Weekend Warrior Stage Lighting Discussion

[SuperK]

You are keyed on to something that is important to me (cost, and simplicity) So let's lay out what i have / will have in my rig...

12 LED PAR cans, 4 on each side, and we will go 4 across the truss. $16.99 each on Amazon. $203.88 total.
2 Gemmy Lightshow kaleidoscope projectors in blue. (These produce a rippling water effect) $7.99 each on post Christmas clearance at Home Depot.
1 Gemmy lightshow kaleidoscope projector in red. (Same as above, but in red) $7.99 on post Christmas clearance at Home Depot.
1 brand unknown, LED kaleidoscope projector. Actual kaleidoscope / moonflower effect. $7.99 on post Halloween sale at Kroger
2 @ Generic Halloween lightning "flicker strobe" lights. Either free, or $110,000.00 twenty years ago when I bought my house. They were in the attic... They work, they are simple...

For what we have NOW. $235.44

What we are adding....

On Stage Stands LS7730 lighting stands with truss $40.00
Monoprice Stage Right 16 channel DMX controller. $30.00

Total $305.44

I still need to figure out the power and XLR to the lights, but I'm getting there... I figure between that, the MIDI controller and cable, I will probably be in another $200.00 (I already have a mess of XLR cables, I just need to grab a couple of 25 footers...

Cost and simplicity are key. You've got the cost down so now it is up to you to see if you've got the simplicity down. I think bound'n'blocked was suggesting that at some point the set up time might not be worth it. It's all a matter of personal opinion. If you enjoy setting up all the lights and feel that the payoff is worth the time then by all means go for it. Personally I fall somewhere in the middle. I'm willing to spend some time to set up lights if the venue is right and I know it will add to our show but at the end of the day I'm there to play bass.

 

[Big Hoss]

Cost and simplicity are key. You've got the cost down so now it is up to you to see if you've got the simplicity down. I think bound'n'blocked was suggesting that at some point the set up time might not be worth it. It's all a matter of personal opinion. If you enjoy setting up all the lights and feel that the payoff is worth the time then by all means go for it. Personally I fall somewhere in the middle. I'm willing to spend some time to set up lights if the venue is right and I know it will add to our show but at the end of the day I'm there to play bass.

I'm the sort that would have a custom gig bag made just so I could leave the lights hung on the t bars so I don't have to tear them all the way down. So I totally get the Simplicity thing. However first and foremost I consider myself an Entertainer more than a musician mostly because I stink as a musician. The light show would certainly help with the entertainment I'm not wanting to get into anything requiring Roadies though

 

[s0c9]

When I was doing lights, I had a tree on each side of the stage that had a T-bar with 3 par 56 LED's and a flat panel (for wash).
The "T" sat on top of the stands, and was removable.
I pre-wired the T and mounted the lights to it.
I bought 2 big plastic storage containers, cut some slots in either end - to drop the end of the bars into - and stored each "bar" in them.
Easy transport, easy set up, protected them from the elements.
I don't have any pics, but can get some if anyone is interested... ?

 

[Big Hoss]

When I was doing lights, I had a tree on each side of the stage that had a T-bar with 3 par 56 LED's and a flat panel (for wash).
The "T" sat on top of the stands, and was removable.
I pre-wired the T and mounted the lights to it.
I bought 2 big plastic storage containers, cut some slots in either end - to drop the end of the bars into - and stored each "bar" in them.
Easy transport, easy set up, protected them from the elements.
I don't have any pics, but can get some if anyone is interested... ?

With the wooden clamps we were using for the tops of the mains, I left the lights attached, and simply wrapped them with a movers blanket and ran with it, No damage so far...

I'd be interested to see your setup and how you make transport work. / Easy...

 

[s0c9]

I'd be interested to see your setup and how you make transport work. / Easy...

I'll see if I can remember to take some pics tonight/tomorrow - have an afternoon rehearsal scheduled with new band - and post them up here..

 

[Big Hoss]

I'll see if I can remember to take some pics tonight/tomorrow - have an afternoon rehearsal scheduled with new band - and post them up here..

