In the process of updating my light show. I had a truss system in the past but it was a pain to put up and take down. I'm leaning towards two light stands on each side of the dj booth. What do you see as the better set up?
Lighting Truss vs Lighting Stand
- Thread starter Ruben Mora
- Start date
But...will you have room to set up a truss at every venue? We don't. We use one light stand and it works well for us.
If you can setup one tri-pod why not two..... I sometimes will setup only one 5' section of truss and put it directly infront of me or behind depending on area.... if I have room for one tri-pod generally I have room for two. If I can't setup the truss in my imediate location I can satilight it to another side of the dance floor in some cases...
That's not to say I set up a truss system every time... it just all depends on what lighting package was picked.
Ruben - I've done both.....right now I favor the truss set up....Lights are overhead in front of you...centered....I've modified a T bar so in the rare event i'm limited in space I can mount a 5 ft piece of truss to a "T" and use just the one....
I use the ADJ dura truss, very light....What tops are you using?
I use the ADJ dura truss, very light....What tops are you using?
I put pole mounts on top of my speakers along with the ones on the bottom, and the light bars sat in them on top of the speakers. This obviously won't work for some of the speakers today (Bose L1, plastic cabinets) but for a normal wood cabinet, it worked very well.
No extra stands, lights were out front pointed at the dance floor, lighting cables can be bundled with audio and run up the tripod and pole nicely.
If someone decides to go this route, check first that you can put the mount basically directly above the one on the bottom to maintain the center of balance, and the lights need to be balanced on the bar pretty good also.
No extra stands, lights were out front pointed at the dance floor, lighting cables can be bundled with audio and run up the tripod and pole nicely.
If someone decides to go this route, check first that you can put the mount basically directly above the one on the bottom to maintain the center of balance, and the lights need to be balanced on the bar pretty good also.
Believe it or not, I have worked at some upscale venues where they will not let you bring in any lighting. (they say it cheapens the event)
By the way, you can just use sticks of truss on base plates with the lights attached to them. Most places I know have at least 10' ceilings (which is what you would need). And yes, that does not work for every event in every venue. You have to know when to use it and when to not. My wife and I got married in an old, Lutheran Church and had our reception in an upscale restaurant. We wanted an elegant, but modern event. So in the church I used 6 LED uplights to provide a few highlights without any of the urban feel of modern lighting. Then in our reception we simply used LED uplights again to highlight certain elements and bring the room to life, but no dance floor lights. Very elegant and modern. You have to know when to use things and when not to.
Mike
Mike
Not to mention mounting height limitations depending on the actual height of the truss being used for vertical setups.... take the picture you show... those pallets are very low.
Ruben - here's what I do...sorry for the crappy quality; it was dark in the room; I only had my BBerry....
this set up as well is still a "work in progress"
The point is; is this set up requirs a smaller footpring that a 2 T bar, 2 speaker stick set up....
That being said...there are venues and events (very small room/crowd) or loadin issues where I might take in a t bar and 2 sticks...
As i said; having done both; the truss is now my preferred set up...
this set up as well is still a "work in progress"
The point is; is this set up requirs a smaller footpring that a 2 T bar, 2 speaker stick set up....
That being said...there are venues and events (very small room/crowd) or loadin issues where I might take in a t bar and 2 sticks...
As i said; having done both; the truss is now my preferred set up...
Steve,
I have 2 Martin Ego and Martin T-Rex that I put on a lighting stand. Looking to add 2 ColorStrips and two Martin SCX500's for a basic light package. Getting a Bliss L15 from Ben for a wedding light package.
I have 2 Martin Ego and Martin T-Rex that I put on a lighting stand. Looking to add 2 ColorStrips and two Martin SCX500's for a basic light package. Getting a Bliss L15 from Ben for a wedding light package.
I do a variety of different looks, some with full truss, some with just a t-bar or two, some with just my vertical pieces. I'm not sure there is a perfect look, but I'm liking the fact that I now can pull off different looks with a little bit of planning.
If you have the ability to transport a fully assembled truss, it's very convenient. I have a 10 foot length truss that is setup with standard par38's, with wirelss co-pilot. It hangs in my trailer at all times. One person can actually carry it, lift it onto the crank stands and crank it up. (Take a bit of practice but can be achieved.)
I also have t-bar setup that I can use. I just recently fabricated a t-bar that's longer than normal and can hold 6 par cans easily without looking to cluttered. It looks very nice when centered behind my set-up.
Vertical trussing is also an option in my arsenal now. I built a custom box to hold the par56 uplighting and for mounting the vertical truss too. It's very stable and holds alot of weight. I would not be afraid to hang a nice sized lcd monitor on it. I usually throw my acrobats on it, with a few led pars on each side.
But, to answer your original question, I'd prefer a full truss setup compared to two t-bars, but I think a single (longer) t-bar centered looks just as nice as a full truss.
