Foggers vs. Hazers

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ product manager

Mobile performers are always looking for ways to spice up their rigs. One way to do that is by adding a fog or haze machine to your setup. The type of machine you choose will depend on the type of effect you’re going for. Both will drastically enhance your light show, however, each performs differently. Read on, conduct your own research and decide which machine is best for you.

Fog Machines
Fog machines produce a thick, white plume of smoke and are not designed to run continuously. They emit bursts of fog and then usually have to stop to reheat. While fog machines enhance lighting and make beams visible, they are primarily chosen because of the dense, opaque effect produced. This effect usually dissipates within several minutes.

Haze Machines
Haze machines produce a thin mist that is visible yet subtle. They are designed to run continuously and are usually always ready go. These machines are mainly chosen to enhance lighting effects because the effect hangs in the atmosphere for an extended amount of time.

Things to Know:

Smoke Detectors
Some venues don’t allow fog or haze machines because they will set off smoke detectors. It is a big myth that haze machines do not set off smoke detectors — they will. A haze machine produces a thinner output than a fog machine, so it just takes longer to trigger. Click here for tips to get foggers or hazers at your event.

Fluid
Always use the fluid recommended by the machine’s manufacturer. Using various types of fluid can damage or clog your machine. If your machine does clog, click here for cleaning tips.

Hot Stuff
Don’t touch the hot machine or put your hand in front of the nozzle as it’s producing the effect — both are extremely hot. Make sure the brackets are tightened and then pick up the machine by the handle.

3 Simple Steps to Wireless DMX

by Wallace Greenaway, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager

Using wireless DMX to operate your fixtures reduces unsightly strips of taped cables, saves time by eliminating the need to run cables to and from each fixture, and is safer for your guests. In fact, here are 20 reasons why you should use wireless DMX. If you are completely unfamiliar with the process, here are three simple steps that will help you get started.

1. The Layout
Once you scope out the venue and learn where your station is, decide where you want to setup your fixtures. To supply power and DMX control to each fixture, you will need to daisy-chain power and DMX cables from fixture to fixture. After you setup, address your fixtures to the appropriate DMX channel.
2. Transmitters and Receivers
Set the transmitter up next to your computer or contoller, and set the receiver up next to one of your fixtures. For optimal performance, be sure that both of your wireless systems are in an unobstructed line of sight so a direct signal can be sent. Elevating both the transmitter and receiver will help prevent signal loss. Synchronize, whether it is color coded or by frequency, the transmitter to the receiver.
3. Programming
DMX allows you to have complete control over individual fixtures and create custom light shows. Feel free to liven up your event and run multi-colored chases or alternate the color of the wall washes. Or, set the fixtures to master/slave mode to have them all function the same.

Bonus Tip
*There are fixtures that will allow for completely wireless power and control. These fixtures are battery operated and have a built-in transceiver.

5 Traps to Avoid When Choosing Lights

by Wallace Greenaway, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager

So, you have made the decision that DJing is your passion and you want to seriously consider it as your part-time or full-time career. You don’t lack the talent, but still, haven’t figured out all the details yet. For example, you might think lighting is not as important as your music list or your mixing equipment. Think again. Read on for some helpful ways to avoid these five common  traps when choosing your lighting.

1. Underestimating the importance of lighting. Your music will keep people on the dance floor, but lighting will turn the event into a true experience. Music and light complement each other and are the main ingredients for the perfect party or event. Music appeals to people’s hearing, but lighting impacts the visual, so remember to give lighting as much importance as you give to your music!

2. Investing in inadequate lighting. If you’re prepared to spend money on mixers and headphones, do the same for lighting. Don’t make the mistake of getting something without researching, only because it’s inexpensive. Wash lights and lasers can blanket the walls or dance floor and change an ordinary event into an extraordinary one. Shop by features, not only by price.

3. High wattage! Some fixtures consume too much electricity and you have to be able to differentiate and pick the right lights. You should definitely keep up with the changes in the industry and choose LED lighting. LEDs consume much less power than traditional lighting and last longer. Tip! Don’t power link too many lights! You risk blowing the first fixture and compromise the entire setup.

4. Buying too many lights. You want to have a balanced setup, so make sure everything blends in nicely; there should be a concept to your rig, so don’t buy randomly.  Also, don’t overwhelm your audience with too many lights, remember, quality over quantity!

