Get Out of My Dreams, Get (MiN)to My Rig

It was with tongue firmly planted in cheek that I wrote that title, but there is nothing to joke about with the new MiN LED series from Chauvet Lighting, introduced late last year. They mean serious business, even with their miniature size. I had heard that the MiN series was getting rave reviews as extremely solid lights, but I had to see for myself, firsthand. After using them I found that, in fact, the Billy Ocean hit and the new Chauvet series have a few things in common-they both are fun, bright, and colorful!Performance
On my recent jaunt with the fixtures, they performed remarkably. Not only were they powerful enough for a school dance mounted on a truss system, they were also eloquent enough for a formal corporate event when configured in a speaker-top arrangement.

With the MiN lights, Chauvet is offering two distinct compact versions of LED yoke-style heads. For the gobo driven crowd, the MiNSpot offers 9 different gobo designs plus open. As of this writing, as far as I’m aware, this is the first LED spot to feature gobos. The MinWash offers a superbly bright palette for LED color mixing-perfect for accent lighting in a tight space, such as for corner-washing.

Also, the MiN series features great controllability. With DMX capabilities including optional 5 channel or 13 channel modes, both the MinSpot and MinWash are very flexible fixtures. Adding to the arsenal for both lamps is strobe mode, which makes one light seem like three. For the not-so-DMX inclined, an optional “easy controller” is available, along with built-in automatic standalone mode, which is accessible via LED control panels located on the base of the fixture.

Pint-Size
In this age when smaller is considered better for everything, not just DJ gear, the MiN lights are pushing the diminutive envelope. Both fixtures measure 6.8 inches in length/width and stand at an equally impressive 9.8 inches. With added weight specs of a feather-light 8.3 lbs, quality compact LED fixtures are in reach without even breaking a sweat. For even the most formal events, the MiN series fixtures will blend into their surroundings, giving you much needed workspace and less clutter. At my corporate event for an engineering firm, the clients, who know a good design when they see one, were blown away by the compact configuration and light weight of the pieces.

Ease of Use
Not only was the reaction of my engineering clients surprising, equally nice was my setup with each MiN light. The hanging bracket easily attaches to the base of the fixtures and makes for an easy time raising and hanging. One thing I have noticed, though, is that there seem to be only a few good places to carry the lights, which is bound to happen with the compact dimensions involved.

The LED control interface on the base of the lamp was easy to use and straightforward, including slow and fast pans and options for making your beams stationary.

Road Test
When the package arrived at HQ, I was able to take the fixtures on the road right away, with the shipping box weighing less than 20 lbs. and not taking up much space. At the events both MiNs functioned as my primary effects with great results. The kids loved them, the adults loved them, and the big kid in me wasn’t bored with them due to their diverse number of built-in chase and effects patterns.

The Final Verdict
Chauvet has really put out a great product with the MiNs. They’re LED, lightweight, easy to transport and strong enough to survive my road test in freezing Iowa winter conditions. Along with that, when it comes to show time they perform remarkably with rich bright colors and outstanding functions. This series should be high on every mobile entertainer’s list when it comes to building an LED-based setup. www.chauvetlighting.com

American DJ Revo LED Announced

American DJ’s revolutionary Revo Scan LED and Revo Roll LED scanners have been such a smash hit with DJs and clubs, the company has gone ahead and packaged multiple Revo fixtures into a complete LED light show system with its own controller. The new Revo LED SYS incorporates 2 Revo Scan LEDs, 2 Revo Roll LEDs and an easy-to-use UC3 controller - all at an amazingly affordable MSRP of $1,359.95.

What’s more, this “complete LED show-in-a-box” is extremely lightweight and easy to set-up. At a mere 30 lbs. for the entire 4-unit system, you don’t have to be a brawny jock to carry it around to gigs. Even the most petite female DJs and young teens will be able to pack up the Revo LED SYS and take it on the road with ease.

“The Revo LED SYS is a tremendous value for DJs who want to make the move to a complete LED light show, and it’s also a very lightweight, easy-to-use setup,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “The combination of 2 Revo Scan LED fixtures and 2 Revo Roll LED fixtures with the UC3 controller provides a turnkey LED light show package that is extremely mobile and affordable. Everything you need is packaged into one complete system that travels very light.”

