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Topic: What lights are a must have for beginner?

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I've got everything I need for a mobile dj (Denon HC4500, dual CD, Denon DNX500 mixer, Behringer B215A powered speakers, power conditioner, 2 UHF cordless mics, Shure SM58 wired mic, 23" widescreen monitor for karaoke/videos, etc) but no lighting. What would you suggest to get started? Mainly doing parties and small school dances, some weddings. Keep it simple. Thanks!!
 
Posted Wed 03 Mar 10 @ 11:23 am
This is my thoughts on equipment. Buy what you want, not what you can afford. You will end up buying what you want anyway, and won't be able to sell the cheap stuff you bought in the first place. If you have to have something right now, charge it. If you can wait, save for it. Now there are always two sides of a coin. There are so many choices on the market today, and you can get a lot for your buck, including LEDs. What is your budget? If we know that, we can give you more choices.
 
That's what I keep telling my wife..haha! I would like to start out with just two lights right now and add more later. Was thinking ADJ Vertigo Tri LED and something else. Please help me stay under $400. Again, I don't know and I'm just trying to keep it simple right now. Will move on to extravagant later. Thanks so much for input.
 
Definitely get a Vertigo. Every mobile DJ I know has at least one of them. It's the best bang for your buck; it's sound activated, colorful, easy to set up (even on the floor), it's coverage is good for small to medium dance floors, it's enough to create a mood for dancing but it won't overwhelm anyone, and it's LED so you won't have to replace the bulbs.

As for a second light I like the H20 but I find the room has to be pretty dark to get the effect to look good. You can't go wrong with a mirror ball and a couple of pinspots.
 
Im using 2 of these.. American DJ Tri Led's.. It looks so hot with asmoke machine or haze..
http://www.idjnow.com/StoreModules/ProductDetails.aspx/PID=TRIPHASE

My next two L.E.D. lights will be one of these two..
http://www.idjnow.com/StoreModules/ProductDetails.aspx/PID=DERBYX

Or this one

http://www.idjnow.com/StoreModules/ProductDetails.aspx/PID=OBEAST

I always buy what i want and not what i can aford at the moment. When you buy cheap equipment, you wont like it and then you will have a hard time trying to sell it. When it comes to buying stuff and selling things, i am the king of deals.. LOL Its New York.. Ya Know.....
 
 
I own the ADJ Quad Gem DMX and it is an awesome light for the money. I will probably buy another and link them. I usually play at parties that has a dance floor of about 40' x 20' and one covers the floor.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-Quad-Gem-DMX?sku=801689

I also have 4 par 38 cans and have 2 green and 2 red gels in them. Great for a little ambient lighting. Just remember to buy some gel packs with them. I do a lot of my ordering from this link. 2 cans are only $30.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-PAR38B-Can-Buy-Two-and-Save?sku=810112

I run all my light s using a power strip with individual on off switches (cheaper at the moment but requires lots of cords.)

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-PC100A-8Switch-ONOFF-Power-Center?sku=801020

I got this red laser for $70. A pretty good introductory laser for the money.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-Laser-Widow?sku=800741

Got this one too. Not bad for $40.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Chauvet-Color-Bank-4Color-SoundActivated-Light?sku=803107

I put them up on this truss system. It is long enough to stretch across 10'. The good thing about it is you can load the light at eye level then crank them up. This package is a great deal. Comes with 2x5' trusses, 2x crank up tripods for the trusses, and 2x tripods with T-bar that holds 4 lights. This will allow you to have about 16 mounted lights for $220.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Odyssey-Lighting-Tripod-and-Truss-Package?sku=801743

They offers free shipping over $100. The support there is great too. If you have questions on a product you can chat online or give them a call. Best of all I like them because they support the Soldiers stationed overseas. I will not do business with any company that does not ship to military post offices!

Good luck,

Gary
 
Definately get a couple of ADJ Starballs LED or the Sunray for slow dances. A couple of ADJ Vertigo LED for upbeat music, and at least 4 par cans for flood effect. That's a basic package you should start with IMHO.