5. Making things too complicated. Keep it simple and take advantage of sound-activated lights. These are easy to set up, no extra cables are necessary except for power, and offer great effects! When you’re ready, make the jump to DMX-controlled lighting.

Now that you’re on the right track to creating the right rig with the proper lighting, keep in mind that the learning process never ends. Happy DJing!

3 Easy Steps to Managing Cables

 

by Wallace Greenaway, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager

Trying to manage hundreds of feet of cable can be a daunting task — especially for DJs who are trying to set up and breakdown in a limited amount of time. If you carelessly toss your cables in a duffle bag at the end of your gig, you’re going to end up with a tangled mess the next time you set up. Following these three easy steps will make for an easy set up that will decrease your level of frustration and save you money replacing damaged gear.

1. Keep it clean
Always clean your cables before you wrap them and store them away. If you have an outside gig, your cables can get covered in grass, dirt, mud and all kinds of environmental remnants. Be sure to wipe them down with a damp rag. Personally, I use rubbing alcohol because it gets the job done and evaporates almost immediately. Indoor events usually require cables to be taped down which in turn can leave a sticky residue behind. Invest in a bottle of Goo Gone® for tougher jobs.

2. Properly wrap your cables
Properly wrapping your cables after each gig will save you a lot of frustration and money. If you wrap your cables incorrectly, you run the risk of damaging or breaking the wires inside and having to replace them. Simply tossing your cables in a bag or box can lead to a tangled bird’s nest of wires. Click here for tips on how to (properly) wrap cables.

3. Storage
Once you have properly wrapped your cables, consider tagging them so you know what size you’re working with. Staying organized will help decrease your set up time because cables will be clearly labeled and will unravel flawlessly. For safe storage and easy transportation, invest in a road case or plastic bin with a secure lid.

Debunk Perceived “Limitations” of LEDs

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ product manager

We read more and more about LEDs in industry magazines and see them used in various applications every day: from traffic lights, to medical use, to the classic purpose of entertaining in clubs, on stage and at private events. We know that overall, LEDs stand for a breakthrough in the lighting industry—this is undeniable! But you might also read how in certain areas LEDs are “limited,” or you will hear lighting designers loyal to the incandescent era who would not acknowledge the advantages of LEDs and just stick to what they think works best. LEDs are constantly improving, so they might not have reached perfection—yet—but are those “limitations” that some people talk about truly real? Read on to understand more:

1. “LEDs cost too much”—Not true! The upfront cost of LEDs is higher compared to the price of incandescent or fluorescent lights. But over the years LEDs are simply a good investment. The low energy consumption, not having to replace bulbs frequently and their reliability save a lot of money in the long run.

2. “They don’t really last 50,000 hours”—This is not the case! LEDs can in fact last between 50,000 to 100,000 hours of operation. What rumors out there are trying to convey, is that some other parts in the fixture, such as the power supply, might fail before the LEDs can reach their lifespan. Again, this is not accurate since not only have LEDs grown brighter and more versatile, but the lights and fixtures as an ensemble are built to keep up with the actual LED diode. If used in the proper conditions and maintained carefully, there is no reason why an LED fixture shouldn’t last for years and years.

3. “Not ideal for camera use”—Think again! The reality is that LEDs offer a rather wide spectrum of illumination. “Warm” and “cool” LED fixtures are now flicker-free, which makes them ideal for safe use on TV sets or for other video applications. CHAUVET® fixtures like the Q-Wash™ 560Z-LED or the COLORado™ Batten 72 Tour, COLORado™ Batten 144 Tour, COLORado™ Ridge IP, COLORado™ Range IP, all feature RGBWA LEDs for great color rendering.

Remember! LEDs are not only a great choice for various lighting usages, but they are also “green”! With zero mercury used to manufacture them, disposal after years of operation doesn’t pose a risk to the environment.

