Lighting set up opinions

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TinyTim

TinyTim

DJ Extraordinaire
Nov 2, 2017
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Afternoon everybody.

So I am looking at picking up some lights to round out my setup. I have been doing a bunch of research and I am thinking about picking up a Chauvet 6Spot and a Swarm 5fx. I would like to hear y'all's opinions, thoughts, concerns, on those two particular devices and then I have a follow up question.

I want to get the Swarm 5fx up high to try and minimize the potential for direct eye exposure to the laser. I have been looking around on the interwebs and found this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...and?rNtt=Speaker stand pole extension&index=5

I have even contemplated purchasing two, so that the 6spot and the Swarm would be on the same level. Any thoughts, complains, concerns about that extension? Or does anyone have an alternative idea for a way to get the light head up high?

Thanks in advance everybody! You guys are awesome for being so patient with all my rookie questions. lol

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TinyTim said:
I want to get the Swarm 5fx up high to try and minimize the potential for direct eye exposure to the laser. I have been looking around on the interwebs and found this:
Click to expand...

Above your speakers may not be high enough. I use a separate stand to get my dance floor wash lights up as high as possible which looks like this:
IMG_5411.jpg

In a situation where you might want to separate your speaker placement from your lighting placement, having a separate stand could really help.
 
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Just my opinion but don't waste your time with effect lights like the swarm, and don't waste time on floor washes. A couple of strong beam-oriented fixtures, either moving heads or scanners will give you a much higher-end presentation. If price is a factor, the newer Marq fixtures MIGHT be a big bang for the buck.
 
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Albatross said:
Above your speakers may not be high enough. I use a separate stand to get my dance floor wash lights up as high as possible which looks like this:
IMG_5411.jpg

In a situation where you might want to separate your speaker placement from your lighting placement, having a separate stand could really help.
Click to expand...
I have an extra pair of speaker stands but they only go to 73 inches. My thought was putting the lights above the speakers would give me an extra couple feet on to of that. But I do like the option of having my lights separate from my speakers. Gives me more flexibility as far as set up. Are there light stand out there that go taller than 73"?

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With the cost of moving heads nowadays, i say just get a pair of those as you're trying to establish yourself. Even those marq ones mentioned the other day are not bad at all for the price. They are far from the best or high end, but the earlier you can get into the lighting dmx world and learning that and doing what others don't, the quicker and easier you'll be able to take your brand to different levels. Getting comfortable with basic cheap fixtures, makes the leap that much more expensive in the future and you'll view it as time consuming learning to control lights as you become busier.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Just my opinion but don't waste your time with effect lights like the swarm, and don't waste time on floor washes. A couple of strong beam-oriented fixtures, either moving heads or scanners will give you a much higher-end presentation. If price is a factor, the newer Marq fixtures MIGHT be a big bang for the buck.
Click to expand...

Price is definitely a factor (my wife is ready to shoot me over how much money all this is costing! Lol) but I also don't want to waste money on crap gear. I am doing my best to make sure I do this the right way, the first time! I will definitely check those Marq fixtures out. I had originally thought about going with moving heads but quality units were a little rich for my blood at the moment.

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With respect to the fixture itself, I think it also relates pretty closely to what I said in the business name thread: It depends what business you want to do.

I have a wedding focus, and my clients seem to prefer fun but elegant and understated. Simple color washes are an easy and economical way to fit what many of them are looking for. I wouldn't ever use lasers at a wedding because they can permanently mark photos, and I find them very annoying as guest with the exception of a big production event like Skrillex.
 
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Albatross said:
With respect to the fixture itself, I think it also relates pretty closely to what I said in the business name thread: It depends what business you want to do.

I have a wedding focus, and my clients seem to prefer fun but elegant and understated. Simple color washes are an easy and economical way to fit what many of them are looking for. I wouldn't ever use lasers at a wedding because they can permanently mark photos, and I find them very annoying as guest with the exception of a big production event like Skrillex.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I am not sure what my focus is just yet. I am pretty much open to anything. Birthday parties, reunions, weddings, etc. That is part of the reason I am trying to find a set up that is as flexible as possible so it can fit the needs of whatever gig I am going to.

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TinyTim said:
Honestly, I am not sure what my focus is just yet. I am pretty much open to anything. Birthday parties, reunions, weddings, etc. That is part of the reason I am trying to find a set up that is as flexible as possible so it can fit the needs of whatever gig I am going to.

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Click to expand...
A combination of washes and moving heads will cover all those. Moving heads can be fast sweeping and visually appealing, yet elegant and slow moving when needed. They can also create spotlights for formal moments. Washes are perfect for simpler events that call for minimal lighting, and for larger spaces where two heads won’t cover everything properly... or for higher paying clients who care about a great lighting atmosphere during their dancing.
 
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djtaso said:
A combination of washes and moving heads will cover all those. Moving heads can be fast sweeping and visually appealing, yet elegant and slow moving when needed. They can also create spotlights for formal moments. Washes are perfect for simpler events that call for minimal lighting, and for larger spaces where two heads won’t cover everything properly... or for higher paying clients who care about a great lighting atmosphere during their dancing.
Click to expand...

So maybe a set of par cans and a pair of moving heads would be the simplest setup to shoot for.
 
TinyTim said:
So maybe a set of par cans and a pair of moving heads would be the simplest setup to shoot for.
Click to expand...
Only issue with movers is they REALLY need programming to be useful. If you don't have that ability, a set of small scanners might be better as they are self limiting to 180 deg (movers can do more) and are at least usable running automatic in sound active mode.

I think as you get more into lighting down the road, movers might be better at that point. Just my opinion.
 
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steve149 said:
Only issue with movers is they REALLY need programming to be useful. If you don't have that ability, a set of small scanners might be better as they are self limiting to 180 deg (movers can do more) and are at least usable running automatic in sound active mode.

I think as you get more into lighting down the road, movers might be better at that point. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Yeah, if I buy moving heads, I will probably go ahead and buy a DMX controller and go that route.

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steve149 said:
Only issue with movers is they REALLY need programming to be useful. If you don't have that ability, a set of small scanners might be better as they are self limiting to 180 deg (movers can do more) and are at least usable running automatic in sound active mode.

I think as you get more into lighting down the road, movers might be better at that point. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Yeah as steve said, I ONLY recommended moving heads because the earlier you cross the hurdle and learn the programming aspect to lighting, the more potential you'll have and create for yourself long term. I find many get comfortable with basic lighting and then don't make the jump to the next level which is a key item if premium events are your long term goal.

If you are willing and motivated to learn... especially now that you're slower and building your brand... then what I/Ross mentioned is a great starting point. If you need a quick turnkey solution asap without breaking the bank and is actually effective, then steve's options are all great. Where do you want to position yourself (you can answer that, not us... we just give the options and help you spend money lol).
 
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