LED uplighting!

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Hi Guys, been playing with my disco lighting set up and got to stage im quite happy with. Ive seen some uplighting effects in photos recently which i quite like and thinking about maybe setting some blue uplighting against the wall behind my rig.

Just wondering what equipment people use for this effect? I belive par cans are the way to go but just seen the following link and it looks pretty nice

http://www.djstore.com/item/lighting_led/adjmegabar.htm

Neil

www.deckstardeluxe.co.uk has some photos of my set up, the videos will properly give you a better idea of my current set up.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The bar will give a slightly different effect to the cans (spread the light about a bit more). I was toying with the very same idea as yourself before christmas and went with the cans on the assumption that you can purchase more and build up a nice little uplighting business as the cans will fit in corners and the bars wont. Thats what it came down to with me :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

which par cans did you use? Im abit worried though about people kicking them and having so many leads but i'll have that with the led bar i linked too as well :(

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have the LEDJ Colourbursts. They are small units, pretty light and give off a really bright light for their size. I have 8 of them and you can get them for around £35.00 each (look about as some charge £45.00 each and some will give discount on multiple purchases).

One thing that I noticed yesterday when I was looking around the 'net was that someone mentioned you could use a CA-8 Controller with them. I have one of these as I got it free when I bought the Acme Dynamos but I don't understand how you could use it with them as there is no input for the controller on the back of the unit. It only has DMX IN/OUT and the Pins?? I also noticed that some companies are doing a package where you can buy 4 of the units, DMX leads, T-Bar and a DMX controller? I know absolutely sod all about DMXing (Apart from linking and that's that but I will learn at some point), so could someone explain to me how this is possible if there isn't an input?

Do the DMX leads link togeather with the Master going into a desk? Or does each individual unit go into a desk? More importantly (in my case), how can the CA-8 work as it has a 1/4 jack on the end and nowhere (ooer) to stick it?

Is someone on the 'net telling 'porkies'?

[JAMdisco]

One thing that I noticed yesterday when I was looking around the 'net was that someone mentioned you could use a CA-8 Controller with them.

I think someone is telling you porkies mate. Unless you're a whizz with electronics and can somehow rig up an XLR connection, but even then I'm not sure what would be achievable apart from blackout? :confused:

[edit] I use LED PAR 56's (x4) and use a simple DMX controller (basically changes the colours and brightness) - here's the link:-

http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_ddc6_dmx_controller.htm

[DeckstarDeluxe]

i would of thought if theres no input for a ca8 controller on a light that even if you did manage to wire it in some how it would not understand the commands from the ca8? Only way i can think you use a ca 8 is if you plug it into a unit that outputs a dmx cable and then you link all the lights using the dmx out?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Exactly, that's what I thought!
So...how would you use this?
http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=3012

They are the same pars as mine. Do the DMX cables go straight from the unit to the desk?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

This package consists of: 4 x LED DJ PAR36 4-Channel DMX Lights 1 x DMX Master Controller 1 x Proffessional Lighting T-Bar 4 x DMX Cables


Im guessing the desk has four outputs which go into each light rather than on a series link which naturally wouldnt give you the ability to change individual lights? but has nothing to do with a ca 8 controller

[Jiggles]

Daisy chain them then assign the DMX values to each unit then run it that way.

[DJ INDIE]

the controller looks pretty similar to mine

in a nutshell you link one cable from the controller desk, into the first can, then link the first can to the second then second to third.

there is only ever one cable that goes into the desk.

the desk recognises the lights by their address (dipswitch settings)


theres a similar thread in the tech form here that might be helpful:

http://mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=17155

hope this helps.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Yes, that does help, thanks. So, if you are doing (for example) band lighting at a gig...you would have the desk next to you and one long lead coming from the first unit or if you have 2 sets of 4 lights either side of the stage, one from each?

Also, if you are doing uplighting and want to control the units then it's more or less the same?

Deckstardeluxe - I know it doesn't mention CA-8 on that advert but I am trying to remember where I read that it could be used. Either they are talking about a different unit or it's a mistake.

[DJ INDIE]

The back of the controller has one DMX IN and one DMX OUT so I think you would have just the one lead going out of the controller to the first light and if you wanted to do 2 rigs you would have to daisy chain the first rig to the second or use 2 controllers (one for each).

its effective for bands if youre using pars, because when youve finished one song and your going into a quiet song - hit one button and you instantly get a great mood setting thats completely different to the last song. same goes for mood lighting etc.

the par/wash styles are quite easy to program too - as the main controls are quite simple (colour - fade - colour mix - etc) usually 4 channel - just move the 4 assigned sliders and see what happens. and you can see how they all look together, good for trial and error etc

if you have a few pars, a good controller will add some great effects for you -whether it be uplighting, discos, subtle lighting, blackout or chase or strobe.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Cheers. I may purchase a controller. Something around the £100.00 mark will do I guess?

[DJ INDIE]

theres plenty around, all similar - the trick is getting your head round what your supposed to be doing (the manual i had was not very good!) the controls after that are quite easy.

i have this one;

http://prolight.co.uk/item/cont06/

i think that was around £110 - but you can probably get them cheaper - the one in the link for the kit you showed looks pretty similar.

having only used the one i have i cant say if theres better units, but they are goog for what i do.

[Jiggles]

If you are going DMX try a USB style one. For about £89 you can get the American DJ My DMX. Just program some scenes and off you go. There is also a colour mixer as well so you can get almost exact shades of colour!