Lights, Lights, Lights...

I'm starting a new thread to display ONLY set ups from the audience point of view... In other words, No racks, No turntables... Only what your set up looks like from the front.

I've been all over the net and gathered pictures of setups. I will not mention who's they are, and will edit out the name of the company logo, so we all can have an opportunity to make comments.

One word of caution... these are our brothers/sisters, so make your comments realistic and kind... some of these are our members! By realizing what works and what doesn't, we can all learn from the positive constructive comments.

Additionally, if you see your set up here and don't want it posted with comments, let me know and I'll remove it... but the comments just may help you improve the look. Mine are in here too.

Starting with a simple and beautiful set up.

This one is edited to take the logo off the screens and I removed the DJ behind the booth.

A couple recent jobs
1.) Corporate Chriatmas Party
2.) Sweet 16

Ok, I'm not clear here... Can I post any setup or just my own.
Just good one or some bad as well (I have lots of them...mostly from my gigs:sqembarrassed:)

...was to not identify any ones equipment, but if it's your's, feel free to post away. I was hoping for some comments on what everyone liked and disliked about each picture... but nothing says that's necessary.

I was hoping for this to be an "interest" style of thread to get everyone talking and sharing ideas.

Michael... I already had one of your shots from another gig. I like your setup very much... and the two color palettes are perfect. Seems lots of folks are moving toward the lighted truss.

Note: I have several of Kevin's pictures and will post later. I didn't want to "swamp" the thread full of pictures right off the bat, but was hoping for comments on some of the pictures before I (or anyone) posted more pictures. There's no set rule here, except that comments be constructive.

Post #2 - The entire setup is clean, colorful and functional. I can't see a single thing I'd change. Speakers are properly positioned up high, with a sub in the middle for best low response. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give this a 9.5.

Post #3 - Again, very neat and clean with the addition of the cross truss. I like the placement of the lights and the speakers. No wires showing and the whole set up is neat and clean. Top speakers are tilted at about 45 degrees... perfect! Nothing I'd change here either and a score of 9.5.

Note: I don't know where I cam up the the "score" thing... it just popped out.

I think this is pretty cool if members here would like to post their set-ups and get feedback/comments from other members, but posting someones set-up without their permission or knowledge (non-members) is no better than some of the other threads that get started making fun of someone.

agreed Randy but like many other topics not discussed due to those reasons elsewhere we here at ODJT have been able to hash out even the toughest of issues known to DJs and have honest sharing discussions assisting the group which has shown positive growth for the whole. If this thread gets ill directed you know the staff will be right here to help direct the positive. Thanks.

My concern lies within two issues -- 1. Posting someone else's set up that is not a member here and 2. Posting a member's set up that may not want to hear what others have to say. Reason one being one that would set me off if the thread got ugly.

If a member would like some good, honest (maybe brutally honest) feedback from fellow dj brothers/sisters, then this would be the thread for that.

For the most part, I agree with you... but I was looking for another way to spark interest in lighting. I mentioned that comments had to be constructive and I was careful to edit out any reference to the displays owner.

Could there be some abuse of my intention? Sure, that's why I mentioned that I would remove anything the owner didn't want... but you have to remember, these pictures were posted in the Internet and assumably available to everyone.

If any of the mods notices inappropriate comments, they will take steps to control it. If this thread goes South, I'll pull it.

My quote from post #1:

"One word of caution... these are our brothers/sisters, so make your comments realistic and kind... some of these are our members! By realizing what works and what doesn't, we can all learn from the positive constructive comments."

[QUOTE=Tyrone Blue;128037
Michael... I already had one of your shots from another gig. I like your setup very much... and the two color palettes are perfect. Seems lots of folks are moving toward the lighted truss.

.[/QUOTE]

The panels are American DJ Mega Panels

I think this is a good idea... I see what Randy is saying, but we don't know who's pics they are and we should be looking at them, if I catch Tyrones ideas, with the eye of what we like and to get ideas of what we would do and share them.

This is not a thread meant to be tearing down, but point out good and bad...

okay...

Pic 1

Very colorful, pretty clean,,, I love the up-lighting in the truss....personally I think it is overkill for a wedding... It's a great set up for a corp party, or something like that, but maybe it's a Maui thing,,, seems just like too much for a wedding... In my eyes....

Pic 2&3

I like this mix of lighting ... Scanners, color palette, DMX I am guessing and the "spin-and puke" I've always thought that the scanners were over rated... I mean they do a lot, change colors, gobos, strobe,,, but after 4 hours, they are just 4 beams flying around the room.... nice to be able to mix it up... the pics are a little dark,,,, but the set up looks good ...