With their advanced LED technology, the Revo scanners produce moonflower effects unlike any others available today. The Revo Scan LED features a flat-mirrored scanner, while the Revo Roll LED has a barrel mirror that produces more roundish or tunnel-shaped beams. Both effects have a bright output equivalent to a 250W halogen light, based on side-by-side comparison, while drawing only 12W of power.

The Revo Scan LED and Revo Roll LED each combine a total of 52 LEDs: 16 red, 12 green, 12 blue, 12 white. American DJ’s innovative use of white LEDs gives the beams a stunning rainbow-like appearance with incredibly rich and bright colors. These highly successful scanners also feature the extra excitement of X-Y mirror movement, so their beams can sweep across an entire room or dance floor rather than being limited to certain designated areas of a venue -providing extremely wide area coverage.

The UC3 controller can be used to select patterns and chases on the Revo scanners. Because LED lamps can be turned off and on individually, the scanners’ built-in programs are capable of creating a variety of breathtaking chases and patterns - much more exciting visual effects than can be produced by traditional halogen moonflowers. Blackout and strobing are also controllable from the UC3.

The Revo Scan LED and Revo Roll LED outshine halogen moonflowers by a long shot. The effects look awesome with or without fog, so the system is great for weddings and other events where the use of fog machines is discouraged. An advanced new lens technology enhances the LEDs’ visual intensity, sharpening the beams.

The versatile Revo Scan LED and Revo Roll LED can be operated in 4 modes: DMX (to control mirror movement, patterns/chases and strobing), Sound Active (to built-in programs), Master-Slave (linkable via XLR connections) or with the UC3 controller (via 1/4″ input).

The system’s LED technology provides benefits that go beyond visual excitement. With a long LED lamp life rated at 100,000 hours, DJs and clubs can say goodbye to the expense and hassle of bulb replacement. Additionally, thanks to LEDs’ low power draw, users will save energy costs and will be able to hook up more units on a single circuit. Also, because LED lamps don’t give off as much heat as halogen, they keep a cooler temperature on the dance floor and can run all night without duty cycles.

“Mobile DJs won’t ever have to wait for the Revo fixtures to cool down,” Davies noted. “So they can pack up the entire Revo LED SYS right away at the end of the gig.”

Both the Revo Scan LED and Revo Roll LED feature a manual focusing lens and a 21° beam angle, and come with a hanging bracket. Each unit measures 17″ x 6″ x 6″ and weighs 7 lbs. The complete Revo LED SYS (with UC3 controller) weighs only 30 lbs., making it ideal for DJs on the go.

American DJ Modernizes The Mirror Ball

The mirrorball is a classic club effect from the ’70s that refuses to fade away - and now it’s brighter than ever! American DJ has put a 21st-century spin on this perennially popular disco light with its new Starball/Sunray LED Series. The Starball/Sunray LEDs are rotating spherical effects that shoot beams around a room like mirrorballs, but they’re powered by cutting-edge LEDs instead of traditional halogen lamps.

There are 4 models in the new Starball/Sunray LED Series:
Starball LED, produces all-white beams
Sunray LED, produces multi-color beams
Starball LED DMX, DMX-compatible with all-white beams
Sunray LED DMX, DMX-compatible with multi-color beams

Great for use as centerpieces, all of the Starball/Sunray LEDs throw out 34 crisp, bright beams, which slowly rotate around the walls, ceilings and floors, giving wide coverage to a room or dance area. The Starball LED and Starball LED DMX produce brilliant white beams, while the Sunray LED and Sunray LED DMX feature beams in 5 eye-popping colors: green, purple, blue, yellow and orange.

All of the unit’s beams radiate from one powerful 3-watt LED light source. Juiced up by this brawny LED lamp, the beam are so ultra-bright, clear and sharp that they don’t require the use of fog.

“The Starball/Sunray LEDs are like a mirrorball pumped up on steroids,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “Being powered by LEDs, their beams have such a high output and crispness that you don’t need fog to have them pop out at you. This makes them ideal centerpieces for weddings and other functions where you wouldn’t want a smoky room.”

Clubs and DJs will also appreciate the many other benefits that LED technology brings, such as low heat production. This keeps things cooler on the dance floor, and also lets you run the Starball/Sunray LEDs all night long without duty cycles, for a high-energy light show that never quits. Plus, when it’s time for mobile entertainers to pack up, there’s no waiting period for the units to cool down.

