Do we all look the same.

[ajm]

Last night I done a disco above a hall where another disco was working below. At the end of the night I thought I would go downstairs to have a look at there set up. It was then it struck me how similar most disco's look, with the same star cloths on the same stands with the lights overhead.

It wasn't always like this, expecially in the 80's.

[surround sounds]

Well i do not think that is true in my case cause i have never seen anyone the same as mine, maybe same speakers or a same light but no more than that

[Excalibur]

It wasn't always like this, expecially in the 80's.
Actually, I reckon it was. A table or home made stand, lightboxes at the front, and spotboxes on top of them.

[CRAZY K]

Last night I done a disco above a hall where another disco was working below. At the end of the night I thought I would go downstairs to have a look at there set up. It was then it struck me how similar most disco's look, with the same star cloths on the same stands with the lights overhead.

It wasn't always like this, expecially in the 80's.

Logically if everyone is buying the latest kit, lighting, effects and fronts then probably yes theres a good chance of it--

Wasnt DJing in the 80s but would of thought much the same applied as Peter points out.

[TONYTIGER]

Actually, I reckon it was. A table or home made stand, lightboxes at the front, and spotboxes on top of them.

Sounds more like the 70s to me,lots of moving effects in the 80s astro balls ,ufos,harvesters, scanners, but there will always be mobiles that have have created there own individual look and that is still the same today.










www.tonyjamesdisco.co.uk

[paulg]

Something in the middle to form a table / conceal playout, 2 speakers either side and some overhead lights tends to make layouts similar. Beyond that, many disco's are unique.

[Pe7e]

Sounds more like the 70s to me, lots of moving effects in the 80s, astro balls, ufos, harvesters, and scanners


www.tonyjamesdisco.co.uk

I don't remember seeing any mobile discos with proper astro balls, ufos, and harvesters back then, they were horrendiously expensive, a few had basic scanners, twisters and derbys, but that was about all, in my experience. Light boxes and spot banks still ruled.

[TONYTIGER]

I don't remember seeing any mobile discos with proper astro balls, ufos, and harvesters back then, they were horrendiously expensive, a few had basic scanners, twisters and derbys, but that was about all, in my experience. Light boxes and spot banks still ruled.

I must have been a exception to the rule ,does that mean i wasn't the same as the others in the 80s we had 11 mobiles running all had the above all from our friends at Clay Paky.

[WWDJ]

I have never knowingly imitated anyone else's setup :D :sofa:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't remember seeing any mobile discos with proper astro balls, ufos, and harvesters back then, they were horrendiously expensive, a few had basic scanners, twisters and derbys, but that was about all, in my experience. Light boxes and spot banks still ruled.

The first reasonably priced mass market twister type effect didn't arrive until the late 80s either. I had a white Martin Ministar that cost about £400 I seem to recall. The Datamoon came about in 1993 I believe?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I must have been a exception to the rule ,does that mean i wasn't the same as the others in the 80s we had 11 mobiles running all had the above all from our friends at Clay Paky.

I think you must have been the exception Tony - most mobiles couldn't afford the kind of effects you are talking about!

[Javlingames]

I know quite a few of the old dings entertainment dj's had big kit like that back in the 80s and 90's. Standard shows included 20 odd light boxes, overhead gantrys with harvesters and clay paky type stuff. Huge EV and Bose PA's etc. Mind you in those days the DJ's needed it for the big gigs they did.

[TONYTIGER]

Slightly off topic,but back in 1980 a whole lot of local mobiles in my area got together and formed a cooperative group to share expensive equipment worked very well we splashed, out and bought a Barco Video System with a 100 inch screen ,must have been first video mobiles around everything was on VHS and we used to get a new video every week from the video pool,might even be some mileage in this today.In fact i am thinking of buying 2 dozen battery/wireless DMX up lighters and sharing the cost with colleges.












www.tonyjamesdisco.co.uk

[chrisj]

Definitely don't all look the same. There are some with star cloths, some with disco screens, some with black cloth over a table and some with a custom table/unit.
Many have lighting gantry some don't have the unsightly things, moodlighting/uplighters are popular but not always. There are so many variations including Laptop/PC hard drives or cd's and some still use vinyl. But to many clients it does not matter as long as 'The price is right'.

[musicologydisco]

:agree:

[Excalibur]

It wasn't always like this, expecially in the 80's.


Actually, I reckon it was. A table or home made stand, lightboxes at the front, and spotboxes on top of them.


Sounds more like the 70s to me,

I was using screens/spots in the 90's. Still miss 'em.

[chrisj]

I still use screens, par36 pinspot banks and scanning par 36'swhen asked to for Retro nights. Taking it back to 70's/80's. Often wish I hadn't sold my Solar 250 projectors now.

[funkymook]

I still use screens, par36 pinspot banks and scanning par 36'swhen asked to for Retro nights. Taking it back to 70's/80's. Often wish I hadn't sold my Solar 250 projectors now.

I use to pick decent condition 250's up from ebay at under £100 a time - it's worth keeping an eye out for them.

[musicologydisco]

I still use screens, par36 pinspot banks and scanning par 36'swhen asked to for Retro nights. Taking it back to 70's/80's. Often wish I hadn't sold my Solar 250 projectors now.

I used 2 solar 250's for both Halloween parties I did at the weekend. 1 with a ghost wheel and 1 with a monster wheel. Brilliant effects!

[Javlingames]

Ive just picked up 7 light screens in very good condition. They all have the opal acrylic fronts as opposed to frosted yellow fronts, which i think look much better. I can convert these to LED for about £600. I have 4 3x2's and 3 3x3's. Wondering whether to take the plunge or not. I just love the retro 80's look and I feel that putting LEDs in them will make them a bit more modern.

[TONYTIGER]

I used 2 solar 250's for both Halloween parties I did at the weekend. 1 with a ghost wheel and 1 with a monster wheel. Brilliant effects!

I agree one of the best bit of gear ever produced ,if you have all the attachments you can create some amazing effects,well done

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Ive just picked up 7 light screens in very good condition. They all have the opal acrylic fronts as opposed to frosted yellow fronts, which i think look much better. I can convert these to LED for about £600. I have 4 3x2's and 3 3x3's. Wondering whether to take the plunge or not. I just love the retro 80's look and I feel that putting LEDs in them will make them a bit more modern.

Where would you use them though? If you need them for a retro might, surely leaving the pygmy bulbs in them would do?

[Javlingames]

Where would you use them though? If you need them for a retro might, surely leaving the pygmy bulbs in them would do?

This is the thing, i wouldn't use them on a high end corporate gig, I suppose I would use them in the right situation ie local village hall, private party in a club etc. led gives me more control over them(eg all boxes 1 colour, a slow fade from left to right, dmxable basically). I'm thinking from the back of the room it would look a little like the equinox Dj booth foldable. Which I do like but for me they are too high. I really want 3ft heigt, not 4ft