Tyrone Blue
11-08-2007, 02:29 PM
I keep running into this question on all of the boards, so I thought I'd make a sticky to help out the new guys/gals.
First of all, the question should be asked: "What is your budget?" Assuming you're a new DJ with a limited budget, you need to keep in mind where the industry is going.
I think that you're going to see more and more LED fixtures in the coming years. The benefit of LEDs is that they are very bright and run low power and almost no heat. You can get a LOT more fixtures on one circuit.
With that thought in mind, I'd suggest getting as many LED fixtures as your budget will allow. Here's some of the newest stuff and why I like or dislike them:
LED par cans... 16 million colors from one fixture and they can run all night without any cycling. I prefer the 4 channel fixtures over the 7 channel fixtures for ease of operation (programming) and room on a controller for more available channels. You can get 48 four channel fixtures on one controller. This is my number one pick for every DJ on the planet. The down side: you must learn how to program DMX first (not that hard to do).
Color Palettes... these flat screen style of DMX fixtures are in a league of their own. I currently have 12 of them, and I'll always use them in every event. The current fixtures have 27 channels for full RGB color mixing of 8 segments on each fixture. I suggest running them in 6 channel mode for the beginner for ease of operation. As you progress in programming, you can up the channels on your fixture. These are VERY cool effects, but again, you must know DMX programming.
The new DMX Color Strips are very cool and are Brand New... Both ADJ and Chauvet have versions of this light. The performance is slightly different on each, but both have advantages over the other. This is a "high priority" item if you are only looking for one effect at a best bang for the buck fixture.
LED moonflowers... The Revo and Vue series lights are very nice. I'd personally stay away from the I's and II"s. Each manufacturer has the same "guts' in their fixtures, except ADJ has white LED's on the Revo III. While in use, you won't notice much difference, however. These can be run in DMX mode, but have the sound active mode as well (which I prefer).
LED scanners, moving heads and rollers... Currently, the light output on these fixtures is too low for my taste. I think you'll see wattage output of LEDs go up in the future, but right now, they aren't bright enough. I tested some LED scanners and wasn't that happy with them, and don't recommend them.
Standard par cans... These have been the mainstay of the industry since day one. I have over 50 cans and still use them at events. The only problem with them is the high wattage and heat with only one color. You are now able to control them with DMX dimmer pacs (You NEED to know programming first).
S&P's (spin and pukes)... Vertigo's and Avengers are the very first lights I ever had and still recommend them to new DJ's if you have less than $100 to spend. Many of the vendors can sell you a NEW fixture for under $50 so that puts two fixtures into everyone's budget for a very nice light output on any dance floor. Lots of light and coverage, with lots of movement.
Strobes... I consider this a MUST have for the dance floor. I have never done an event without strobes. Don't overuse a strobe or it will kill the effectiveness of the fixture. I have many DMX strobes, but I prefer my analog strobes used with a "Co-pilot".
Light controllers... The co-pilot is probably the fist thing you should buy as a new DJ. I still keep my eye on e-bay for used co-pilots. The original ones can be purchased for $40 or so, and if you know what you're doing, you can convert it to wireless. I still use lots of co-pilots.
Analog dimmer pacs... these control par cans. A full control system can run in the $500 range. I have three or four NSI controllers and they are build like tanks and run forever. They are EASY to operate and are recommended if you are not planning on going with DMX equipment.
DMX dimmer pacs... You MUST know how to program first in order to use these. You CAN control analog fixtures (If you know what you're doing) and they expand your abilities greatly.
Scanners and moving heads... If you're not using these, you're WAY behind the movement in the industry. Most of the higher end performers consider these to be "MUST HAVE" fixtures. You can get nice used fixtures in the $100 range on e-bay. Again, you MUST know DMX programming to used these effectively, but some fixtures will run in sound active if you don't know how to program.
So, considering everything above, I'd say that a starter system can be had for $500 if you shop smart. One co-pilot, two vertigo's, two par cans and a strobe. One or two moon flowers and a crank up "T" bar. This should be the bare minimum if you are considering lights.