Another advantage is the long life of the units’ LEDs, which are rated at 50,000 hours. This virtually eliminates the hassle and expense of lamp replacement. What’s more, since LEDs consume much less electricity than halogen lamps of equivalent output, users can hook up more units on a single circuit and also save big on energy costs. The Starball LED and Sunray LED draw only 17W of power apiece, while the Starball LED DMX and Sunray LED DMX consume a stingy 10W each.

Extremely simple to use, the Starball/Sunray LEDs can be run as standalone effects right out of the box - just plug them in and watch them to rotate. They can also be operated with American DJ’s optional UC3 universal controller (sold separately).

The two DMX-compatible versions (Starball LED DMX and Sunray LED DMX) can also be operated with a standard DMX-512 controller. Each is equipped with 2 DMX channels, one for controlling strobing and dimming, and the other for controlling rotation speed and direction. Additionally, the Starball LED DMX and Sunray LED DMX can be run in sound-active mode with 8 built-in programs.

Super-compact and lightweight, the Starball/Sunray LEDs are ideal for mobile applications. Each effect weighs just 4 lbs. and measures 8.25″L x 8.25″W x 7″H.

The MSRP of the Starball LED is $139.95. The MSRP of the Starball LED DMX is $209.95. The MSRP of the Sunray LED is $139.95. The MSRP of the Sunray LED DMX is $209.95.

American DJ Four-By-Four: Quad Gem DMX

If LED-powered moonflowers are electrifying the world DJ/club effects, then four LED moonflowers must produce quadruple the excitement. That was American DJ’s thinking when it developed the Quad Gem DMX, a four-lens effect packed with 224 high-output red, green, blue and white LEDs. Configured in groups of 56 per lens, the LEDs project four powerful moonflower effects from a single unit, covering a wide area of the club or dance floor with brilliant, razor-sharp beams.

The latest addition to American DJ’s ever-growing lineup of LED club effects, the new Quad Gem DMX is highly portable and DMX compatible. It was designed for DJs and clubs who want to take their light show a step further into the LED revolution.

“After the success of our other LED moonflowers and club effects, it was a natural to introduce the Quad Gem DMX, giving our customers the added benefits of more lighting in one unit, plus DMX connectivity,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “The moonflower has always been one of the most popular effects in club lighting, and creating a unit that has four LED moonflowers is a cost effective way for our customers to create a club full of spectacular lighting effects, while enjoying the terrific visual and user benefits that LEDs provide.”

The Quad Gem DMX uses a special advanced glass optical system to produce bright, sharp red, green, blue and white beams of light more spectacular than anything traditional halogen moonflowers could generate. Its LED beams will never fade and don’t require a fog machine to enhance their brilliance, making the unit ideal for weddings and other gigs where smoke cannot be used.

LEDs are also much more energy efficient than halogen lamps. The Quad Gem DMX has an output equivalent to four 250W halogen lamps (based on visual comparison), yet it consumes only 20W of power - for all four lenses! This reduces energy costs and enables users to connect more units to a single circuit.

Another advantage of the Quad Gem DMX’s LEDs is that they do not emit the high levels of heat associated with traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs, allowing the unit to be run consistently without duty cycles, and creating a much more comfortable environment in the club or on the dance floor. The cool running temperatures make post-show equipment breakdowns a breeze, enabling mobile DJ’s to pack up their gear quickly. In addition, the Quad Gem DMX’s LED’s are rated at 100,000 hours, virtually eliminating the need to replace lamps. Plus, with its rugged housing and no moving parts to break or wear down, it will perform like new, year after year.

The Quad Gem DMX features 12 built-in programs, fast to slow strobing, and 0-100% electronic dimming. It can be operated in three modes: sound active; DMX; or with American DJ’s UC3 optional universal controller (sold separately).

Additionally it can be linked in multiples master-slave to cover an even wider area. An optional hanging bracket kit, the Quad Array BR, is available (sold separately) to hold four Quad Gem DMX units, for a breathtaking synched light show!

Compact and portable, the Quad Gem DMX measures 18.75″ x 15.5″ x 4 and weighs just 11 lbs. It comes with a multi-voltage switch (120v or 230v), and a hanging bracket is also included, for “set-up and show” convenience.

The Quad Gem DMX has a suggested retail price of $349.99.

American DJ Mega Pixel LED Bar

American DJ’s new Mega Pixel LED creates a “chase scene” you won’t be able to take your eyes off - without any fast cars! An ultra-bright indoor chasing effect, the Mega Pixel LED is a long, thin color bar with 384 red, green and blue LEDs that produce eye-popping moving patterns and chases for a truly one-of-a-kind visual display.

Measuring a stretched-out 1-meter in length, the Mega Pixel LED is a great for adding drama, color and movement to a nightclub or band performance, as well as highlighting a display, retail area or trade show booth. The elongated effect has 128 red, 128 green and 128 blue 5mm LEDs, which are arranged in 24 color banks of 16 LEDs each. Along with this massive militia of LEDs, the Mega Pixel LED has strobe, chase and color-mixing effects that run at speeds from fast to slow, as well as 0-100% electronic dimming.

Using a DMX controller, operators can go a step further and blend their own custom colors via RGB color mixing. The Mega Pixel LED can be operated in a variety of DMX channel modes- 3, 4, 7, 10, 16, 24 or 28 channels — for different degrees of control. The 28-channel mode allows you to control each bank of red, green and blue LEDs independently, and create highly intricate, advanced chases and color mixes.

Even if you don’t want to use DMX, the Mega Pixel LED gives you the tools to produce mind-blowing chase patterns. It can be operated with American DJ’s easy-to-use UC3 remote controller (sold separately) which, at the flick of a switch, gives you command over strobe speed, chase speed, color mix speed, and blackout. As another alternative, the Mega Pixel LED can be run without a controller in Sound Active mode to 8 electrifying built-in chase programs.

Multiple Mega Pixel LED units can be linked together Master-Slave for a synchronized chasing light show. The fixture includes an AC outlet on the rear for daisy chaining electrical power.

“The Mega Pixel LED looks great by itself, and it’s an amazing sight when used in multiples,” said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “With multiple bars you can create a whole wall of chasing movement behind a band, for example, or you can place the bars end-to-end to span an exhibit or display like a marquee. However you use it, the Mega Pixel LED is a dramatic effect that will captivate and mesmerize viewers with its chasing colors and brightness of its LEDs.”

Although they can generate a spectrum of bright colors, the unit’s LED lamps are “all green” when it comes to eco-friendliness. Thanks to the low energy consumption of its LEDs, the Mega Pixel LED draws only 55W of power at full use, despite its brilliant output. The unit’s LEDs offer other benefits over conventional halogen bulbs as well, including long-life 100,000-hour operation, which eliminates the hassle and expense of lamp replacement, and low heat production for comfort and continuous, no-duty-cycle operation.

The Mega Pixel LED features multi-voltage operation: 100V-240V AC, 50Hz/60Hz - and comes with a convenient mounting bracket. It measures 38″L x 2.75″W x 5″H and weighs only 6 lbs. The MSRP of the Mega Pixel LED is $419.95.

Bright Lights, Small Money: Building a Basic Light Show

Suggestions for getting a light show up and running on a budgetIn the last ten years there have been major advancements in sound (lighter, more powerful speakers and amplifiers), source material for your sound and video (high-tech mixers, digital media players, DJ computer software and hardware systems); but for anyone interested in DJ lighting the excitement in that arena has equaled if not surpassed the audio/video buzz.

The first major advancement to occur, just before the turn of the century, was affordable DMX lighting, giving those of us without a Broadway show-sized lighting budget digital control of our fixtures; which meant a lot more creativity with a lot less expense in money and time. To put it more succinctly: We could do more than just put our lights on “spin and puke” mode. The second major advancement has come in only the last two years and has really exploded in the last six months: LED-based DJ lighting. As Toby Velazquez covers in the “ABC’s of LEDs for DJs,” (page __ ) there are many reasons to go LED, including reduced electrical demands and heat production, refined control, and much more.

Different Roads to Same Destination

Here, I’m going to show you a few possibilities for building a basic light show, while keeping the cost between $1000-$1500, and using “traditional” halogen style lights along with LEDs. I’ll also show the additional lighting that can be purchased if you stay with halogen lighting. This light show will be equivalent to what my company has used for the last 10 years at weddings and middle school dances. I’m not a lighting technician or even a major gear head, but this is based on practical experience with what has worked and what hasn’t. This level of a light show is perfect for the average mobile DJ to roll out easilyd and be able to set up in about 10 minutes. With these systems, the goal is not to overwhelm the crowd with a lighting array that would rival clubs, but simply to accent what the DJ does with the music and set the right mood for the audience. Once you make the leap into larger events such as college and high school dances, this kind of light show won’t cut it anymore; that’s when it’s time to make the move into trussing, yoke heads, etc.-in other words, more expense and more time for setup and teardown.