5 Tips for a Smooth Setup

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ product manager

1. Manage your inventory
Before you start loading your vehicle, make sure you have everything you need. Create a list of all the necessary items needed for the gig, gather them together and lay everything out to assess your inventory. If possible, bring spare fixtures with you. There’s going to be a problem if your client paid for a custom gobo and your gobo projector decides to stop working the day of the event. Once the gig is over, refer to your checklist to ensure you are leaving with everything you came with.
2. Pack properly
It is your responsibility to ensure your fixtures arrive in one piece when traveling to and from a gig. Do whatever you have to do to ensure they don’t break during transport by investing in a quality travel bag or roadcase. Safely pack as many fixtures as you can into one bag or case to avoid shifting and bouncing around — this will also save time making trips back and forth to your vehicle.
3. Cables
Attach a power cable to each fixture prior to packing. Pre-attaching cables saves time during setup and ensures each fixture is ready for installation upon arrival. If you choose to use DMX, make sure your DMX cables are properly wrapped and organized to avoid having to unravel a bird’s nest of knotted wires.
4. Survey the space
Take time to visit the venue prior to the gig. Pinpoint the exact location of the event and decipher the best place to park and load/unload your gear. Also, pay attention to any obstacles you might encounter such as: covered walkways that won’t allow your trailer through, stairs, limited electrical outlets, etc.
5. DMX addressing
If you decide to use DMX control, pre-address your fixtures to save time during setup — especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. You don’t want to arrive at the venue and have to figure out the proper address for each fixture and hope they work correctly.

3 Easy Tips for Using a T-stand

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager

Are you considering using a T-stand for your gigs? It’s easy to transport, assemble and pack, lightweight and you can position it independently in your setup. Why wouldn’t you? Do you know the best angle to place one in order for your lights to work properly? Or how many lights to load on a T-stand? Read on for some quick suggestions that will make a huge difference:

1. Placement. The best angles for a T-stand are behind or side of your DJ setup. Your effect lights look best when placed at a 45-degree angle to spread beams from above and cover a large area. Keep it stable and sturdy, especially if mounting several lights, you want it to maintain its balance. Also, keep your T-stand (and your lights) at a safe distance from overly happy partiers.

2. Watch the weight! Not yours… just make sure you don’t overload the T-stand with fixtures. If you’re using a simple tripod T-stand, read the manual for maximum load capacity and balance each side with lights, not only for weight, but for design purposes as well. You wouldn’t want to hang two moving yokes on one side and nothing on the other side. If you are using a double stand with a connecting bar, make sure you don’t place too many fixtures in the middle. The bar can bend! Also, make sure the legs on each tripod face each other for stability. You can also lay sand bags over the legs. They make one specifically for stands that you can buy from online grip supplies stores.

Quick tip: Don’t forget to use the safety pins! They usually come with the stand and make your setup much more safer – hence “safety” pins.

3. Manage cables! Avoid accidents and maintain a professional look by responsibly hiding your cables. You can use cable ties or gaff tape to place the cables next to the bar. If you forget to bring those tools, just grab the cable and loop it around the bar. Keep in mind this isn’t the safest and most secure method of cable management.

Since knowledge is power, after going through these simple tips, feel strong and confident that your setup looks professional and is safe. Happy DJing!

4 Tips to Avoid Fixture Malfunction

by Max Morgan, CHAUVET ®Technical Manager

Technical equipment can malfunction. There, I said it, but unfortunately it’s just the way it goes. What’s even more unfortunate? When the malfunction happens at the most inopportune time, like when you’re in the middle of a gig and you can’t do much about it.  Read on to recognize the different types of malfunctions and what the potential causes could be.

Noise
Some fixtures make noise and it can be hard to differentiate what sounds normal and what doesn’t.  A normal sound is low and consistent while an abnormal sound is loud and inconsistent. If you hear shaking, grinding, the jingling of a loose part or something rubbing, it’s obvious that something is wrong. A number of things including a bad motor, missing part or a loose screw, can cause these sounds.

Power
There’s a problem if your fixture doesn’t respond when you plug it in. If your fixture doesn’t have power, a bad fuse, broken power cable, bad transformer or other electrical components that have gone haywire can cause this. More often than not, the culprit is a bad fuse.

Light
If your fixture is receiving power but isn’t emitting light, a dead LED or lamp isn’t the only thing to blame. LEDs have an exceptionally long lifespan (up to 50,000 hours!) but they don’t last forever. Most lamps have a lifespan of 2,000 hours and can explode if they run longer. Other contributing factors include a broken power wire going to the board, bad thermal switch, bad ballast, bad transformer or a bad starter.

Heat
Fixtures need cooling systems to prevent them from overheating. However, these systems can only do so much. If you mount your fixture in a poorly ventilated space where it can only circulate hot air, it is almost a guarantee it will overheat. Other factors that aid in the overheating of fixtures include broken or damaged fans, bad fan motors or if the cooling system fails completely.

