Smoke Machine Yes/No

[marting]

as a new mobile disco I haven't invested in a smoke machine or haze machine as my thoughts are there are so few venues that allow the use it a waste of money to buy one for it to sit in the garage unused, your thoughts.

[Charlie Brown]

I would buy a cheap one to take with you. Its always a bonus if you get to use it.

[WWDJ]

as a new mobile disco I haven't invested in a smoke machine or haze machine as my thoughts are there are so few venues that allow the use it a waste of money to buy one for it to sit in the garage unused, your thoughts.

Don't bother. Build your light show around not having one.

[musicologydisco]

Get an Acme HP2s. About £120. It's what they call a "Fazer". A smoke machine but fan driven. Works well with a medium density fluid without creating a thick cloud. I've found I use mine very frequently but it depends where you work I suppose.

[simonp]

I'd buy one if I were you - whatever's within your budget. It will obviously enhance your light show, especially if you've got a lot of LED, lasers and no 'movement' - A fair few venues do let you use smoke so it's untrue to say 'no-where let's you use smoke or haze' - More venues are now using smoke caps over the detectors that may be affected by 'stage smoke' for the duration of the disco.
Also if you do any marquee gigs in the summer you should be pretty safe to use it in those (in fact I cannot think of one marquee gig I've done and haven't used smoke).

[paulg]

Yep, buy one and use it where permitted / appropriate. Use smoke sparingly though or it won't be long before you're told to stop using it.

[Charlie Brown]

Get an Acme HP2s. About £120.

Don't waste your money!

Rubbish things as most of you will agree?

QTX hazer is meant to be good?

I would stick to a cheap £30 smoke machine.

[surround sounds]

Don't waste your money!

Rubbish things as most of you will agree?

QTX hazer is meant to be good?

I would stick to a cheap £30 smoke machine.

I have had mine 2 years and use it fairly often.Its never set of a smoke alarm neither.Its never let me down and still going stronge.I think they are good but each to there own i guess

[Charlie Brown]

I have had mine 2 years and use it fairly often.Its never set of a smoke alarm neither.Its never let me down and still going stronge.I think they are good but each to there own i guess

I'm sure quite a few of us on here have had a poor experience?

Could just be me.

[surround sounds]

I'm sure quite a few of us on here have had a poor experience?

Could just be me.

Maybe i have just been lucky with mine

[tony hollis]

i agree with Charlie, waste of money and messy when they go wrong. also a liability that you don't need to be dealing with i.e. drunken plank (sorry punter) boots it or burns themselves on it leave it in the shop and get a light show that doesn't need it

[Shaun]

It's hard for anyone to really say if it'd be a waste of money for you. Some places still allow the use of smoke machines. Many older buildings such as Working Men's Clubs, village halls and masonic lodges (in my experience) still allow smoke machines. Most modern hotels however won't allow them (again, that's just my experience).

[BeerFunk]

I haven't used one for about 7 years, I think.

Now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time I saw one in use at a disco either.

I would also say you'd be better buildign a lightshow that doesn't rely on smoke (and in actual fact - all lights do look 10 times better through smoke)

[Charlie Brown]

Why quibble over £15? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SKYTEC-model-F80-SMOKE-MACHINE-/350436362599?pt=UK_CE_DJ_equip_SmokeMachines_atmos pherics_ET&hash=item5197a28967#ht_500wt_949

It's a handy thing to have. :)

[womble]

I have had mine 2 years and use it fairly often.Its never set of a smoke alarm neither.Its never let me down and still going stronge.I think they are good but each to there own i guess

I bought one two years ago that I had to exchange straight away as the heater wasn't working, but since then I've had no problems, use it at almost every gig with Medium haze fluid, much thinner then smoke and makes any LED fixtures look good.

[womble]

i agree with Charlie, waste of money and messy when they go wrong. also a liability that you don't need to be dealing with i.e. drunken plank (sorry punter) boots it or burns themselves on it leave it in the shop and get a light show that doesn't need it

I've never had mine booted, and the casing certainly doesn't get hot enough to burn...

[surround sounds]

i agree with Charlie, waste of money and messy when they go wrong. also a liability that you don't need to be dealing with i.e. drunken plank (sorry punter) boots it or burns themselves on it leave it in the shop and get a light show that doesn't need it

I have never had mine kicked neither,There is a fan inside so it never gets hot.

[Daryll]

Got one of THESE (http://www.rsdmusic.com/products.asp?prodid=1077&catid=88&mcatid=15) from SEDA last year , for the money , you cant go wrong , up my local club , where smoke is allowed , the hall is approx 70 x 30 feet , fills that up easy , the fluid lasts for ever , I`me still on the first tank full :eek:

Daryll

[Jonathan Ford]

I don't own one any more. I was permitted to use it so infrequently that I off loaded it, and if a client specifically requests smoke or haze, I'll buy/hire as appropriate.