Here is my setup.....one pic lighted, and one not. Sorry for the blurry pics...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/ou812zx/DSCN3726.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/ou812zx/DSCN3717.jpg

OU812...

cool,,, I would have moved the tables from behind me on the side there... tightend up on the cords on the stands and tried to push them down between the wall and the potable stage so you couldn't see them....

I bet those VUE's looked killer on the ceiling!

OU812...

cool,,, I would have moved the tables from behind me on the side there... tightend up on the cords on the stands and tried to push them down between the wall and the potable stage so you couldn't see them....

I bet those VUE's looked killer on the ceiling!

I totally agree on all counts. Its easy to dissect the setup with some pics.....I did tape the cords to the stands, but not well enough. I also wanted to move those tables, but those suckers were heavy, and I didnt have any help prior to the show! They do detract from the setup, obviously however. THanks for the input!

This is one of the best... Clean, modern, expensive(did I say expensive?) and can create any mood. Just too much setup for me (single operator).

Post #16, I like it, 9.5 - 10 definately, the only small things I see at all that I would try to do is pull the spandex down even at the bottom of the vertical truss, and tighten up the wires to the speakers. Definately looks great.

Post 16..I give it a 10. His set up's are always clean and he also ran a Mackie set up before the L1's and it really looked sharp,

Personally, I love looking at other setups, expecially one's with lights displayed. Everything so far has been perfect examples of clean, neat and professional setups. You should all be proud to display these!

Notice all of these have verticle truss with wraps? I think you're going to see a lot more DJs doing that... in part by us showing the pictures and raving about how much we like them.

Personally, I love looking at other setups, expecially one's with lights displayed. Everything so far has been perfect examples of clean, neat and professional setups. You should all be proud to display these!

Notice all of these have verticle truss with wraps? I think you're going to see a lot more DJs doing that... in part by us showing the pictures and raving about how much we like them.

Yes, lots of good setups displayed here. The vertical trussing with the wraps first caught my eye with Kevin Nichols' extremely good execution of this type of setup. His photos made me want to try a similar setup.....I give him credit in terms of my inspiration for a clean setup.

This common respect and admiration is what makes this a great place! Thanks to everyone here!

Jeff

Im sorry Guys but thats likely why I wont be doing it. I will find something elegant but wont use the same wraps cause all of you are doing it.Im not a follower thats just me. To make it clear though all of them look extremely clean and yes the wraps look excellent but I will find another unique way for excellence.

Here's one of a buddy of mine.

Im sorry Guys but thats likely why I wont be doing it. I will find something elegant but wont use the same wraps cause all of you are doing it.Im not a follower thats just me. To make it clear though all of them look extremely clean and yes the wraps look excellent but I will find another unique way for excellence.

I wondered the same exact thing when I was thinking about it.....they look so darn good though!

I ended up figuring the people that would hire me are not any of you guys, so it was ok.....lol.

Kevin,
I assume your friends' setup shows those "dance boxes" right in front? I have always wanted to make one of those, with lights, and a fan blowing upwards towards the dancers (you know its going to be a very outgoing female 99% of the time)..

The only comments I have on his setup is that he could have just put a pole in between his subs and mains, that would look cleaner. I would consider painting his top trussing to match the rest of his setup (black). He might also put the moving heads towards the outer ends of the trussing or on the top of it, to minimize the lights shining on him, and blocking the crowds view of the dj/mc. Just my $.02....

Again, here is an example of truss wraps above (#22). Simple, elegant, and clean. A perfect example of a great wedding setup.

I'm going to be putting up a bad example of lighting...This whole thread is hopefully getting each one of us to look at out setups, and improve the look.

This isn't to say that you have to use truss wraps (as Jon said) but concentrate on balance, and clean up the look without wires and junk showing.

The example below is exactly what NOT to do. This DJ needs to clean up the entire "look" of his set up. Even beyond the wires hanging everywhere, there is junk showing "backstage" that needs to be put away or covered. The fixtures are not balanced on the truss, and theres no "symmetry" anywhere.

Starting with a simple and beautiful set up.

This one is edited to take the logo off the screens and I removed the DJ behind the booth.

That setup is simply amazing

Again, here is an example of truss wraps above (#22). Simple, elegant, and clean. A perfect example of a great wedding setup.

I'm going to be putting up a bad example of lighting...This whole thread is hopefully getting each one of us to look at out setups, and improve the look.

This isn't to say that you have to use truss wraps (as Jon said) but concentrate on balance, and clean up the look without wires and junk showing.

The example below is exactly what NOT to do. This DJ needs to clean up the entire "look" of his set up. Even beyond the wires hanging everywhere, there is junk showing "backstage" that needs to be put away or covered. The fixtures are not balanced on the truss, and theres no "symmetry" anywhere.

Disguise it as you will, it's still bashing.

Is this person a member here? If not, did you invite them here to 'learn'? If so, do you think this nurtures or promotes board participation?

Do you know, for a fact, if this was a final picture of what the customer saw?

This is what I'm entirely against on any board! If they aren't a member or haven't posted their own pic here for review, then who are we to judge their set-up? Who are we to say that they should do this or do that?

Sorry for the rant and I'm not necessarily directing it right at you Tyrone, but this crap is just that, crap! I'm curious how you can post this stuff and when another mod tried to do almos the same thing, he saw it like it was and had his thread pulled and then apologized to the group.

Again, if members here want to post and get critiqued, I have nothing to say about that. They know what they are getting into. But, we have no right to dig into someone else's business.

The net is a free place this is learing by example.

I think the difference here is that we (or I) are not commenting for the sake of bashing. The intent is different here. I intended this as examples to LEARN with pictures of the point I (or anyone) is trying to convey.

I could simply say "when you hang your fixtures, be sure to hide the wires with wraps so that you have a clean looking set up". The picture tells the story for me.

I think what you are used to hearing on other boards is something like "can you believe this idiot is doing his show this way?" This isn't the intent of this thread... and I'm sorry for the way you feel.

If others feel like, Randy, I'll close the thread. I was only trying to assist our members in improving what they do with pictures to illistrate some valid points.

Another staff member made this comment to me, and I whole heartedly agree: "It's common practice to show examples of correct and incorrect way of doing something ........its an accepted Teaching technique".

This is one of those times, much like someone not liking what is on TV and I say, then don't watch it.... If Randy feels that strongly about this thread, may I suggest that he doesn't have to look at it....

I turn the radio station when I hear a song I don't like.... I don't even click on a thread if I don't like the title.......

in this case I can totally see the value the individual is blanked out the business name is blanked out and there are no URLs etc available. The pictures here will be of those that were displayed on the world wide web as long as no one bashes but constructively takes note I see nothing but learning here.
Most of you know how adamant I am about not dissing non members, this wont be allowed to be a bash session you have my word.
In this case its an exhibit of gear freely shared on the net. It is a view that us as DJs need to discuss and find out different viewpoints as well as how to fix it. Possibly Tyrone you can clean up the wires as you did the DJ and the business banner so folks can see the difference.

The creative use of metal thing linking 2 t-stands is intresting.

Found a few.

http://www.jrosspartyproductions.com/images/pics/llightshow.jpg

http://soundnrgdj.com/lighting2.jpg

www.weddj.net/hobdancesound12.jpg

In keeping with my comments about not identifying anyone in these pictures, is the one just posted by OU812, one of you? If not, I'll remove the post and clean it up, then repost it. I think there are some learning examples in the picture... so I'd like to keep it here, but not with the guys picture in it.

Rather than posting too many pictures all at once, I was hoping for more comments on the ones we currently have.

This is one of those times, much like someone not liking what is on TV and I say, then don't watch it.... If Randy feels that strongly about this thread, may I suggest that he doesn't have to look at it....

I turn the radio station when I hear a song I don't like.... I don't even click on a thread if I don't like the title.......

Thank you for your advise. I shall take it.

good Chuck also folks make sure we dont show wide screen pics thanks.

this is my personal "full show"

I took yours out for the same reason. I'll fix it and put it below. Any pictures with identifying faces or logos, must be sent to me first so I can clean them up. Thanks.

Do you see a remarkable differance? The only thing I removed was wires.

Chuck, I'm jealous. Your's is beautiful! I wouldn't change a thing (except I'd have a gorgeous lady in it).

oh so you could rub her out Tyrone? Sick plain Sick LOL.

In keeping with my comments about not identifying anyone in these pictures, is the one just posted by OU812, one of you? If not, I'll remove the post and clean it up, then repost it. I think there are some learning examples in the picture... so I'd like to keep it here, but not with the guys picture in it.

Rather than posting too many pictures all at once, I was hoping for more comments on the ones we currently have.

No, that feller isnt me....sorry to put him on here.....and thanks for editing him out!

Jeff

Do you see a remarkable differance? The only thing I removed was wires.

And the gear on the floor on the right side of the pic and the stuff on the speaker on the right side of the pic.

It is amazing what a little thought into your look will acomplish. While I always wrap my wires as much as possible, I dont look anything as nice as some of these fancy ones I've seen here.

hi Randy!!!

I've come a long way, baby!

one more.....

Your response is exactly the reason I started this thread. Thanks for validating my thinking!

One of the reasons this board exists is to address this aspect of the industry.

Do you see a remarkable differance? The only thing I removed was wires.

Does look much better .

Post #32

[QUOTE=DJ Cam;128448]Found a few.

Lights and total setup looks great, and wow someone else lugs Mackie 1232s around.

