PDA

View Full Version : Moving Heads, Uplighting, TVs, Crank Stands, or Truss?



DYM
03-17-2012, 10:27 AM
Where would you go if you had 4 grand? Want to expand my setup by next year. Been doing a few sweet 16's, school dances, birthdays, dinners, ect.

Here is my curent setup (minus my LS801PB) in a gym last week:

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9317/rbcsemiformal20121.jpg

Throw some ideas with brands/prices! :tup:

BillESC
03-17-2012, 10:29 AM
With the recent drop in price on Chauvet's Q-Spot 260's I'd suggest getting four of them. You'll have a good bit of money left for other things.

DYM
03-17-2012, 10:39 AM
With the recent drop in price on Chauvet's Q-Spot 260's I'd suggest getting four of them. You'll have a good bit of money left for other things.

Hey Bill, good to see you back!

Would you say put a pair of moving heads on totems or crank stands?

DJ Scotch
03-17-2012, 11:07 AM
I suggest you to get an LED lights and DJ facade, that combo will take your entire set up to next level.

Something like this

Q-spot 260 is awesome, we are also planning to get couple of those with truss.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427979_363913846982721_210234482350659_1130737_521 472_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308160_276930669014373_210234482350659_882297_2432 38448_n.jpg

DYM
03-17-2012, 11:17 AM
I am personally not a fan of an LED facade for MY setup... I just think it takes too much away from everything else.... super easy for us to throwup a black facade.

DJ Scotch
03-17-2012, 12:04 PM
I am personally not a fan of an LED facade for MY setup... I just think it takes too much away from everything else.... super easy for us to throwup a black facade.

Most of the time we put black light behind Facade which keeps perfect environment for dance floor and shows the actual effect of our lights. If we are not using anything besides uplighting then we keep LED behind Facade. It depends on the gig. In most case now a days people just like uplighting and moving heads, they don't prefer lights on T stand.

I love music
03-17-2012, 01:14 PM
LED uplights

inexpensive and makes a difference in the event's atmosphere

DYM
03-18-2012, 12:23 PM
What if I got 2 moving heads... possibly Chavet Intimidator (the best one) mounted on 2 seperate crank stands (saw a baseplate mod in another thread) and have them on either side of my facade. Have my lighting t-bar behind my facade (85% of the time it is) and go for 8 flat pars for uplighting? 2 behind me and three per each side of the room... dmx each par can and colorstrip with a simple controller?


Should I forget about a truss and TVs?

DJ Donnie Lewis
03-18-2012, 04:22 PM
4k to start...

2 50" plasmas. 1100$

8.2' goal style truss with base plates 1600$

15 slimpar 56s 1300.

Total 4k. I would definitely buy this with the 4k. The truss may be abut more but if you shop around you can get the Slimpars for 75 a piece

djtanveer
03-18-2012, 06:32 PM
I think that uplighting is one of those trends that as gotten so popular that anyone who buys new lights will have a really hard time getting their return. In my area a lot of decorators already offer it so I have a really hard time making money now. I woould suggest getting moving heads and trussing, possibly a facade if you want.

Johnnotestine
03-18-2012, 11:00 PM
I think that uplighting is one of those trends that as gotten so popular that anyone who buys new lights will have a really hard time getting their return. In my area a lot of decorators already offer it so I have a really hard time making money now. I woould suggest getting moving heads and trussing, possibly a facade if you want.
One of the reasons I think a lot of people, myself included, are moving to more uplighting is because it looks great without fog or haze.

Johnnotestine
03-18-2012, 11:02 PM
4k to start...

2 50" plasmas. 1100$

8.2' goal style truss with base plates 1600$

15 slimpar 56s 1300.

Total 4k. I would definitely buy this with the 4k. The truss may be abut more but if you shop around you can get the Slimpars for 75 a piece

^^^ this is a great idea.
Out of curiosity, why the slimpars over pucks?

DJ Donnie Lewis
03-19-2012, 07:18 AM
^^^ this is a great idea.
Out of curiosity, why the slimpars over pucks?