If you consider yourself very tech savvy, you may attempt to fix the fixture yourself. We only suggest this if you really know what you’re doing. If you’re unfamiliar with the way fixtures operate, you may end up causing more problems. Another thing to keep in mind is that your warranty will be void if you open the fixture yourself. If you’re unsure about the problem, send it to the manufacturer’s tech department for repair.

20 Reasons to Use Wireless DMX

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager

Wouldn’t you like to save more time and be on top of your game when setting up a gig? You’re organized, informed, you definitely know what you’re doing, so why not make your DJ life easier by using wireless DMX? It’s easy, neat and efficient. Still in doubt? Here you have 20 reasons for going wireless.

1. Save so much time when setting up your show – no more cables!
2. Look more professional and geeky.
3. Not running feet of cables makes for a clean and simple setup.
4. Easy to use transmitter/receiver. With the CHAUVET® D-Fi™ Plus, for example, the same data can be used on both ends.
5. The transmitter/receiver units are light and easy to handle.
6. Don’t have to use gaff tape that can get sticky and make a mess.
7. Minimize chances of cable-related accidents and avoid tripping hazards.
8. Don’t have to spend a lot of time putting together your rig after the show.
9. Don’t have to sweat rolling up cables once the show is done. You can get from show to bar in no time.
10. If organizing is not your forte, go wireless and don’t worry about neatly folding cables.
11. Book more events – people notice and hire the best and most up-to-date DJs.
12. Perfect for uplighting columns or pillars, where the use of cables becomes difficult.
13. Save money on gaff tape.
14. Impress your client with your efficiency.
15. Make room in your van for more lights when transporting your rig. The CHAUVET® D-Fi™ Plus for example weights only 0.8 lbs and measures 6.1in x3.1in x1.3in.
16. All wireless transmitter/receivers use any universal DMX-512 controller.
17. With the D-Fi™ Plus you can use multiple units to transmit and receive up to nine universes of DMX.
18. Minimal setup and physical effort required.
19. Easier to use outdoors than cables.
20. Just make your DJ life easier.

3 Easy steps to DMX control

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ product manager

If you are unfamiliar with the DMX protocol, controlling fixtures with it can seem intimidating and complicated.  Before you can start programming DMX-capable fixtures, you need to understand what DMX is, how it works and what you can do with it. Once you understand the basics, you will have the freedom to easily design custom light shows your clients will love.

What is DMX?
DMX, or digital multiplex, is a universal protocol that allows lighting, controllers and control desks to communicate with other lighting equipment. This protocol was designed so equipment from different companies can be used together and to significantly reduce the number of control wires needed for operation. The DMX protocol can control up to 512 individual channels, sometimes referred to as DMX-512, which can be set to a level between 0 and 255. For example, if the dimmer function on a fixture was set to channel 1 and the level of channel 1 was brought up to 255 (100%), then the it would be operating at full power. Make sense?

How does DMX work?
The most important step in operating your DMX fixtures is to make sure all the wires are connected correctly. DMX fixtures are designed to receive data through a serial “daisy chain” where the “data out” of one fixture connects to the “data in” of the next fixture. It does not matter what order the fixtures are connected in as it will have no effect on how the controller communicates with each. What does matter is how you set the address. Manually address each fixture’s range of controlling DMX channels so the DMX address corresponds to the first of the light’s channels.

For example, you have three fixtures that use five channels each. The DMX address of the first fixture is set to 1, the second is set to 6 and the third is set to 11. Your first fixture uses channels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, (fixtures cannot overlap channels otherwise they will not work correctly) so your second must start on channel 6 and use channels 7, 8, 9 and 10. This means the third fixture starts on, you guessed it, 11. You may also have to set up your DMX console (refer to the controller’s user manual) for the type of fixtures you have and their DMX address before you control them.

What can DMX do?
With DMX control, the design possibilities are nearly endless. Depending on the capability of your fixtures, you can change the color, saturation, gobo projection, strobe speed and so much more. DMX can also control different types of DMX-capable equipment including haze and fog machines, scanners, moving heads, wash lights and lasers, all from a central location. In other words, you can go beyond sound-activated programs and take your show to another level. You can add a dramatic touch to the newlywed couple’s entrance, coordinated color to the first dance of prom king and queen, or simply design a light show to run in synch with your favorite song.

If you get confused or feel lost, the fixture’s user manual is a very handy tool. The manuals for intelligent lighting fixtures give instructions on how to address your fixtures and also detail the DMX channels in an easy-to-follow chart. If you still have questions, each manufacturer has a customer service department that is available to help you.

Next Page »