Your ideal setup

[rth_discos]

OK, so slight fantasy thread, but with a twist.

If you were starting your business again today, with a big loan to get all of the equipment in one go, what would you buy? What would be your ideal setup?

The twist though is that this isn't an "unlimited amount of money" - it should still be a realistic spend that you would be able to use that equipment to a create a profitable business.

So let's say you had around £7-10k to play with... what would you be buying?

What do you not have, that you'd love to have - what would you do differently with your setup if starting fresh now?

[Excalibur]

OK, so slight fantasy thread, but with a twist.

If you were starting your business again today, with a big loan to get all of the equipment in one go, what would you buy? What would be your ideal setup?

The twist though is that this isn't an "unlimited amount of money" - it should still be a realistic spend that you would be able to use that equipment to a create a profitable business.

So let's say you had around £7-10k to play with... what would you be buying?

What do you not have, that you'd love to have - what would you do differently with your setup if starting fresh now?

Tricky. Very tricky. I could easily end up buying kit I've slagged off for years. For a start, I couldn't categorically state which booth I'd get. It could very easily be an Ultimax wheel'n'winch, with something like an S&H round it. These Lite console efforts don't really do it for me. Plus something in 600mm as well for upstairs.

PA? Some combination of HK, LD, and Yamaha. I know what the first two can do, and I've heard the third at Coaville. A pair of fifteen of eighteen inch subs, and twelve inch tops as front line, with a pair of fifteens as the other option. ( On that note, we heard some HK kit at Liversedge, and most folk thought that while the fifteens were superb on their own, they didn't sound as nice over the eighteen inch subs as the twelves did. )

Playout? Unless I see something awesome at BPM, I see no reason not to stick with my VMS 4.1, but with a much more powerful laptop than I currently possess. Backup, not sure. I'd like it to be some form of HDC, but there doesn't seem to be anything suitable at the moment. There's a Pioneer with CD trays in which would be a contender, I'm sure.

Mics would probably be Sennheiser corded, and Beta 58 wireless.

That just leaves lighting really. Again, tricky. Truthfully, I'd say two Gigbars, two moonflowers, a compact powerbar and a cluster laser would form the basis of it.

Haven't costed it, but I bet that would do £7k a lot of damage.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I doubt I'd change much to be honest.

I'd maybe upgrade the HKs to Bose LIIs because the sound quality is just phenomenal on them but apart from that there's nothing on my rig I'm unhappy with or want to change.

[Benny Smyth]

Kit that sets itself up and takes itself down - maybe s flightcase on wheels with a button.

But in all seriousness, I'm in the same boat as Jim. I'm happy with my kit and, to be honest, the thought of starting from scratch again makes me want to cry.

[musicology]

First on my list would be the Phantom hazer!

[Daryll]

What I have now , no need to get bigger , brighter , louder ( nearly a song ......:) )


Daryll

[ckpr2]

I would buy light gear that is easy to lug around.
Class d amplifier with switch mode power supply that is lighter than normal transformer amplifier.

[Andy P]

I'm on the other end - I had to build the business up from a few hundred quid I had put aside for a rainy day. I feel I almost wasted my first grand as all of the stuff isn't used anymore but then that did allow me to make 4 or 5 more to buy the next rig.

I'm happy with my PA and will by a second sub in time. I'd like better lights but they can wait till next year. I'd also like a better booth and van so I guess I better work a bit harder.

[Imagine]

Kit that sets itself up and takes itself down - maybe s flightcase on wheels with a button.



I'm with Benny on that one :)

I'd probably stick with pretty much what I've got to be honest (and not make the mistakes I've made in the past which have lead to me having a huge "graveyard" of dead stuff at the back of my storage unit).

The only thing I really need now is a second Jaguar MSD. If I was starting again, those would obviously be Wizzards, but other than that I'm more than happy with the current set up.

[rth_discos]

(and not make the mistakes I've made in the past which have lead to me having a huge "graveyard" of dead stuff at the back of my storage unit).

Have you considered selling the stuff you don't use? I've been surprised at the resale value old equipment has.




The only thing I really need now is a second Jaguar MSD. If I was starting again, those would obviously be Wizzards,

Out of interest, is there a big difference between the Wizzard and the Wizzard look-a-likes (Jaguar, Warlock etc)? What is it about the Wizzard that you say you would buy them a second time round?

[Imagine]

Have you considered selling the stuff you don't use? I've been surprised at the resale value old equipment has.

