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Your light rig

K

konodl18

Jun 6, 2008
186
2
Wisconsin
#1
Just wondering how much you guys that gig alot have invested into the light rig your band uses. I'm not interested in dollar amounts, I can google prices myself :D

I'm more interested in the types of lights, complexity of the rig, and how much time you have invested in lighting setups.

Some of you might say that lights are not your problem, that's ok. But as a gigging musician I think that the music is only half the show. Lookin' sexy under some cool lights while you play that music does affect the bottom line.

:hiding:

All opinions are welcome!

Derek
 
#2
When I did a small light setup for a band it was usually (12) Par 56, 300watt bulbs. I had 2 light trees with 4 lights each and arranged 4 more lights around the front of the drums pointing out into the audience as blinders for rock bands, or put some complementary gels for the drum set and high lighted the drums for folk, blues, reggae, etc. One band I worked for had their own DMX foot controller that works great for hands free operation from stage.
If you are looking at lights, I would highly suggest LED. They cost more up front, but are worth it for ease of setup, no heat, no massive power draw, no 100 different gels, did I mention no power draw and no heat and no 100 different gels.
Learn a little about how colors work too. For example, an all red stage may look cool, but then you throw in some blues and things really pop out, all depending on the look you are going for of course.
 
#3
Hi.

We usually gig on smaller venues so a 4*PAR56 controller bar + one Martin Roboscan 518 scanner is usually all the lighting we use.

On "bigger" places we may use another 4 can bar, and another scanner.

Do not forget smoke/haze. The lights are bland without something to reflect them from.



A while ago I would've recommended LED's, but a few recent events has lead me to think otherwise.

#1 There's virtually no beam, it's just a wash, and may look very weird with haze.

#2 No white, period, so You have to have white with filament or arc lamps anyway.

If You're on a budget and/or don't want to haul a ****load of equipment and a light person, I'd stick with PAR-bars.

Regards
Sam
 
#4
My band just picked up a pair of Chauvet 4 BAR LED units last year. At first I wasn't too impressed with the brightness of the LEDS. However, we just added a hazer and used it for the first time last night. What a difference! The 4 Bars are very easy to transport and setup and, while not cheap, are pretty reasonable compared to individual LED pars.
 
#5
LEDS with a DMX foot contoller is the way to go. And yes, if you want pure white LED's you can get them. But as stated earlier, the RGB LEDS won't give you a decent, bright white. I like them just for the power draw savings alone, I used to need 2 separate 20 amp circuits just to run a small incandescent (Par 56's mostly) rig, now I can run all 6 of my LED's off the same circuit as the PA (the LED's draw a little under 2 amps for all 6). And another added plus, you don't get any dimmer buzz with LEDS.
 
#8
The band I run sound/lights for is a pretty simple setup: 16 par 56's with 300watt ray kits (more output) across the back and 4 more in front for facials. Cheapish light board and ebay DMX dimmer packs. Cheap, bright, and good looking. Most of the clubs we visit have 50amp 220v for the distro, so power is not a problem. LED's are inevitably in the future, though.
 
#9
konodl18 said:
Anybody use scanners or any type of dmx controlled razzle dazzle lights at the bar level?

Derek
Click to expand...

I worked with a band that had some higher end scanners that are still going strong after a few years. They had their own LD as well. The cheaper scanners do not last long. They basically fall apart, the stepper motors fail, and it then becomes more of a money pit for the upkeep.
 
#11
We set up a 60 par 56 (300 watt bulbs),and 24 "rain lights".We had several 1000 watt per channel dimmers,so 3 cans per channel.It was a nightmare(but we were to young to realize it).It did make a major difference in the way we were recieved by the audience.We put 4 cans per bar,and would run them all as backlighting.We had 5 par 64s for frontlights.I really loved it,but it took several hours to set-up,and tear down.
 
#13
Don't really know a lot about the newer LED stuff.Seems cool.My last bigger band leased a dude,and his light show for a set amount per weekend.He ended up with a huge show as well.Was easier paying out the cash to him than it was messing with it ourselves.Once again though,as the production level grew,(P.A.,and lighting) the crowd response,and size grew.The more of a concert atmosphere you provide,the more the crowd feels like they are at a concert IME.
 
#15
Question to whom might know a little bit more than I do on lightning;

What LEDs or colorblasts do you guys use ?

Have to buy a couple (or rent) , checking for some not too expensive (if possible)

Is the price right for a mini kit like this ?;
Invalid Link Removed
As a reference......

I would need 4 of them. (only one controller of course)
 
#18
Dave, what type of fogger had irritated your singer in the past? Cheapo spencers gifts or halloween store foggers and scented juice tend to put out thick stanky fog that is annoying. I just Bought one of the new line of Chauvet Hurricane 900's for 70 bones and it is not advertised as a hazer, but its seems to put out a steady flow of thinner fog/haze for longer periods of time. (45 seconds to a minute steady before having to heat up again) The cheap ones will blow a thick nasty cloud for about 5 seconds, then have to heat up again.

I also worked a show where the fogger the band had put out smoke that smelled like vomit. They swore that it wasn't scented juice, maybe it was just some cheap stuff, but it was horrible.

Derek

PS. I understand the $70 Chauvet is not pro level gear, but it's definately a step up from the cheapo's I've seen in some clubs that were most certainly bought at the Mall.
 
#19
Hi.

davecanady said:
What if your singer's voice can't take the standard fog machine? Is there an option? I haven't found one.
Click to expand...

All the fluids that can be bought today are approved by health authorities. That doesn't obviously mean that they're not harmful and/or irritating.

There's special fluids on the market for sensitive people, but they're few and cost considerably more.

CO2 ice based machines are the "safest" option, but can be hazardous if the ventilation is bad. CO2 fog is also very heavy and builds up on the floor rather than rise up, which is the requirement.

If the singer suffers from "smoke phobia" nothing will help. I should know, we have such a person in one of our regular audiences, a heavy smoker no less.

Regards
Sam
 
#20
Foggers and hazers are 2 different tools. Generally speaking, a fog machine is more of a theatric effect of billowing "smoke" where as a hazer is generally used to fill a space with "smoke", with a smaller particle size to benefit lighting effects. The principals on which they operate are different as well. They are kind of the same yet still very different. A Google search will define them more.
 

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