Barrell or flat?

[OllieJames]

Hey :)

I've nearly got enough money to get the Impossibled & trussing, but after that i'd like to invest in some scanners.

I'd be looking to get 2 scanners, possibly 4.

If i got 2 scanners, i think that the barrell ones would be more effect, but if i got 4 i think the flat mirrored ones would look better.

My set-up would be an Impossibled and 2 magic gobos on 1.5m of trussing. So what would you do? Do you think it'd be worth just buying 2 (barrell?) scanners to start with, because then i'd have a nice, smallish light show, or go all out and buy 4 (flat mirror?) scanners so i'd have a fairly large show?

Thanks!

Ollie J

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Personally i prefer the barrel but you can't direct the beams so much as they tend to go in all directions. I think it would suit your setup best as well, as your other effects create an effect other the same area and the barrels should fill in the gaps. hope that made some kind of sense:confused:

[ppentertainments]

Personally i prefer the barrel but you can't direct the beams so much as they tend to go in all directions. I think it would suit your setup best as well, as your other effects create an effect other the same area and the barrels should fill in the gaps. hope that made some kind of sense:confused:

Agree, barrells do light up more of the room whereas with flat it is directed.

[JAMdisco]

I'd be tempted to go for 2 barrell's first, then when you've earned some cash from disco's maybe then go for the 'flat' scanners.

Have you considered the LED barrell's and scanners? If I get more scanners that's what I would go for mainly because I'm sick of changing bulbs and they get so hot!

[OllieJames]

Personally i prefer the barrel but you can't direct the beams so much as they tend to go in all directions. I think it would suit your setup best as well, as your other effects create an effect other the same area and the barrels should fill in the gaps. hope that made some kind of sense:confused:

Yeah, it made sense, and thanks for the comment! :D


I'd be tempted to go for 2 barrell's first, then when you've earned some cash from disco's maybe then go for the 'flat' scanners.

Have you considered the LED barrell's and scanners? If I get more scanners that's what I would go for mainly because I'm sick of changing bulbs and they get so hot!

Yeah i've looked at the LED ones, such as the REVOROLL by ADJ, however i still prefer the gobos on a scanner rather than the LEDs.

By the looks of it, the barrel scanners are the way to go so far!

How about getting 2 barrel scanners first, and then buy 2 'flat scanners' then link them all up?

Thanks :)

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

So you want a scanner or barrel and you want it LED.

Have you seen this:
http://www.djdepot.com/american-dj-xscan-led-scanner-p-1615.html

[OllieJames]

Yeah, i've seen that on the ADJ site, however $399 (£200 approx) is too pricey for me per scanner.

I was looking at the Acme Dynamo/Dynarock and they are ideal in price (£100 each)

[DJS]

For a fairly small gig last saturday, i used 1x ImpossibLED, and 2x Abstract Gladiator rev 250w on a gantry, and was impressed with the look and light spread from using minimal lighting.
I did have a Prolight colour changer shining on the back of the stage behind me too, but if i had used two scanners in place of the Gladiators, it would have looked a bit sparse.
With barrel scanners you will average 3-4 beams per light at any one time, as opposed to 1 with flat scanners. However if your after accuracy with light beams, use the flat scanners.

Scott.

[OllieJames]

For a fairly small gig last saturday, i used 1x ImpossibLED, and 2x Abstract Gladiator rev 250w on a gantry, and was impressed with the look and light spread from using minimal lighting.
I did have a Prolight colour changer shining on the back of the stage behind me too, but if i had used two scanners in place of the Gladiators, it would have looked a bit sparse.
With barrel scanners you will average 3-4 beams per light at any one time, as opposed to 1 with flat scanners. However if your after accuracy with light beams, use the flat scanners.

Scott.

Hey Scott,

Thanks for your comment!

So basically, a barrel scanner will cover more area than a flat scanner, however a flat scanner has a more accurate beam.