Here is my setup.....one pic lighted, and one not. Sorry for the blurry pics...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/ou812zx/DSCN3726.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/ou812zx/DSCN3717.jpg




Ahh! I saw this set up on youtube. I remember someone was trainspotting your Samsung wide screen.

You should have your living room set up like this all the time. I know I would. :)

The truss colums are great, I will probably get those eventually as they look so much nicer then those cheapo I-beam truss stands.

Well.... I'm out of my league in this forum. That don't mean you folks can't have a good laugh all around at Wolfie's expense. :D

The rotating effect is an ADJ Sunray. The bright glow to my left is the Vue III. It was aimed at the ceiling out of the range of this photo. I have no pics of the Vue in action, sorry.

Thoughts?

...of your set up. If on the other hand, you want to upgrade, you are in the right forum to know what to get and how to make it look.

Fred, you could have a flashlight and as long as it's clean and you're happy with it, then it rocks!

x2 what Tyrone said.

Great Thread Tyrone...!!!

This is really a benefit to me.....in that I don't use lights. I would like to, at some point; but I know nothing about lighting. I have seen some great pics here. What would really help me ......is what is the type of each fixture shown, Name?

Is their somewhere where you can view these various and different lighting schemes, where the effects of the lights are shown, so you know what you are looking at?

If I do something with lighting it would be with a conservative setup, based on the audiences I work with.

Hopefully I'm not the only one who doesn't know an acrobat from a scanner?

BTW: an Acrobat is a scanner... with a barrel mirror. Anything you want to know, I'd be more than willing to help you out.

The best place to see light fixtures working on video, is to go to ANY of the sites, (American DJ, Chauvet, Martin) and click on "products"... then look for the video file. Almost all fixtures have a short video file attached.

Caution here... all of the videos are shot in a black room with smoke in the air, so thet the fixture display is as good as can be made, but in the real world, they don't always look that good.

When you're ready for lights, I'll help you.

Thank You Buddy...it can be overwhelming when you look and see all the choices out there?

I have more trouble knowing how you combine different lights, to get an effect, vs. learning how to program a DMX Controller, which you did a good job of explaining, last year at Mobilebeat.

We'll talk in Vegas.......

I found one more....Believe it or not, this is from December of 2005!! By the way, it's not me in the pic, it was my assistant, but it is my setup.

Kevin share the make and power of those bottoms and what you drove em with thanks.

OK since we are posting some old ones, this is about 2 years ago. When I first started buying lights. The picture is before final setup as you can see my clean shirt is hanging on the truss, and the back of my rack cabinet is open. That said I doubt I cleaned up the wires very much before starting, the lights are not balanced. I feel like I've come a long way since then in equipment and appearance, mostly due to being on chat resources here and elsewhere and seeing others doing it the right way.

Jon, the guy that owned them doesn't even know what brand they are. He brought them down from NY years back. They are dual 18s. I pushed them with a QSC 3002. They sounded real nice with the Mackies.

See how far you've come in just a few years? That's a remarkable difference! I have over 60 photos that I'm ready to post... is everyone finished with all of the comments on everything above?

Another reason I did this thread was that I just like looking at other setups... good or bad, I enjoy them.

One last one This was Christmas 2005. I think this was my first job with two Chauvet Par 38 sets with sound active controllers linked. I guess I didn't even try to clean up the wires.... :sqconfused: :sqembarrassed: :sqerr:

I was trying to educate members on what kind of setup is needed or wanted for others who have no idea. Seems like it has fizzled, and I'm going to unsticky the thread.

Here's a queston:

When I set up my lighting it will be on a T-Bar stand with the extra arms in the middle.... what location do folks typically put this type?

I'm thinking beside one of my speakers rather than behind me... so basically it'd be:

Speaker - Light Tree - DJ Booth/Table - Speaker

Thoughts?

This is pretty hard to just put a pic in here... we've got 3-4 different sized systems, depending on the client... so I'll see what I can do... may have to be a couple posts in a row...

Ok, one more set for you all....

:rofl:Holly Cow! DJ FACTORY!!!

Now seriously. On that bottom picture I can see 4 tops and 4 subs. Looks like EV top. What kind of subs? For how many people did you play? Thanks!

http://stevecie.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album42/Platinumsetup.jpg

http://stevecie.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album42/Club_Colonial_Woods.jpg

http://stevecie.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album42/DSC09297_640_Lakeside_Basic_Setup.jpg

http://stevecie.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album01-Steve-Cie-Show-Lighting/DSC00817E.jpg

Yep, the tops are EV SX-300's, the bottoms (subs) are a BFM concert design with JBL 2206H's inside. Those pics are mostly of the larger system, the upper right pic in the second post is of the smaller lighting package.

The package size depends on crowd size, room size, and what the B&G desire for their event.

I think that crowd was maybe 250 people... average sized event for us. Hope that answers it all....