Connecting the LED Strips
May 19, 2026

Section: Basic Hardware Setup
Overview
This tutorial explains the general principles of connecting Hypnotik Vibe LED strips to the HYPNOTIK-FX controller. The exact wiring depends on the controller type (Audio Reactive Pixel or X-Pro) and the strip type (Pixel or X5/X4).
Two Controller + Strip Systems
| Controller | SKU | For Use With |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Reactive Pixel (DIG-ALED) | HYP-FX-SC-DIG-M-15 | Vibe Pixel strips (digitally addressable) |
| X-Pro (5-in-1) | HYP-FX-SC-5-IN-1-15 | Vibe X5 and X4 strips (analog PWM) |
Note: Using the wrong controller with a strip type will result in no output or incorrect behavior.
Audio Reactive Pixel Controller - Pixel Strips
Vibe Pixel strips are digitally addressable LEDs. Each pixel has its own address and can be set to any colour independently. The controller sends a serial data signal to the strip.
Connections
The LED strip connects to three points:
| Connection | Terminal Label | Wire Colour |
|---|---|---|
| +24 V (Power) |
+ or V+
|
Red |
| GND |
− or GND
|
Black / White |
| Data Signal |
DATA or D
|
Green / Yellow / other |
Key Points
- The data signal carries the colour and effect information to each pixel.
- The data flows in one direction — the strip has a defined input end (marked with an arrow or
INlabel). - Always connect the data line to the input end of the strip. Connecting to the output end (
OUT) will produce no response. - Power can be injected at both ends of a long run to avoid voltage drop
X-Pro Controller — X5 / X4 Strips
Vibe X5 and X4 strips are analog PWM strips. The controller drives each channel (R, G, B, W1, W2) with a PWM signal that varies the brightness of that channel. There is no serial data — the strip is driven channel by channel.
Connections
The LED strip connects to:
| Connection | Description |
|---|---|
| +24 V (common) | Single positive supply rail shared across all channels |
| Channel 1 − (Ch1−) | Negative return for Channel 1 (e.g., Red or Warm White) |
| Channel 2 − (Ch2−) | Negative return for Channel 2 (e.g., Green or Cool White) |
| Channel 3 − (Ch3−) | Negative return for Channel 3 (e.g., Blue) |
| Channel 4 − (Ch4−) | Negative return for Channel 4 (e.g., White or White 2) |
| Channel 5 − (Ch5−) | Negative return for Channel 5 (if used) |
The number of channels used depends on the strip type — not all strips use all 5 channels.
Channel Mapping by Strip Type
| Strip Type | Channels Used | Ch1 | Ch2 | Ch3 | Ch4 | Ch5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single White (e.g., Deco 3000K) | 1 | White | — | — | — | — |
| Tunable White (e.g., Tunable Zero-Dot) | 2 | Warm White | Cool White | — | — | — |
| RGBW (e.g., Deco RGBW) | 4 | Green | Red | Blue | White | — |
| RGBCW (e.g., RGB + Tunable) | 5 | Green | Red | Blue | Warm White | Cool White |
See the specific wiring tutorial for your strip for the exact terminal connections.
Run Length Table
| Hypnotik Light Strips | Hypnotik SKU | Luminance (Lm/Ft) | Power (Watts/Ft) | Controller Output Ampere (A) @24V | Controller Output Watts | 80% Overhead | Effective Run Length (Ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe Pixel Zero Dot | HYP-FX-COB-720-RGB |
197.5 | 6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 47 |
| Vibe Pixel Zero Dot | HYP-FX-COB-784-RGBW |
258.6 | 6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 47 |
| Vibe Pixel Standard | HYP-FX-60-RGB |
67.3 | 2 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 143 |
| Vibe Pixel Fluid | HYP-FX-144-RGB |
160.1 | 5.5 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 51 |
| Vibe X5 Next-Gen Linear Lighting | HYP-X5-COB-CW |
487.7 | 4.6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 61 |
| Vibe X5 Next-Gen Linear Lighting | HYP-X5-FL-CW |
504 | 4.8 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 59 |
| Vibe X5 Next-Gen Linear Lighting | HYP-X5-COB-RGBCW |
319.8 | 6.14 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 45 |
| Vibe X4 Deco 3000K Outdoor | HYP-X4-LDO-30K |
808.1 | 3.2 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 89 |
| Vibe X4 Deco RGB + 3000K Outdoor | HYP-X4-LDO-RGBW |
770.5 | 4.6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 61 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-27K |
310 | 3.7 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 76 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-30K |
421.8 | 3.7 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 76 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-40K |
385 | 3.7 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 76 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Zero-Dot Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-COB-27K |
369 | 4.6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 61 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Zero-Dot Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-COB-30K |
409 | 4.3 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 65 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Zero-Dot Fixed Color - 2700K / 3000K / 4000K | HYP-X4-LU-COB-40K |
460 | 4.6 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 61 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Tuneable White - 1800K - 6000K | HYP-X4-LU-FT |
423.7 | 5.9 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 47 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra RGB + Tuneable White - 1800K - 6000K | HYP-X4-LU-RGBCW |
466.7 | 6.7 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 41 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra RGB + 3000K | HYP-X4-LU-RGBW |
242.7 | 3.7 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 76 |
| Vibe X4 Ultra Warm Dimming - 1800K - 3000K | HYP-X4-LU-WD |
332 | 3.8 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 74 |
| Vibe X4 Deco Warm Dimming - 1800K - 3000K | HYP-X4-LD-WD |
256 | 3 | 15 | 360 | 288 | 95 |
General Wiring Rules
- Always power off before making or changing connections.
- Observe polarity - reversing + and − will damage the controller or strip.
- Do not mix strip types on a single output - each output is for one strip type.
- Match voltage - all Hypnotik Vibe strips require 24 V DC.
- Use the input end of the strip - Pixel strips will not respond if connected to the output end.
- Secure all connections — loose terminals can cause flickering or failure.
After Wiring
Once the strip is physically connected:
- Power on the controller.
- Open the web UI and navigate to Settings → LED Preferences.