The lights i would use, (impossibled and 2 magic gobos) would cover alot of area anyway, so perhaps flat scanners are they way to go, as they would add something very different to the show (fast individual beams, rather than a 'group' of beams). :confused:

Ollie J

[DJS]

Hey Scott,
The lights i would use, (impossibled and 2 magic gobos) would cover alot of area anyway, so perhaps flat scanners are they way to go, as they would add something very different to the show (fast individual beams, rather than a 'group' of beams). :confused:

Ollie J

IMHO, if you were using DMX, and had the neccessity for accurately pointing single beams, and had more than two scanners then definately, but if your using two scanners along with an impossibLED, then i'd say use 2 good quality 250w barrel scanners linked together. The beams of light are still bright and defined and you get more per unit so it'll keep your show interesting, and they are still fairly quick.
I just think 2 flat scanners and an ImpossibLED would look a bit bare.

Scott.

[mark@pegasus]

Ollie if it's any help I currently use 2 flat & 2 barrell linked with a CA-8 controller set up flat, barrel, barrel, flat with the second scanner of each pair set up to do the opposite of the first and it does provide a nice looking show

[OllieJames]

Thanks for the replys guys!

I think that's what i'll do mark@pegasus. Buy 2 barrells to go with the impossibled & magic gobos, then purchase 2 flats and link all the scanners up!

[Dillmiester]

I think it would be the barrel as you get a bigger moving effect covering a bigger area.
I have two flat scanners and wish i had gone for barrels but they came up at the right price at the time.
In sound to light mode my flats spend too much time messing about in far corners of the room to really add anything on the floor. Until I can budget to get some barrels in im going to DMX program the flats to get them onto the dance floor where they should be.
Unless of course you need to be able to direct solid beams onto a single point in which case it would be the flats.
So far my research into barrel effects points me towards the Dynarock, im not sure about the LED version though as i havent seen a good enough side by side comparison to tell.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Let's not forget that a single beam scanner is a lot brighter generally than a barrel as the light isn't being split.

[Dillmiester]

Let's not forget that a single beam scanner is a lot brighter generally than a barrel as the light isn't being split.

Very true and it also depends on the light. I had a Geni Spinmaster III barrel effect that was very poor compared to a Dynarock which are at least twice as bright but both 250w

[Kernow]

I was in Maplins recently (a week ago), during a visit to my parents, and they have the SSA1 DMX Scanners on offer @ half-price £49.99. Although I wasn't tempted they did look quite impressive and would probably be great for someone just starting up their lightshow ?

[Dillmiester]

I was in Maplins recently (a week ago), during a visit to my parents, and they have the SSA1 DMX Scanners on offer @ half-price £49.99. Although I wasn't tempted they did look quite impressive and would probably be great for someone just starting up their lightshow ?

That would be an excellent price if they were 250w, still good though.

[djsteve10]

Barrel scanners are better for covering more areas of the room but scanners you can concentrate to one area as they are direct if you control them properly. May i ask why you are going to use trussing for the listed effects, these effects aren't heavy duty so 3D trussing wouldn't be needed have alook at 2D might save you a few ££££

[OllieJames]

Barrel scanners are better for covering more areas of the room but scanners you can concentrate to one area as they are direct if you control them properly. May i ask why you are going to use trussing for the listed effects, these effects aren't heavy duty so 3D trussing wouldn't be needed have alook at 2D might save you a few ££££

The trussing is 2d, you know, the typical 'ladder' style one?

Thanks for all your replies, i think i'll be buying 2 ACME Dynarocks.

[Dillmiester]

The trussing is 2d, you know, the typical 'ladder' style one?

Thanks for all your replies, i think i'll be buying 2 ACME Dynarocks.

Good choice.
The best deal i found was here
http://www.getinthemix.co.uk/2-Head-ACME-DynaRock-250Watt-Package.htm
Two for £196 with CA8 controller and free delivery, cant be bad...

[Sam]

Go for scanners.
They will give your rig a bit of a "main" feature to look at.. as long as you get ones with good enough optics.

Sounds like you have the dance floor covered so barrels effect will be lost.

Or another thing to do would be to get two scanners and two movers.
Having the scanners on the rig and the movers on a lower level (such as on speakers or flight cases) so that you get "two" levels of main feature light.

If that makes any sense.

[OllieJames]

Thanks for the reply Sam :)

I've been looking at movers, but they're out of my price range for my current age :P

When i have a job, or am earning some decent cash from discos, i'll purchase some!

