Please help a rock band design lighting.

[chrisoquist@hot]

Hey guys,

I play drums in and manage a rock cover band based in Boston and we would like to put together a lighting system for around 1500 bucks.. Some of the venues we play have lights but usually just cans, and it would be cool to have beams flying around all over the place to the music.. I know very little about doing this so it would be awesome if you guys could recommend some inexpensive literature about how to set up a light system, or better yet, an online guide if there is one available. Also if you could recommend lights, controllers, trusses, all that kind of stuff.. I have been looking at Chauvet lights, like the Fascination and Coronas, but you may have better ideas.. Any other advice would be awesome too... Thanks so much.

Chris

PS: By the way, the band covers Guns N' Roses, U2, Sublime, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billy Idol, stuff like that - in case it helps you think about what we need..

[DJNaviss]

Alot of the member's will have their mixed view's on what you should get.

However I think your on the right track, With using the brand, Chauvet.
I've got all my lighting from them, And they seem to be the best, For the buck. In not only how their unit's are built but, That also in support.

You say your wanting beam's. Now, I can only guess that your looking into maybe some intel light's?

Chauvet, Make's many different model's, Each with a different price range, And a different look. :smash:

The moving yoke's, Are going to be alot more, And with your budget, I doubt you could get them.

However, There are some that's are a very nice light. And aren't to bad for the money.
As I use them as well.
The Chauvet Navagator. I think I got mine for around 260 - 80$ each.

I seem to love mine. :smash:
Also these are all DMX light's.

However these intel's, Only show one beam of light, And it will run it's gobo's.

If your wanting more beam's, Like the unit you named, Fascination.

It's about the only DMX light that Chauvet make's that has multi beam's, That isn't a Effect light.

A member named, Designer - Know's more about the Fascination unit. And I think he could give you some more idea's in your lighting path.

As for controller's, Well depending on what type of light's you get, Rather it be DMX or Effect lighting, You'll want either a DMX Controller or just a light controller, That is really just a on and off switch, That is easy to use from the booth.

Chauvet make's both, And not badly priced. The DMX 50, Would be your best bet. And it around's 250$ I think.
And if you get effect lighting the Chauvet SF-9005 controller will work fine. I use this for my Par Can's. And it's around 90$.

As for a truss, You really don't need a 1000$ truss, Unless your going to be really loading it down with some big stuff.
I got my 10 x 10 truss, Off Ebay for around 130$ shipped. It work's fine for my light's. It could be alittle better made, However it work's.

[Designer]

I have to agree with Naviss that Chauvet are pretty good, also Acme are worth considering as they do some budget intelligent lighting. I think for you the Chauvet Fascination might prove a little boring after a while as it's functionality is limited by the fact that the only movement you get is beam rotation (no pan/tilt), I personally think you'd be better off getting a couple of scanners and if the budget will stretch far enough a couple of barrel mirrored scanners like the Acme Rover & Winner effects, these have I believe 250W ELC halogen lamps so replacement is fairly cheap and the ELC lamp gives good light output for the wattage. I also believe that although the Rover / Winner are two different types (i.e ones a scanner the others a barrel mirrored scanner) you can still link them to run them without a DMX controller (standalone - synchronised).

Have a look at www.djbox.co.uk as I think they feature both the Acme Rover and Acme Winner on their website.

Hope this helps :)
D

[DJNaviss]

I have a barrel, On one of my light's... And I don't know... I don't care for it to much... I'd trade it in for a scanner any day! :)

[chrisoquist@hot]

Guys Thanks for the responses.. I like the idea of getting scanners instead of the Fascination units.. Here is what Im thinking so far..

Two of these stands, placed in front of the band to each side
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29945&item=3750426580&rd=1

Two Scanning units - Thinking of either the ACME Super Scimitar (does anyone know if I can get this from a US-based retailer) or American DJ PocketScans. I've heard some things about American DJ's reliability so I dont know - anyone had any problems?
Does anyone know if these units have duty cycles?

Four to Six Par Cans, and Two white pinspots with the following adapter:
http://www.lighting-effect.com/cgi-bin/catalog/CHAUVET-CH-212.html

With a DMX controller and all necessary cables and possibly a Hazer, this would put us comfortably within the 1500-1800 limit, I think with some money to spare in case we wanted to add another toy :)

What do you guys think, any ideas?
Thanks for the help!


Chris

[DJNaviss]

Not to bad by your choice's, However I'd like to state a few of my view's on some of the item's.

First off, You are getting tree's, I think that is an ok idea, Unless you want to add more lighting.. A truss is alway's nice, And you don't have to use the truss all the time, As both of the end's can be tree's.
Just up to personaly choice... Really I think a truss and two tress would be around the same in price range, And you'd be getting more in a truss.

Mine will unhook and make a 5 foot long truss, Or a 10 foot. Also for small gig's, I can use one of both of the tress's.


As for the ADJ PocketScan's, EH... Well. Yes your right, Alot don't like ADJ, And alot of people have had their unit's fail on them. Let's just say you get what you pay for.
Other's swear by their unit's and have never had a problem.. Just up to you really.
I have used some of their lighting, And I sold it just as fast as I got it. They are built well, And well. I wouldn't waste my money on it.
Up to you really.

Best of luck! Let us know how everything work's out!

[Designer]

I've got to say that Pocket scans (this is my personal opinion only) are poorly constructed and as far as im aware suffer from the problem of having a duty-cycle. Hopefully one day a lighting manufacturer will read one of my posts so i'll say DUTY CYCLE IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF POOR MANUFACTURING/DESIGN SKILLS.
I've just got my fascinations and I'd recommend them but not as an alternative to scanners, but they look good when used in conjunction with them.

What sort of controller are you thinking of?

Reason I ask is that there's a controller called the Chauvet DMX50, which has identical electronics to the ShowTec Scanmaster 3 and also theres an American DJ version (and another brand that I cant remember) all have the same case and electronics but with different brand names on them. All of which have a varying price tag so it's worth shopping around for the best buy on one of those.

If your planning to run the pinspots with DMX control you'll also need a DMX dimmer pack, probably your best bet is to check out the www.pssl.com website, I know that Showtec make a T-bar stand with a DMX dimmer pack integrated into the top bar. So you can plug your spots in directly and only have 2 trailing leads.

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted on how your getting on.