Smoke\Haze machines

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Have you noticed an increase in the ammount of venues that do not allow the use of a smoke\haze machine due to smoke\fire sensors in the function hall.

Got an 18th birthday party tonight,rig all set up with exciting laser show and lights,only to find out 10 mins ago hey you cant use that in here!!!!!

[MagicMusic]

The hotel I was in last Saturday wouldn't let me use smoke and before I had the chance to suggest isolating the room for the fire alarm, the woman in charge told me that they had tried it before and it still set off the alarm.

Seemed like a well rehearsed spiel to me, I guess they just don't want to take the chance :(

[notroubleclubber]

I work for a fire alarm company and you will find that alot of well informed managers wont allow isolation of certain parts of the alarm system in case there was a problem (wrong area isolated etc).

The best thing to do is ask beforehand.

[rob1963]

I don't even bother taking my smoke machine to gigs now, as there's little point.

A fair few years back it got to to point where I was only able to use it at maybe two or three venues each year...so I gave up.

[Excalibur]

I don't even bother taking my smoke machine to gigs now, as there's little point.

A fair few years back it got to to point where I was only able to use it at maybe two or three venues each year...so I gave up.

Snap. It's in the shed, don't know when I last tested it.

[rob1963]

don't know when I last tested it.

Same here.

Must be at least 5 years since I used mine.

For all I know it's clogged up & no longer works!

:shrug:

[Chris1984]

the advantage of doing outdoor laser shows - you can never have enough smoke!!!!:) :) :)
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16644_175407914091_41301614091_2846625_4654648_n.j pg

[Penfold42]

the advantage of doing outdoor laser shows - you can never have enough smoke!!!!:) :) :)
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16644_175407914091_41301614091_2846625_4654648_n.j pg

That looks good mate.....really :cool:
Got a watermark?

[Chris1984]

That looks good mate.....really :cool:
Got a watermark?
opps selected wrong pic!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs447.snc3/25625_358059434091_41301614091_3583947_3132495_n.j pg

[Starlight]

That looks good mate.....really :cool:
I think that's an underrated comment :p :D


opps selected wrong pic!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs447.snc3/25625_358059434091_41301614091_3583947_3132495_n.j pg
This looks amazing!

What laser projectors are you using?

Neil......

[Chris1984]

that show only had 2 baby 8watt yags

[Starlight]

that show only had 2 baby 8watt yags
Do you use DPSS ones?

Neil.....

[Chris1984]

yes they are 8watt dpss lasers
we used full pangolin pro on a server linked to the FOH control computer via Ethernet

[Starlight]

yes they are 8watt dpss lasers
we used full pangolin pro on a server linked to the FOH control computer via Ethernet

I think Pangolin are the leaders but they have a heafty price tag on them mmmm :(

Neil.....

[Chris1984]

I think Pangolin are the leaders but they have a heafty price tag on them mmmm :(

Neil.....

the saying you pay for what you get couldn't be truer (if that's even a word!)
was only a small show - always to busy to take any pics of larger ones thou!

[ianforest]

Getting back on topic, I never have any trouble with a Look Unique hazer. Last night I used it at a venue right under the smoke detector. Put it on Pump 5/Fan 60 and the beams were easily seen but no alarm and no fireman sam.

[Chris1984]

Getting back on topic, I never have any trouble with a Look Unique hazer. Last night I used it at a venue right under the smoke detector. Put it on Pump 5/Fan 60 and the beams were easily seen but no alarm and no fireman sam.

Indeed have had this many time before with the uniques.
although i have had them set alarms of on many occasion.

most of the time we have a word with the venue who isolate the alarms in the rooms we are working in - problem solved.

[yourdj]

Isnt haze at a low level not only undetectable (providing you do it when the venue is busy and the manager is preoccupied) but will not set off a fire alarm.

I was thinking about a new light but a haze machine would make my existing effects much better as i have a lazer etc.

Is it worth £100 investment?

[Charlie Brown]

I always use a smoke machine - but if the venue doesn't allow them, then I get the Acme Hazer out.

[ianforest]

Isnt haze at a low level not only undetectable I was thinking about a new light but a haze machine would make my existing effects much better as i have a lazer etc.

Is it worth £100 investment?

£100 investment no. You won't get a good hazer for 100 quid.

Look Unique's are about 600 quid and worth absolutely every penny.

I had an Acme HP2S and it was the worst piece of rubbish i've ever had in my life. It went through 19 pumps before I threw it in the tip.

[Mark Wild]

I had an Acme HP2S and it was the worst piece of rubbish i've ever had in my life. It went through 19 pumps before I threw it in the tip.

Wow you're very patient, that's a lot of pumps.

I have an HP2S, I use it rarely and always ask if its possible before hand. I couldn't justify £600 on a hazer :)

[Cj_The_Dj]

Can anyone comment on this http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_sh150.htm

I think Tony Scott has one.

[DJ INDIE]

I have a 'hazer' I got a few years ago from maplins (don't shoot me!) for about £60.
In effect its basically a smoke machine with a fan on, and a timer, but gives a good spread of haze which if you take the time to work out how to use it properly can go undectected to the human eye, but can set alarms off if you get reckless with it.

Golden rule - always ask if you can use them but say 'haze machine' NOT 'smoke machine' as the word smoke immediately makes venues panic.

Due to the amount of venues now vitoing smoke machines and the smoking ban, I think its very important to choose your lighting to look good with and without smoke, just in case.

[sleah]

Have you noticed an increase in the ammount of venues that do not allow the use of a smokehaze machine due to smokefire sensors in the function hall.
Probably as many as those who say no, even though they don't have a valid reason:(

Bring on the coughing brigade.......:mad:

[STEVE HANLEY]

I've wanted to purchase a smoke machine for ages now, but hung back because of the grief I've heard that can come your way if you use one, and the last thing I want it to be is no more than breeding ground for dust and spiders webs through lack of use:(

[paull]

I have a hazer on hand for the rare occasion I can use it. When I do the difference it makes is very substantial.