I'm still unsure whether to go for 2 barrels or 2 scanners...

Just an update, one of my lights sold on ebay this morning, so i bought my new stand! I still have 2 more lights to sell, so that'll give me enough cash for the impossibled :D

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Go for scanners.
They will give your rig a bit of a "main" feature to look at.. as long as you get ones with good enough optics.

Sounds like you have the dance floor covered so barrels effect will be lost.

Or another thing to do would be to get two scanners and two movers.
Having the scanners on the rig and the movers on a lower level (such as on speakers or flight cases) so that you get "two" levels of main feature light.

If that makes any sense.


Personally i disagree i think the barrel effect would be better as it covers a larger area, is more of a focus point and provides more than a circle of pattern light on the floor.

But hey that's what these forums are for:) . Discussions:devil:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think Sam was saying that if you have your dance floor already covered then scanners are a better bet and I'd be inclined to agree with him on that.

[ppentertainments]

I think Sam was saying that if you have your dance floor already covered then scanners are a better bet and I'd be inclined to agree with him on that.

Would agree. If using an impossibled already the dance floor will be covered so would go for a scanner to shed some light around the room.

[OllieJames]

I think Sam was saying that if you have your dance floor already covered then scanners are a better bet and I'd be inclined to agree with him on that.

Yeah i see what you mean :)

Well, i'd have 3 lights that are capable of lighting up the floor & cieling, so i guess that's where scanners come in, as they would 'whizz' around the room, however, barrells would offer more beams.

:confused:

I guess that scanners would be more of a focus point than barrells though...

[Sam]

I think Sam was saying that if you have your dance floor already covered then scanners are a better bet and I'd be inclined to agree with him on that.

Exactly :o


Yeah i see what you mean :)

Well, i'd have 3 lights that are capable of lighting up the floor & cieling, so i guess that's where scanners come in, as they would 'whizz' around the room, however, barrells would offer more beams.

:confused:

I guess that scanners would be more of a focus point than barrells though...

Lots of "mini" beams are not great in some cases.. as it can make the effect look very crowded :)
Scanners are very good at giving you a "collum" of light.. which you can do all sorts with.. and gives a very cool visual effect - especially when used with different colours / gobos that co-ordinate with what the other units are doing (if possiable)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Barrels are very hard to position and you'd have a bit of a mish mash of lighting on the floor if you were using one along side a moonflower or Impossibled.

Scanners will afford you movement around the room and floor and are lightly easier to position.

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Would agree. If using an impossibled already the dance floor will be covered so would go for a scanner to shed some light around the room.

:confused: But scanners place one dot in a room while barrel effects would create many and spread them over a bigger part of the room than a scanner:confused:



I guess that scanners would be more of a focus point than barrells though...

Really?

Flat mirrors move up and down but barrel effects spin which is more interesting to watch IMO.

[Sam]

:confused: But scanners place one dot in a room while barrel effects would create many and spread them over a bigger part of the room than a scanner:confused:
.
And what happens when the light is spread?
The intesity is reduced :rolleyes:



Really?

Flat mirrors move up and down but barrel effects spin which is more interesting to watch IMO.


Yes because you actually see a clear (and large) beam.
A barrel could just be any other moon flower.. just a bit madder!

[OllieJames]

Barrels are very hard to position and you'd have a bit of a mish mash of lighting on the floor if you were using one along side a moonflower or Impossibled.

Scanners will afford you movement around the room and floor and are lightly easier to position.

Yeah, true!

I think scanners may be the way forward then. I've never actually had what i'd call 'proper' scanners. I've had an XTC & a spinmaster 1, so they're very much different than flat scanners, hence why i ask so many questions!

:thanks:

[Dillmiester]

Yeah, true!

I think scanners may be the way forward then. I've never actually had what i'd call 'proper' scanners. I've had an XTC & a spinmaster 1, so they're very much different than flat scanners, hence why i ask so many questions!

:thanks:

Judging by your posts I think you would be better off getting down to a DJ shop and seeing them side by side and deciding which you would prefer for your set up...

[OllieJames]

Judging by your posts I think you would be better off getting down to a DJ shop and seeing them side by side and deciding which you would prefer for your set up...

Will do, thanks!