New equipment… does the client even care?

Who are you designing the show for- your clients or other DJs?

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.

Basic Power Management for DJs

How much power does your rig take? What about various components of lighting? Do you know the average and peak amp draws?

If you don’t, it’s time you learn! Every room has a different electrical layout. Some have independent outlets and some have a “quadrant” system. Some are 15amp, some 20amp, and some just plain suck and trip everytime someone sneezes.

Knowing your amperage draw also saves your client money; Let’s say that you are doing a prom and the hotel charges for power drops. You ask for 4 20amp circuits but you only needed two. The school winds up paying TWICE as much for power that you don’t need. Anything you can do to save the client money will make you look that much better.

So how do you calculate amperage? Some lights tell you the power draw on the back (not to be confused with fuse rating), but even then it can get pretty darn inaccurate. A quick calculation also yields a rough explanation of what the amperage is (the AMount of power being used):

W/V = A. Basically, you take the wattage draw, divide by voltage available, and you get amperage! Sounds easy, right? The problem lies that a 600W amp pulls MORE than 600W of power, and a 250W light has motors, fans and other power-sucking doo-dads. You also need to realize that not every venue has the same voltage coming out of the outlets; you’ll find various voltages from 110V to 120V. This affects your math greatly!

But wait, there’s more! If you use a long extension cord, the voltage drops depending on the length and gauge of the run.

ARGH! If only there was some easy way! Well, of course there is. Head over to Lowe’s and pickup Kill-A-Watt. The device is simple to use: plug your load into it and it will tell you the amperage draw. This device is SUPER easy to use and EVERY DJ/production company should own one (or two).

This will put you in full control of your power draw, alongside a circuit sniffer (more on that later). Here are some tips when it comes to power draw:

*Remember that you don’t want to maximize your load; give yourself 10-20% headroom, so you have 16-18amp draw on a 20 amp circuit.

Several power conditioners, surge protectors, etc only handle a 15AMP load.

*Most ballrooms and venues *should* use 20AMP breakers, but unless you see those IN PERSON, assume they’re 15!

*Buy a circuit sniffer! This handy tool allows you to match paired outlets. Never take anyone’s word about what circuits are separate UNLESS they’re an electrician.

*Thin gauges of cable can cause weird effects (as can load-heavy devices). For example, if you run subs and black lights in the same circuit, you’ll notice that the black lights flicker to the beat.

I can proudly say that by practicing these techniques, and taking careful notes on each venue, I’ve yet to trip a breaker. After all, nothing is more embarrassing! So go pick up a KIll-A-Watt and arm yourself with the best tool ever!

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.

5 Tips for Renting Event Gear

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET DJ Product Manager

You’re a dedicated DJ; you constantly improve your rig, and you like being in charge of your event. Sometimes though what you bring to the (DJ) table is not enough. The event you are trying to book might be too big, and you don’t possess enough lights or you need lights that are not part of your inventory. This is when you consider renting extra gear. But before you do, read below and do your homework. Here is what you need to take into consideration when renting:

1. You will have to ‘deal’ with your dealer. A good idea is to work with a dealer you already know and have a good rapport with. If you don’t really know what extra lights you need this person will recommend some for you. Make sure you are clear about pricing and transportation. Most likely the dealer will not provide transportation, so you will have to take care of getting the fixtures to the venue. Quick note: Take care of the gear you rent like it’s your own. Rental houses will charge you for damage, and more importantly you could damage the relationship and not be allowed to rent gear from them again; or they will offer it to you at a significantly higher rate.

2. How much extra labor will you need? Before you decide to hire people to help you out, inspect the venue, see how big the area is, know how many lights you have to install and how fast. Timing is very important. Some facilities have back-to-back events, which means you will be allotted the exact time for setup. If you only have a half-hour to do what normally takes you one hour, you will need to have extra help to get the job done.

3. Transportation. The minivan that you usually use might not be enough, so you have to consider renting a truck. Just schedule everything in advance, and things should run smoothly. Also, if you hire people to help you, make sure they have the means to get to the event and they don’t expect a ride from you.

4. Coordinate everything. Jot down a list of tasks, create an agenda on your tablet and keep track of your schedule and costs. Being organized is key to a successful event and will add to your professionalism.

5. Seal the deal. If your quote is accurate and backed up by your research, present it to your client and remember to get a deposit to lock in the deal. After all the efforts, you deserve some compensation!