First of all, the question should be asked: "What is your budget?" Assuming you're a new DJ with a limited budget, you need to keep in mind where the industry is going.
I think that you're going to see more and more LED fixtures in the coming years. The benefit of LEDs is that they are very bright and run low power and almost no heat. You can get a LOT more fixtures on one circuit.
With that thought in mind, I'd suggest getting as many LED fixtures as your budget will allow. Here's some of the newest stuff and why I like or dislike them:
LED par cans... 16 million colors from one fixture and they can run all night without any cycling. I prefer the 4 channel fixtures over the 7 channel fixtures for ease of operation (programming) and room on a controller for more available channels. You can get 48 four channel fixtures on one controller. This is my number one pick for every DJ on the planet. The down side: you must learn how to program DMX first (not that hard to do).
Color Palettes... these flat screen style of DMX fixtures are in a league of their own. I currently have 12 of them, and I'll always use them in every event. The current fixtures have 27 channels for full RGB color mixing of 8 segments on each fixture. I suggest running them in 6 channel mode for the beginner for ease of operation. As you progress in programming, you can up the channels on your fixture. These are VERY cool effects, but again, you must know DMX programming.
The new DMX Color Strips are very cool and are Brand New... Both ADJ and Chauvet have versions of this light. The performance is slightly different on each, but both have advantages over the other. This is a "high priority" item if you are only looking for one effect at a best bang for the buck fixture.
LED moonflowers... The Revo and Vue series lights are very nice. I'd personally stay away from the I's and II"s. Each manufacturer has the same "guts' in their fixtures, except ADJ has white LED's on the Revo III. While in use, you won't notice much difference, however. These can be run in DMX mode, but have the sound active mode as well (which I prefer).
LED scanners, moving heads and rollers... Currently, the light output on these fixtures is too low for my taste. I think you'll see wattage output of LEDs go up in the future, but right now, they aren't bright enough. I tested some LED scanners and wasn't that happy with them, and don't recommend them.
Standard par cans... These have been the mainstay of the industry since day one. I have over 50 cans and still use them at events. The only problem with them is the high wattage and heat with only one color. You are now able to control them with DMX dimmer pacs (You NEED to know programming first).
S&P's (spin and pukes)... Vertigo's and Avengers are the very first lights I ever had and still recommend them to new DJ's if you have less than $100 to spend. Many of the vendors can sell you a NEW fixture for under $50 so that puts two fixtures into everyone's budget for a very nice light output on any dance floor. Lots of light and coverage, with lots of movement.
Strobes... I consider this a MUST have for the dance floor. I have never done an event without strobes. Don't overuse a strobe or it will kill the effectiveness of the fixture. I have many DMX strobes, but I prefer my analog strobes used with a "Co-pilot".
Light controllers... The co-pilot is probably the fist thing you should buy as a new DJ. I still keep my eye on e-bay for used co-pilots. The original ones can be purchased for $40 or so, and if you know what you're doing, you can convert it to wireless. I still use lots of co-pilots.
Analog dimmer pacs... these control par cans. A full control system can run in the $500 range. I have three or four NSI controllers and they are build like tanks and run forever. They are EASY to operate and are recommended if you are not planning on going with DMX equipment.
DMX dimmer pacs... You MUST know how to program first in order to use these. You CAN control analog fixtures (If you know what you're doing) and they expand your abilities greatly.
Scanners and moving heads... If you're not using these, you're WAY behind the movement in the industry. Most of the higher end performers consider these to be "MUST HAVE" fixtures. You can get nice used fixtures in the $100 range on e-bay. Again, you MUST know DMX programming to used these effectively, but some fixtures will run in sound active if you don't know how to program.
So, considering everything above, I'd say that a starter system can be had for $500 if you shop smart. One co-pilot, two vertigo's, two par cans and a strobe. One or two moon flowers and a crank up "T" bar. This should be the bare minimum if you are considering lights.