The pricing I have based this all on is the MAP (manufacturer’s advertised price) and we have chosen to research this based on the two largest manufacturers in the mobile DJ market, American DJ and Chauvet. I started with suggestions made by the manufacturers and then customized the lists to my tastes and to keep them within the parameters that I had set.

When choosing these lights to compare across the board we tried as much as possible to keep with similar lights from each manufacturer and from each type of technology. Each show was built around a base of par cans and a strobe with control by a non-DMX controller that allows you to run one power cable and one control cable for all the lights when mounted and placed together. We then went with a standard 4000 to 5000 cubic-feet-per-minute fogger, some basic effects lights, including wide-spreading fixtures like the Vue III or a the barrel-based Electra.

Tons more detail on the listed products and other similar models can be found in the lighting chart section of the Gear Book. Even more info, including links to the manufacturers for complete specs, and to dealers that carry the products, can be found at Mall.ProDJ.Com. The four exact packages shown here will also be listed at Mobile Beat’s online Gear Guide at Mall.ProDJ.Com. These are just suggestions-it’s important to rely on a full-line disc jockey equipment dealer to guide you toward the specific products that will work best for you.

School House Rock

How to rock the house, in high (school) styleOften in life, the most rewarding experiences come with the most work. It seems the more a person works; the more they are rewarded with pay, satisfaction, and piece of mind. As many businessmen will note, there is really is nothing more soul-satisfying than a job well done. In the DJ world, large school dances are the closest some of us get to being rock stars and playing in front of thousands-all the while living out our life-long dreams. The feeling of 3,000-plus people singing the song, swaying and dancing to the music, and thousands of watts of sound rippling through the room is, in my humble opinion, unmatched by any pharmaceutical or recreational drug available.

Professional Production Process
Disc jockeys have been filling up their off nights with school functions since the inception of the industry. Few, however, give the school market the respect and time that it deserves to make each event a success, particularly the large ones. There are some who really take the time to create the production values (sound/stage/video/lights), and there are some who treat these shows as a way to make a quick buck without all of the planning involved in a wedding or mitzvah. If you are wondering why your school client list and return bookings are lagging, its because your competition realized a long time ago that the days of simply showing up and playing at major school dances were over.
To start with, any entertainment company that does not have a solid relationship with all the sponsors (students, faculty and parents) probably will not last for long. Little things ARE big things in the school market just as in the wedding market. Confirmation calls, edited music, timeliness, and general courtesy will go a long way to building your reputation with a school.

Secondly, being prepared is key. For all of my major events, I request meetings at the venue with students, faculty and venue staff to go over our plans for the evening. It is also important (if not in person) to at least meet by phone with the photographer and designer for the evening, to try to anticipate any and all “bugs” that may arise during the event. It is also important that if there is an event theme, that you coordinate with each entity to stay true to the vision of your ultimate bosses-the students.
Once you have met with your students, faculty and staff, you have developed a relationship that reassures everyone involved that you are a professional and will do everything in your power to make the occasion a success. After all, that is the reason why you were hired.

In addition, viewing the venue also helps you determine the amount of production that is necessary for your event. It’s wise to ask your students what their vision of the production is-from “low key” to “high tech.” For those of you playing the home game, this is the perfect opportunity to up-sell your client (on production and interactive features, such as video and textlive) while they are at the venue and excited about the prospect of something new and exciting.

Thirdly, it is important to allow as much direct input as possible into the music that will be played. For all of my school events, I allow direct access to all students via the DJ Intelligence online system-allowing pre-event requests in a neat format. At my events, I then play the danceable requests, leaving off selections that will “tank” or be too vulgar. It is imperative to purchase and become familiar with any new music that has been requested. The students are counting on you to be their entertainment “tour guide” for the evening, and if you don’t know the way, the party can get lost rather quickly.

