newbie needs some lights...

hey welcome to the forums! well did u want moving heads? or scanners? what type of lights did u used to rent that u know u liked? did u want strobing? dimmer? lots of colors and gobo's? for a nice set up i recomend 4 scanners either accu scans 250 or possibly scan tron 250. and maybe like 1 or two led pars for washing the floor and a mirror ball. but to add even more to it add a spectrum led. check it out here. SPECTRUM LED! also are u planning on programing these lights or running them s.a. (sound active) let me know more of what your needs/wants are and i think i can name a nice package for ya. p.s. if i don't respond for a couple days and nobody gets back to ya don't fret i will be out of town for the next 3 days but will be checking back here when i can/when i get back. peace! welcome. sincerely jingles!

ok..wow...lots of info...

basically...the lights we'd rent were old intelligant non-moving lights, not even sure what brand?

I think I want moving heads, but what's the difference in moving heads and scanners?

I do like lots of colors

I suppose dimmer's just control the light intensity?

A little strobing would be cool

That Spectrum Led is kind of cool, cheap enough that I can always add it on.

I would actually like to have set programs for them as well as sound activated, is that possible? Did i just bump the cost up alot?

Basically, whatever I buy needs to be able to last the duration of a gig, no cool down period, and be reliable.

My last question, is American DJ the light company or did they just put their name on the lights?

Thanks for all your help!!!!

kidboy

hey kidboy. well there are major differences between moving heads and scanners. here is a link to a topic in a other forum i moderate for lighting. LINK TO OTHER FORUM TOPICi think you will find scanners a lil more suitable for ur company. realy just depends on what u need as far as coverage wise for ur floors. meaning what do u want to light up?
and as far as adj goes i don't believe they just stamp their name on somebody elses product. i mean they do work on em in cali if they need repairs and such so i think it is al theirs. and if u want set programs and and run the lights sound active u will need a dmx controller. which wil run up ur cost depending on what controller u want/need. and most gear these days will run the duraion of a gig. do u need me to recommend a package for ya? also do u have any russing or light stands already? let me know! peace! jingles!!

waitin for ur response kidboy. let me know! peace! jingles!!

jingles,
Thanks for reply's.


With what I just learned I think cost will dictate if I go with scanner's or moving heads. I will need a controller, a basic one as well as a truss. The type of truss I want is the crank system, and it needs to go at least 11 feet high and 11 feet wide so my 10x10foot screen can be inside of it if desired. Do they make them that big?

So if you can recommend packages that would be great...obliviously, I want something that is durable, has no duty period and looks great... Let me kmow when you can, and thanks for all your help!!!!

kidboy

ok kidboy! here is what i recommend for your set up:
ADJ DURA TRUSS SYS. but your gonna need an extra 5 ft. extension to hold ur screen. but your gonna have to contact a dealer to purchase that extension.
for lighting systems i recommend one of these:
ACCU SCAN 250 SYSor
ACCU SPOT 300 SYS. it is a moving head system and will be more expensive but these lights are awesome. let me know if u think these lights will work for ya.
now controllers. i recommend these 3 but i think 2 out of 3 are more within ur budget and are more user friendly.
1) DMX OPERATOR 192
2) MAGIC 260
3) a little far fetched and needs a laptop to run with ur current set up but you would be able to synch up ur light shows with ur video with the fullest version avail. and this controller is COMPUWARE FROM ELATION now remember the rices you see are suggested retail u will pay less than these if u purchase them at a store. if u need anything else let me know. peace! oh and p.s. the controllers that will come with the lighting systms u buy i don't use cuse it is just more fint to program them ur self. but they are handy as a quick fix and/or backup! jingles out! let me knowwhat u think about all this!

ok..that looks pretty awesome...however the only thing is it's above our budget. Really trying to get some decent lights and stay in the ballpark of $1500. Is that doable?? Am I crazy? Let me know what we can work out in that price range. Thanks for all your help. This shit confuses me.

And what's your thoughts of American DJ compared to Chauvet Lights? Any preference and why? Thanks again!

kidboy

you want a total package for a total amount of 1500??? or just a lighting package? for just lights that may be doable but really limiting for feature wise lights. let me kno wur budget for each equipment.
lights: ?
truss: ?
controller: ?
also if i had to pick adj hands down! why they have been doing it longer and i like to think the older the wiser right? i am programming for a band using chauvet stuff and it is not bad but i really don't recomend chauvet unless u buy the high end moving heads or scanners or led equip. and that is all i will say about that. so for me i use and recommend adj / elation gear all the way. and just so u know i have no affilation with adj or elation i just simply like their gear. peace! jingles. get back to me and i will do some more looking around.

