You moving head guys......your input please

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
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Dec 9, 2009
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www.rickryan.com
I admit it. I'm sick of looking at the ultra-cool, ultra-smooth vids you phat-cat, moving heads guys are posting. I'm thinking of re-vamping my lighting setup. I'm currently running 2 crank stands that each have:

1 - colorstrip
1 - Revo 4
1 - Chauvet Vue 6
1 - Chauvet Vue 3
1 - Tri Phase

I still have a lot of clients that like the nightclub look-feel but this season I've been tapping some of the premo-rooms in town. I'm hearing clients who wants a more sleek, elegant look and that includes their dance lighting. Stuff like "I hate those colored dots". You know, subtle clues. (wink) Anyway, I'm thinking about ditching the t-bars and going to 2 moving heads, maybe chauvet 160 or 260 and 2 colorstrips, mounted to the front of my table. I know I'll end up with 6-foot truss sections with warmers but I'm thinking to start out with just setting the movers on each end of my table. Just rambling out loud here and hoped some of you guys who actually use movers might chime in on the pros/cons of it all. Thanks in advance. For reference, my current rig:
IMG_0313.jpg
 
The Q-Spot 260 LEDs are nice fixtures for the money, but if you're going to make the whole investment into moving heads and trussing and everything else, the Elation Platinum Spot 5Rs blow them away. The reason I suggest these for you is because I've seen pictures of the rooms you play at... some of them are huge, with high ceilings. Even the brightest LED fixtures may get lost in them.

In regards to placement, you really want to get moving heads above your audience. The problem you'll find with putting them on your table is that they'll be hitting you or your guests right in the face at any given moment unless you have them pointed straight up. Moving heads really look best when they're placed above the heads of your guests.
 
Thanks B I agree 100% we hang ours on Crank stands T Bars or by global trussing they are even better if you do like one of our school dance officinadoe does and run them from the center of the dancefloor to take full advantage of the capabilities a mover has in its arsenal.
 
I'm hoping my 260's and 160's come in the next few weeks I finally pulled the trigger on those and some other stuff so we'll see how those behave. Now here's a video of a small club in Mexico City. The DJ Booth is at approx. table top height and on the left side you'll be able to see a moving head. They're not getting the full potential out of it as it's too low and it crashes on the DJ booth and leave's a lot of the dance area uncovered, and as the DJ it would drive me nuts being hit by the light every couple of seconds. As mentioned before mount them high you'll be happier and your guests will not be blinded by the light :D:D:D:D:D

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Rick - Bob Carpenter (has posted many a vid log over on Sid's board); he uses the Elations and loves them....My only issue with them is the brightness....They are bright. In some video's they are literally blinding those on the dance floor. as well as those at tables.

That being said, I'd love to have a pair of moving heads....
 
So, of the guys here who either use or have used moving heads, would you consider this rig replacement a step forward or a step backwards?

You know, after looking at that video, I'm thinking to mount a pair of moving heads on a crank stand with a source four in the center with a rotating gobo. I'd obviously have to weld together a t-bar to hold it and use a heavy duty stand but that might be a killer combo.
 
B-Sharp said:
The Q-Spot 260 LEDs are nice fixtures for the money, but if you're going to make the whole investment into moving heads and trussing and everything else, the Elation Platinum Spot 5Rs blow them away. The reason I suggest these for you is because I've seen pictures of the rooms you play at... some of them are huge, with high ceilings. Even the brightest LED fixtures may get lost in them.
Click to expand...

DAYUM, $2000? Sounds like it's way brighter than the Q-spots but I've heard some other DJs who thought the q-spots were too bright for many of the rooms they play. I admit though, it would be entirely cool in the larger facilities.
 
for Weddings we usually use a Big crank Stand (Global brand) and A very big T Bar and two movers. Next Saturday they want uber club effect so we will havew four movers on a Goal Post Global Trussing unit Plus other FX lighting. ITs going to be a huge party.
 
I think moving heads are just overkill for your typical wedding. All we are trying to do is illuminate the dance floor. A simple scanner or two and a centerpiece lighting effect (along with wash) is all you need, imo. On occasion, I will bring my Vue III and point it on the ceiling directly over the dance floor.

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DJ Wes said:
I think moving heads are just overkill for your typical wedding. All we are trying to do is illuminate the dance floor. A simple scanner or two and a centerpiece lighting effect (along with wash) is all you need, imo. On occasion, I will bring my Vue III and point it on the ceiling directly over the dance floor
Click to expand...

I hear what you're saying and respect your opinion, Wes. Yesterday, I was talking with one of my fav planners. We have a large event coming up in October and I told her what I'd been thinking in terms of the source fours and pair of moving heads. When I described the grand entrance scene (I'd like to do) where we'd have the spotlights scanning the room then suddenly pop spotlight onto the B&G, then re-spotlight them on the dance floor, you should've seen her eyes light up. There's often a real difference over what's actually needed and what sells the sizzle.
 
Rick, you cannot go wrong with the Elations. That will make you a cut above the rest! They are not cheap but then again, do you consider yourself as part of the pack or leading the pack?
 
I can echo the sentiment brought up by Wes. Having scanners on the perimeter of the room is the most advantageous, in my opinion. A moving yoke pans 540 degrees, typically, and if you are not elevated above the center of the room, you are paying for a lot of movement that you cannot take advantage of....

Get scanners as high as you can on the perimeter of the room, and you can hit everything that is needed, and have speed that you cannot get from ANY moving head....

I hope this makes sense....
 
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