Next, you must call and confirm all of your plans and keep a lookout for anything that may have changed since your last conversation or meeting. Open communication will alleviate most of the pressure you may have put on yourself by confirming your role in the event. Talking with your sponsors a week or two before your event will also clear up any miscommunications that may have occurred since the first meeting.
Additionally, one or two weeks may be needed to kick start the process of getting paid from the schools. Different school districts have different processes and some may require a physical signature on not only an invoice, but an “independent contractor’s form.” Whatever the case, just make sure no one forgot about you.

Fully Equipped to Rock
When your clients expect professional services, they also expect professional equipment. All equipment that is used should be attractive-sonically and aesthetically. All speakers should be aimed, calibrated, and elevated if necessary, and should be properly amplified, not overdriven. A good concept to embrace is the idea that if it needs to be overdriven, then you need more. No matter how good they are, or what brand of speakers you’re using, a single pair will not do for a large group of people. Sound, in its finest form, embraces the philosophy of even distribution. Distribution entails careful planning and a slight fringe overlapping of signals designed to increase quality and decrease distortion and destruction of equipment. In other words, your system, at show volume, should be peaked at about 60% of its total capabilities to be able to handle the variance of signals.

Sound is the key technical aspect of a show. Without sound, there is no show-no reason for you to be there and get paid. As a result of this, your setup time should be dependent on getting your sound right first. From there, you can work on the window dressing of lights and the wow factor of video.

Lighting can make or break a show, but is not as system-critical as sound is, and should be viewed as an art form that compliments the science of sound. A basic light show may seem better for your budget, but a large, innovative light show will get you referrals.
The new norm in lights is, without question, DMX fixtures. If you’re not rocking DMX, you may be rocking the house, but you’re not rocking the future, as your light show will remain basic and become stale. With DMX, preset patterns and chases can be crafted before each “run” or “tour” of schools and changed for the next run, making your production seem more like a traveling rock show than a discount bin at your local DJ supply store.

Keeping It Real
Finally, and most importantly…your performance. Without question, this area is what every show depends on, and on which return business is based. It is important that you feel the energy of the room, amplify it and channel it back into your show. Have enthusiasm for what you do, but DO NOT be phony. There are few people in this world that can do what we do and be truly successful at it; if you’re faking it, it will be felt by the audience. Real professionals NEVER have off nights. The show must go on; the crowds of young people do not care about your personal life. They came to have a good time and escape their regular lives for a few hours.

Schools are a significant form of income and even professional enjoyment, but also a serious responsibility. You are providing a lasting impression for potential life-long fans of your work, who may potentially utilize your services at every future milestone event that necessitates them. Above all, you are providing memories that will last a lifetime and a reputation that will define you.

Beside being a youth event specialist and logistics manager for BC Productions in Des Moines, IA, Jake Feldman serves as coordinator for the print and online versions of the Mobile Beat/ProDJ.com gear guide.

American DJ Updates Pearl with LED

American DJ has “super-sized” the revolution in LED effects by introducing a pair of new high-output moonflowers with 3-watt LEDs — the largest and brightest LED lamps it has put in a moonflower fixture yet! The new DMX-controllable Pearl LED Color and Pearl LED WH, a multi-color and all-white moonflower respectively, each use only one 3-watt LED to produce a dazzling output equivalent to that of a 400-watt halogen lamp.

Great for DJs, clubs and bands, the Pearl LED WH sends out razor-sharp pinpoints of brilliant white light, while the Pearl LED Color produces a stunning multi-colored display of rich, saturated dichroic beams in red, yellow, blue, green, orange and purple. Their cutting-edge LED technology, combined with a special glass optical system, gives their beams an ultra-brightness and vibrancy that outshines halogen and looks great even without use of a fog machine.

Not only are the beams brighter and the colors more saturated, the Pearl LED Color and Pearl LED WH also offer users all the advantages of LED technology. They draw much less power than halogen moonflowers, making them more economical to operate and allowing more units to be run on a single circuit. Their long-life LEDs are rated to last for at least 100,000 hours, virtually eliminating the expense and hassle of lamp replacement. Since LED lamps also emit much less heat than halogen, these cool operators are able to run all night without shutting down for a duty cycle — while keeping dancers from feeling the heat under the bright lights.

Designed for versatile use, the Pearl LED Color and Pearl LEDWH can be operated in DMX, Sound Active and Master Slave modes. Both feature built-in programs for stand-alone use without a DMX controller, as well as a manual focusing lens. Both also have an extremely wide beam that covers a large area, so they’re up to the task of handling clubs and venues of all sizes.