Know what you mean. I have some potentials with a new gig coming up.... Don't want to talk about it here much because it isn't on solid ground yet.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Yeah, dont get me wrong. More lights would be nice, but most places we play we dont need more than the four or we just dont have the room. I would like two more though. We used to put two on the ground alongside the drummer's kick drum. He has a white kit and the changing colors look really nice against it, but the two on each side up high do the trick.

BnB

 

[Big Hoss]

I am still trying to figure out the new to me / us stands / truss. Part of me wants to say nope, part of me is thinking this is awsome...

Prior to the truss we had been...

2 on each side, on a custom made mount that clamped to the mains.
2 on each side down low, at the base of the mains, pointed up
2 by the kick drum. (Gold with white face)
2 behind the drummer, and up high, IF possible. Those were typically held in place with a woodworkers quick clamp. (The $2.00 Harbor Freight cheapie that has free coupons seems like every month in the paper)

I would think the truss / T bars would go a long ways to simplify things, just keep the lights mounted, and cables run along the truss and zip it together and apart at the gig and be done.

I'd prefer the light coming from above anyway, the lights down low can be blinding sometimes...

 

[Big Hoss]

Okay, so we have the DMX controller. Nothing fancy, probably not even good, but a workable controller. The Stage Right controller deal went bust on us due to the flooding. But we have been able to find an unrelated deal on a cheap as all get out Lixada DMX controller. Now I don't know Lixada for Music or lighting gear, but instead camping gear. They typically import and slap their logo on generic Chinese imports and I have seen different labels stuck on about 10 different "brand" boards that look otherwise 100% identical.

It SHOULD serve our purposes, and best of all, the total cost to us was $0.00
Simply put, I know it works. The friend that gave it to me bought it on Ebay for dirt cheap money. Used it for a wedding, and stuck it in a box. He tossed it my way when he heard I was looking for one, and he was freeing up space. Sadly, he didn't have any cables he wanted to part with, so I used my Backstage Pass points to grab cables.

I've bee fiddling with the truss rig, and am not exactly a big fan. I rather enjoy the T bar, but not the truss. It's just too big for our use.

So for now we are leaving the truss behind, and simply using the T bar / tripod. So I need to figure out the cabling on this. I am thinking the following...

2 lights on each main using the existing mount plates that I made from plywood, carriage bolts, expoxy, washers and wing nuts. (Not to mention primer and matte black paint). And then 4 lights on the T bar.

Cabling if I understand this right should go...

50' from controller up to first speaker stand, 3' jumper from light to light, 50' from stand to tripod, 3' between each light, and lastly 50' from tripod to last speaker stand...

I am figuring on setting this up in our practice space and just trying out the DMX programming. Learning curve time!

 

[rtslinger]

We use lights on the guitars but we also have Leds

 

[Big Hoss]

Anyone have opinions on cheap eBay lighting packages for unbranded lights? Or do you get what you pay for? I'm just looking for something to wash the stage area. Basically turn them on and keep it the same color for the gig.

Or is it total junk for $100 with free shipping?


LOT 8 ~ 86 RGB LED Stage Light Par DMX-512 Lighting Laser Projector Party DJ Light
Condition : Brand new
Color: Black
Quantity : 8pcs
Material : Aluminum alloy housing
Features:

Energy saving and low power consumption.

Application: Decorative lighting.

Simple plug and play installation.

Sound activated programs and host slave synchronization.

Static color and RGB color mixing with or without DMX controller.

Modes: Color gradual change / color jump change / strobe / running speed adjustment.

Great for club, DJ show, home party, ballroom, bands, etc.

Specifications:

Channel: 4

Light source: 86pcs ultra bright LEDs on each light (Red: 44pcs, Green: 21pcs, Blue: 21pcs)

Linear electronic dimmer: from 0-100%.

Input power: AC 90-240V, 50-60Hz.

Power consumption: 25W.

Control mode: DMX, Sound, Master/Slave.

LED diameter: 5mm.

Item size: 3 1/2'' x 4 3/4''.

