Advice on lights

[HugeInJapan]

Not exactly sound related but....

I'm looking to buy a small light set-up for my band. We play covers and are just starting out so we play mostly small bars. Any advice on what I should get? Would be nice if it was something that could be built off of in the future.

[Vinny D]

I highly suggest going with LED stage lighting, even though the price will be more it's benefits will far outway the cost.
There will be NO heat generated on stage from the LED lighting.
It will be MUCH easier on the A/C current/circuits that will be available in most bars.
Virtually never any noise associated with LED lighting like there is with traditional incandescent PAR style lighting.
Something like this will get you up and running easily: Chauvet 4 Bar DMX LED Wash Light System*-* LED Lighting Packages*-* LED Lighting*-* Lighting*-* PSSL.com

One rack of four will be enough for most club/bar applications and you can buy another set later on down the road.

[seamonkey]

Yep - LED lighting
No tripping breakers, and they don't burn out.
No gels to mix colors.
Price is lower much lower in the long run.

[anonymous122511]

LED lights still aren't completely "there" yet for offering natural, flattering light on skin when compared to incandescent fixtures. For a small portable system LEDs have enough positives that you probably are best going that route but do your homework and look at as many as you can actually shining on humans. There's very good reason no pro lighting rigs are using LEDs as front washes or even for the majority of fill lighting yet.

[JACink]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

LED lights still aren't completely "there" yet for offering natural, flattering light on skin when compared to incandescent fixtures. For a small portable system LEDs have enough positives that you probably are best going that route but do your homework and look at as many as you can actually shining on humans. There's very good reason no pro lighting rigs are using LEDs as front washes or even for the majority of fill lighting yet.

I don´t wish to cause an argument, but (we) install LED systems at a professional level, all is needed is to understand the differance between lighting with one and another.

I am no lighting tech, but I have seen incredible things done with LED´s, and for a lot less $.

[JACink]

Sorry, I just re-read your post and caught the bit about "front washes", we dont use LED´s for washes, but we do for fills.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by JACink

Sorry, I just re-read your post and caught the bit about "front washes", we dont use LED´s for washes, but we do for fills.

I am a long time pro lighting tech and I'm just commenting on what I see working in theatres, clubs, sports arenas, film, corporate venues etc. LEDs are awesome for a small, cool burning, low draw club rig. I've seen a huge variety of functionality in them though and you need to shop very carefully. A good RGB(W) blend on a close focus point is essential...it looks hideous to see splotchy red and blue when you were going for magenta. There are some very good ones out there but unfortunately I still see awful looking ones all the time.

[JACink]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

I am a long time pro lighting tech and I'm just commenting on what I see working in theatres, clubs, sports arenas, film, corporate venues etc. LEDs are awesome for a small, cool burning, low draw club rig. I've seen a huge variety of functionality in them though and you need to shop very carefully. A good RGB(W) blend on a close focus point is essential...it looks hideous to see splotchy red and blue when you were going for magenta. There are some very good ones out there but unfortunately I still see awful looking ones all the time.

I agree toatally that LED´s have a long way to go at a high-end level, but I do (personally) think that a semi-professional rig for a small/medium band, would work out a lot better value if LED.

Just an opinion, not saying it is right!! hehe!

[Medford Bassman]

I have 8 PAR cans we've been using for years now. They have taken quite a beating in the trailer. I do hate screwing around with the gels as well.

I am interested in LED and the Charvet linked here intrigues me. I use some non standard gels to compliment human skin tone but again they're pretty beat up as they come.

We don't do a "light show" with our band. We're mainly a wedding/corporate/private party type band. The lighting is simply to illuminate the playing area.

Tough call, I am tempted. I like how easily they store in their own case.

[::::BASSIST::::]

sub'd

My band needs lights, but I'm cheap.

[dcr]

www.cheaplights.com




dcr

[MrLenny1]

Any basic lighting is an asset on stage considering the average bar has no lighting for stages. I saw a brand new room open and no lights at all. The band that played was in the dark all night.

[walterw]

i've gotten huge use in small bars out of a pair of chauvet 200b floods. i just have each one on its own clamp, and stick them wherever on each side of the stage, where they fill up the whole stage area nicely.

my main band has 4 of them along with some other LED lights (kind of a shoestring arrangement, but it gets the job done with no popped breakers or burnt fingers) but i grab two for my "lower-profile" side gigs, where they've saved the day more than once.

[lowfreq33]

FYI guitar center usually does a big lighting sale the month of October. Last year we got a bunch of LED lights for a little over half price.

[nervous]

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

I have 8 PAR cans we've been using for years now. They have taken quite a beating in the trailer. I do hate screwing around with the gels as well.

I am interested in LED and the Charvet linked here intrigues me. I use some non standard gels to compliment human skin tone but again they're pretty beat up as they come.

We don't do a "light show" with our band. We're mainly a wedding/corporate/private party type band. The lighting is simply to illuminate the playing area.

Tough call, I am tempted. I like how easily they store in their own case.

We are in exactly the same situation and have 16 small, flood-light sized lights available for those rare occasions where we can use backlighting (AND actually have enough power to run everything). They take a beating in the trailer and often have their bulbs literally rattled out. That and having to repair damaged sockets has gotten old. We had some par 56's and 64's at one point but the small places we play just can't handle that load. The LEDs shown here look like a good possibility.

[modulusman]

LED is definately the way to go if you are playing bars with iffy power. I own a bunch of Par 56s and 38s but they are rarely used. I now have 8 American DJ LED pros that we use.

[JohnMCA72]

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

...
We don't do a "light show" with our band. We're mainly a wedding/corporate/private party type band. The lighting is simply to illuminate the playing area.
...

That's the best way to do it. I see so many bands that think they need a "light show" flashing everything, every which way at random or triggered by music. It's distracting at best, & horribly hokey.

My best advice is, whatever equipment you buy, don't go nuts on trying to look like an arena show. Illuminate your players so that they stand out visually. You'll get a lot better value from your cash & your equipment if you don't try to go overboard.

[Nagrom]

Do the Chauvet 4-bar. Simple, easy, portable, 9 miles better than no light in a dark corner.
Get 2-sets if you can, but one will work. All you would be bringing is an extra guitar case and PA pole, and consuming 48 watts. Good for the ol' band photo too, and the youtube video shoot. Not cheap but affordable.

[MuzikMan]

Get enough small par cans to wash the front stage with natural light and use 1 or 2 Chauvet 4-Bars for backlighting.

[bassbobh]

Just got a set of the Four Bars and they are great!