Whether to buy one or not? If you're going to get your moneys worth out of it, then crack on. If it's going to be once a year, by the time you've paid for it to be PAT tested, you may as well hire for that one gig.

[Rowleys]

I have had mine 2 years and use it fairly often.Its never set of a smoke alarm neither.Its never let me down and still going stronge.I think they are good but each to there own i guess

i have also had mine about 2 years now and never let me down and i use it at every gig i do.

Mine and being dropped and that and still going strong :D

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Ive not been able to use my machine since 2008...just never been in a venue that alowed them...

[flatliners]

Don't waste your money!

Rubbish things as most of you will agree?

QTX hazer is meant to be good?

I would stick to a cheap £30 smoke machine.

http://www.spectrumlightandsound.co.uk/spectrum-web/Products/26-spectrum-smoke-machine-1200w.aspx not really a waste of money
so don't you own a smoke machine charlie

[TONYTIGER]

Just a thought re lighting Haze machines are now a important tool in any pro light show.
I spend a lot of time in the West End and nearly all productions use haze,same as television X factor,Dancing on ice the lighting would not work as a visual
element with out haze.

Is a Mobile Disco a pro light show ? your thoughts.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

I have both smoke\haze machine.it really all depends on the type of function,what lightshow you put out.

The beauty with the haze machine is that you can keep it out of view and still put out haze as long as you dont over do it.

I reallly keep my smoke machine for 18trh\21st birthdays\school discos where a "club effect" lightshow is required

[Jonathan Ford]

Just a thought re lighting Haze machines are now a important tool in any pro light show.
I spend a lot of time in the West End and nearly all productions use haze,same as television X factor,Dancing on ice the lighting would not work as a visual
element with out haze.

Is a Mobile Disco a pro light show ? your thoughts.

For one, I'd love to use haze to accentuate my lights...but can't find a venue that will allow it. I'd call it a restriction on my service by the prevailing conditions.

[Cowlinn]

Don't buy a smoke machine, they're disgusting. Buy a cheapo haze.

I have this (http://www.terralec.co.uk/fog_and_haze_machines/antari_vf-1_fazer_haze_machine/23431_p.html)

..and to be honest it's pretty good.

[Digital Jack]

Don't buy a smoke machine, they're disgusting. Buy a cheapo haze.

I have this (http://www.terralec.co.uk/fog_and_haze_machines/antari_vf-1_fazer_haze_machine/23431_p.html)

..and to be honest it's pretty good.


Is that PC or Mac ?:p

[Charlie Brown]

:lol:

Bit of a sweeping statement Cowlinn.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Just a thought re lighting Haze machines are now a important tool in any pro light show.
I spend a lot of time in the West End and nearly all productions use haze,same as television X factor,Dancing on ice the lighting would not work as a visual
element with out haze.

Is a Mobile Disco a pro light show ? your thoughts.


For one, I'd love to use haze to accentuate my lights...but can't find a venue that will allow it. I'd call it a restriction on my service by the prevailing conditions.

What Jonathan said ;)

[DJWilson]

I have some cheap smoke machine that pumps out a nice amount.

Got to love lighting effects slicing through the fog, espically when strobeing!

Haven't had any issues with a fog machine where venues are concered.

Post 14 (Charlie Brown) is the fogger I have :)

[TONYTIGER]

What Jonathan said ;)

Do a Forum search there are solutions to get round this if you put in the time effort and lots of money.
But most operators think its not worth the trouble and they may be right .

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Do a Forum search there are solutions to get round this if you put in the time effort and lots of money.
But most operators think its not worth the trouble and they may be right .

What :confused:...

I have a collegaue who has a couple of Crackers, and even he cant get past venue managers with it. As soon as they hear the words haze they give a definate no. I know that his wont set off the alarms, he knows that, but the venue wont take the risk.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just a thought re lighting Haze machines are now a important tool in any pro light show.
I spend a lot of time in the West End and nearly all productions use haze,same as television X factor,Dancing on ice the lighting would not work as a visual
element with out haze.

Is a Mobile Disco a pro light show ? your thoughts.

You can hardly compare a west end production or TV show with a mobile disco, can you? Slightly different!

[TONYTIGER]

You can hardly compare a west end production or TV show with a mobile disco, can you? Slightly different!

Thats right and hence the statement for members thoughts which is what is happening which is good.

I had lots of venue managers who would not let me use haze,but i went out of my way to arrange a demo out of hours and not all but some of them are quite happy to let me use the hazers now so a step in the right direction IMHO.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thats right and hence the statement for members thoughts which is what is happening which is good.

