How many not using lights or cutting back?

How many DJ's are not using lights, have never used lighting or are cutting back?

I find that in my market most of the poeple really don't care. Should I take them or leave them home.

I dropped into a co-workers (day job) wedding in October after I finished early at the wedding I was at and she had hired an old friend to DJ her wedding. (He drove in from 3 hours away.) The wedding was at a hall that I usually play with minimum lighting. He had so much lighting you thought you were at a night club. It was hard on the eyes and I thought it was over done, from a DJ's point of view.

Abbey.....every market is different!

For example, I've got pretty sophisticated lighting (all Intels & DMX) but most DJs in my area don't have much more than mirror balls, strobes, and par cans.

I've streamlined my lites down to 6 pieces, no truss required. All elevated behind me, with 2 folding tables! I cover everything with 2 tablecloths.

Most of the time, I leave 'em at home, but nearly all Xmas & corporate events I've been using the lighting because (1) its EZ to set up, all plug & play with a handful of DMX cables, (2) it enhances the events making my overall presence more than 1% better.

Optional charge. In this region, customers don't seem to care enough about them if they have to pay. Last light set up was May, 2007.

I don't have a lot of lighting, mostly because I haven't had the proper opportunity to learn how to use them effectively. Well that and money/gigs has been pretty scarce lately

I've tried looking over DMX protocols but its all greek to me.. What I'm hoping is that i'll be able to find someone nearby who won't mind showing me how its all set up etc.

Teen Events which i usually charge less for I include them as a given. Makes my show better!

Weddings, Extra fee.

I sold the lights two years ago and haven't looked back. I have plenty of folks that can come in and do a light show if needed so why should I clutter up office with lights I don't use.

I continue to bring my one Martin Acrobat to each gig it takes care of most any event. With a shortage in set up time I have relied solely on one to handle a 300+ Middle School Dance in a pinch.

I like the Martin, are there any other single fixture alternative to that light?

Like Jon I only use an Acrobat if requested and occasionally a mirror ball. I would like to use a couple of the led lights but I'm not in a rush. I don't see to many people around her paying for them either.

We've never been big on lighting effects. Haven't had much call for them over the years. I used a small mirror ball and pinspot in the old days which went over well. Even then, some brides didn't want it.

The two effects we have ~ a Sunray and Vue III have done well for us. I had considered a gobo or pair of gobos at one time because I appreciate the effect of putting the B&G's "name in lights" as it were. If the wedding market ever picks up around here I may reconsider.

I'm at a debate right now.

I have never not provided lighting for a wedding.

Currently Free with any wedding is 2 Raptors and a Martin EFX 600.
I offer a upgrade to a package that adds 4 scanners and a second EFX600 on a truss that is DMX but minimally programed at this time.

I am making 2 available free packages for 2009. Both will be DMX.

I also plan to revamp my premium lighting package and offering one superior package for 2009.

got lots of "spin and pucks" i've collected over the years...just jumped into the DMX thing with twin vue IIIs, 6 LED pars and my 3 absolut reflective canisters(love these goofy things)...i'm thinking that's it for me...lights are such a pain...of course, as most of you know, no one want to pay extra for lighting...i did take on a small bar, in hopes of revitalizing their karaoke night...i plan on using the vues when i break for "dance time"...will wait and see the overall effect they have before buying anything else..

I'm definitely adopting a 'wait & see' mode:

1) Economy sucks and vendors will deal

2) DJs & bands close up shop.....selling their gear

for these two reasons, I'm going to sit back and wait for the bargains to fall into my lap.

This is one time where you can be patient......wait for GWB's tax refund.....hehehe

I dont use lights and i dont even have lights.If i need them for some company event or car show i call a friend which work only with lights and hes a pro.So, i dont have a need to buy some.

I don't currently use lights....but that does not mean that they wouldn't be a nice addition to my shows.

I definitely agree that overkill will detract from your performance. I have no idea what a simple set-up will entail, other than what some customers/clients have said would be "classy". Comments like ......No "flashing lights", just subtle mood enhancing lighting, would be preferred.

Do you think lights become a crutch for some people?

In the George Strait movie they skirted that issue didnt they?

Why yes they did Jon.

Do you think lights become a crutch for some people?
In many cases, it's because what the Smiths or the Jonses do. Without any forethought or financial analysis, the light show syndrome is no different to some in their show concept and priority to having music.

If a profit can be made by having them, wahoo. If it's because you're not a DJ without them, boohoo.

Lights add another dimension to a performance. I try to touch all of the senses. Sight, sound, smell, touch... and I gotta figure out how to slip taste in there.

Of course, there is sound for a DJ. Smell can be affected by a scent in your fog machine. Touch could be the bass thump of your subs, and of course lights for sight. The most powerful is sound and light.

I am really moved by great lights... that's why I'm such an advocate for them. Most of the time, the lights are for me!

We probably bring in way more than the average DJ in this area, but our clients want us to bring everything..including the kitchen sink as far as lighting goes.

We don't have a fancy or elaborate set-up and are slowly moving towards the DMX world.

Here's an example of what we normally bring.....sometimes the mirror ball gets used, but this venue had their own.

I trimmed my whole lighting set up down extensively and I'm enjoying the ease of what I currently use. But, I'm also working on a complete rebuild of a trussing system that I will offer to those that want to pay for it and for my proms.

Do you think lights become a crutch for some people?

Yes, I think that lights have become a crutch for some people.

Kirby..... 6 speakers? :sqeek:

Kirby..... 6 speakers? :sqeek:

That's alot of mains. Do you experience cancelation issues?

We probably bring in way more than the average DJ in this area, but our clients want us to bring everything..including the kitchen sink as far as lighting goes.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love the sink!!!

That's alot of mains. Do you experience cancelation issues?

Not really....Since it's kind of a "Frankenstein" set-up and each set of speakers have their own characteristics, I've tweaked 'em enough to get some pretty decent sound out of them. Nowhere near as good as what most of you guys run here, but much better than most of my local competition.

I have to deal with what I have, until I figure out my next move..speaker-wise. I'm really liking those old EVs that I bought used and am considering this brand when I go for the next level....Unless Tyrone wants to send me some of his "extra" JBLs...:sqrolleyes::sqwink:

Kirby..... 6 speakers? :sqeek:

Papa, if I could add some more.....I would!:rofl::rofl:

I've got my back-up right there with me, just in case. :sqwink:

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love the sink!!!

Thanks Tyrone! :)

There's a lot on that truss that will be going away in the future to be replaced with better replacements.....Time and money...time and money, that's all it takes.:sqwink:

Dear Mrs. Ball. I like Kirby, but I have to tell you that some of us have been talking about his set up. Please allow him to get some more "good stuff" so that he can put his DMX training to use, and get rid of that stupid looking sink in his truss. And, I'll be buying you some roses in the very near future. Thank you! Tyrone. :sqrolleyes:

It depends on the area of the country you are in. In our area you must have an Intell Light Show (and video screens) to book weddings. If you don't you will lose out on a lot of work.

Here's a couple of pix of our typical wedding set-ups:

http://www.ambassdj.com/images/krypton_pro400_lighting.gif

http://www.ambassdj.com/images/sound_light_plasma.gif

http://www.ambassdj.com/images/ledpar64.gif

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love the sink!!!


OH Geez Tyrone....I just realized what you did! That's funny! :)

Kirby you have a good looking and clean setup, but why use conventional pars along with LED pars?