Rack Checklist: Touring vs Fixed Install
Yesterday’s day-16 post on DMX terminators and Neutrik-to-terminal-block adapters closed the end-of-line story with TDMX , and CNAB. Today we zoom out: this is not a single-product datasheet. It is a practical DMX rack checklist that compares two philosophies — touring / rental versus fixed install — and cross-links the recent series (USB–DMX, Art-Net, relays, tester, terminator) so you can pack or buy without improvising.
On the road, the rack must travel, patch fast, and carry spare cable. In a fixed room, the cable plant stays, the Neutrik-to-terminal panel stays, and the Art-Net node lives in the rack. Indexes: store · blog · DMX Accessories.
Why two checklists (not one generic list)
A single “DMX rack” list usually blends what flies with what gets bolted down. Touring: portability, spare loom, USB–DMX or compact Art-Net, mini tester and terminator in the tool bag. Fixed install: permanent cable plant, Neutrik-to-terminal panel (CNAB), terminators in service, Art-Net node in rack, house-load relays, and Ethernet I/O when needed.
This post is the hub: what to pack, what to leave, and which article to open next. For signal-source choice, revisit USB–DMX vs Art-Net and what Art-Net is. For the physical network map, see day-9 topologies. For universes and IPs, see day 10.
Table: Touring vs fixed install
| Aspect | Touring / rental | Fixed install |
|---|---|---|
| Signal source | USB–DMX (FOH laptop) or compact Art-Net in the flight case | Art-Net node (TH-2U) fixed in rack; room Ethernet |
| Cabling | 120 Ω XLR looms + spares; little permanent plant | Permanent 120 Ω plant; wall panels |
| End of line | Terminator in the tool bag (TDMX/MTDMX) | Terminator left at the end of the run |
| Diagnostics | MTDMX in the bag: presence, breaks, termination | MTDMX for maintenance; bus already terminated |
| Automation | DMX/USB relays as the show demands | D21R/D28R house loads; U24R on PC; Ethernet I/O if LAN |
| Panel / physical I/O | XLR-to-XLR; CNAB if venue forces terminals | CNAB on wall / rack / DIY panels |
| Design priority | Portability, spares, patch in minutes | Stability, cable plant, gear that does not move |
End-of-line and panel detail: day 16 (TDMX + CNAB). Diagnostics: day 15 (MTDMX). Correct cable: 80 Ω vs 120 Ω.
- Step 1 — Name the context
- Does the rack travel every weekend (touring/rental) or stay bolted down (fixed)?
- If hybrid (install + events), keep two columns: what travels vs what stays.
- Step 2 — Pick the signal source
- Laptop + USB–DMX for small shows / local FOH — see day 7 and the USB–DMX intro.
- Network + Art-Net node (TH-2U) when distance, multiple universes, or remote FOH matter — TH-2U guide, day 8.
- Step 3 — Design the physical DMX leg
- 120 Ω cable only; spares on tour; permanent plant for install.
- Topology: clean daisy-chain; on Art-Net, keep nodes near the load — day 9.
- Step 4 — Close end-of-line and diagnostics
- Terminator (TDMX) or mini tester (MTDMX) by role.
- On fixed panels: CNAB Neutrik-to-terminal where XLR meets buried cable.
- Step 5 — Add automation only when the show/room asks
- Console to relays: D21R / D28R (day 13).
- PC contacts or DMX–RGB color: U24R + DMX-RGB-AIO (day 14).
- Room Ethernet I/O: day 11.
Touring rack: what to pack
A touring rack is a survival kit: critical gear fits a flight case or tool bag; load-in cannot depend on a terminator left in the warehouse.
- Portable source: USB–DMX (TZ line) with laptop FOH and short XLR, or compact Art-Net when Ethernet backbone exists — day 7 · day 6.
- Cabling: 120 Ω XLR looms, enough spares, gender changers, and a patch plan B. Never “leftover” 80 Ω audio cable — 80/120 guide.
- Diagnostics in the bag: the MTDMX — signal presence, break hunting, and it can terminate the run. On tour it is the accessory that saves the most minutes. Post: day 15.
- Backup terminator: an extra TDMX in the tool bag if the MTDMX is in another case or you need a quiet end-of-line without a presence LED. Post: day 16.
- Light automation: if the rider needs fog/curtain from the console, a D21R or D28R in the touring rack. Category: DMX Relay. Guide: day 13.
- CNAB on tour: optional in the case when the venue uses a panel/terminal — CNAB.
Fixed install rack: what stays
In a fixed install the verb changes: not “pack,” but “leave it right.” Cable plant, panel, and node stay; maintenance travels.