I have done but haven't got round to it yet. To be honest, a lot of it is cheap and nasty stuff (things like my original QTX PA system where the drivers have blown and they aren't worth anything.....not to forget my Domin8r which nobody else brought in the first place ;)



Out of interest, is there a big difference between the Wizzard and the Wizzard look-a-likes (Jaguar, Warlock etc)? What is it about the Wizzard that you say you would buy them a second time round?

Mainly the name being recognised and that's all. The Jaguar IS a Wizzard (it's made in the same factory, same specs, same materials, same bulb), just not branded by Martin. It's actually a damned good light and goes out for most weddings (because I've only got one, it's used as a centrepiece at the moment). The plan is to get a second one and mount them on the uprights of my Equinox booth....less is more and all that ;)

[rth_discos]

Mainly the name being recognised and that's all. The Jaguar IS a Wizzard

Isn't that just a DJ thing? I doubt many average punters have ever heard of Martin.

Sounds like the "non brand name" version is the best one then!

[Shaun]

Mainly the name being recognised and that's all. The Jaguar IS a Wizzard (it's made in the same factory, same specs, same materials, same bulb), just not branded by Martin.

Does the Jaguar have a separate colour and gobo wheels?

[Imagine]

It does indeed (14 gobos and 16 colours), plus fully open

The only problem is, it's been discontinued and I'm having one heck of a fun morning finding a second one to complete my setup :( (unless of course, I want to pay twice the price it's actually worth)

[Shaun]

It does indeed (14 gobos and 16 colours), plus fully open


Thanks.

[Imagine]

Well, the second Jaguar MSD turned up today :)

B-Stock unfortunately and a minor chip to the edge of one of the mirrors, but nothing that's noticeable to anyone other than me.

So, I now have my ideal wedding set-up which consists of:

Equinox booth
Yamaha DXR15's
Yamaha DSR18
2 x Jaguar MSD 250's
2 x ADJ Spherion WH
4 x Chauvet TriWedge uplighters and associated aluminium podiums
1 x ADJ Gobo
VMS 4.1


Will try this rig out in full for Saturday's wedding (and will have a couple of additional fixtures "just in case" but don't think they'll even come out of the van. From what I saw at home tonight.....I'm impressed and happy :)

I've had to make a bit of a fudge to get the Jaguars onto the uprights of the Equinox overhead kit, but it's nice and sturdy and I'm happy that it'll work - but only time will tell (why oh WHY did they have to make the uprights out of box section instead of round????? :daft:)

Had I have known just under 2 years ago what I know today, I'd have spent around £15k less on kit! (which is a frightening figure). The list above (including stuff like laptops, mics, cables and stands) comes to no more than £4k in total.

OK - I have rigs for every situation now, including my beloved Chauvet Gigbars for things like pubs and upstairs jobs, plus I've been amassing 80's kit for specialist nights. But I've also got a LOT of kit that's never likely to come out again.

Might be a little bit of e-Baying going on early next year to clear out the stores a little bit, and more than a few trips to the tip with some of the stuff in there at the moment (a pair of blown QTX15SA's and a pair of QTX15 tops in the same condition spring to mind)

[rth_discos]

Will try this rig out in full for Saturday's wedding


Would be great to see a photo of it set up on Saturday.





I've had to make a bit of a fudge to get the Jaguars onto the uprights of the Equinox overhead kit, but it's nice and sturdy and I'm happy that it'll work - but only time will tell (why oh WHY did they have to make the uprights out of box section instead of round????? :daft:)



I have seen someone somewhere clamp a round pole to the Equinox booth. I can't remember the connector they used but it looked pretty good... let me see if I can find it!

[Casual77]

I'd certainly be interested to see a photo of your new rig as well.

Given that we have a fair amount of kit in common (Equinox booth - large and Micron, Gigbars, ADJ Gobo, Yamaha speakers, single sub etc) I could probably do with tapping your brains regarding how you decide what set-ups to take on which gigs. At the moment I usually end up using my large booth and preferred lights on any gigs where it is physically possible and I'm sure I could be making things far easier for myself.

Out of interest.... what solution did you come up with for attaching the Jaguars to the Equinox uprights? I managed to attach some tube section to the top of my overhead bar so that I could attach my Butterfly Quads but the idea of just using the uprights instead of the full overhead bar kit is interesting. Presumably, when you go down that route it rules out using the ADJ Gobo, or do you use a separate T Bar for that?

[Imagine]

To answer a lot of your questions.....this is what I've just left set up at a venue 3 minutes down the road from me (and it's likely to become a regular haunt as well :)

I'll get a pic later of the Jaguars attached to the uprights, but it involves using the poles UPSIDE DOWN so the thin bit's at the top and a top casing bracket - very easy to put up :)

The ADJ Gobo is indeed on a separate pole in the right hand corner of the photo (again, attached with a top casting).