Just picked the slims because I just bought a larger amount so I knew the procing a bit

GaFFLe
03-19-2012, 09:22 AM
I think that uplighting is one of those trends that as gotten so popular that anyone who buys new lights will have a really hard time getting their return. In my area a lot of decorators already offer it so I have a really hard time making money now. I woould suggest getting moving heads and trussing, possibly a facade if you want.

Very good advice. It looks good but the price of the upstart on uplights is very high (when bought in quantities). I know of a lady that is getting a package of uplights and simple wedding decorations for only $250. That is dirt dog cheap. Her wedding decor may not be the best but all she knows is that she's getting a value with lighting.

These decorators can plug up a simple light but don't have time for the complexity of a moving head... that's where you as the DJ come in.

GaFFLe
03-19-2012, 09:26 AM
Quote Originally Posted by DJ Donnie Lewis View Post
4k to start...

2 50" plasmas. 1100$

8.2' goal style truss with base plates 1600$

15 slimpar 56s 1300.

Total 4k. I would definitely buy this with the 4k. The truss may be abut more but if you shop around you can get the Slimpars for 75 a piece
^^^ this is a great idea.
Out of curiosity, why the slimpars over pucks?

Not so great to me... especially putting so much into that many Slimpars. Reduce the trussing + slimpars by $1400 and get yourself another Yorkville LS801PB.

DYM
03-19-2012, 06:15 PM
Yes... Pucks or Chavet Slim Pars?

I think I may ditch the truss, BUT I am weary about TVs.. I feel as if people say "Ohh look this DJ has a TV with the birthday girl's name on it, how smart."

I will probably hold off on the TVs in general, and I would like to start small with the uplights, thinking 2 pars on the actual t-bar and then 2 per each side of the room to start off.

Does thw DMX cable run take a lot of time? From experience?

BillESC
03-19-2012, 07:28 PM
Two Q-Spot 260's on totems. You'll have a lot of money left over.

Stirred
03-19-2012, 07:54 PM
Yes... Pucks or Chavet Slim Pars?

I think I may ditch the truss, BUT I am weary about TVs.. I feel as if people say "Ohh look this DJ has a TV with the birthday girl's name on it, how smart."

I will probably hold off on the TVs in general, and I would like to start small with the uplights, thinking 2 pars on the actual t-bar and then 2 per each side of the room to start off.

Does thw DMX cable run take a lot of time? From experience?

running them... nah... managing them... different story.

DJ Donnie Lewis
03-20-2012, 07:23 AM
if you get a basic controller you will be fine. Running the cables isnt much of an issue. The time consuming part comes when you tape them down

DJRockinRob
03-20-2012, 10:49 AM
Two Q-Spot 260's on totems. You'll have a lot of money left over.

Bill is right on. I have two Qspots and love them. Can't go wrong there

God bless!

Ampedproductions
03-20-2012, 10:56 AM
What are you guys doing with your uplights that you need to hook up the dmx? Every time we have done them its set a color and forget.

DJRockinRob
03-20-2012, 10:57 AM
I have all wireless up lights. There the only option. Using anything but wireless is truly not a option.

DJ Donnie Lewis
03-20-2012, 12:22 PM
What are you guys doing with your uplights that you need to hook up the dmx? Every time we have done them its set a color and forget.

we go into sound active or some preloaded chases during open dancing. Not at all weddings just at the ones that want that extra bit

djtanveer
03-20-2012, 06:18 PM
Yes... Pucks or Chavet Slim Pars?

I think I may ditch the truss, BUT I am weary about TVs.. I feel as if people say "Ohh look this DJ has a TV with the birthday girl's name on it, how smart."

I will probably hold off on the TVs in general, and I would like to start small with the uplights, thinking 2 pars on the actual t-bar and then 2 per each side of the room to start off.

Does thw DMX cable run take a lot of time? From experience?
I have dedicated 10' sections of dmx cable. I can setup 20 lights in about 45-60 minutes. what does take time is when you have a lot of doorways. then you have to tape down the cable across the doors. It depends on how organized you are with your lights and wires.

One of my DJ friends has his lights numbered the same way they are addressede(dmx) so he just lays them down and has a helper run the wires and his light are up.