If you have the ability to transport a fully assembled truss, it's very convenient. I have a 10 foot length truss that is setup with standard par38's, with wirelss co-pilot. It hangs in my trailer at all times. One person can actually carry it, lift it onto the crank stands and crank it up. (Take a bit of practice but can be achieved.)
I also have t-bar setup that I can use. I just recently fabricated a t-bar that's longer than normal and can hold 6 par cans easily without looking to cluttered. It looks very nice when centered behind my set-up.
Vertical trussing is also an option in my arsenal now. I built a custom box to hold the par56 uplighting and for mounting the vertical truss too. It's very stable and holds alot of weight. I would not be afraid to hang a nice sized lcd monitor on it. I usually throw my acrobats on it, with a few led pars on each side.
But, to answer your original question, I'd prefer a full truss setup compared to two t-bars, but I think a single (longer) t-bar centered looks just as nice as a full truss.
Truss looks better in my opinion; however, it takes much longer to setup. I often use two T-bars, one on each side of DJ table, connect them together with two ADJ 8-channel units (master/slave) and controlled from ADJ LCU in my DJ rack (8 on/off switches). On other occasions, I use a T-bar w/two half-bars below, and can angle the "arms" for affect. I'm don't use DMX, probably should and seems to be coming to that very soon.
I'm thinking of "canning" my Par Cans for two Chauvet ColorStrips.
p.s. I like Randy A's 6-spot T-bar. Great idea. I wonder how that would look coming out of the "pole mount" hole on a single subwoofer. Now there's a possible option for double large subwoofer cabinets. Just a thought?
I'm thinking of "canning" my Par Cans for two Chauvet ColorStrips.
p.s. I like Randy A's 6-spot T-bar. Great idea. I wonder how that would look coming out of the "pole mount" hole on a single subwoofer. Now there's a possible option for double large subwoofer cabinets. Just a thought?
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Sorta a hi-jack hi jack.
If they are on casters did you use the Wheel kit that EV sells or did you find ones that fit the subs.
Also did you notice any difference in the output of the subs by them not resting fully on the ground.
Must be the camera angle but the T Stand doesnt look perfectly centered
atleast if you use the fancy dancy lit up Fascade as a centering viewpoint. I do agree that a T looks just as sweet when set properly.
atleast if you use the fancy dancy lit up Fascade as a centering viewpoint. I do agree that a T looks just as sweet when set properly.
I do a variety of different looks, some with full truss, some with just a t-bar or two, some with just my vertical pieces. I'm not sure there is a perfect look, but I'm liking the fact that I now can pull off different looks with a little bit of planning.
If you have the ability to transport a fully assembled truss, it's very convenient. I have a 10 foot length truss that is setup with standard par38's, with wirelss co-pilot. It hangs in my trailer at all times. One person can actually carry it, lift it onto the crank stands and crank it up. (Take a bit of practice but can be achieved.)
I also have t-bar setup that I can use. I just recently fabricated a t-bar that's longer than normal and can hold 6 par cans easily without looking to cluttered. It looks very nice when centered behind my set-up.
Vertical trussing is also an option in my arsenal now. I built a custom box to hold the par56 uplighting and for mounting the vertical truss too. It's very stable and holds alot of weight. I would not be afraid to hang a nice sized lcd monitor on it. I usually throw my acrobats on it, with a few led pars on each side.
But, to answer your original question, I'd prefer a full truss setup compared to two t-bars, but I think a single (longer) t-bar centered looks just as nice as a full truss.
The truss obviously gives a big appearance and really makes an impression.
However, everyone knows, we usually dont always get the space we need for our truss.
Not only that, trusses are a PITA to setup and take down by yourself.
It almost takes a two man team, and at this point..you need to add more to your costs to the client, and everyone is losing.
I did the truss thing, and now I am straying away from that idea for most of my bookings.
I will try, and I mean try again, to get a pic of what I did to my current setup. As you know I have the cart, and I used to throw two Tbars on. Now I cut down a single 5 truss in half...removed the inbetween supports that held it together, and mounted my lights on the single bar. If needed, for such as bigger events, I can easily use an extension and add two vertical bars with a few more lights to the setup.
I am only running usually, a few par cans, and a few dual gems for most of my events.
However, everyone knows, we usually dont always get the space we need for our truss.
Not only that, trusses are a PITA to setup and take down by yourself.
It almost takes a two man team, and at this point..you need to add more to your costs to the client, and everyone is losing.
I did the truss thing, and now I am straying away from that idea for most of my bookings.
I will try, and I mean try again, to get a pic of what I did to my current setup. As you know I have the cart, and I used to throw two Tbars on. Now I cut down a single 5 truss in half...removed the inbetween supports that held it together, and mounted my lights on the single bar. If needed, for such as bigger events, I can easily use an extension and add two vertical bars with a few more lights to the setup.
I am only running usually, a few par cans, and a few dual gems for most of my events.
The Dura Truss Crank up system is easily erected by one person. Additionally, you can mount and wire up your lights with the truss cranked down, so that you are working from the ground. No climbing necessary!
This is a great system for the single operator.
This is a great system for the single operator.
