• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Light Show

#21
eow said:
@Marko and Jive,

+1 on the 4Bar.

I just purchased one and used it a show this weekend.
Very easy and quick setup. I plan on purchasing another soon.
…
Click to expand...

Just to possibly save you some headaches and research for getting them to work in sinc, here’s at least what worked for me.

I set the first one, the one to which you attach the pedal, to “auto” (might even automatically start there) and the second one to "d001", and run the cable out from the first to the second.

I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but as per advice, I make sure they’re both plugged into the same outlet (or cord going into a common outlet) so they fire up simultaneously.

Maybe Mr. jive1 has better/additional knowledge on the subject.

:)
 
#22
4 bars of 4 each par 64 LED's (backs)
2 bars of 4 clear par 64's (back)
2 bars of 2 each par 64 LED's (fronts)
2 lasers
1 aggressor
1 huge fog machine
Set up time for lights and PA runs about 2 hours and it is expected of us when we play.
It's worth it to us. We are a 5 piece band bringing a minimum of $300 per man per night more for bigger shows.
 
#23
alembicguy said:
4 bars of 4 each par 64 LED's (backs)
2 bars of 4 clear par 64's (back)
2 bars of 2 each par 64 LED's (fronts)
2 lasers
1 aggressor
1 huge fog machine
Set up time for lights and PA runs about 2 hours and it is expected of us when we play.
It's worth it to us. We are a 5 piece band bringing a minimum of $300 per man per night more for bigger shows.
Click to expand...

Cool. I love that. I have always been into the show. Must be my KISS upbringing.

Too often in our parts no one cares about the band anymore. They are just the jukebox to drink to. We are trying to raise the bar even if it's only a little.
 
#25
Marko5657 said:
Just to possibly save you some headaches and research for getting them to work in sinc, here’s at least what worked for me.

I set the first one, the one to which you attach the pedal, to “auto” (might even automatically start there) and the second one to "d001", and run the cable out from the first to the second.

I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but as per advice, I make sure they’re both plugged into the same outlet (or cord going into a common outlet) so they fire up simultaneously.

Maybe Mr. jive1 has better/additional knowledge on the subject.

:)
Click to expand...
just remember that each 1k bulb draws approximately 10 amps,(rule of thumb,100 watts=1 amp)and that most circuits are going to be 15,and maybe 20 amp circuits.....a soft breaker can reduce the total available as well.....if you are going to run a lot of lamps,it would be wise to include a clamp meter in your kit,and rig up a short cord that you can meter....
 
#26
Jim Campbell said:
just remember that each 1k bulb draws approximately 10 amps,(rule of thumb,100 watts=1 amp)and that most circuits are going to be 15,and maybe 20 amp circuits.....a soft breaker can reduce the total available as well.....if you are going to run a lot of lamps,it would be wise to include a clamp meter in your kit,and rig up a short cord that you can meter....
Click to expand...

Good advice, but these are LEDs, and the eight lights combined don’t take 100watts.
 
#27
Marko5657 said:
Good advice, but these are LEDs, and the eight lights combined don’t take 100watts.
Click to expand...
i see that now....i think i quoted the wrong post..........leds are the way to go for that reason,and less heat on stage is a good thing.....it will take a while for them to be integrated into the mainstream tho' ,as par cans are readily available used,and a lot of bands just cannot afford new light packages.....
 
#28
Jim Campbell said:
i see that now....i think i quoted the wrong post..........leds are the way to go for that reason,and less heat on stage is a good thing.....it will take a while for them to be integrated into the mainstream tho' ,as par cans are readily available used,and a lot of bands just cannot afford new light packages.....
Click to expand...

Ya....the quote I had from a local company for a 2 x 3 LED system with stands was $3,000+. Not low end gear but still pretty tough to justify for a weekend warrior band. Even the lower end LED lights are $250 - $300 plus stands so for 8 lights you still end up at close to $3,000.
 
#29
Four gelled PAR cans on a stand and two on the floor. Usually one of the floor lights points to the drummer's bass drum head which has our band logo on it. Many of the smaller bars/clubs we play just don't have room to set up a bunch of lights, so we keep it simple.
 