Quick tips:
•    Don’t forget the cable!  Having an extra 20 wall uplights won’t do any good if you can’t turn them on. Unless you’re using wireless fixtures, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough extra power and data cables for all of the lights you’re adding.
•    Watch for extra costs! When you check out the venue inquire about extra costs. Some facilities charge extra for electricity (making battery-powered fixtures more cost effective) or require temporary insurance—when running a fogger for example—which is something you have to bring to the attention of your client.

Now that you know how to handle renting, make some efforts to book that big gig. You can do it!

20 Reasons to Create Custom Gobos

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET DJ Product Manager

Gobos add a personal touch to events. Brides are willing to pay extra to see their new initials projected on the dance floor, graduating classes love seeing their year displayed brightly on the wall and corporations are proud to see their logo. Ordering gobos, especially custom gobos, can be a time consuming and expensive process. Have you considered creating custom gobos? They are inexpensive to make (print your own on transparency film at home), easy to work with and reusable at other events. Need more reasons? How about 20. Read on.

20. Significantly cheaper than glass or metal gobos.
19. Don’t have to wait for it to arrive.
18. Create a gobo with anything you desire.
17. LEDs won’t melt your transparency film.
16. Reuse gobos you create.
15. Easy upsell item for a wedding.
14. Personalize any event.
13. Create and use in the same day.
12. Don’t need special software — any art-based program will work.
11. Cost of supplies is significantly less than the cost of ordering one.
10. All supplies can be bought locally.
9. Create a gobo with your logo to tastefully market yourself before and after events.
8. Use the same gobo for multiple applications.
7. Create any size gobo your fixture requires.
6. Gobos made from transparency film are less fragile than glass gobos.
5. Can easily create patterns to match the theme of the event.
4. Flexibility to project what you want, where you want when you want.
3. Quickly and easily correct design errors or last minute changes.
2. Design and print multiple designs on the same sheet of transparency film.
1. Your client wants one.

Click here to watch the “How to Create Custom Gobos” video.

Simple Tips for Cleaning Effect Lights

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET Club/DJ Product Manager

You have to tend to your lighting gear the same way you care for your vinyl records, slipmats and turntable platters. The effect lights you use all the time collect dust and residue from the environment, so remember to include them in your cleaning session. A quick suggestion is to clean everything a couple of days before a gig. Don’t wait until the day of your event. Not only will you look more professional with squeaky-clean fixtures, you also lower the chances of a light breaking during your show.

For the beginner DJ who just purchased a bunch of effect lights and is unsure which fixtures require cleaning, keep this in mind: if it has fans, glass or vents it requires cleaning.

1. Fans. The first thing you should look for is balls of dust, pieces of fabric, confetti, human hair (or animal, maybe you had a gig at the zoo…) and any other unpleasant accumulation within the fans. It sounds somewhat repulsive, but you need to take care of the dirty part of the job too. Use an air compressor to blow out all the gunk, but make sure to stick a pen or pencil to stop the fan blades from spinning. The forced air can actually generate a small blast and damage the fixture; and you might blow the aforementioned residue right on your face.

2. Glass: lenses, mirrors, prisms, color wheels and gobo wheels. We recommend using a nonalcoholic cleaning solution, but if unavailable, a basic glass cleaner will work. A lint-free cloth keeps the glass surfaces smooth and free of any residue or tiny particles. Also, wear gloves when touching the glass. Even though it may produce a cool gobo projection, you don’t want fingerprints left on the gobo wheel.

3. Vents. The air pushed inside a fixture when cleaning fans needs to exit through vents. So, keep them clear. A simple way to clean these is to use compressed air.

For exterior dusting, use microfiber or fiber cloth. They are lint free, cheap and reusable. Use only warm water; don’t add soap or detergents.

Quick warning!
If lasers are part of your rig, don’t open them to try to clean them. You are not legally allowed to open the housing. The laser diode inside has the potential to expose your eyes to class B laser radiation.

If you really want to do your homework on cleaning, click here to read how to clean moving heads and here for tips on how to clean scanners.

Wise Tips for Clean Scanners

by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET Club/DJ Product Manager

Cleaning your scanners periodically can give them a longer life and you less to worry about in the end. The buildup of dust and dirt can overheat units or clog fans, which translates into fixture failure sooner than you expected. Follow these tips to save money and avoid frustration.

