[Bob in St. Louis]

Hi all,
I've been searching for a nine conductor wire (25' long) to connect my DCX to my PC.
It occurred to me today I (obviously) need an RS-232 input/output jack on the PC.
What do you use? Is there a PCI card you install?

Thanks!
Bob

[Crimson]

Most (if not all) consumer PCs/laptops do not provide RS-232C ports anymore. Some pro models still include them. What you can do, though, is purchase a USB-RS-232 dongle. Plugs right in to an available USB port and provides RS-232 connectivity. However, I have heard instances where the USB-232 conversion process does not provide for full 7-pin connectivity (handshaking etc), and only provides signal on pins 2, 3, and 5 (TX, RX, and GND). If the application requires full handshaking, make sure the dongle provides it, and the cable you purchase is capable (again, some 232 cables are only 3-conductor).

Edit: This converter provides full handshaking.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Ohh, "connectivity, conversion processes, handshaking...".....I should have known it couldn't be easy. 

The Behringers port is a 9 pin, so it looks like this converter you linked to should work. All I need to get is a (very) long extension cord between the dongle and the DCX.
Anybody know if it's "just that easy", to install this converter and run a cable straight to a DCX2496? 

Excellent link, thank you VERY much for that.   

Bob

[Crimson]

You may want to check the manual and see if it requires a straight-through cable or not. If not, adding a null modem adapter will turn a straight-through to a crossover cable (where pins 2 and 3, TX and RX, are swapped).

[Bob in St. Louis]

OK, good info. Thank you.
Since I'll be DIYing the cable myself, wouldn't I be able to wire the terminals whichever way the Behringer is designed to "see" them (with #2 and #3 swapped)?
I'll check the DCX manual and see what it says for cable type.

Bob

[Bob in St. Louis]

Quote from the manual (page :

"The nine pin RS-232 interface allows you to connector your DCX2496 to a computer. This enables you to save and load files, and update the DCX2496 operating software or remotely control one or several UltraDrive Pro units from a PC.
Free editor software can be downloaded at Behringer.com"

On page 34 in the specification section it talks about the Serial Interface (RS-232 jack):
Type: 9 pin sub-D connector
Transmission type: 115200 bauds, 8 data bits
1 stop bit, no parity

That's all I can find, not sure if any of that is a hit.
I've downloaded the software on my PC at home (I'm at work now). I'll look in there to see if it says what kind of cable is needed.

Bob

[Crimson]

Unless there's a wiring diagram in the manual, sounds like a straight through. Yes, DIY is the way to go here, and since this a non-audio application (control data only) you may want to consider using the connectors that use crimp D sub pins. No soldering required. Fast, cheaper and reliable. All you need is:

Male or female connector kits

D sub tool

You can use a needle-nose pliers or appropriate gauge stripper insert for crimping the pins. Then just push them through the holes on the connectors with the tool.

[mgalusha]

The USB/Serial adapters they sell at Best Buy work fine with a DCX. A standard serial cable is all that is needed.

$12.26 for 25ft at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Mouse-monitor-Extension-Cable/dp/B000GG1QGU

[Bob in St. Louis]

Ohhh. There's a couple nice options.
I like Mike's. You just can't beat $12 for 25' of anything. But I'll be routing this though walls and ceilings so Crimson's DIY rig may have to be mandatory. But, for the price, I can't help but to think of ways I can route a big ol' RS-232 terminal through the nooks and crannies. 

Gentilemen, Thank you very much. You guys are GREAT.
Looks like I've got some thinking to do.

Bob