#30
Geddyfleaharris said:
Ya....the quote I had from a local company for a 2 x 3 LED system with stands was $3,000+. Not low end gear but still pretty tough to justify for a weekend warrior band. Even the lower end LED lights are $250 - $300 plus stands so for 8 lights you still end up at close to $3,000.
Click to expand...
was that q1.....i haven't been there since they moved off pacific ave,but i saw jules riding her bike the other day.....
 
#32
My band has lights, lots of em. And I get to be the one who runs them and carries them and programs them and buys them! But it does add to the show a lot. I have 4 Par 64 LED lights on stands on each side of the stage that are all linked together with DMX cables. A small light controller on top of my amp to change colors of all of them at once, or pulse or strobe or whatever, fog machine, and 4 Chauvet "finger lights" above the drummer that are tied into the sound. Plus if we play a bigger room and they have the power, I bring a few regular (Non-LED) Par 64's that throw off so much heat you can fry an egg on them. But the light is great.
 
#34
When I decided to do lights, I decided that there would be nothing with a bulb in the setup. I wanted all LED. This made things easier and less pieces, but the cost goes up a lot and I had to do a lot of reading.

The wisest money I spent was on four Chauvet Colordash Battens. These are LED color washes with 1W LED's, very bright. We usually have to dim them to use them! They gave the best coverage.

I also have four Colorkey PAR 64 LED's. These are 1/2W LED's and not as bright... the 1W LED's are the bee's knees but cost more. The PAR's are used to spot performers. If we have limited time, I just use the battens.

For rear lights, I have two Chauvet 4-Bars. They come with stands, bags and cases. Nothing to assemble. Big time saver!

To control things I have a Elation DMX Operator 192. Our soundperson syncs the chases to the music using a tap button on the controller.

We've got a Chauvet Hurricane smoke machine to make the beams pop.

My next step (when I have $2000 more to burn) will be to get moving lights, most likely Martins.

It costs a lot and it's a hassle, but it is worth it when we use the lights. We play better, the crowd responds better, and we generally look more professional.
 
#36
My setup is kind of ghetto cause I'm lazy.

I run a regular lighbulb behind the drummer.. 3 cans (mounted on a board - colored florescents) pointing out toward the crowd..

We hang florescent work lights behind the speakers.. mount 2 lights on the floor poitning up at the singers...

One hollywood looking light on a mike stand pointing directly towad the primary fornt guy

So you could say most if it is backlighing.. directly opposite than most folks
 
#37
Marko5657 said:
Just to possibly save you some headaches and research for getting them to work in sinc, here’s at least what worked for me.

I set the first one, the one to which you attach the pedal, to “auto” (might even automatically start there) and the second one to "d001", and run the cable out from the first to the second.

I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but as per advice, I make sure they’re both plugged into the same outlet (or cord going into a common outlet) so they fire up simultaneously.

Maybe Mr. jive1 has better/additional knowledge on the subject.

:)
Click to expand...

Nope, nothing additional. That's exactly what I do. I run one as master, the other as slave and run a 50ft XLR in between.

I do wish you can do more with the foot controller though.
 
#39
very timely thread.

I saw two bands this weekend.
The first band was alright, and had a decent light show.
The crowd got up and danced.

The second band was average.
They had lights, but they didn't know how to work them.
We left before their first set ended.

Playing in front of an audience is a whole package deal: You have to know your songs (duh), and you have to be interesting to the crowd.
The second group failed on both accounts.
The bar's manager came around and asked what we thought of the band (we are regulars). She was considering just paying them to leave. Ouch.
 
#40
My day gig is with a lighting company (we do installs mostly churches & schools).
The thing to remember about LEDs is that often times you need fewer of them.
2 LED PARs on each side if the stage can give you a lot of light and a lot of color choices. Add something like the 4bar for backlighting (Don't forget backlighting, its really important to give depth) and you can have some pretty decent looks on a 15 - 20' wide stage. The tricky part is controlling them. Even the cheapest RGB (red/green/blue) color-mixing PAR uses 3 DMX channels for control. (DMX is kind of like midi for lights). So 2 on the left, 2 on the right, and 4 in the back means you need at least a 24 channel controller if you want separate control over each light. That's kind of hard to do with a foot controller and if you just set them all to change with the music you don't really know what you're going to get for any given song.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back