I had lots of venue managers who would not let me use haze,but i went out of my way to arrange a demo out of hours and not all but some of them are quite happy to let me use the hazers now so a step in the right direction IMHO.

I have a number of colleagues who use Look Unique and these seem less likely to set off alarms presumably because they have more settings on than cheaper models and can be tweeked to the venue you are in.

I used a cheap hazer at a school disco and set the fire alarms off, even though they said it would be fine!

[Cowlinn]

Is that PC or Mac ?:p
what? :confused: :confused:





:lol:

Bit of a sweeping statement Cowlinn.

For mobile DJ's I don't see any use for a big cloud of horrible smoke?

Haze yes, smoke no.


EDIT: Just to add, if you're buying a new set up i'd be more inclined to concentrate on lighting that looks good without smoke, as hardly any venues allow smoke nowadays.

No matter how hard you try to convince them that haze is not smoke, they wont listen :mad:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Lazers look better with smoke.

[Cowlinn]

Lazers look better with smoke.

Theres always one!! :D

I stand corrected, but I personally don't own a laser. :)

[TONYTIGER]

I have a number of colleagues who use Look Unique and these seem less likely to set off alarms presumably because they have more settings on than cheaper models and can be tweeked to the venue you are in.

I used a cheap hazer at a school disco and set the fire alarms off, even though they said it would be fine!

Yes your right the Look Unique is a good pro machine,i use the Smoke Factory Tour Hazer 2 which is a very high spec machine and they have done a lot of research on there fluid when its on low setting you can hardly detect its on till you put your lights on which is the whole idea ,great for wizards ;)

[Charlie Brown]

For mobile DJ's I don't see any use for a big cloud of horrible smoke?


Rubbish.

Lights look 100 times better with smoke. You'll have to buy one if you want do the teen events etc. :)

[Cowlinn]

Rubbish.

Lights look 100 times better with smoke. You'll have to buy one if you want do the teen events etc. :)

If you're talking about lighting, IMO They look better with haze.

(With the exception of lasers, so yes I will need to buy one. Or use my Craplins one)

[simonp]

hardly any venues allow smoke nowadays.


You can't really say that without knowing the area/location to be worked - Most of the venues I work at DO let you use smoke.

[Charlie Brown]

Most of the venues I work at DO let you use smoke.

Same!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yes your right the Look Unique is a good pro machine,i use the Smoke Factory Tour Hazer 2 which is a very high spec machine and they have done a lot of research on there fluid when its on low setting you can hardly detect its on till you put your lights on which is the whole idea ,great for wizards ;)

I'm not sure I could justify another grand on kit this week! ;)


If you're talking about lighting, IMO They look better with haze.


I agree and I know what Cowlinn is saying about the big cloud of smoke. Haze looks (if you can see it!) better IMO.

[Charlie Brown]

I agree and I know what Cowlinn is saying about the big cloud of smoke. Haze looks (if you can see it!) better IMO.

:whistle:

[musicologydisco]

Most of the venues I work at DO let you use smoke.

Me too
Essential piece of kit for most Djs I'd say.

[DazzyD]

I have a number of colleagues who use Look Unique and these seem less likely to set off alarms presumably because they have more settings on than cheaper models and can be tweeked to the venue you are in.

I used a cheap hazer at a school disco and set the fire alarms off, even though they said it would be fine!

Are you sure they didn't say "you'll be fined"??!! :zip:

[yourdj]

The lights look good from a DJ point of view with Haze.

Does it improve the perceptions of the clients or the guests?

Many people hate the smell of smoke machines and may not like a "club" like atmosphere.
I have hardly ever use one and it has not affected the performance of my shows when I have.

I can see the point when using lasers but they still look pretty on the cirling or wall and gives the dynamic effect of a party atmosphere.
I can see the application for an 18th or so however.

The risk for venues is too large for a wedding of formal function beacuse they have to evacuate the building. imigine a brides reaction to that especially on first dance. They may demand a refund or similar, which is not a risk a venue will take.

Last time I used one was at a prom. i tested it with a whole room of smoke. when using it with a room full of people the alarms went off and the whole place had too me evacuated. Needless to say they were not impressed.

This was a cheap £30 one though. A haser used sparingly is an idea.

[PureWeddingDJs]

I set an alarm off at a wedding the other day, thankfully not on the 1st dance!

Im going to be more careful from now on, is it ok to dilute with water the fluid?

[musicology]

I set an alarm off at a wedding the other day, thankfully not on the 1st dance!

Im going to be more careful from now on, is it ok to dilute with water the fluid?

Use distilled water or simply buy "light" fluid