. Nothing has to stay connected.
• Eight buttons across ten pages. That is 80 addressable scene triggers, in a single zone, playing one scene or sequence at a time in stand-alone mode.
• Recovers on its own after a power loss. When power comes back, the controller returns to the scene it was running. No site visit to restart the sign after a storm or a breaker trip.
• Built-in time clock. Set it manually right on the unit for a stand-alone schedule — one look during business hours, another after close.
• Cross-fades between scenes for smooth transitions instead of hard color snaps.
• Color control for 99 RGB and 8 RGBW fixtures, with 16-bit and fine channel management for smooth dimming on high-resolution fixtures.

Control options

On the unit

Eight buttons, ten pages, plus direct control of speed, scene, dimmer and zone from the contact inputs. Default start scene, dimmer level and RGB color selection are all set on the device. The display shuts off after four seconds so it disappears into a finished install.

From a phone or tablet

The Wi-Light 2 app (Android and iOS) connects over Ethernet, LAN, WLAN or the internet. The same app handles web remote control, so a shop can adjust a customer's sign from the office instead of sending a truck.

From other equipment

Dry contact closures on the RJ45 trigger inputs let a building automation system, an occupancy sensor, a time clock or a simple wall switch call up a scene. RS-232 devices can trigger the controller with strings up to 16 characters, which covers most AV control systems and show controllers.

Specifications

Connections

• XLR DMX A and XLR DMX B — standard 3-pin DMX, pin 1 ground, pin 2 data−, pin 3 data+. In default splitter mode these give you two independent 512-channel universes out of one controller.
• RJ45 triggers — dry contact inputs for scene, speed, dimmer and zone commands.
• RJ45 input/output — for linking units in master/slave.
• RJ45 Ethernet — network connection for the Wi-Light 2 app and web remote.
• DC input jack — external power supply.

Building a color-changing system

The ACL-MC-DMX-1U is the brain. It sends DMX to Allanson sub-controllers and ACL-3063-3A decoders, and the decoders drive the LED modules. Allanson's published system layout runs the controller into a DMX sub-controller and out to eight ACL-3063-3A decoders, each on its own 12V or 24V power supply.

Per-decoder load limits

• 12V: 0–60W per decoder
• 24V: 0–96W per decoder

Per-decoder fixture limits

• Up to 80 RGB3 modules (ACLW-RGB3 40 system)
• Up to 12 ft of RGB Skyline
• Or three channels of 12V or 24V single-color modules

Lay the job out by decoder, not by controller. Count your modules and your wattage against the limits above, add decoders as needed, and the master controller handles the rest.

Where it fits

• Color-changing channel letters and cabinet signs that need to hold a brand color all day and run a program at night
• Storefront and cove accent lighting on a seasonal or scheduled program
• Restaurant, bar and entertainment interiors where staff need to change the look from a wall switch or a phone without touching a lighting console
• Multi-tenant and campus installations where 32 linked controllers cover 64 universes across a property
• Existing DMX systems that need a splitter, a merge point, or a way to record and replay a show

Frequently asked questions

Only to program it. Once your scenes are stored on the controller it plays them back on its own, triggered by the buttons, a contact closure, the time clock or the app.

The controller automatically recovers the scene it was running when power returns. You do not need to send anyone to the site to restart it.

No. The controller has internal memory and runs without a card. The Micro SD slot is there if you want more room for scenes and sequences — any FAT format up to 256 GB.

Not in stand-alone mode. The ACL-MC-DMX-1U is a single-zone controller and plays one scene or sequence at a time. For jobs that need independent zones running different looks at once, link additional controllers in master/slave or call us to talk through the layout.

Up to 32 units synchronized in master/slave mode, for 64 universes total.

The controller speaks standard 3-pin DMX, so it will drive DMX-addressable fixtures and decoders generally. The load and quantity limits published above are Allanson's figures for Allanson decoders and modules — if you are mixing brands, work to your decoder manufacturer's limits.

Mount the controller in a suitable enclosure or interior location. Contact us for the current environmental rating on your application before specifying it for an exposed exterior mount.

Ordering

Questions on system layout, decoder counts or power supply sizing? Email Sales@kgsupplies.com or call (602) 272-8655. KG Supplies delivers overnight throughout Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, and ships nationwide via UPS.