Although huge in output, the Pearl LED Color and Pearl LED WH are very compact and lightweight in size, making them ideal for mobile entertainers. Featuring a high-tech plastic case, each weighs a mere 3 lbs. and measures 9″ x 11.5″ x 8″. Mobile DJs and bands will also be thankful for the fixtures’ cool running temperature - no more waiting for white-hot halogen lamps to cool down before packing them away.

Both fixtures come with a hanging bracket and include a ¼” input for an optional remote control (sold separately). The Pearl LED Color and Pearl LED WH each have a suggested retail price of $219.95.

In the Palm of Your Hand: LED-Fitted MiNTM Spot & Wash

CHAUVET’s latest offerings in the intelligent lighting scene are sure to cause enthusiastic applause from anyone who has had to hang or transport a moving head fixture.The new MiN yokes from CHAUVET are groundbreaking LED-fitted spot (!) and wash fixtures that fit in the palm of one hand and weigh less than 8.3lbs (3.8kgs).

MiN^TM Spot is in a league of its own, as a pioneering LED-fitted spot with 9 gobos plus open, a gobo spin wheel effect, and a beam angle of 13°. The MiN^TM Wash swaps the gobo wheel of the Spot for built-in color macros and a larger beam angle of 27° (Field angle 53°). MiNTM wash and MiNTM Spot feature a number of user-definable parameters, offering great flexibility. Movement range is adjustable, with stops for pan at 540, 360, and 180 degrees and for tilt at 270, 180, and 90 degrees. Pan and tilt can be inverted. In addition, the two yokes can be set to use all 13 available channels of DMX control, or limited to 5 channels if needed during shows with large quantities of fixtures. Each unit features RGB color mixing, variable electronic strobe and dimmer, and built-in movement macros in both master/slave and DMX modes, which fastens programming. Practical LED can be set to on, off, and auto settings, and the units can be reset to factory default from the fixture menu. Each yoke comes fitted with one 14-watt RGB LED rated to last 50,000 hours.

Thanks to low operating temperatures and a very slight power draw of 70W per unit, users gain more freedom from electrical limitations when designing their show. Switchable power, efficient fan cooling and built in automatic programs round out the undeniable allure of these pint-sized powerhouses.

Chauvet LX Series

The CHAUVET LX^TM series makes LED technology affordable for every budget, replacing the extremely popular Precision Series with new and improved versions that retain the most popular features of the previous units. These LED powered fixtures are remarkably inexpensive, create impressive effects, and are perfect for the mobile DJ or small nightclub looking to update their shows with the latest trends. The current models in the line-up are the LX5^TM and LX10^TM, which weigh less than 5 lbs. (2.3 kgs).The LX series are LED moonflower fixtures that operate in sound and automatic modes, and feature low power consumption, ultra-bright LEDs, and additional power outputs that allow users to daisy-chain fixtures and save on power cable runs. Both units feature a sleek case design like their predecessors, which now contain 57 LEDs in red, green, and blue, producing stunning combinations and beam effects in mid-air. Mid-air effects from these CHAUVET LED fixtures are more intense and dramatic than those created by halogen lamps, and will wow audiences when combined with fog/haze.

The LX5^TM is the projection fixture in the LX series, and sports a beam angle of 43°, providing excellent coverage from this small and lightweight unit. The mode of the fixture is adjusted via a two-position switch, and sound sensitivity can be adjusted by a knob, both located on the rear of the unit. The LX5^TM is perfect for adding dramatic effect to a particular area, highlighting and bringing energy to any area of a room.

The LX10^TM adds extra dimension and function to the LX5^TM by incorporating a scanning mirror that provides 180° of movement. The LED moonflower effect traverses across a large area, providing full room coverage, and a larger beam angle of 59°. Sound sensitivity and mode selection are located on the base of the unit, placing each adjustment within easy reach. Additionally, the LX10^TM features an integrated carrying handle that has been incorporated into the fixture’s construction to make toting them around that much easier.

The compliment to these two units, the J-Five^TM, will help dance floors come alive, featuring a dual rotating moonflower effect that bathes an expansive area in LED beams. Regardless of the model or models you choose for your show, the CHAUVET LX series will provide high-impact that is easy on your bottom-line

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