Are we ever happy?

[Excalibur]

With our lighting rigs. Let's leave sound and deckstands right out of this, cos we'll take it as a given that the sound system is fully sorted, and we've got a deckstand with a front cover of some sort.

A few years ago, I had a miscellany of non DMX units, mainly Maplins. It served its purpose, but wasn't very impressive.

I knew an upgrade was way overdue, but what. :confused: Justin lent me his Impossibled/LED Par Can rig, and I knew what I wanted. It wasn't an Impossibled/Par Can rig.

I wanted movement on the rig, as well as a wash effect. Simples, KAM panels. Three of them. Not simples. :( :( I won't go into the details, but when not run under DMX control, they don't do what I want. I've got a controller, but not achieved any of what I want yet.

After a bit of trading, I now have four LED Revo Rolls, which I like lots. I'd love them if only they were brighter.

The above is what I call my 90% rig. It does 90% of my gigs, it's reliable, and presentable.

So there you are, I got exactly what I was looking for, and I don't really like it. If I were doing it again, I'd get either a KAM Powerbar, or a couple of Par Bars. Exactly what I want.
Scanners/barrels? I'd get the ones Deltic has. LED with gobos. Only scanners, but impressive. Or maybe even a Martin EFX. Twinspin's is awesome.

So to the question. Are we ever happy with our lights? Or as soon as we've got what we wanted, do we suddenly decide we want/meed/must have something totally different?

I'm not asking for a punters view, but ours. Thoughts please.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

We are never happy. There will alwas be something else which is released, or someone else is doing which turns our heads.

I was happy with what I had before joining the forum. Now i want Truss Podiums, Martin Wizard Extremes, Moving Heads, Stratos Washes and a booth :D

[DJWilson]

I'm happy with mine to a certain extent but am after better lighting to use with the rig.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

With anything you should always strive to improve and the lighting aspect shouldnt be any different.

I've recently found a set up that I'm "content" with. That being four led par cans behind me set to the same colour. Then two irock 5b's.

[mike8863]

i would love some simple white scanners that moved slowly enough for first dances that don't need dmx, because i just can't work it out. :)

[surround sounds]

i would love some simple white scanners that moved slowly enough for first dances that don't need dmx, because i just can't work it out. :)

Yes same here.Do not really understand DMX is like a different language

[flatliners]

I am never happy probs never will be
Next on my list are 4 led moving heads to go with the acme rage
2 adj mega bars
Maybe 2 green lasers
But then again always changing my mind

[Corabar Steve]

I'm relatively happy, but I do chop & change a bit (but always around the same core of lights).

I think the thing is with lighting, is that there are always so many new products on the market & it's easy to want the latest thing while what you have is perfectly serviceable.

It's like phones, why do some people constantly upgrade? It's not like the primary use has suddenly changed

[Excalibur]

I'm relatively happy, but I do chop & change a bit (but always around the same core of lights).

I think the thing is with lighting, is that there are always so many new products on the market & it's easy to want the latest thing while what you have is perfectly serviceable.

It's like phones, why do some people constantly upgrade? It's not like the primary use has suddenly changed
I beg your pardon. :confused: :confused: :confused: I think it's disappeared completely. :D :D :D :D :D

[Corabar Steve]

I think all technology is the same, people are never happy with what they've got once it's been superseded. Whether they consciously realise it or not.

I like what I have, but there are other lights that I'd like to have

[rob1963]

We are never happy. There will alwas be something else which is released, or someone else is doing which turns our heads.

Very true.

Not only that, there will always be lights in our set up which we go off after a while. I went off the Impossibled before I even bought one!

[Excalibur]

Very true.

Not only that, there will always be lights in our set up which we go off after a while. I went off the Impossibled before I even bought one!

Rob, for the purposes of this thread, you're exempt. ;) :D :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

Rob, for the purposes of this thread, you're exempt. ;) :D :D :D :D :D

:Laugh:

[DazzyD]

I'm fairly happy with the light effects I have as I can mix and match them to suit the venue and/or occasion. However, there are still other effects I would like to achieve. Maybe one day!


i would love some simple white scanners that moved slowly enough for first dances that don't need dmx, because i just can't work it out. :)

I can certainly relate to that. The wedding I did on Friday I had the Martin Wizard Extreme on for the first dance. But it seemed to want to go faster than it needed to. It seemed to be a lot more sensitive than usual.


I think all technology is the same, people are never happy with what they've got once it's been superseded. Whether they consciously realise it or not.

