I have some random DMX lights but no controller other than my laptop, one option is to make a custom DMX controller from a Raspberry Pi:
http://www.jonshouse.co.uk/rpidmx512.cgi
http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-as-a-DMX-light-controller/
£1.42 – MAX485 module + some coding, an XLR cable for data transmission, a project box…
Another option is to get a cheap USB to DMX adapter:
£12 – http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-DMX-Interface-Controller-Adapter-LED-DMX512-Computer-Light-Dimmer-R9X2/263034238964?_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D45398%26meid%3Df1e6e879c08a4e00a4b270b0ca9db5fd%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226
…and use some open source DMX software such as Freestyler.
http://users.telenet.be/freestylerdmx/
I plan on using OLA on the Pi
OLA on Raspberry Pi
Hat’s
http://discohat.com/discohat/
http://bitwizard.nl/shop/DMX-interface-for-Raspberry-pi
http://bitwizard.nl/shop/DMX-interface-for-Raspberry-pi
https://www.hwhardsoft.de/english/projects/rs485-shield/
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Use-DMX512-RDM-With-Raspberry-Pi/