- Art-Net node in the rack: TH-2U (2 universes, Neutrik in/out, web panel, IP MODE) for rooms with Ethernet backbone — day 8 · day 9 · day 10.
- Permanent cable plant: 120 Ω DMX in conduit or tray; wall panels; junction boxes. Correct impedance from day one.
- Neutrik-to-terminal panel: the CNAB (Neutrik NC3FAV2–NC3MAV, 3-pin terminal block, male+female pack) bridges front-panel XLR to fixed rear cable. The shop recommends a line terminator — a natural pairing with TDMX.
- Terminators that stay: TDMX at the end of each stable run. No presence LED claimed (that is MTDMX); bus-hygiene role.
- Relays for house loads: house fog, curtain, utilities from the console with D21R (1 relay) or D28R (8 relays). Category DMX Relay.
- USB relay / color on a bench or annex: U24R (USB to 4 relays) and DMX-RGB-AIO when you have a local PC or common-anode RGB LED. Post: day 14. USB category: USB Relay.
- Ethernet I/O when the room needs it: web panel + relays/inputs — day 11 (ETHER8R / ETHER8R8I3A). Not mandatory for every install.
Accessories that belong in both worlds
Independent of touring or fixed, three pieces from the DMX Accessories category show up on almost every serious checklist:
| Accessory | Touring role | Fixed role | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDMX | Backup terminator in the tool bag | Terminator left at the end of the run | TDMX |
| MTDMX | Daily diagnostics: presence + breaks + termination | Maintenance / commissioning kit | MTDMX |
| CNAB | Optional when the venue forces panel/terminal | Standard on Neutrik-to-3-pin-terminal panels | CNAB |
Confirmed specs: TDMX 27 g / 70×20 mm (terminator-only); MTDMX 30 g / 70×20 mm (presence + breaks + terminator); CNAB Neutrik NC3FAV2–NC3MAV to 3-pin terminal. Detail: days 15 , and 16.
Shared mistakes (touring and fixed)
- 80 Ω cable “because it is XLR”: the connector does not define impedance — 80/120 guide.
- Open end-of-line: terminate with TDMX/MTDMX.
- One purchase order for tour and install: short of spares or short of panel hardware.
- No diagnostics: on tour MTDMX pays for the trip; fixed rooms avoid chase without a method.
- Source without a map: USB–DMX vs Art-Net is distance/universes/FOH — day 7; USB pitfalls: day 6.
- Over-automating on day one: clean signal and end-of-line first; then relays / RGB / Ethernet I/O.
Frequently asked questions
1. Do I need two different racks, or can one reconfigurable rack cover both?
If you do both seriously, think as two checklists even when hardware overlaps. A single “does everything” case is usually short of spares or panel hardware.
2. USB–DMX or Art-Net for a small touring rack?
If FOH is a laptop and the XLR hop is short, USB–DMX often wins. If there is Ethernet backbone, multiple universes, or distance, look at Art-Net / TH-2U. Guides: day 7 , and day 8.
3. Does MTDMX replace TDMX in a fixed install?
It can terminate the line and also show presence/breaks. If the install is already stable and you only want end-of-line hygiene, TDMX is enough. Many kits keep both roles: TDMX in service, MTDMX for maintenance.
4. Where does CNAB fit in a touring rack?
When the venue forces a panel or terminal block. On pure XLR end to end, CNAB is not the priority; on wall installs, it is.
5. Which relays go on tour vs in a fixed room?
Same D21R/D28R family: on tour per rider; fixed for permanent house loads. USB U24R is a different contract (PC, not console). See days 13 , and 14.
6. Does this post replace the topology and IP guides?
No — it is a hub. For network maps and universes/IPs: days 9, 10 , and 11.
7. Can I use the same terminator on tour and later leave it in an install?
Physically yes; label what travels vs what stays. Losing the only TDMX from the case into a ceiling is classic rental pain.
8. Are there prices or pinouts in this checklist?
We do not invent prices or pinouts. Use the linked shop sheets (TDMX, CNAB, MTDMX, D21R, D28R, U24R, DMX-RGB-AIO) and the product posts in the series.
Close the checklist and look ahead to day 18
If today’s problem is what to pack vs what to leave, this DMX rack checklist (touring vs fixed install) is the map. Series: USB vs Art-Net · TH-2U · topologies · universes/IPs · Ethernet I/O · relays · U24R+RGB · MTDMX · TDMX+CNAB. Shop: Accessories · DMX Relay · store · blog.
Day-18 teaser: How to choose a DMX interface by budget and scale (no URL yet). Meanwhile, use this checklist so flight-case philosophy and wall-rack philosophy stop fighting on the same purchase order.
ElectroTAS builds the series so touring and fixed install stop colliding: same building blocks, two clear lists.