Mirror Ball options?

[WWDJ]

I've been asked to look at providing a mirror ball effect for a wedding next year.

It needs to be a proper mirror ball, not starballs or whatever they are.

I'm just wondering what options there are.

I do have a 15" mirror ball with a battery rotator, but i haven't used for ages as I haven't looked into a good way of lighting it. I also think they look better up higher than my overhead will go as invariably the mirror ball hangs low enough to obscure my handsome looks :D

Shooting moving heads off a mirror ball seems pretty cool but I would need to hire some truss that will go about 3m high, 2 moving heads and winch stands, plus I need to think about room in my car.

So what options do I have ?

[Spirits High]

So what options do I have ?

Best option is to read this thread as I asked a similar question a little while back :D

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36791&highlight=adj+pin+spot

[BossmanKaraokeDisco]

I've been asked to look at providing a mirror ball effect for a wedding next year.

It needs to be a proper mirror ball, not starballs or whatever they are.

I'm just wondering what options there are.

I do have a 15" mirror ball with a battery rotator, but i haven't used for ages as I haven't looked into a good way of lighting it. I also think they look better up higher than my overhead will go as invariably the mirror ball hangs low enough to obscure my handsome looks :D

Shooting moving heads off a mirror ball seems pretty cool but I would need to hire some truss that will go about 3m high, 2 moving heads and winch stands, plus I need to think about room in my car.

So what options do I have ?

Not sure if idea is any good for you but I used to have 2 8" mirrorballs on a tripod and crossbar, 1 at each end, set up directly behind me and then pushed up high. Used to have 2 pinspots, one on each one pointing backwards from my deckstand gantry.
Used to look great with haze. IMO
Just an idea for you
Dave

Forgot to add, it dont take up any extra room hardly if your tight for space in your car, One tripod, one crossbar, 2 8" mirror balls and 2 par 36 spots.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Search through some of Tony Scott's gallery posts....He made great use of mirrorballs and often got asked how he mounted and kit them.

[funkymook]

Search through some of Tony Scott's gallery posts....He made great use of middlebrows and often got asked how he mounted and kit them.

I prefer highbrow myself! :D

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I prefer highbrow myself! :D

Damn....best me to the Edit....

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Seeing as I have two discharge moving heads doing nothing what would be the tidiest way of rigging a mirror ball and two of these for small events say up to 60 people?

Needs to be "minimalist" ideally.

[WWDJ]

Seeing as I have two discharge moving heads doing nothing what would be the tidiest way of rigging a mirror ball and two of these for small events say up to 60 people?

Needs to be "minimalist" ideally.

I think we may be on similar lines here. I was going to go for 2 x moving heads and a 12" mirror ball centrally mounted on my DSB overhead.

The movers can add some dancefloor movement and shine off the mirror ball periodically adding some movement to the walls etc

The problem I have found is most rotators make the mirror ball hang really low.

[Mark Wild]

Would you need a rotator on the mirror ball if the mover has a rotating gobo? Not sure how that would work but just a thought :)

[WWDJ]

Would you need a rotator on the mirror ball if the mover has a rotating gobo? Not sure how that would work but just a thought :)

That would create quite a different effect.

What I am thinking of, is white, no gobo, shining on to mirror ball. Like a powerful 50w LED pinspot. But then of course the mover can be used to create other effects when it is not shining on the mirror ball.

[gear4djs]

May I point you towards this cateogry on our website... http://www.gear4djs.co.uk/category/Lighting/Pinspots___Mirror_Balls,l.html

Everything you should need for a stunning effect. The 50cm mirror balls really do make a big impact when used with the LED pinspots.

Give us a call or drop us an email if you have any questions about our range. Everything that says in stock is indeed in stock and ready to go :)

[WWDJ]

May I point you towards this cateogry on our website... http://www.gear4djs.co.uk/category/Lighting/Pinspots___Mirror_Balls,l.html

Everything you should need for a stunning effect. The 50cm mirror balls really do make a big impact when used with the LED pinspots.

Give us a call or drop us an email if you have any questions about our range. Everything that says in stock is indeed in stock and ready to go :)

I already have 40cm Mirror Ball (but might need a smaller one). It's mounting the darn thing that is always a problem. How do the rotators mount to an overhead or what are the freestanding options available.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I think we may be on similar lines here. I was going to go for 2 x moving heads and a 12" mirror ball centrally mounted on my DSB overhead.

The movers can add some dancefloor movement and shine off the mirror ball periodically adding some movement to the walls etc

The problem I have found is most rotators make the mirror ball hang really low.

See most setups I've seen appear to have the mirror ball right in front of your face so need to be hung really high up. I think a t bar rather than the overhead kit for the DSB is the way I'm going with this

[WWDJ]

See most setups I've seen appear to have the mirror ball right in front of your face so need to be hung really high up. I think a t bar rather than the overhead kit for the DSB is the way I'm going with this

Doesn't it look all lopsided on a T-bar? I have to admit that Toby's solution is the most elegant freestanding solution i have seen, even though it pains me to admit he might be right :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I saw a video on youtube from Mikey Mike where he had a t bar and two mirror balls on with the pin spots attached just underneath on a bracket so not only is it easy to install but quick as well.

About 4.02 into the vid DJ Mikey Mikey Got Big Balls at a Wedding AMERICAN DJ Vizi 5r's and 20" Mirror Balls Gig log - YouTube

[WWDJ]

I see. Pity there needs to be 2 mirror balls though. Double the carriage and setup.

[gear4djs]

I already have 40cm Mirror Ball (but might need a smaller one). It's mounting the darn thing that is always a problem. How do the rotators mount to an overhead or what are the freestanding options available.

All of the motors simply come with holes around the edge to mount with. Most are designed for screwing to the ceiling of a venue so coming up with a mobile solution is the customers choice. There doesn't seem to be anything designed for this use! Most people seem to find a way of attaching some sort of clamp to the motor or they cable tie the unit to a stand or truss. I think most of you guys have guessed all that already though... :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I see. Pity there needs to be 2 mirror balls though. Double the carriage and setup.

True only over way is maybe put the t bar 90 degrees to the booth so the bar is overhead and doing it that way?

Off down Craplins now to see what they have..... *shudder*

[WWDJ]

True only over way is maybe put the t bar 90 degrees to the booth so the bar is overhead and doing it that way?

Off down Craplins now to see what they have..... *shudder*

Hope you come up with something good. I might be looking to hire it from you at the start of 2013 as I have a requirement.:D :D :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Hope you come up with something good. I might be looking to hire it from you at the start of 2013 as I have a requirement.:D :D :D

HA :) I know Dan has one to hire but I'm interested to see given the choice what my clients go for. Got two clients wanting this already in 2012 so could be popular....

[yourdj]

Just get an atlas stand:

MIRRORBALL - BARTLEY LODGE - wedding DJ Master of Ceremonies - The New Forest - YouTube

[WWDJ]

Just get an atlas stand:

MIRRORBALL - BARTLEY LODGE - wedding DJ Master of Ceremonies - The New Forest - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvlBN43XcnA)

But then I would need a cheesy video :D

TBH the atlas stand is the option I am considering. Yours is the 18" mirror ball right ?

[Jiggles]

The hire company up here has drilled a hole in the top of the case for the mirror ball motor and then bolted a G clamp to the top and screwed it all back together again. :D

[WWDJ]

The hire company up here has drilled a hole in the top of the case for the mirror ball motor and then bolted a G clamp to the top and screwed it all back together again. :D

got any pics ?

[Jiggles]

got any pics ?

Sadly no. But if you get one of those bog standard rotators unscrew the top to get into the internals drill a hole the right size for the bolt in the lid assemble the clamp onto the cover then screw the cover back onto the body of the rotator. They did the same with a fuzz light. You may want to put a lump of non flammable insulation between the electrics and clamp. Even thought they didn't and passed its PAT...

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Just got my motor and considering the motor is in the middle they must of put at least two holes for the clamps in?

[WWDJ]

Just got my motor and considering the motor is in the middle they must of put at least two holes for the clamps in?

Got a pic Neil?

[Kernow]

I have done exactly the same, covered the bolt head internally with a plastic hex cover. Will get some pics when I get back this evening.
They also have 3 holes around the perimeter for ceiling fixing which can be used with short chains 'hanging basket' style to suspend them. :)

[funkymook]

I have done exactly the same, covered the bolt head internally with a plastic hex cover.

Same here.

But recently I've found I'm using the battery rotators more, one less mains lead to faff around with and more hanging options, it's amazing how many hooks you can find in venues once you start looking.

Pack of batteries from the £1 shop and a fresh one in each time - never had them run out of power, even when they've been on all day.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Got a pic Neil?

Popped a couple on facebook. I think the two 20cm ones would of been the better choice now I've seen the 50 in the flesh.

[Kernow]

Same here.

But recently I've found I'm using the battery rotators more, one less mains lead to faff around with and more hanging options, it's amazing how many hooks you can find in venues once you start looking.

Pack of batteries from the £1 shop and a fresh one in each time - never had them run out of power, even when they've been on all day.

Agreed, but just be aware that the battery ones run at 6rpm and have a max capacity of 2Kg compared to mains ones 0.8rpm and 5Kg loading.
A 12" mirrorball weighs approx 2.1Kg (which exceeds the limit) and spun once in 10 seconds is very fast ? :)

[WWDJ]

Popped a couple on facebook. I think the two 20cm ones would of been the better choice now I've seen the 50 in the flesh.

For some reason I can only see a blurry one with a rotator on it?

[Jiggles]

Saw one of them passing 'ET' style across the face of the sun this week !!
;) :D
It wasn't a criticism, I've used both types of rotator frequently. I just find that at 6 rpm the overall effect is more of a blur on the ceilings, walls & floor than the slow 'starlit' effect I like to create. :)

A simple one channel dimmer with local control would soon solve that problem! Although you don't get too much fine speed control but you can slow it down somewhat.

[Corabar Steve]

A simple one channel dimmer with local control would soon solve that problem! Although you don't get too much fine speed control but you can slow it down somewhat.
Not on a battery powered motor.