Mounting Moving Heads on Totems?

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

Ive got 4 moving heads which I like to use when I get the chance, 2 mini mac profiles and 2 mini mac washes (still for sale ;) )
I usually either mount them on top of the winch pods at the side of my deck stand, or hung under the truss. I've always liked the idea of having them on top of box section truss as a totem, but how do you guys secure them? The mini macs have an omega bracket, but thet would only give me 1 bolt to hold the head in place, and I think it'd look stupid as the omega bracket would make it stand proud.
Also, if the heads are mounted on top I a 1.5m totem, aren't they in people's eyes? Wouldn't you have to program them to be pointing up at the roof the majority of the time?
Cheers
Craig

[hammy]

No idea where it is but there is a few posts on mounting them somewhere.

[Shaun]

Ive got 4 moving heads which I like to use when I get the chance, 2 mini mac profiles and 2 mini mac washes (still for sale ;) )
I usually either mount them on top of the winch pods at the side of my deck stand, or hung under the truss. I've always liked the idea of having them on top of box section truss as a totem, but how do you guys secure them? The mini macs have an omega bracket, but thet would only give me 1 bolt to hold the head in place, and I think it'd look stupid as the omega bracket would make it stand proud.
Also, if the heads are mounted on top I a 1.5m totem, aren't they in people's eyes? Wouldn't you have to program them to be pointing up at the roof the majority of the time?
Cheers
Craig



I use 2m high trusses. The moving heads sit on top on a base plate and ratchet strapped under the plates onto the moving head handles. Solid as a rock.

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

I'll have a look at strapping them, but the mini macs have a curved base and no side handles.

[Mark Wild]

I usually either mount them on top of the winch pods at the side of my deck stand,

What's your method for doing this, if you don't mind me asking Craig, are you referring to Ultimax Wheel n' Winch?

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

Yes the wheel & winch. I attach a casting or a top hat to the omega bracket and then sit it on top. I was wary the first time I tried it at home as I wasn't certain it would be solid enough, but it was fine. I thought the movement of the head might make it fall off as just the small casting didn't seem like much support, but they haven't moved once.

[yourdj]

If a totum is one of those speaker stand dresses I think they look like an alien invader personally. My opinion but it just looks wrong. :)

Trussing looks smarter IMO.

[ianforest]

No, a totem is like a totem pole, you know those things red indians like to go "whoo ooh" around?

Because of this a totem is used to describe a piece of truss, around 2m high onto which the latest "thing" is the mount moving heads and speakers.

Your "alien" idea is those god awful "scrim kings" things that DJ's put on their tripods in an attempt to make them look elegant when in fact, they look anything BUT elegant dressed up like that.

[yourdj]

Your "alien" idea is those god awful "scrim kings" things that DJ's put on their tripods in an attempt to make them look elegant when in fact, they look anything BUT elegant dressed up like that.

Glad someone agrees with me. I have shown three women them and they have all said they look "bloody awful" :p

[Gary]

Ive found that anything that hides metal on the audience side is a good thing on a set-up - although I can see why the skrim king covers are disliked - They're drawing attention to, and adding a solid shape to otherwise visually unobtrusive legs. A far worse crime I think though is the use of chair covers - they always make the place look like its about to be decorated and everything's been fitted with dust sheets.

Totem wise, I think the rachet straps are ok, although perhaps 2 straps per device might be better. Also, at the bottom of the totem, what different ways are people using to keep the totem and lights upright?

[ianforest]

Glad someone agrees with me. I have shown three women them and they have all said they look "bloody awful" :p
I borrowed some from the UK distributor, a pair of white ones and a pair of black ones. Looked ridiculous. Hated them.

https://img.skitch.com/20120206-tjwafsgjbdxsa98nq4t1sfni56.jpg

[Supreme Soundz]

the black ones in that pic dont look to bad but still not great i do think the tripod led leg skirts would look good with the star cloth booth

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've always liked the idea of having them on top of box section truss as a totem, but how do you guys secure them?

I use the Omega bracket which is bolted to the top plate - you can't see that it stands proud really.



Also, if the heads are mounted on top I a 1.5m totem, aren't they in people's eyes? Wouldn't you have to program them to be pointing up at the roof the majority of the time?


I use wash heads under DMX and it's fine.

Piccy attached.

[Fullforceeventsltd]

They look great, what led's are you using to light up the totems?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

They look great, what led's are you using to light up the totems?

Chauvet Slim Pars - I think they are 56s rather than 64s. The reason I bought them is because they are easier to get in and out the bottom of the truss without taking the base plate off.

[Fullforceeventsltd]

Chauvet Slim Pars - I think they are 56s rather than 64s. The reason I bought them is because they are easier to get in and out the bottom of the truss without taking the base plate off.

Think they look great, are they the skrim king truss sleeves?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Think they look great, are they the skrim king truss sleeves?

No, they are Thomann specials at around a quarter of the price of Skrim Kings. I was slightly annoyed though as they are supposed to be 1.5m and they are short by about 10 cm!

[sonicdj]

I use the Omega bracket which is bolted to the top plate - you can't see that it stands proud really.

Piccy attached.


That is an extremely nice setup.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That is an extremely nice setup.

Thanks, I don't use it very often though. :o

[Fullforceeventsltd]

No, they are Thomann specials at around a quarter of the price of Skrim Kings. I was slightly annoyed though as they are supposed to be 1.5m and they are short by about 10 cm!

I was looking at the scrim king stuff but was rather pricey for what it was. Did not realise thomann had a version. Will have to have a look.

[Shaun]

No, they are Thomann specials at around a quarter of the price of Skrim Kings. I was slightly annoyed though as they are supposed to be 1.5m and they are short by about 10 cm!

Mines are short too. I bought white as well as black and they are all too short. After trying all sorts of combinations I actually prefer the look without the covers.

[Shaun]

Video of the thomann covers on truss....

podiumtruss.wmv - YouTube

[Fullforceeventsltd]

Looks spot on, you cannot notice the gap. What quad truss is that?

[Shaun]

You can notice the gap when close up. And I've also stretched them within an inch of their life and they're gripping onto the pins and spigots for dear life. :D

Truss is Globaltruss from Thomann.