I like what I have, but there are other lights that I'd like to have

We call this "marketing", Steve! It's about making people believe they really need something when they didn't even know it existed or even what it does!

[Gary (GDK)]

I'm kinda ok, with a regular venue I work I'm happy there... But usually I'm not.

Im working with 4 scanners and a Kam ParBar.

Kids is sorted! I use the park bar. Although I do want a Kaleidoscope light for the kids to use on the ceiling.

[Jonathan Ford]

i would love some simple white scanners that moved slowly enough for first dances that don't need dmx, because i just can't work it out. :)


Yes same here.Do not really understand DMX is like a different language

Same here. I bought a coupe of Dynamos because thee is a video of them doing just that on You Tube, but apparently that can't be done without DMX. I concede that having previously thought DMX unimportant, I really wish I had it.

The problem for me is that I have neither the time, or I suspect, the technical ability to get DMX sorted (anything more complicated that a light switch, and I suffer). I'm at the stage where I'd consider paying someone to sort DMX for me!

[Javlingames]

Im very happy with my set up, i will post a picture later. I use 2 quadzilla's for lighting, each one mounted on its own tripod, so it looks like i have 2 t bars as the quadzillas are about 2.5 ft long each. The only thing is i dont currently have a controller for them so they do their own thing, i need to sort that asap. I used to go out with a transit van FULL of lighting efffects fully dmx'd thinking that is what is requiried but never got any comments from clients or guests at all. I go out with 2 lighting effects and i still dont get any comments now either from customers. So im happy i have a set up that i can spread out to fill a large stage or fit into a small room. All of which can be set up in, including sound, in 30 minutes.

[Steve the DJ]

I was never happy with my lighting until one day I had an epiphany called "business sense" which helped me realise that 99% of the time the only person in the room that cared about the lighting was me.

From that moment on new effects were only purchased if certain criteria was met, i.e. -

1. It was required to replace a faulty unit
2. It covered a wider area or reduced weight over a previous model
3. It made me more money... :D

So the only items I have added to the inventory over the last 2 years have been LED Par Cans and a cluster laser.

That said, I think it is perfectly natural for DJs to want to keep reinvesting in the latest kit, the whole "boys toys" aspect is what attracted many of us in the first place (as well as the music).

[rob1963]

I was never happy with my lighting until one day I had an epiphany called "business sense" which helped me realise that 99% of the time the only person in the room that cared about the lighting was me.

From that moment on new effects were only purchased if certain criteria was met, i.e. -

1. It was required to replace a faulty unit
2. It covered a wider area or reduced weight over a previous model
3. It made me more money... :D


Wise words, Steve.

If more people understood & adopted that policy, their profit would increase...but who wants to earn more money?


I think it is perfectly natural for DJs to want to keep reinvesting in the latest kit, the whole "boys toys" aspect is what attracted many of us in the first place (as well as the music).

That's certainly very true of a few people on the forum, but completely untrue of others, although most people are probably somewhere in the middle.

[TONYTIGER]

Nice thread Peter how did i know this was coming ;)

Now for a strong opinion and i know i will get some flack(but im old and wise enough to take it)
When it comes to lighting rigs surely it all depends on what type of work you do,if for instance if your primary work is weddings then i agree you do not need a large amount of lights and there has been some excellent pictures posted in the gallery.
On the other hand if you do lots of dance younger type of events in large venues a few led dotty things will not cut it i can only speak for myself but i tend to have a different rig for different occasions.
I think people tend to forget the origins of the term Mobile Disco many years ago it was quite rare to find that many bookings were weddings and the whole idea was to create a club/disco type effect that was mobile and travel around ie village halls or temporary structures and in my case armed forces bases throughout Europe.
So the comments regarding the clients don,t care re your lighting is not really true unless you are pigeon holed in to one type of event weddings come to mind.
Only last week i picked up a contract at a large local function venue and i asked why they had dumped there normal disco provider the comment was lighting was out dated and was not up to the standard of the venue and what there clients expected so yes i am never happy with my rig and am always looking for ways to improve.

[simonp]

I was happy with what I had before joining the forum.

Here here :(

I don't know 'exactly' what I want anymore (but it does involve a couple of Martin Wizards :D )

[Twinspin]

The only thing that im fully happy with is the playout system and sound system.

Frontage. definetely not happy with that.

Lighing equipment... Not fully happy with that because i feel as though it has something missing and thats a couple of moonflowers.

[STEVE HANLEY]

It's all sound to light for me (never had any complaints so far) Havn't got a clue about dmx:confused: :confused: