Wall Wash & Uplighting.

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ahoustondj

ahoustondj

Mac Daddy DJ
Aug 13, 2007
20,235
3,465
Texas
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As someone who does uplighting on a regular basis, a brighter fixture has some pluses to it. However, as the sales guy who convinces brides on who to go with, fewer (brighter) fixtures will lose out to more (dimmer) fixtures every single time. I've gone up against my competitor with his 12 1-watt cans against my 20 slimpar56s on several occasions and every time I point out "12 vs 20" you can see the client's eyes light up. I've yet to lose that argument.

Now on a slightly different note, it is possible to overburn a room (guilty as charged). While these fixtures would work better in an extra-large room with extra-high ceilings, there are maybe 2-3 venues in our town where it would even come into question. You have strike a balance to achieve the right results.
 
rickryan.com said:
As someone who does uplighting on a regular basis, a brighter fixture has some pluses to it. However, as the sales guy who convinces brides on who to go with, fewer (brighter) fixtures will lose out to more (dimmer) fixtures every single time. I've gone up against my competitor with his 12 1-watt cans against my 20 slimpar56s on several occasions and every time I point out "12 vs 20" you can see the client's eyes light up. I've yet to lose that argument.

Now on a slightly different note, it is possible to overburn a room (guilty as charged). While these fixtures would work better in an extra-large room with extra-high ceilings, there are maybe 2-3 venues in our town where it would even come into question. You have strike a balance to achieve the right results.
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I would think that they would go better in larger venues. Also the convergence will be more prominent than the dimmer fixtures. That makes for more impressive lighting.
 
Relying on the specific fixture specs for static coloration (plop n' set) can be problematic and as rickryan.com alluded to, sets off a conflict as to which light is better for which case, brightness or quantity.

The off-sell to either argument are lights that provide the flexibility to easily address both sides (having both brightness and quantity) and then offer even more options to the table.

With the battery powered, wireless DMX built-in fixtures featuring tri or quad rgb or rgbw or rgba emitters of 3w or greater, plus a simple DMX program such as FreeStyler with a wireless transmitter, one can control multiple colors, brightness, various color changes, and even under table accents, without concern for extension cords, long DMX cable runs, and excessive amounts of set and strike labor time to make it all work.

Some competitors who were off-selling my previous ColorKey 183 10mm led uplights as "toys" as compared to their 1 watt pucks are now enjoying a taste of their own Fisher-Price medicine.
 
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houston, I'll throw something else out for your consideration. There are lot of times where guests are seated close to the walls and those long/large fixtures will stand a much better chance of being kicked or broken. There's not much worse than having to spend your whole night, watching and re-setting fixtures that keep getting kicked, all because they're in the way, and that's not even beginning to talk about replacing a $400 fixture vs replacing a $70 fixture.

Now there are some wall surfaces where large, ultra-bright fixtures will work better and this past weekend was a good example. I was in a warehouse space where one side was a white, cinder-block wall. My slimpars torched that beautifully. On the opposite wall it was brown wood. Because of that, and the angle I had to shoot from, that side was lacking. The fixtures you listed would've done a much better job on that side but the fact that guest tables/chairs were too close (with no extra room to move them away) would not have worked with a larger fixture. When considering where to invest, it's best to buy product that will work in the largest percentage of your venues.
 
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You have to use the right tool for the job. Yes, the equipment at hand should be chosen for the most likely to be used but if one is going to deliver the best possible solution in all instances then one has to have the right tools for every instance. For the occasional oddball application, a higher charge will more than likely make sense to offset the increase in cost.

If you did a large venue and what you use is only what you normally use, you will be judged by the delivery of THAT solution and thus be passed over by a potential client wanting the larger solution.

I don't always use my full 3 way system but you better believe that when I roll it out the Fee is much higher. 2 more Cabinets, 2 more cables to run and an additional amp Rack on wheels. Big bonus is the sound is amazing. Same thing applies to lighting.
 
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ahoustondj said:
If you did a large venue and what you use is only what you normally use, you will be judged by the delivery of THAT solution and thus be passed over by a potential client wanting the larger solution.
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I think that's the part you're missing (I say this respectfully). I AM doing large venues. The slimpars have handled every venue I've thrown them into and the fact that I'm quoting more fixtures than my competitors is a no-lose guarantee when it comes time to win the sale or not. I will say this, there are a few venues where I need to bump the fixture count up but I'm putting my promo shots up against the big boys and the only ones who are not going with me are the planners who are getting kickbacks from the other guys. The proof is in the pictures and if I can produce superior results with a fixture that is TWENTY-SEVEN times cheaper, where's the argument?
 
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rickryan.com said:
I think that's the part you're missing (I say this respectfully). I AM doing large venues. The slimpars have handled every venue I've thrown them into and the fact that I'm quoting more fixtures than my competitors is a no-lose guarantee when it comes time to win the sale or not. I will say this, there are a few venues where I need to bump the fixture count up but I'm putting my promo shots up against the big boys and the only ones who are not going with me are the planners who are getting kickbacks from the other guys. The proof is in the pictures and if I can produce superior results with a fixture that is TWENTY-SEVEN times cheaper, where's the argument?
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Putting out more fixtures = more labor. Storing, loading, unloading, placement etc. That too is a cost.
 
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ahoustondj said:
Putting out more fixtures = more labor. Storing, loading, unloading, placement etc. That too is a cost.
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Putting out more fixtures = more bookings, period.

As for storage, 20 fixtures with all cables fits into a single, 24-gallon box I got at Lowes. I spend 30-45 minutes, on average for install. I end up with an extra 1-1.5 hrs of labor and usually go home with an extra $750 for my trouble.
 
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What works for you my friend. That is why paint comes in a variety of colors! ;)
 
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Spread the love ..
 
rickryan.com: What's $1,899.00 a fixture? That's insane (even for me!!!!!)

HoustonDJ:
What works for you my friend. That is why paint comes in a variety of colors!
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Ah, yes, absolutely true. BUT, knowing what's the best paint requires being up to speed on paints. 24 lights, dmx controllable, in 30 minutes? How's that?

Check out Lynch's l.e.d.s. Seriously.
 
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I believe these lights are very rugged and Tour Ready for Stage & Industrial use.
 
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Cap Capello said:
rickryan.com: What's $1,899.00 a fixture? That's insane (even for me!!!!!)

HoustonDJ: Ah, yes, absolutely true. BUT, knowing what's the best paint requires being up to speed on paints. 24 lights, dmx controllable, in 30 minutes? How's that?

Check out Lynch's l.e.d.s. Seriously.
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I set 20 lights, no-dmx, in 30-45 minutes on average. I do offer adding dmx and cabling but nobody has opted to pay the difference yet. My main goal I preach with my packages is value. It seems to be working.
 
Ok, I am light stupid. And do NOT want to compete w/ the local talent who does this for a living. That said, cheaplights has the 10 in a box that require power or the battery operated that Cap mentions. Again, most of my venues are historic places and the occasional marble/glass/mile high ceiling venue. Yes, this will be an upsell. No, not really looking into fancy controllers or wireless DMX yet. What say you?
 
Ed Witles said:
Ok, I am light stupid. And do NOT want to compete w/ the local talent who does this for a living. That said, cheaplights has the 10 in a box that require power or the battery operated that Cap mentions. Again, most of my venues are historic places and the occasional marble/glass/mile high ceiling venue. Yes, this will be an upsell. No, not really looking into fancy controllers or wireless DMX yet. What say you?
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Cheaplights is a Merchant in my town. I only buy Hardware and accessories from them such as Racks, cases, Handles, Cables etc. I don't know if I want to chance buying Electronics. I know it can't all be bad but if you are playing in Historic Places you should be getting Historic fees therefore you should be able to afford Good, true and tested, reliable Gear.
 
Ed Witles said:
Ok, I am light stupid. And do NOT want to compete w/ the local talent who does this for a living. That said, cheaplights has the 10 in a box that require power or the battery operated that Cap mentions. Again, most of my venues are historic places and the occasional marble/glass/mile high ceiling venue. Yes, this will be an upsell. No, not really looking into fancy controllers or wireless DMX yet. What say you?
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If you're talking about the hamster fixtures, don't bother. The studs put out a decent amount of light and I used those for a season. For $70 a fixture you can bump up to chauvet slimpar 56s and they're MUCH better than the studs.
 
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