Newbie in need of some lighting advice

[Shaun]

If I was starting up from scratch, the first lighting effect I would buy would be a 'Powerbar' type of fixture without any doubt whatsoever.

+1 This type of effect would be my first choice too.

I know of several DJs doing £500+ weddings using just one of these as their complete lightshow, and many others using a 'Powerbar' with a couple of LED fixtures to give a little more movement.

I often just use a powerbar. And my standard wedding light show is a powerbar and 2 LED moving heads for movement.

[Pe7e]

Are there any particular LED units you would you recommend to go with it? Would the second-hand pair of Mini Kintas that mattydj50 has make a decent set-up or even something like the Equinox Quadzilla?

On a practical note.... if I had something like that would I need a pair of them for symmetry or would I just position it behind the dj stand?

The Stairville units have 4 threaded mounting holes on the top surface where you can mount fixtures or attachments, Equinox have an even better arrangement, but are much more expensive. The most popular option with my clients, is a defraction laser mounted on one of the two centre holes, and a 1M LED UV lamp attached to the two end holes which then hangs over the front edge of the fixture. The system is very versatile and all manner of things can be done with a few simple brackets. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the Kintas so I'm unable to answer this part of your question.

In answer to your second question, these tri-led units are very bright and just one unit would suffice for the vast majority of jobs you are likely to get. You can have it on a tripod behind (or alongside) you, but a more elegant solution would be to utilise the mounting holes on top of the unit and mount it under the overhead lighting bar on your deckstand.

[Casual77]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

I’ve still got a learning curve to go through but I think I’ve got a better idea what my finished lighting set-up might look like now.

Based on the advice I’ve been given on here and from a couple of other people I’ve consulted this is what I’m going to work towards….


A Gorilla 4ft stand with lighting crossbar - £60

A pair of matching power/party bars by either Kam, Stairville, Chauvet or Equinox for either side of the DJ stand – I’ll probably look to go second hand on these and try to get both for £200-250

A matching pair of lights for either end of the Gorilla Stand such as the Chauvet Mini Kintas/ADJ Dekker/ADJ Aggressor or similar – £100-£200

A centrepiece light of some description – Possibly a Chauvet Swarm £100-200

A 4-Panel folding DJ Stand Screen - £80

A cheap haze machine such as the Stairville SH-150 - £65

A cheap DMX Controller such as a Chauvet Obey 6 - £50

Later down the line I might try to pick up a pair of second-hand moving heads for up to £200

I think I’ll look to spend my initial budget on the stand and power/party bars then buy the other lights etc on a one-a-month basis as and when I get some spare cash. That should ensure that I have a reasonable set-up by the time of the wedding in August.

How does that finished set-up sound? Is it likely to be suitable for the wedding and my house music parties? Is there anything I’ve missed that I should really think about including?

Again, I’d welcome any comments, suggestions or general advice.

[mattydj50]

I could be interested in buying the Mini Kintas and I see you are pretty local so I could maybe collect them in person. I can get a brand new pair for £125 delivered.... so what would you consider to be a decent offer?

If I went for a pair of Mini Kintas would I just need something like the ADJ Dotz bar to go inbetween them?

If you could get over to Doncaster on February 28th you can see both of them working together. That's the next time I'll have both out together.

[Casual77]

Yeah I may well take you up on that.

Are you doing an event that night? I'd be happy to help you set up in return for a few pointers on how to set up and run a night. Its looking increasingly likely that I will be doing my cousin's wedding in Cornwall in August so it would be good if I could watch and learn from someone experienced before I go down there and drop myself in at the deep end!

[Excalibur]

Right, here's my two pennorth.
If you could pick up a secondhand Ultimax stand ( and a curtain ) that would be more reliable than a gorilla and screens. Technically, the screens are more versatile, so that's open to debate.

Before buying two Powerbars of any type, just see one in action. My but they're bright. For 99.99% of events, one is quite enough.

Two moon flowers, scanners, or even moving heads would be good, but again, don't go overboard. Nine times out of ten, my lighting rig is my trusty Stairville Powerbar, and two moonflowers.

As to Swarm and the like, I'd say that's more of a luxury than a necessity. If you bought a secondhand cluster laser, and stuck it on top of the powerbar, in the middle, you'd have a roughly similar effect. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Swarm when I saw it, but I think its uses are a bit specialised. I reckon it would be perfect for teen parties ( including 18ths ), especially if you had a pair of them.

Ignore the hazer, because unless you buy a top end one, you're likely not to be able to use it in many venues. Also, you'd need more lights with beams to make best use of it.

A DMX controller won't be the most important thing on your list, either. If you get a pair of lights that will work from the handheld units like the CA8/UC3, you can do quite a bit with them. I run my Acme Cheetahs with one, and there's a pair of the lower powered Cougars on Ebay cased and with the controller.

And finally, the moving heads, well again, I'd class them as luxuries. If you were to get a Powerbar, two matching lights, and a cluster laser, you'd have a lightshow that could work anywhere.

Best of luck with the search, let us know how you get on.

[mattydj50]

Yes, its a wedding at the Holiday Inn at Warmsworth so you are more than welcome to pop along. I'm also going to Cornwall, but in July, so won't be able to return the favour!!

PM me if you fancy it and I'll let you have some details.

[Casual77]

Great, thanks. Just sent you a PM

[Casual77]

I'm sold on the idea of picking up a second-hand power bar unit now and narrowly missed out on an Equinox Mega Bar on ebay earlier but I could do with some further advice.

I've been looking at various different models and notice that some have either seven or just three tri LEDs such as the Kam Power Bar and Equinox Mega Bar where others have a high number of small red green & blue LEDs such as the Kam Partybar and ParBar. I gather that the ones with the tri LEDs are generally a lot brighter than the other kind but is that generally a good thing? Assuming I can pick up a pre-owned partybar for about £100 is it worth paying considerably more (say £150-£200) for a tri LED model? Assuming it is, would I be better going for a model with seven or three LEDs or would it not make much difference either way?

[Excalibur]

Tri LEDs all the way. No question. Do a search on here for ( Stairville ) powerbar. Here's one example. linky.

If a unit has seven 3w LEDs per can, it's brighter than one with three 3w LEDs. Many of the three LED fixtures are designed for small size, as the full size ones are quite big.

I've just checked, and the Stairville offering from Thomann is now £213.36 delivered! It's been somewhat overtaken by Equinox and the like, but it's still a fine unit.