What is the primary use for this cable?

It is designed for professional lighting setups to provide precise communication between DMX controllers and fixtures. It is also suitable for AES/EBU digital audio connections.

What type of connectors are used on this cable?

The cable is equipped with original Neutrik 5-pole connectors. These are known for their durability and secure latching in professional environments.

Are the connector contacts plated with any specific material?

Yes, the connectors feature silver-plated contacts. This ensures excellent conductivity and long-lasting performance by resisting corrosion.

What kind of shielding does this cable have?

It features a copper braided shield. This provides robust protection against electromagnetic interference, which is crucial for digital signal stability.

Is the outer jacket flexible?

The cable uses a soft PVC jacket designed for superior flexibility. This makes it easy to handle and coil, even in demanding stage applications.

Can this cable be used outdoors?

The jacket is engineered to be UV resistant, which helps protect it from sun damage. However, it is primarily intended for stage and studio use rather than permanent underwater or extreme weather installation.

Does this cable comply with DMX standards?

Yes, the conductor cross-section and resistance comply fully with DMX standards. This ensures interference-free communication between devices.

How long is this specific cable model?

This specific model is 1.5 metres long. Other lengths, such as a 20m version, are also available in the 5 STAR range.

What is the difference between this and a 3-pin XLR cable?

This cable uses 5-pole connectors as required by the official DMX512 standard for professional equipment. It also features specific impedance characteristics that standard 3-pin microphone cables often lack.

Is this cable suitable for digital audio?

Yes, its design makes it a trusted choice for AES/EBU connections. The electrical properties required for DMX are very similar to those needed for high-quality digital audio.

What is the typical price for this cable?

The typical price for the 1.5m version of this cable is approximately GBP 32. This reflects its premium 5 STAR series status and the use of Neutrik components.

Why is a braided shield better than a foil shield for this application?

A copper braided shield offers better physical durability and superior protection against low-to-mid frequency interference. It is also more flexible for repeated stage use compared to some foil-shielded alternatives.

Gear article

Adam Hall 5 STAR Neutrik DMX 5-Pin Lighting Cable 1.5m

The Adam Hall 5 STAR Neutrik DMX 5-pin Lighting Cable is a professional-grade interconnect designed for high-fidelity signal transmission in lighting and digital audio applications. It features genuine Neutrik connectors and a copper braided shield, ensuring compliance with DMX and AES/EBU standards for interference-free communication.

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Overview

The Adam Hall 5 STAR series represents the manufacturer's premium tier of cabling, aimed at professional stage and studio environments. This specific 1.5-metre variant is designed for short-distance interconnections between lighting fixtures, dimmers, or controllers that require a 5-pin configuration. Unlike standard microphone cables, this cable is built to the specific impedance and resistance requirements of the DMX512 protocol, which is essential for preventing data corruption in complex lighting rigs.

Design and Key Features

The cable is constructed with a focus on durability and signal integrity. It utilizes original Neutrik 5-pole connectors, widely regarded as the industry standard for their robust latching mechanisms and reliability. The internal contacts are silver-plated to ensure high conductivity and resistance to oxidation over time.

To protect the digital signal from external noise, the cable employs a copper braided shield. This provides superior protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) compared to spiral shielding. The outer shell is a soft PVC jacket, engineered to be UV resistant and highly flexible, allowing the cable to lie flat and remain easy to coil even in cold or challenging stage environments.

Studiospares Standard XLR (M) - XLR (F) Cable 60cm

Signal Integrity and Standards

Technical compliance is a hallmark of the 5 STAR range. The conductor cross-section and electrical resistance are precisely calculated to meet DMX standards. This makes the cable equally suitable for AES/EBU digital audio applications, where maintaining consistent impedance is critical. The use of 5-pin connectors ensures compatibility with professional-grade lighting consoles and moving head fixtures that utilize the extra pins for secondary data links or manufacturer-specific functions.

Target Audience

This cable is best suited for lighting technicians, event production companies, and permanent installations where failure is not an option. At 1.5 metres, it is ideally sized for daisy-chaining fixtures mounted on the same truss or for connecting a controller to a nearby DMX splitter. Its professional build quality makes it a staple for touring environments where cables are subjected to frequent rigging and de-rigging.

Comparative Analysis

Within the Adam Hall range, this cable sits above entry-level options due to its use of Neutrik components. For longer runs, the 20m version of the same 5 STAR cable is available. When compared to general-purpose cables like the Studiospares Standard XLR or instrument-specific cables like the Ernie Ball P06049, the Adam Hall DMX cable differs significantly in its internal impedance and shielding, which are specifically tuned for high-speed digital data rather than analogue audio signals.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary use for this cable?: It is designed for professional lighting setups to provide precise communication between DMX controllers and fixtures. It is also suitable for AES/EBU digital audio connections.
What type of connectors are used on this cable?: The cable is equipped with original Neutrik 5-pole connectors. These are known for their durability and secure latching in professional environments.
Are the connector contacts plated with any specific material?: Yes, the connectors feature silver-plated contacts. This ensures excellent conductivity and long-lasting performance by resisting corrosion.
What kind of shielding does this cable have?: It features a copper braided shield. This provides robust protection against electromagnetic interference, which is crucial for digital signal stability.
Is the outer jacket flexible?: The cable uses a soft PVC jacket designed for superior flexibility. This makes it easy to handle and coil, even in demanding stage applications.
Can this cable be used outdoors?: The jacket is engineered to be UV resistant, which helps protect it from sun damage. However, it is primarily intended for stage and studio use rather than permanent underwater or extreme weather installation.
Does this cable comply with DMX standards?: Yes, the conductor cross-section and resistance comply fully with DMX standards. This ensures interference-free communication between devices.
How long is this specific cable model?: This specific model is 1.5 metres long. Other lengths, such as a 20m version, are also available in the 5 STAR range.
What is the difference between this and a 3-pin XLR cable?: This cable uses 5-pole connectors as required by the official DMX512 standard for professional equipment. It also features specific impedance characteristics that standard 3-pin microphone cables often lack.
Is this cable suitable for digital audio?: Yes, its design makes it a trusted choice for AES/EBU connections. The electrical properties required for DMX are very similar to those needed for high-quality digital audio.
What is the typical price for this cable?: The typical price for the 1.5m version of this cable is approximately GBP 32. This reflects its premium 5 STAR series status and the use of Neutrik components.
Why is a braided shield better than a foil shield for this application?: A copper braided shield offers better physical durability and superior protection against low-to-mid frequency interference. It is also more flexible for repeated stage use compared to some foil-shielded alternatives.