If you ever get the money invest in a couple of scanners Like the Chauvet Intimidator 1.0 or 2.0 or the ADJ X-Scan if you want to go LED. They will really add a great effect to your lighting rig.

This is what I'm running and I get loads of complements on this lighting. Now I invested alot of money in lighting, and my wife complained, until the wedding reception money started rolling back in, now she sees why I invested in a good lighting rig :)

8 ADJ Par 38 Cans with LED Bulbs
2 ADJ Starball LED
2 Chauvet Intimidator 1.0
2 ADJ X-Scan
2 ADJ Flash Shot Strobes
Chauvet Vue III
2 ADJ Vertigo Tri LED
Chauvet Storm Laser
2 Shinp Lasers
 
Do not buy anything static that doesn't move... looks very boring.

Any multi-coloured derby is always a good start. Don't buy LED if you can't afford it. Advantages of LED is basically the long life and not changing bulbs plus not as much heat. Not a big deal when you start out. Bulbs are less than $10 and you just save packing up the lights for last to let them cool down.

The moonflower effect is very popular, go for something with multi-prism so you get more images on the floor.

If you can afford a little bit more buy something with DMX or something linkable.

My personal recommendation is to get a pair of barrel dmx scanners if you can afford. more colours & the more gobos the better.
 
I'd say ADJ's Vertigo TRI LED & a Chauvet Scorpion Storm RG laser, a strobe & black light to start out.

I got back into mobile scene about a year and a half ago and have steadily purchased equipment to improve my show... I have made many videos on my YouTube channel regarding my equipment and upgrades.. check them out to see if they help you decide on lights and other things.


http://www.youtube.com/rudedog66 - Search through my vids to find ones that correspond with what your looking for.



Here is one of my older vids before I bought my truss and added more lighting.....


and a more updated lighting video with truss & more lights..


There other vids there that focus on specific lights too...


Good luck!


DJ RuDe


Keep Spinnin'!!
 
American DJ REVO 4, you will not be disappointed and you will get a huge coverage area with many different designs.
 
djfiveoh wrote :
American DJ REVO 4, you will not be disappointed and you will get a huge coverage area with many different designs.


Mate I just saw the video of this... it looks awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhy9Wl22Gs8
 
WOW! Y'all have been so informative. I truly love the DJ community because we all get so excited about helping others and certainly enjoy what we do. I do think that I am going to get the Vertigo, Scorpion and a few pars. Mounting on a tree will do fine for now, I think. I'm sure that like everyone else, I will keep putting the money made from gigs right back into newer gear and will have a great show like I've seen on some gig logs. It makes such a difference to our clients.
Thanks again to all who responded! PNE!
 
djfiveoh wrote :
American DJ REVO 4, you will not be disappointed and you will get a huge coverage area with many different designs.

Mate I just saw the video of this... it looks awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhy9Wl22Gs8


Oh yeah, has so many designs and has DMX capabilities. Truly an amazing light, it may cost a tad bit more, but worth it.
 
Wash before effects. Right now, I have 2 DJ banks for wash, I also have 2 ADJ mini-gressors, 2 ADJ Starballs, 2 Chauvet j-fives, Chauvet Scorpion Storm RGX, and a ADJ Red Widow. Lights always look better in pairs. I control those with a ADJ PC-100.

CRash
 
I would have to agree with above: A good color wash that is sound activated goes a long way.
Then a few vertigos and Black lights are still hot.
Then a pair of Chauvet Intimidators or other DMX/Sound activated moving lights for the ones that want to book larger lighting. Anything else is gravy and up to you.
The new Generation of LEDs are awesome compact and very light weight for mobile use - just remember that as bright as they look up close - LED's have a fast drop off and may not be good for long distances.
Personally I will start to replace some lights with LED soon but have the above mentioned lights for years - some since the mid to late 90's. These are proven good lights. I had to make my own remote controllers back in the day using 433mhz transmitters and relay packs - haven't found anything better for the basics light and it's been 7+ years. So by the best you can that works and it will last.
 


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