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More Lighting Help for Mobile DJ
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More Lighting Help for Mobile DJ

DJPauly 7:13 PM - 7 February, 2007
Ok, I have read several posts on intelligent lighting and there is a ton of great information out there. I have not gotten a real good feel for scanners vs moving yoke/head lights though. I am looking to purchase some lights for mobile DJ'ing soon and need help deciding.

I am looking at either DMX lighting, either (4) scanners or a couple moving head. I've seen some of the Chauvet Intimidator lighting and would probably start with one of those packages. I've also looked at just getting a couple of moving head lights. Do the moving head lights need to be hung to get the full affect? What is the best way to do this? I obviously want to minimize weight and overall package of the setup. Is there a good way to mount the moving head on a simple light bar, place on top of speakers, etc?

I do mostly high school dances and birthday parties - various ages. I've played with some of the basic effects (Derby, par cans, etc), but am not too impressed and they get somewhat old. I know this is not too much info to start with but hopefully you guys will pose some questions to get the gears going. I'm really trying to get a good comparison between one-mirror scanners and moving head...
JayDJ130 7:28 PM - 7 February, 2007
I'd recommend to start with scanners and something for color fill (Pars). Scanners are faster and moving heads and they are usually less expensive too. But oyu really need a good mix of color fill too. Having a few beams of light from scanners by themselves is not enough. I use 4 Martin SCX-500's and 2 AMDJ LED Par 64's. I'd really like to have at least 4 more of the LED pars to really fill the room. Sometimes I add par 38s and other lights as well, but only for big events. You can check out some vids here ---> www.youtube.com
skinnyguy 7:49 PM - 7 February, 2007
scanners are weigh less and move faster than a moving head
DJ-A 11:01 PM - 7 February, 2007
when you talk about weight with these lights, it adds up fast. pick up an intimidator, and think about how many you actually want, and then add in the stands you'll be using. plus speakers and everything else, thats a lot of room (and weight). you must be thinking about a trailer for your Takoma...

oh, and you'll want to think about cases for them too, and the controler for them...
ejayian 11:25 PM - 7 February, 2007
Sure my moving heads are slower than my scans but for effect I like to slow them down. I thought about truss for my lights but figured thats to much work, i mount my heads on boxes & my scans on tripods it only takes a couple minutes to mount scan on a tripod but to place a head on a box is much faster.

I agree you need some light to fill in if all your going to have is either 4 scans or 2 heads, if you do get other lights make sure they are also dmx so you dont need a seperate controller for intels/non intels

i have quite a few lights & the only time i will use my scans is when i do 2 gigs at the same time. I always use the moving heads

So my final suggestion would be couple moving heads that you place on boxes (not cardboard boxes) and couple other dmx lighting to mount on couple tripods
Dj KaGeN 11:30 PM - 7 February, 2007
now that I have 4 heads - I like them, but think they'd do better off to the sides of the room. I think fast moving mirrors woulda been a better move.
DJPauly 12:02 AM - 8 February, 2007
What I am getting from the responses so far is that scanners are probably the way to go in terms of weight and possibly volume. It sounds like there are no great ways to mount the moving heads. I have several par cans already and I usually set those around the room with various colors shinning on the walls.

JayDJ - Cool videos - I like the setup. It looks like you are using all scanners, pars and a couple strobes. Not sure if I want to get into the full light bar, maybe just a stand and a T-bar. Like DJ-A said, I am using the Ford Escape to haul all this!

Ejayian - I am betting the boxes are a pin to lug around for mounting the moving heads on. have you tried any other mounting ways? I have been clear out of thoughts on how to mount these higher in the room. Are there any trpod adapters?
Dj KaGeN 12:10 AM - 8 February, 2007
mounting rotating heads on a truss..... that some shitty delicate lifting. Trying to hold up 40 pounds that moves and spins freely, all the while trying to align the brace to the truss, clamp on and spin the clamps tight, while weaving your hands threw the truss.. I saw the tripod action of one of the other cats and knew that was a much better way to go. Believe me, the truss alone weighs a FUZNUCK load!!!
Petronius 12:24 AM - 8 February, 2007
KoolSink On-Stage

From: Elliott Adams <othertempo@mac.com>
Subject: Re: KoolSink Order Confirmation
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 14:32:00 -0800
To: Peter Miller <petermiller@koolsink.com>

This is my second KoolSink...