Lamp, halogen and discharge scanners versus LED scanners
Lamp, halogen and discharge scanners require a little more maintenance. Compared to an LED scanner, a lamp-based one might have more fans, thus more for you to clean. Typically, you will have to clean it more often because it gets much hotter. When cleaning the scanner avoid touching the lamp, because the grease, oils and salts from your fingers can damage it. Also, if you have to replace the lamp use an alcohol-based wipe to handle it.
LED scanners are much cooler than the lamp-based ones. An internal heat sink draws the heat away from the LED and keeps the fixture cool, but you will still find fans that you will have to clean.
Aside from these differences,  follow the same steps when cleaning both lamp and LED scanners. Read on:

1. Breaking down the scanner.
• Stay organized during disassembly. Keep track of all the screws and parts you took out. Scanners can be pretty complex inside, and it should take you a little while to clean. Knowing how to put it back together will save time.
• Remove all covers. I don’t recommend using a screw gun for this. If the covers have been on for a while, heat and dust can make the screws stick and a screw gun will strip the heads of the screws. This will keep you from having access to the inside of the fixture.
• Check the inside. With all of the covers off, take a good look inside the light. If you see big balls of dust behind any of the fans, you may want to replace the fans.

2. Cleaning the mirror, lens, prism, color wheels and gobo wheels.
• Treat lenses and dichroics very carefully. I like to wear cotton gloves while cleaning these. Oils from your fingers can burn into the glass or cause overheating, which leads to cracking. Make sure to use a lint-free cloth in order to keep all surfaces as clean as possible. To remove the grease from atmospheric residue, use an alcohol-free cleanser.
• Using an air compressor. Use an air compressor or vacuum to blow out the dust, but don’t spin the fans. While it makes a cool noise, the speed the fans are moving will destroy them. Put something like a pen or screwdriver between the fan blades to prevent it from moving.

More quick tips!
1. See if the gobos and the color wheels turn smoothly. If they’re slipping or stuck, you may need to clean or replace them.
2. Check the belts for any signs of wear on the edges, as this could be an indication of a bent pulley.
3. Look at all the magnets on the gobo wheels, color wheels, and pan and tilt pulleys. Make sure they are clean and don’t have metal shavings attached to them. This can impair your sensors and is a sign something is not moving properly.

How often should I clean?
This depends on how often you use the fixture. If you have your scanners working hard every day, clean them twice a month. The mobile DJ who uses them for about 10 hours a week should clean once every two months.

Now that you know how to tend to your scanners, click here for useful tips on how to clean moving heads and here to learn how to clean effect lights!

Pros and cons of battery-powered lighting

By Allan Reiss, Product Manager for CHAUVET® Club/DJ

You may have noticed that lighting manufacturers are starting to add battery-operated fixtures to their product lines. Designed to simplify our lives as mobile DJs and add flexibility to our setup, these fixtures also save us time and money. We no longer have to worry about spending time running and taping down power cords, whether or not there will be enough outlets at the venue, or paying for electricity. However, like everything else, battery-operated fixtures have their pros and cons.

PROS
Operates without electricity
Some larger venues charge us to use their electricity. Built long ago, some venues have a limited electrical supply and can only provide one circuit of power — and we all know this is not enough to run all of our equipment.

Saves time and money
These fixtures do not require any cords so you will save a lot of time setting up, running cables and power cords, taping and/or tying cables and power cords and breaking down your setup. As stated above, some venues charge to use their electricity. If you’re running battery-operated fixtures, you won’t have to pay the electricity fee, which means more money in your pocket. The battery in these fixtures is rechargeable so you will not have to spend money to maintain your fixture from wear and tear on cables.

You can place them anywhere
Freedom from cords means you can place your fixtures where you want with no need to worry about having long enough cords. So go ahead, place some under tables, across the room, or just about anywhere. Battery-operated fixtures give you flexibility to create just about any type of lighting design you can imagine.

CONS
Charge it
Before you leave for your gig, you have to remember to charge your fixtures. This is not something you can think about an hour before you have to leave. It takes an average of six hours to get a complete charge. If you forget to charge the batteries, you’re going to be out juice and luck!

Hefty
Battery-operated fixtures tend to carry around a bit more weight than fixtures that run solely on electricity because rechargeable batteries can weigh a couple of pounds.

Lose power linking capability
If all of your fixtures are running on battery power, you cannot power link them. Some battery-operated fixtures will include power connections and cords so you have the option to plug them in and run them electrically. In the off chance you forget to charge your lights, you can plug one into an electrical outlet and power link the rest of fixtures to that unit.

As long as you plan properly, the pros outweigh the cons by a longshot. Investing in battery-operated fixtures will end up saving you a lot of time playing around with cables, money in electric fees, and most importantly, headaches associated with these issues! The hardest part is remembering to charge them, which if you put it in perspective, isn’t that hard at all. Look into these fixtures and consider adding them to your rig — you’ll be glad you did.

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