No...I want to do the lights for $1500, the other stuff will cost more, I know..and that's ok. Let me know what you think.

Just looking at ADJ and Chauvet...the ADJ stuff looks appearance wise cheaper...which has me concerned.

ok kidboy here is one package that is 1599 but that is list price so u might be able o find it for about 1200 or cheaper. look at the DELUXE SCAN 250 or the DJ SCAN HP BUT the dj can hp does not strobe at all. you will only be able to do blackouts.
also check out the DYNASTY SCAN SYSTEM
and last but not least check out the SCAN TRON SYSTEM so there u have many options now and all within ur budget. so there are my two watts on the subject. hola back. peace! jingles!!

ok..thoughs are all within my budget...is there one you recomend over the other? And if so...why, since I'm new I don't know what I should be looking for.

I assume all don't need a duty period?

Thanks!!!

click on the links and read up about em. and look at the user manuals especially the dmx traits charts. your gonna have to learn! lol! i can give u more input after i get off work latr tonight. peace! jingles!

hey also 2 more things. one i like the deluxe scans those are cool. have lots of colors and u can split the colors aswell and i was once considering buying the scan trons but i went with the performance scan which is like the deluxe scan just a few more features. also any scanner or moving head these days does not and should not have a duty cycle! the only thing that might have a duty cycle is the actual dj non moving lights and those these days ae now coming with no duty cycle as a feature due to nice fans and awesome lamps in em. so don't worry bout duty cycles they will be a thing of the past! peace! jingles.

it looks like the DJ Deluxe scan does a little more thean the 250 HP system. In your opinion is the Deluxe built better, last longer, then the better way to go? And how does it compare to the Intimidator 2.0 by Chauvet? (http://www.planetdj.com/i--DMX616)

And have you checked out the Chauvet Intimidator Spot, 7 Channel DMX512 Moving Yoke? (http://www.planetdj.com/i--DMX680) I'm thinking about picking up 2 of them and 2 either American DJ Scan Deluxe or 2 Intimidator 2.0

I guess I would also need a DMX Operator? or is the DMX-solo enough? Can I program it?

Thanks again for your help!!

yeah i think that would look cool two of each. 2 adj deluxe scans and the two chauve heads. nice pair. about the controllers u really wouldn't be able to program much on h solo BUT if u get a dmx operator and keep the solo u can load ur chases or programs or what ever u program on the operator into the solo and use that at ur gigs instead of lugging around ur operator. cool huh? deluxe scans are built nicely and will ef. last. the chauver i dunno cause i have never used it nor have i used a deluxe scan but they are exactly the same as performance scan just a few different features. let me know if you need any more info i have been/am glad to help! peace! jingles!

Ok...here are a few specific packages I put together:

2) Chauvet Intimidator Spot, 7 Channel DMX 512 Moving Yoke

2) Cahuvet Intimidator 2.0 DMX Scanner

American DJ Duratruss Sys

Chauvet DMX40 controller, (is this programable)

I can get all of that for like $1800

or I can buy a Cahuvet 4 pack DMX Intelligent Light package for 1324.99

any preference?

sounds good but are u sure you don't an ANY ADJ lighs?? chauve has been known to break down and i know nothing of their product support. but i know adj u just pay shipping to l.a. if they need work and they pay shipping back. the dmc 40 is just like the operator. so yes u will be able to program it. i would go with the one for $1,800. souns like ur ready to buy. u know what u want and how much it is gonna cost ya. but if u get the chauvet controller i cannot help u as i don't know it. peace! jingles!

actually...i think i'm going to go with the AD Deluxe Scan 250. I'm not sure yet...and that would replace the Chauvet Intimidator.

I'm assuming you can mix and match??

Any suggestions on controler's? And any suggestions on road cases that would fit the AD Deluxe scan, and the Spots?

oh yeah u can mix and match. as long as he light use dmx. ok cases for ur lights:
for he deluxe scan ur gonna need arriba cases. they are bags but just as protective as hard cases. for the deluxe scan look at the ARRIBA AC-140 for the head you might be able to use the ARRIBA AC 165 not too sue though. look around ARRIBA CASES.COM and try to find what you are gonna use. as always peace. jingls!

great..thanks...i'm going for it..thanks for all your help!!!

no problem at all. im always here if ya need help. peace! have fun enjoy ur lights and post pics when ya can! sincerely jingles out!