I use my laptop for music performance, so the KoolSink is great in a hot nightclub, etc.

In fact, you might want to consider telling this specific user group:
scratchlive.net
Petronius 12:26 AM - 8 February, 2007
Oops! Here's the KoolSink web-site:
www.koolsink.com
DjRekTek 12:45 AM - 8 February, 2007
I just picked up the Chauvet Intimidator 1.0 package and so far I am very pleased. They do just enough to please the crowd and they are also fairly compact and light for a scanner. the price was also nice. $560.00 shipped at 123dj. I keep mine mounted on a light bar so all I have to do is pop the bar on top of the stand and plug in. Very simple and time saving, although you have to be extra careful when transporting.
ejayian 1:41 AM - 8 February, 2007
Quote:


Ejayian - I am betting the boxes are a pin to lug around for mounting the moving heads on. have you tried any other mounting ways? I have been clear out of thoughts on how to mount these higher in the room. Are there any trpod adapters?


I put the moving head right on top of the box I use to transport them, kills 2 birds with one stone, no need find an area to store your container, no need for anything extra to mount them on.
ejayian 1:47 AM - 8 February, 2007
as far as mounting them higher scroll down till about the middle of the thread, this cat named tyroneblue has a way to put them high up, i would do it but i have other lights to mount on tripods so i have no need....
www.djchat.com
DJPauly 2:40 AM - 8 February, 2007
ejay - Do you get enough throw from the lights on top of the box then? it doesn't seem like you really use them to their full capacity?

Interesting idea on the mounting. I was imagining some commercial product like that, I guess it could easily be made.
ejayian 3:29 AM - 8 February, 2007
The farther the base of the heads are away from the floor the greater the area they will not be able to project so I actually get greater projection than if mounted on tripods or trusses.

What about when people are dancing? Doent it get in there eyes? Thats why I have lights on tripods, I turn those on when its time to dance & the heads are projecting there gobos on the ceiling as well as the dark wall behind me....may I also add that most of the time I have them slowed down so people can see the nice designs.
DJ-A 8:15 PM - 8 February, 2007
thats a great point, when they flash and move everywhere no one can see anything except streaks of color
skinnyguy 12:49 AM - 9 February, 2007
yes. flashing and streaking is where it's at.
DJPauly 2:15 AM - 9 February, 2007
Thanks for all the great opinions! I am still torn. If I do go with the moving heads, I only want to drop about $500 each at most and I have seen the scanner packages for $1000. Any suggestions on the "cheaper brands" for moving heads or scanners. I was thinking Chauvet or American DJ.
JayDJ130 3:49 AM - 9 February, 2007
You definitely get more bang for the buck with scanners. I got my Martin SCX-500's for about $300 a peice. I think they're the best in that range with seperate gobo and color wheels plus their Martin. Those would be my suggestion. I'm very happy with them.
Julls 4:33 AM - 9 February, 2007
Quote:
Thanks for all the great opinions! I am still torn. If I do go with the moving heads, I only want to drop about $500 each at most and I have seen the scanner packages for $1000. Any suggestions on the "cheaper brands" for moving heads or scanners. I was thinking Chauvet or American DJ.


Dude, I own these and they freaking ROCK!!! www.centerstagelighting.com
OG Supernatural 4:50 AM - 9 February, 2007
^^^give him the full story though. You know...set up & break down time. lol
ejayian 5:32 AM - 9 February, 2007
Before you purchase any scans or heads do you have any lights at all? If not you definitely need to get some other lights first, OG Supernatural is gonna be one of the first to tell you to its important to wash the room....If you already have some lights some good affordable heads would be the hulk they go for about $500 at pssl.com im sure if you call them they will give you a better price, i have no experience with them but my brother swears by them, hes like me, he hardly ever uses his scans anymore i wouldnt be surprised if he sold them off, only reason i kept mine was because i recently became multi-op & didnt want to invest more money in more moving heads
DJ GaFFle 6:02 AM - 9 February, 2007
Guys,