Each light weight: 1.3 Lbs.

Package includes:

8 x LED stage lights.

8 x User manuals.




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I'm sure you've made up your mind about whether or not to get those. I am posting this for anyone else interested.

The lights shown are the lights we use. Actually we got 2 of them from Amazon, and the rest came from Ebay, but they are THE SAME LIGHTS.

The ones from Amazon came with a manual, marked LPR1286 Indoor 8w RGB LED PAR Light User's Manual. The Ebay lights did not. I am not sure We've been using them in stand alone Auto mode they change colors in reaction to the sound input around them and are effective for a basic enough light show. I've looked around and I can't seem to find any links to the owners manuals

We are learning to set them up / use them with the new to us DMX 512 controller. The users guide for a Chinese import product is actually surprisingly helpful.

I am not sure since I don't find any copyright marks on the document, so I am assuming it is not copyrighted? I need to look into that, but if I am in the clear sharing the manual, I would happily send the pdf to whomever needs it.

Of course if anyone knows of a good online source for this file that is legally shared, please post the link!

 

[andawun]

I use 4 par 38 cans on a stand (flood light bulbs). Leave em all on and one without gel as a spot. If outside gig and band gets too spread out I use two LED landscaping lights for fills. Cheap and easy setup and looks great. I got the idea for the landscaping lights from this thread. 99% of the gigs I play are pub/sports bar gigs and a huge PA/ light show is not needed. Of course LED lighting is more efficient and getting more affordable every year.

 

[Big Hoss]

Okay folks, I had previously had the cables enough to connect the lights, now I have them to connect stand to stand, and from DMX controller to fist light, plus the DMX controller is in hand.

The manual for the DMX controller literally says to search Obey 40 on Youtube for instructions... Go figure.

It LOOKS like an Obey 40, and knowing Chauvet more often than not slaps their brand on Chinese stuff... Probably is the same...

At least according to the manual, programming it is hte same.

So now on to the lights....

I have discovered there are 2 different dip switch layouts. but I am not 100% certain how to set the addresses on the lights. It looks like for both variations of the manuals I have, #10 needs to be in th eon position, but some of them I think.

Anyway, this is confusing. I am not sure how to address the lights, or even how to start. I've bee googling for answers but, well... To say the least, auto / sound responsive mode is a LOT easier... Can anyone help point me straight on these?

 

[maxmaroon]

snip

There is a manual online for the Obey 40 here... https://www.chauvetdj.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Obey_40_UM_Rev7_ML5_WO-1.pdf

You will program your fixtures starting with 1 for the first, the second fixture is 17, 3rd is 33, and keep adding 16 to get the starting address for each fixture (The controller allows 16 channels per fixture so that is why you keep adding 16 to get the starting address for the next one.) There is a map in the manual showing this. As far as the dip switches on each fixture you will have to look in the manual for each one as it will vary. Once you address all the fixtures the OB40 will control them when you select them...It's a really simple set up once you get the hang of it, I remember being a little confused at first and then it all clicked and made sense.

 

[superflybass]

There is a manual online for the Obey 40 here... https://www.chauvetdj.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Obey_40_UM_Rev7_ML5_WO-1.pdf

You will program your fixtures starting with 1 for the first, the second fixture is 17, 3rd is 33, and keep adding 16 to get the starting address for each fixture (The controller allows 16 channels per fixture so that is why you keep adding 16 to get the starting address for the next one.) There is a map in the manual showing this. As far as the dip switches on each fixture you will have to look in the manual for each one as it will vary. Once you address all the fixtures the OB40 will control them when you select them...It's a really simple set up once you get the hang of it, I remember being a little confused at first and then it all clicked and made sense.

Max is correct with the banks of 16. once you grasp that concept and figure out the the steps to create a scene. the obey 40 is a very nice power packed controller that you can also hook up a midi controller to!

 

[Big Hoss]

Okay, I think I've got it. So we start counting at 1, and are in groups of 16, so 1, 17 and so on like...

