opinions on lights ???

Mysticm; $400 Cdn. is not really much to get a package of lights together unless of course you buy used pieces. I get some really good bargains on my used stuff.
Firstly you will need a controller. I would recommend the light co-pilot. controls up to 16 lights, don't cheap out and get just a power centre since you will want one very soon afterwards if you do. You'll be amazed at how much lighting you will eventually get once you start buying. Just buy a bit at a time, and look for deals on rentals or such.
Next I would start off with either 8 par cans which is your cheapest route, or go with maybe 4 Roto Pod 250's. Build up from there. You will want a centre piece effect. H2O is a nice light. Vertigo is another inexpensive effect. Myself I have spent around the $3000 mark on my stuff over the years.
Here's a list of what I have bought.
- 4 par cans
- 6 Roto Pods
- 1 Vertigo
- 1 Color Sphere
- 1 H2O
- 1 Color Wheel, and Mirror Ball
- 1 Mini Fogger
- 1 Laser Widow
- 3 48" Black Lights
- 1 Party Gobo Light
- 2 Flame Bowls
- 2 Saga's
- 1 Lotus
- 1 T-Bar Stand

Actually I just thought. I always get complimemts on my flame bowls. Very nice mood lights, not to mention lights up your area a bit so you can see what your doing. I think mood lighting is the way to start off rather than getting a couple pieces of razzle dazzle lights. Set a mood and then keep adding to it.
This way if you want to get just a power centre for controlling your lights which is the way I went first you can do that and spend more money on lights. You really need some sort of controller though. Hope this helps.

thanks a lot! I think maybe it's based on opinion what kind of lights people get, I can probably spend a little more on lights. What I need right away is just some regular 2 lights for dj show so I can set up a booth. Just 2 white lights to shine on my equipment and the booth. I will have to rent some lights for the moment until I can afford.

Maybe instead of having a sound active package and an intelligent lighting package, offer a small and large intelligent lighting package.

Small package: 1 mirror ball on a tripod stand

Medium package: 2 scanners and a mirror ball on a tripod using master/slave mode or a basic dmx controller.

Large package: 4 scanners and a mirror ball with some type of nice controller mounted on one of those I-beam truss system.

Instead of buying several smaller sound active lights that won't help you in your intel rig, just buy intelligent lighting, you won't regret it.

Step 1:
Purchase
2 scanners $500
1 mirror ball kit $50
1 AMDJ Crank 1 system $200
DMX Operator $100
Wal-Mart fogger $40

more than $400, but its a foundation to a nice show. Spend more on getting the crank lift truss system instead of the standard system, your back will thank you later.

Step 2:
2 more scanners (that MATCH your first 2 scanners) $500
1 cheap hazer $200

Step 3: Make your larger show larger -
2 color changers $300
1 barrel type DMX light $250

Then you are done. You now have 4 scanners lookin sweet on some I truss controlled by a DMX operator. Life is good.

I understand your guys opinion on lighting gear. I prefer lights that really move fast. I like the effects. I don't want centre pieces. I was looking at a few lights:

(All American DJ Lighting)
Razz Matazz
ColorPod
Epsilon

in future
MINI PATEND
Accu Spot 250 II
ACTIVE WAVE 250

I would have to get some stands and such and also which of those lights above would go good together? The only way to find out is rent them and see how they look together?

what I have chosen above, will it go good together, to set it up do I need racks and some strobes as well?

Do I just buy 3 lights or 6 (2 of each kind - I listed above)? How do I space them on the racks? Which racks do I need to buy? I need to know all these because I am an amateur and I need to learn. Anybody's opinion would be appreciated. thanks!!!

Dogg's system is the closest to the direction you want to go. Most people think of the flashy effects lighting as there basic need, and it is the farthest from the truth.

Wash lighting sets the ambiance for the effect lighting, and will work with everything. If you are DJ-ing a wedding, and it's a slow dance, having you scanners zing around the room isn't going to work. A wash of mixing colors (yes, white is a color and is always forgotten) and a simple effect (mirror ball or water effect) to add movement will set the tone.

Faster songs still require a wash or general lighting, while cycling through the effect(s) package. Don't overlaod your floor with moonflowers.

For wash lighting, par cans work well, and you should light light from the corners toward the center. The X's represent a Par, and the "A" represents the aiming point. This will enhance and set the shadow lines for the maximum return.

X------------------X



A

Also, get them as high as possible, aiming down to the floor to get the light to spread as much as possible.

Spindoctor knows whereof he speaks. Par Cans & Mirrorball first, bells & whistles later.

I'll second that.