Are scanners worthless UNLESS you're using a DMX controller? I have the Elation Co-pilot light controller but it's not DMX. I'm absolutely NOT interested in a DMX controller but I would like a couple of scanners to run in slave sound-activated mode. How feasible is that type of setup?
Clay 6:25 AM - 9 February, 2007
I Vote for Martin product 100%

A Martin SCX500 using a 150watt bulb is as bright if not brighter than mostly any other brands 250w scanners. SCX600's that actually use a 250w bulb are WAYYYYY brighter!
Martin products are built better, have better support, and have a much higher resale value.
Remember... you get what you pay for!!
OG Supernatural 6:51 AM - 9 February, 2007
Quote:
Guys,

Are scanners worthless UNLESS you're using a DMX controller? I have the Elation Co-pilot light controller but it's not DMX. I'm absolutely NOT interested in a DMX controller but I would like a couple of scanners to run in slave sound-activated mode. How feasible is that type of setup?


Loaded question...

Most DMX fixtures have a stand alone mode/sound-activated. However, some of the built in programs suck ass and some are cool... depends on the fixture.

In my opinion, it's good to at least get a cheap controller. Why? Because there are times you want some control over the fixtures such as slow jams. Looks kind of wack to have a slow jam playin and the fixtures are still in hype mode. Yes, even if they are in sound activated mode and you are playin a slow jam they are still gonna be in hype mode.

So start with a cheap controller and program a few scenes for different scenarios. I even have a few scenes programmed for creating an inviting dance floor before things get started at a party... slow jams, medium tempo, and hype.
djivanlopez.com 7:28 AM - 9 February, 2007
My advice is go with a lighting package, you will get the best lighting for your money. Also, I like to add one or two "regular" lights along with the intelligent lights, just to fill in the venue better.
ejayian 7:56 AM - 9 February, 2007
forget DMX & get a bunch of these
Watchwww.youtube.com

if you get intels if at all possbile get the ones you dont have to cycle
DJ_Mike_Coquilla 10:06 AM - 9 February, 2007
Quote:
forget DMX & get a bunch of these
Watchwww.youtube.com

if you get intels if at all possbile get the ones you dont have to cycle


cosign :)
Julls 10:57 AM - 9 February, 2007
Quote:
^^^give him the full story though. You know...set up & break down time. lol


Setup and tear down time is a bitch!
djivanlopez.com 12:48 PM - 9 February, 2007
I let my assistant/roadie do the the lights
skinnyguy 6:45 PM - 9 February, 2007
cosign for Martin products

running intel with a controller, even the pre-programmed controllers that come with packages, is preferred. in sound-active mode, it's just like a typical non-intel light. isn't the main purpose of going intel is to have some sort of control over them besides just on and off?
DJPauly 12:18 AM - 12 February, 2007
Thanks for all the great info guys. I ordered the Martin SCX500 (4) today and should receive them in a week or so. I just have not heard a bad thing about Martin products yet and you guys confirmed that they are the way to do. I looked around and PSSL hooked me up with a good price on the whole lighting package and stands.
JayDJ130 12:53 AM - 12 February, 2007
Awesome!! Congrats! Let us know when you get em in.
ejayian 1:24 AM - 12 February, 2007
dont forget pics
DJ GaFFle 1:25 PM - 12 February, 2007
Is programming DMX controllers difficult?
BriChi 2:16 PM - 12 February, 2007
I personally think software based dmx controllers like lightjockey and elations compuware are easier than hardware based controllers. Either way, it's a little difficult but easy to pick up while reading instructions. One of the important things to know and remember is how many dmx channels are in each light you own and they have to be addressed correctly. For instance if you had 2 Martin mac lights that are 16 channels each, you would address the first light "1" and the second one "17" and so on as you add more lights
Julls 5:12 PM - 12 February, 2007
Quote:
Is programming DMX controllers difficult?


Yes and no. It just takes a bit of time.