Fixture # DMX Channel #
Fixture 1 Channel 1
Fixture 2 Channel 17
Fixture 3 Channel 33
Fixture 4 Channel 49
Fixture 5 Channel 65
Fixture 6 Channel 81
Fixture 7 Channel 97
Fixture 8 Channel 113
Fixture 9 Channel 129
Fixture 10 Channel 145
Fixture 11 Channel 161
Fixture 12 Channel 177

So the problem I have, and sorry I might not have been clear about it but...

The units I got from Amazon / gifted to me a while back have a fairly clear, understandable manual, that gives me the dip switch settings for DMX addressing. The others, were Ebay cheapies, that have a half sheet instruction "manuel" written in "Angriush" (no I am NOT kidding). The only mention of DMX on that pitiful excuse of a "manuel" is that it says dispwitch 1 and 10 need to be on for DMX mode.

At least on the outside of the lamps, they APPEAR to be identical, but I have no way of knowing for sure...

I figure, perhaps incorrectly, that I should try the known good manuals DMX settings. I know it's a gamble, but other dip switch settings seem to be the same...

 

[DirtDog]

There is a manual online for the Obey 40 here... https://www.chauvetdj.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Obey_40_UM_Rev7_ML5_WO-1.pdf

You will program your fixtures starting with 1 for the first, the second fixture is 17, 3rd is 33, and keep adding 16 to get the starting address for each fixture (The controller allows 16 channels per fixture so that is why you keep adding 16 to get the starting address for the next one.) There is a map in the manual showing this. As far as the dip switches on each fixture you will have to look in the manual for each one as it will vary. Once you address all the fixtures the OB40 will control them when you select them...It's a really simple set up once you get the hang of it, I remember being a little confused at first and then it all clicked and made sense.

yep - this is good advice. I remember it took me a while to get my head around this concept as well when I first started using DMX.

 

[maxmaroon]

snip

I would start with mimicking good known settings but you may have to experiment if the manual is no help. I haven't dealt with dip switches in ~5 years so my memory has vacated this info but I did find this online...
Understanding DMX Addressing with Dip Switch Binary Code
...there is a link at the bottom for a dip switch calculator app that may end up helping. If you still have trouble let me know and I can dig out some of my old dip fixtures and refamiliarise in hopes of finding a solution.

 

[Big Hoss]

Okay, I think I have a grasp on it now, so let's look this through, per the linked article explaining DMX addressing (THANK YOU maxmaroon!), and assuming that the cheap Ebay fixutres indeed comply with the standards (they are advertised to)
Here is what I understand so far.

The chart does not show dip switch position 10,
but that is clearly marked on all my fixtures manuals as being DMX on / off.
So the dip switch numbers and values should be thus.

DIP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VAL 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 DMX-ON

So on would be value of 0, and off would be the listed value from the chart.

Given that data, to set the 12 possible fixtures for the 16 channel Chauvet Obey 40, or cheap clones thereof, you would set the dipswitches as follows.

Fixture # DMX Channel # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Fixture 1 Channel 1 On Off Off Off Off Off Off Off Off On
Fixture 2 Channel 17 On Off Off Off On Off Off Off Off On
Fixture 3 Channel 33 On Off Off Off Off On Off Off Off On
Fixture 4 Channel 49 On Off Off Off On On Off Off Off On
Fixture 5 Channel 65 On Off Off Off Off Off On Off Off On
Fixture 6 Channel 81 On Off Off Off On Off On Off Off On
Fixture 7 Channel 97 On Off Off Off Off On On Off Off On
Fixture 8 Channel 113 On Off Off Off On On On Off Off On
Fixture 9 Channel 129 On Off Off Off Off Off Off On Off On
Fixture 10 Channel 145 On Off Off Off On Off Off On Off On
Fixture 11 Channel 161 On Off Off Off Off On Off On Off On
Fixture 12 Channel 177 On Off Off Off On On Off On Off On

Now if I have this right, I can cable up, set the switches, label and move on to actually programming the DMX controller.

 

[maxmaroon]

snip

Hope it works! Keep us posted...