| Newbie building new lighting system [message #380307] |
Sat, 22 November 2008 19:23  |
 JAMES A. GRIFFIN
Messages: 19
Registered: May 2008
Location: Jackson MS |
Here Often |
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Ok, here we go again. If I've calculated correctly, I'm the 10,000th Audio Guy who believes it's time to add lights to my rig in order to maximize potential income from a gig. I'm already on site with a truck anyway, right?
I'll tell you what I have and what I'm thinking, you set me straight where necessary. Please be kind.
I already will soon have two Peavey Versalifts (modified Vermetttes) from which I will fly my JBL VRX Line Arrays. I'm thinking I can use the lifts to bring up a truss across the front of the stage from which I can hang VRX boxes and lights. The arrays are 4 VRX932LAP boxes per side, weighing 208 pounds per side.
I'd like to start with about 12 lights + dimmer packs + controller. What else do I need? Is it realistic to think I could get something pretty good in the $3000-4000 range? If not, my philosophy would be to get good stuff, but less of it. I can always add more cans and dimmers. Instead of cans, should I think about an LED strip that might have limited color range, but be easier to set up on the truss and still give a pretty good stage wash, with maybe lesss control??
Ok, I've exposed all my ignorance, ya'll go to work with your scalpels - or chainsaws, as necessary.
Thanks! james@concertrecording.com
James A Griffin
1-888-GRIFFIN
james@concertrecording.com
"If it sounds good, it is good"
(Duke Ellington, when asked to define "good music")
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| Re: Newbie building new lighting system [message #380339 is a reply to message #380307 ] |
Sat, 22 November 2008 22:55  |
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Mike Pyle
Messages: 1874
Registered: April 2004
Location: Napa, CA |
Has No Life |
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With a $4000 budget you can put together a pretty nice set of LEDs for color. Full on white is generally better acheived with standard pars. A mix of the two may be the way to go.
Mike Pyle
Audiopyle Sound
707-315-6204
Dealer: Yorkville, EV, QSC, RCF, KV2, FBT, JTR, Danley, SLS, Dynacord, Midas, APB,
K-T,Audix,Shure,Genie,RoadReady,K&M,Ultimate,Global Truss,DENON,Chauvet,Elation...
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| Re: Newbie building new lighting system [message #382216 is a reply to message #380307 ] |
Sun, 30 November 2008 02:30 |
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Tony "T" Tissot
Messages: 2393
Registered: June 2006
Location: Northern California |
Has No Life |
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No chainsaw,
Front truss illuminates faces in lieu of follow spots. You don't need all that much in an R&R situation.
The crowd pleaser is usually the candy from the rear. Lot's of rear lights (LEDS or conventional PARS) and some movers upstage really makes the rig look alive to the audience.
Haze or smoke makes it come alive. Even cheap PAR46 with narrow reflectors and DYS lamps look "big" if there are enough of them.
ProSoundWeb - Home of 50,000 audio professionals - and two or three curmudgeonly SOBs.
http://www.youtube.com/loshightops
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| Re: Newbie building new lighting system [message #382449 is a reply to message #380307 ] |
Mon, 01 December 2008 07:43 |
Tim Cahall
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2008 |
Newbie |
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LEDs are a great choice. However, you are not going to get many for the budget you have allotted. Also, you should give some serious consideration to what you are going to use for a console to drive all of this. To keep it cheap and simple, I would look at the Chauvet Obey line. They are a bit tedious to run moving lights, but for the rest, they are fine. Program a few chases and you are off to the races (pun intended).
Considering the size of the area you are trying to light (dance floor), I would probably go with more lights with less punch. You can get a PAR 38 for under $40 with plug, clamp and lamp. They can hold up to 300 watt lamps, but a 125 will probably do fine. Since the primary colors of light are red, green and blue. I would recommend you go with 12 or 16 lights in groups of 4. RGB and a white or light amber. This will allow you to mix any color you want. The hazer is a must. I would go with a hazer before LED lights. Finally, I would give serious consideration to on of the inexpensive "disco" lights. There are a wide variety of them that will run basic chases. You will not be able to control them with DMX, but you can get a relay shoe box that will turn them on and off from the console.
Tim.
P.S. good luck! Lighting can add a lot of value.
Timothy K. Cahall
The Main Event, Inc.
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