QTX DMX Lighting Lead 3-Pin XLR Plug to 3-Pin XLR Socket - 6m

The QTX DMX lighting lead is a 6m shielded cable with a 3-pin XLR male plug at one end and a 3-pin XLR female socket at the other, built for transmitting DMX512 control signals between lighting controllers and fixtures. The 4mm outer diameter cable houses shielded conductors that reduce interference from nearby mains cables and radio frequency noise, maintaining signal integrity across typical stage and studio runs.

Designed for installation in DMX lighting chains where multiple fixtures are linked in series, the cable connects the DMX output of a controller or the DMX pass-through of one fixture to the DMX input of the next. The 6m length suits short-to-medium runs between fixtures positioned across a stage, truss or studio rig without requiring excessive cable coiling. The shielded construction makes the cable suitable for environments with high electrical noise, such as live music venues with amplifiers and power distribution nearby.

Both XLR connectors use metal shells with strain relief boots that protect the solder joints from repeated plugging and unplugging. The cable jacket is flexible enough to route around obstacles and through cable trays without kinking, while retaining enough body to avoid tangling when coiled for transport. The cable meets the impedance and capacitance requirements of the DMX512 protocol, ensuring compatibility with standard DMX lighting equipment from manufacturers including ADJ, Chauvet, Martin and Showtec.

Can this cable be used for audio?

No. While the connectors are 3-pin XLR, DMX cables use a different impedance specification (120Ω) than microphone cables (typically 75Ω or lower). Using a DMX cable for audio may work over short runs but can degrade signal quality. Use dedicated audio XLR cables for microphones and line-level connections.

How many fixtures can be daisy-chained on a single DMX line?

The DMX512 specification supports up to 32 devices on a single DMX universe. In practice, 20-25 fixtures is a more reliable working limit, especially when using multiple cable runs totaling over 50m. Beyond this, signal degradation or timing errors may occur without a DMX splitter or booster.

Does the cable need termination?

The last fixture in a DMX chain should ideally have a 120Ω terminator plugged into its DMX output socket to prevent signal reflections. Many modern fixtures have built-in termination or auto-termination, but if you experience flickering or erratic behaviour on the last fixture in the chain, try adding a terminator plug.

What's the maximum recommended cable run length for DMX?

The DMX512 standard specifies a maximum run length of 300m without a repeater or booster. In real-world installations with multiple connectors and fixtures, keeping individual cable runs under 100m total per universe provides a safety margin against signal loss.