Took an hour to set this up today, but a lot of that was spent chatting to the venue owner, drinking coffee and wasting time. I estimate future outings with this one will take around 30 minutes set up and 20 minutes tear down (most of that being allowing the Jag's to cool down).

So....may I present to you.....my new wedding rig :)

17415

[rth_discos]

I am in two minds.

From an aesthetics point of view, it looks amazing, and there's definitely a benefit to not having an overhead bar (it enables you the DJ to be seen much easier).

However, it does limit the amount of light above head heigh, and I'll still in two minds if that causes an issue when the party is flowing - is there enough light?

In venues where all lighting is switched off, the DJ does need to provide enough light to light the room.

So that's why I'm in two minds!!

[Imagine]

I'll try to get some shots of it in action later.

From doing a test run there when I set up at lunchtime, it was plenty bright enough (the Jag's also bounce off of the walls). In this particular venue, they've also got their own up/downlighters so it's not going to be overly dark.

I have got a couple of parbars in the van just in case though ;)

[Benny Smyth]

Looks awesome.

Is there a way to have the lead powering you LED bar go under the booth as opposed to round it? That's really bothering my OCD right now. :lol:

[Hugh Jarse]

Bose F1 Model 812 Flexible Array Loudspeaker and Subwoofer Pair :beer1::beer1::beer1:

[Nakatomi]

Looks great but I don't like the idea of putting lights on the floor. When people are up dancing in front you lose most of the benefit of having the light on. This was always the way when we had screens & spot boxes. Why light up people's legs?

I think the LED bar would be better placed against the wall behind you. Other than that though, sweet setup!

[Excalibur]

I think the LED bar would be better placed against the wall behind you. Other than that though, sweet setup!

As do I. Or under the cloth.

[Benny Smyth]

Looks great but I don't like the idea of putting lights on the floor. When people are up dancing in front you lose most of the benefit of having the light on. This was always the way when we had screens & spot boxes. Why light up people's legs?

I think the LED bar would be better placed against the wall behind you. Other than that though, sweet setup!


As do I. Or under the cloth.

I will have to disagree, gents.

Now, personally, I'm not a fan of the LED bar being front and centre like that as it is prime for kicking. However, I have my moving head washes on the floor 'in line' with the rest of my kit and even with the legs in the way, they still light up the room :).

[Excalibur]

I will have to disagree, gents.

Now, personally, I'm not a fan of the LED bar being front and centre like that as it is prime for kicking. However, I have my moving head washes on the floor 'in line' with the rest of my kit and even with the legs in the way, they still light up the room :).

Point of order, Mr Chairman. Please let me know where I referred to moving head washes? I know I forget a lot nowadays, but I think I'd have remembered that.:)

Since you've brought up the subject though, I'd probably normally ( hedging my bets there. Never say never. ) prefer them on totems, rather than the floor. I've had great success with even minimal uplighting behind the booth.

[Benny Smyth]

Point of order, Mr Chairman. Please let me know where I referred to moving head washes? I know I forget a lot nowadays, but I think I'd have remembered that.:)

LED bars and moving head washes do the same job, honorable sir. The only difference is that one moves whilst the other stays static. :)

[Nakatomi]

Reflected light can be very useful. Never discount it. Shining washes at big plain b light coloured walls offers a lot of potential for ambience improvement.

You can shine lights at the crowd, or light them indirectly. I'll always prefer the latter when it comes to floods & washes. More pizazzle, less dazzle :)

[Excalibur]

LED bars and moving head washes do the same job,

The only difference is that one moves whilst the other stays static. :)

While I acknowledge they do the same thing, they may not do the same job.I feel that bars are more suited for uplighting/washing, whereas heads are designed to give your show movement. Subtle difference ( hair splitting? ) but a difference nonetheless.


honourable sir.
Thank you for the respect, but English spelling, rather than American, if you please. :no:


Reflected light can be very useful. Never discount it. Shining washes at big plain light coloured walls offers a lot of potential for ambience improvement.

You can shine lights at the crowd, or light them indirectly. I'll always prefer the latter when it comes to floods & washes. More pizazzle, less dazzle :)
Absolutely correct.

[Benny Smyth]

Thank you for the respect, but English spelling, rather than American, if you please. :no:

At leest itz not txt spk, yo!

[Excalibur]

At leest itz not txt spk, yo!

:zip: