Struggling with new setup ideas.

[ukpartydj]

The constant struggle of how to improve a setup has hit me once again. I've had my current style of setup in one way or another for around 4 years. My booth is essentially a table with a black or white table cloth, it's always been "okay" to me and when a proper booth costs hundreds and I'm not struggling to acheive the money I want for a night I've always thought "okay" seems to be working okay.

I'm considering the change to an equinox style booth with a starlit cloth as this would compliment my white starlit dance floor and I'm hoping the two together could sell each other very nicely and therefore could possibly be worth spending £550 + A few quid on different lighting if needed. I'm also considering ditching 2/4 of my moving heads and replacing them with either 2 more powerful & prism heads or a couple of barrell scanners like the equinox intimidator 305irc / wizard style lights.

Where I'm getting a little stuck is with these points:

1) Do I stick with my T-Bar and put it behind me (not always ideal) / to one side (no symmetry).
2) Do I get an overhead bar? Put then it'll surely take longer as I doubt I can keep all of the lights fixed onto the bar / it may be difficult to install.
3) Are a couple of barrell effects a good replacement to moving heads / do they fill rooms nicely?

Here's the lighting I currently use:

4x ADJ Xmove moving heads (doesn't feel like they make much impact on the room unless I'm using haze. Also I would like changeable gobos).
2x Kam RGBWA+UV Pars (Love these, I want to keep them as part of the show. Great for UV effects and strobing).
1x ADJ Mini Dekker (fills the room well, bright, orignally bought to use every now and again but it almost looks empty without them on sometimes).
4x Par up lighters (considering ditching these from the setup / only using 2)

It's all DMXed and does take a little while to setup everything so I want quicker setup and I want smarter looking really... Here's a few images to give an idea of what I already have. Any ideas?

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[funkymook]

For a classy look I don’t think you can wrong with with a booth + starcloth, moving heads on podiums either side of you and some sort of colour wash, especially teamed up with your dance-floor (worth having black and white starcloth options). Adding a pair of the Spherion mirror ball effects will also help to fill the room (and they always get an ‘oooh’ when I turn them on for a first dance).

For lower key events where you just want quick and simple invest in a gigbar (or two), you’ll be set-up in seconds.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've been thinking the exact same thing over the past few months. When I started out, I had a simple black velvet cover over my deckstand. Then I opted for a starcloth, but I only use that now when the floor is uneven and the equinox screens aren't stable.

I have to say though, I like the equinox screens and would recommend them. They are sturdy enough and protect the equipment. I have both plain white lycra and black patterned lycra screens and (I think), they look really good. That might be an option. They are cheap and the replacement lycra and carry bags are cheap (my bag needs replacing soon due to wear and tear).


"Where I'm getting a little stuck is with these points:

1) Do I stick with my T-Bar and put it behind me (not always ideal) / to one side (no symmetry).
2) Do I get an overhead bar? Put then it'll surely take longer as I doubt I can keep all of the lights fixed onto the bar / it may be difficult to install.
3) Are a couple of barrell effects a good replacement to moving heads / do they fill rooms nicely?"

I prefer symmetry personally. I'd like a T-Bar behind me but only if there is enough room.
I use an overhead bar and have always done. I spent some time pre-wiring the bars with 8 fixtures but it was worth it because it's like a jigsaw puzzle that slots together. Just connect the ends of the IEC's to the 8 way switch box. Easy and less time consuming. If I want to swap fixtures about, I just unclamp and replace.
With reference to barrells... I bought a couple of Pocket scans. Cheap and cheerful and quite wacky at times. They are fillers on each end of the overhead bar.
As for filling a room? Well, these are pocket scans and not mega powerful but they have done ok for me.
Are they a good replacement for moving heads? In my opinion, No. I like the way moving heads scan the crowd and have a smooth movement.
I only have a couple of ADJ X Moves and I made some stands for them. I can place them anywhere in a venue away from my set up and let them do their thing.
If I don't use the overhead bar, I can have them on stands either side of me or on the uprights of the Ultimax as the bottom of the platform they sit on fits the upright bar.


"Here's the lighting I currently use:

4x ADJ Xmove moving heads (doesn't feel like they make much impact on the room unless I'm using haze. Also I would like changeable gobos).
2x Kam RGBWA+UV Pars (Love these, I want to keep them as part of the show. Great for UV effects and strobing).
1x ADJ Mini Dekker (fills the room well, bright, originally bought to use every now and again but it almost looks empty without them on sometimes).
4x Par up lighters (considering ditching these from the setup / only using 2)

It's all DMXed and does take a little while to setup everything so I want quicker setup and I want smarter looking really... Here's a few images to give an idea of what I already have. Any ideas?"

The thing I find difficult is deciding what to remove.
I have plenty of uplighting units that I can use for colour changes so that's not a problem. I like movement though and have started using the Acme Dynamos again with the little controller. I also still use the Revo 3's as the coverage (even though it's the dots thing), is huge.

I'd be interested to see what you opt for because as I said, I am struggling to actually make my mind up and go for something different. It is finding a nice balance.

Your set up looks neat enough. I personally don't like scrims but that's just me. I would definitely get a screen of some kind though.
You can make your own moving head stands very easily. Maybe give that a go and place a couple of them at the other end of the room?

Sorry, probably not much help but there you go.

[ukpartydj]

For a classy look I don’t think you can wrong with with a booth + starcloth, moving heads on podiums either side of you and some sort of colour wash, especially teamed up with your dance-floor (worth having black and white starcloth options). Adding a pair of the Spherion mirror ball effects will also help to fill the room (and they always get an ‘oooh’ when I turn them on for a first dance).

For lower key events where you just want quick and simple invest in a gigbar (or two), you’ll be set-up in seconds.

I have certainly considered the podiums, I do already have a couple 1.8m high ones which I designed and had made a few years ago.
They are a bit of a pain to transport and setup and I've never been sure if they really added enough to bother using them that often, they get used maybe 3 times a year.
Here's an old picture of them:

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I've been thinking the exact same thing over the past few months. When I started out, I had a simple black velvet cover over my deckstand. Then I opted for a starcloth, but I only use that now when the floor is uneven and the equinox screens aren't stable.

I have to say though, I like the equinox screens and would recommend them. They are sturdy enough and protect the equipment. I have both plain white lycra and black patterned lycra screens and (I think), they look really good. That might be an option. They are cheap and the replacement lycra and carry bags are cheap (my bag needs replacing soon due to wear and tear).


"Where I'm getting a little stuck is with these points:

1) Do I stick with my T-Bar and put it behind me (not always ideal) / to one side (no symmetry).
2) Do I get an overhead bar? Put then it'll surely take longer as I doubt I can keep all of the lights fixed onto the bar / it may be difficult to install.
3) Are a couple of barrell effects a good replacement to moving heads / do they fill rooms nicely?"

I prefer symmetry personally. I'd like a T-Bar behind me but only if there is enough room.
I use an overhead bar and have always done. I spent some time pre-wiring the bars with 8 fixtures but it was worth it because it's like a jigsaw puzzle that slots together. Just connect the ends of the IEC's to the 8 way switch box. Easy and less time consuming. If I want to swap fixtures about, I just unclamp and replace.
With reference to barrells... I bought a couple of Pocket scans. Cheap and cheerful and quite wacky at times. They are fillers on each end of the overhead bar.
As for filling a room? Well, these are pocket scans and not mega powerful but they have done ok for me.
Are they a good replacement for moving heads? In my opinion, No. I like the way moving heads scan the crowd and have a smooth movement.
I only have a couple of ADJ X Moves and I made some stands for them. I can place them anywhere in a venue away from my set up and let them do their thing.
If I don't use the overhead bar, I can have them on stands either side of me or on the uprights of the Ultimax as the bottom of the platform they sit on fits the upright bar.


"Here's the lighting I currently use:

4x ADJ Xmove moving heads (doesn't feel like they make much impact on the room unless I'm using haze. Also I would like changeable gobos).
2x Kam RGBWA+UV Pars (Love these, I want to keep them as part of the show. Great for UV effects and strobing).
1x ADJ Mini Dekker (fills the room well, bright, originally bought to use every now and again but it almost looks empty without them on sometimes).
4x Par up lighters (considering ditching these from the setup / only using 2)

It's all DMXed and does take a little while to setup everything so I want quicker setup and I want smarter looking really... Here's a few images to give an idea of what I already have. Any ideas?"

The thing I find difficult is deciding what to remove.
I have plenty of uplighting units that I can use for colour changes so that's not a problem. I like movement though and have started using the Acme Dynamos again with the little controller. I also still use the Revo 3's as the coverage (even though it's the dots thing), is huge.

I'd be interested to see what you opt for because as I said, I am struggling to actually make my mind up and go for something different. It is finding a nice balance.

Your set up looks neat enough. I personally don't like scrims but that's just me. I would definitely get a screen of some kind though.
You can make your own moving head stands very easily. Maybe give that a go and place a couple of them at the other end of the room?

Sorry, probably not much help but there you go.

Moving head stand is something I've also considered... my current thought pattern is that nobody really cares all that much about the lights and as long as it looks good they're happy.
That being said prehaps I'd be better upgrading my heads, sticking them behind me / maybe making a hole in the shelf of a booth and going that way.

The starcloth is very likely to feature, thanks for the suggestion of the screen but I think with it "matching" the dance floor it may look nicer.
I'll update this once decided.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

The good thing about the screen, especially if you get the plain white lycra, is that you can match the look of the set up to the uplighting.
When I have a disco with uplighting for a wedding, I always ask the customer what they'd prefer and if they want it matched to the uplighting or just colour changing throughout the evening.

Looking at the photo above, one thing that struck me straight away and that is the fact that you are leaning down. Do you get backache?
The height of my shelf is quite high so I don't have to bend over too much.

[Nakatomi]

Another recommendation for Equinox screens. I love mine to bits.

This is me in a typical wedding setup at my res:

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And this is me for a halloween kids' party - the spider sheets were had from Amazon for about £3 the pair.

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FWIW the hot spots behind the screens look less prominent in person. I've been looking at other backlighting methods though including edge lit perspex

[yourdj]

Another recommendation for Equinox screens. I love mine to bits.

FWIW the hot spots behind the screens look less prominent in person. I've been looking at other backlighting methods though including edge lit perspex

I was going to mention the equinox, it made my set up much quicker as it does not have to be so neat behind the booth. It that a venue table or your own? Not sure the lighting stand in the front is great. I like to hide my stands/lights if poss, esp. as its out the way then. :)

Booth and light looks nice on the laptop and does not cost much at all.

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[Nakatomi]

I was going to mention the equinox, it made my set up much quicker as it does not have to be so neat behind the booth. It that a venue table or your own? Not sure the lighting stand in the front is great. I like to hide my stands/lights if poss, esp. as its out the way then. :)

Booth and light looks nice on the laptop and does not cost much at all.

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Venue's table - it had all the sweeties for the games on it all ready for me. As for the lighting stand in the front.. er.. what lighting stand in the front? My gigabar tripod is always behind me (I've yet to play with overheads on the booth) & speaker tripods.. it's either those or... SCRIMS!

[ukpartydj]

Looking at the photo above, one thing that struck me straight away and that is the fact that you are leaning down. Do you get backache?
The height of my shelf is quite high so I don't have to bend over too much.

If you look at the first photo you'll see I solved the height issue. That is another thing though I want my laptop higher than controller so it may be either a case of buying a shelf extra for the equinox booth or just some sort of shelving if I hide it behind a screen.


Another recommendation for Equinox screens. I love mine to bits.

How is the light in the centre mounted? The beam effect. I thought about doing this on my T bar but wasn't really sure how to.


I was going to mention the equinox, it made my set up much quicker as it does not have to be so neat behind the booth. It that a venue table or your own? Not sure the lighting stand in the front is great. I like to hide my stands/lights if poss, esp. as its out the way then. :)

My table, never rely on the venue. I sometimes put the stand behind me but it's a case of style over substance as they work best in front.

I guess if I had a screen then it would "hide" the stand in front. Maybe a starcloth might work on those screens to achieve the look I want without changing too much.


Venue's table - it had all the sweeties for the games on it all ready for me. As for the lighting stand in the front.. er.. what lighting stand in the front? My gigabar tripod is always behind me (I've yet to play with overheads on the booth) & speaker tripods.. it's either those or... SCRIMS!

I think Toby is referring to my stands and table :)

[Nakatomi]

My Quad Phase HP gets rigged to the upright section of the gigAbar tripod just under the 'cans' with a Global Truss F24 (32-35mm) clamp & gets plugged into the gigAbar's power output.

If I'm going 'all out' for a 21st or something I currently (though this is bound to change once I've played with my overhead ladder) put a scanner & goboflower on vertical poles into my deckstand. The scanners go at the top. I'll generally add my 2 RGB clusters on top of my speakers too in those cases.

And then if I'm really going all out I'll use 2 PAR bars - one gigAbar & one Teutonic thing - each either side of the stage with various lights mounted on top. If the stage is high the scanners can be mounted on my speaker stands - again using F24 clamps. It's really quite versatile, my rig IMHO.

At the heart of everything I do is always my gigAbar from Equinox. I never go to a gig without it.

Oh BTW, before any of the other safety police nab you - you really should face any tripod stand 'leg out' towards the crowd, not the way you had yours in the photo where it's in front of your rig.

[yourdj]

er.. what lighting stand in the front?

Sorry was refering the questions to UKpartydj. just quoted you as you were thinking of the screen too. :)



My table, never rely on the venue. I sometimes put the stand behind me but it's a case of style over substance as they work best in front.

I guess if I had a screen then it would "hide" the stand in front. Maybe a starcloth might work on those screens to achieve the look I want without changing too much.



I think Toby is referring to my stands and table :)

Yes all questions. Good you use your own table, looks like a metal legged strong tressle one too. A lot of venue have them hence the question. We have all done it, but I would love to see a DJ that relies on venue tables turn up and not have one to use (especially in marquees). I personally don't like the lighting there, so visual and safety reasons but its your set up. Screen makes like a lot easier, protects the heat better and looks neater IMO. Its the reason why so many DJ's use them now. that and the cost, although I don't think it looks any worth than a cheap booth.

i think as you have those trusses, something like this with some more powerful head would look miles nicer and not cost much more. I only use one bright uplighter and get the same effect on the screen/laptop. Also the laptop would be better protected as at some point it will be knocked off being so close to the dancing. You can then ditch the table and use something better maybe. I use my flight case and sub (see picture below). The only things i bring in and don't use are the covers for the speakers.

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[ukpartydj]

My Quad Phase HP gets rigged to the upright section of the gigAbar tripod just under the 'cans' with a Global Truss F24 (32-35mm) clamp & gets plugged into the gigAbar's power output.

If I'm going 'all out' for a 21st or something I currently (though this is bound to change once I've played with my overhead ladder) put a scanner & goboflower on vertical poles into my deckstand. The scanners go at the top. I'll generally add my 2 RGB clusters on top of my speakers too in those cases.

And then if I'm really going all out I'll use 2 PAR bars - one gigAbar & one Teutonic thing - each either side of the stage with various lights mounted on top. If the stage is high the scanners can be mounted on my speaker stands - again using F24 clamps. It's really quite versatile, my rig IMHO.

At the heart of everything I do is always my gigAbar from Equinox. I never go to a gig without it.

Oh BTW, before any of the other safety police nab you - you really should face any tripod stand 'leg out' towards the crowd, not the way you had yours in the photo where it's in front of your rig.

Excellent, thanks - depending on which way this goes I may move my mini-dekker up onto the stand with one of those then.

One could argue that sticking the leg out would cause a trip hazard though. I believe it was the lesser of two evils. Don't get me wrong I don't like the stand in front, it just does a good job every time.



Sorry was refering the questions to UKpartydj. just quoted you as you were thinking of the screen too. :)
Yes all questions. Good you use your own table, looks like a metal legged strong tressle one too. A lot of venue have them hence the question. We have all done it, but I would love to see a DJ that relies on venue tables turn up and not have one to use (especially in marquees). I personally don't like the lighting there, so visual and safety reasons but its your set up. Screen makes like a lot easier, protects the heat better and looks neater IMO. Its the reason why so many DJ's use them now. that and the cost, although I don't think it looks any worth than a cheap booth.

i think as you have those trusses, something like this with some more powerful head would look miles nicer and not cost much more. I only use one bright uplighter and get the same effect on the screen/laptop. Also the laptop would be better protected as at some point it will be knocked off being so close to the dancing. You can then ditch the table and use something better maybe. I use my flight case and sub (see picture below). The only things i bring in and don't use are the covers for the speakers.

Yes a lot of venue's do use them, in fact just a couple of weeks ago as I was packing away the venue kindly folded mine away by mistake. And I honestly don't know how DJs go about with no table / stand either, I've never gone anywhere expecting things from others other than a plug socket or 2 :).

I may have to consider the podium setup it does concern me that it looks minamalistic though.

[Nakatomi]

Minimalistic is all the rage these days dontcha know.

Some of the highest paid DJs in the land are going out with little more than a compact PA, a couple of wash panels & Wizards on sticks - and I'll bet nobody (but other DJs) moan about how little they use.

I forgot to mention the number one bugbear I have with my folding screens - PEOPLE LEAN ON THEM when I'm not on a stage. I always prefer NOT being on a stage though because it's a blimmin great big barrier between me & the crowd. I'm definitely NOT going out with my screens over the upcoming party season in my residency. Tipsy people at weddings is one thing - drunks at Christmas parties are a whole other level.

If something isn't adding something useful to your rig, eliminate it or replace it with something that will.

EDIT: regarding tripod leg direction - I think I'd rather somebody trip over a stand leg than inadvertently bring 18+ kilos of speaker down onto themselves. 2 sided scrims, love em or hate em (I've still not made my mind up yet) enhance visibiity no end.

[Excalibur]

Minimalistic is all the rage these days dontcha know.

Some of the highest paid DJs in the land are going out with little more than a compact PA, a couple of wash panels & Wizards on sticks - .

And one white haired, competitively priced old git with a compact PA, two Swarm5s, and an Equinox batten. ;)

Justin, I believe you've hit on the biggest failing of the folding screens. Once you've had a DSB, even an ordinary Ultimax is lacking in its ability to repel boarders. :(

Say what you like about lightboxes, stacked high enough, they were a good barrier. :)

[surround sounds]

This is mainly what i use. As they say Wizzard on a stick

[ukpartydj]

Minimalistic is all the rage these days dontcha know.

Some of the highest paid DJs in the land are going out with little more than a compact PA, a couple of wash panels & Wizards on sticks - and I'll bet nobody (but other DJs) moan about how little they use.

I forgot to mention the number one bugbear I have with my folding screens - PEOPLE LEAN ON THEM when I'm not on a stage. I always prefer NOT being on a stage though because it's a blimmin great big barrier between me & the crowd. I'm definitely NOT going out with my screens over the upcoming party season in my residency. Tipsy people at weddings is one thing - drunks at Christmas parties are a whole other level.

If something isn't adding something useful to your rig, eliminate it or replace it with something that will.

EDIT: regarding tripod leg direction - I think I'd rather somebody trip over a stand leg than inadvertently bring 18+ kilos of speaker down onto themselves. 2 sided scrims, love em or hate em (I've still not made my mind up yet) enhance visibiity no end.

The black table top cover in my podium photo earlier got put into storage fairly quickly because of people leaning / pulling it off so I can understand the frustration.
I'm not sure what it is, when I look at the screens I don't feel massive love for them, probably the same as you feel towards scrims. If they end up being the best option then fair enough though.


This is mainly what i use. As they say Wizzard on a stick

I think that looks very neat and smart, probably would sell well... but just isn't "wow" enough for me I feel. I really enjoy my "band style" live controlled setup, maybe clients don't buy because of it, but they do notice and interact with UV, strobes and blackout etc and I like that :)

[Nakatomi]

And one white haired, competitively priced old git with a compact PA, two Swarm5s, and an Equinox batten. ;)

Justin, I believe you've hit on the biggest failing of the folding screens. Once you've had a DSB, even an ordinary Ultimax is lacking in its ability to repel boarders. :(

Say what you like about lightboxes, stacked high enough, they were a good barrier. :)

I don't actually like DSBs much. But then I don't actually like my Ultimax AT ALL anymore. Too heavy, too cumbersome, too fiddly by far - and too big to boot. And the wheels - jesus I've had washing machines with better steering.

I like the idea of starcloths but every single one I've seen in person has looked tacky to me.

With regard to the folding screens, there has to be a fairly simple modification they can take to make them more sturdy once up. I'd have gone all out for the GDS type but for it casting a shadow on itself when you backlight it.

As for edge lit perspex... there's an American company farming them out as folding frontages & they look brilliant. The snag is the price. I started looking into Perspex's own edge lightable plastic & the prices made my eyes water. The idea is simplicity itself - you shine LEDs down 2 sides of it and as if by magic the light emanates from the front too, evenly across the whole panel. But it's like 60+ quid a square metre!

The nearest booth to something I like is the Paladin Innovations Casebooth. There's no waste - you carry it around & use the case as shelves. Ah but the price. OMG. Not much change (if any) out of £800. Jees, if I'm gonna spend that much... I'm figuring I can get something along those lines custom made at a local metalwork shop for less & tick all my boxes. That'll be a nice shock for another day.

[Imagine]

And one white haired, competitively priced old git with a compact PA, two Swarm5s, and an Equinox batten. ;)

And a rotund, balding, overpriced Southerner with 2 Partybars and a pair of Intimidator 305irc's on sticks ;)




Say what you like about lightboxes, stacked high enough, they were a good barrier. :)

Amen to that :)
Mine are out next weekend for a "bad taste" party (yes, I'll be wearing one of Dave's shirts too for the evening!)...they're impregnable :)


With regard to the folding screens, there has to be a fairly simple modification they can take to make them more sturdy once up.

There is - I've done it :)
A self tapper in back of the top of each panel, a lump of square section aluminium with keyholes to match said self tappers (this makes the screens stand straight and rigid rather than curving around), then stays bolted to the aforementioned square-section which bolt to the fold away table I use. Nice and sturdy and actually slots together in under 2 minutes :)

Haven't got a picture at the moment unfortunately, and the next two weeks are the wedding rig (Equinox booth) and Retro light screens. After that though, it's the "standard pub setup" all the way through to Xmas so I'll take a couple of photos of it in situ if you want.

[yourdj]

but just isn't "wow" enough for me I feel.

I think that looks great especially for weddings, much neater and tidier. Wizards are a great effect, with uplighting.
Forget what we think why not ask the people that pay your bills. print off a picture of each set up and see what they say. :)


And a rotund, balding, overpriced Southerner with 2 Partybars and a pair of Intimidator 305irc's on sticks ;)

Or a southern happy go lucky, DJ whom is also realistically priced & prone to speaking out, to get a laugh without engaging his brain :)

Again as per above. Print off the below and the one posted in this thread and see what your clients/friends getting married like?
My guess is they will go for the starlit booth, 2 wizards and bose sticks. I would!!

Albiet I am using my old lighting bar and I now hide the stands behind the screen.

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A self tapper in back of the top of each panel, a lump of square section aluminium with keyholes to match said self tappers (this makes the screens stand straight and rigid rather than curving around), then stays bolted to the aforementioned square-section which bolt to the fold away table I use. Nice and sturdy and actually slots together in under 2 minutes :)



In terms of crowd control, I gaffer my screen hinges so it comes in only 2 parts. On my xmas residency I put a chair between me and the screen and as its a hard floor, also gaffer it to the floor. Works a treat. I would buy a decent metal booth and have that and perhaps as well as the screen for events if it was rough enough, but never have the need. :)

[ukpartydj]

I think that looks great especially for weddings, much neater and tidier. Wizards are a great effect, with uplighting.
Forget what we think why not ask the people that pay your bills. print off a picture of each set up and see what they say. :)

Good idea, I'm going to gather a few photos up and pester my friends.
I asked my Fiancee last night to order which she liked best out of 3 images and this is what she said:



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Nothing, even when prompted but she said it was #2



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#1 This was her favorite, although she said it looks really big for no reason.


This is mainly what i use. As they say Wizzard on a stick

#3 I cannot get the pictures but really surprisingly she said she didn't like this at all. She asked what "those weird things were on poles" I explained "wizards" and she said "they look more like Dementors"......

[funkymook]

Good idea, I'm going to gather a few photos up and pester my friends.
I asked my Fiancee last night to order which she liked best out of 3 images and this is what she said:



Nothing, even when prompted but she said it was #2



#1 This was her favorite, although she said it looks really big for no reason.



#3 I cannot get the pictures but really surprisingly she said she didn't like this at all. She asked what "those weird things were on poles" I explained "wizards" and she said "they look more like Dementors"......

Are you not also showing the actual effect rather than just the fittings? A pair of Wizards in darkened room is impressive, a picture of the Wizard’s themselves much less so.

[ukpartydj]

It was just a picture of the setup as posted before... let me see if I can be crafty and somehow attach the un-quotable image...


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Aha! This picture. I can certainly see what she means about dementors, flying through the sky.

It's getting that balance right, most of my clients are new clients who've come through the website or similar. They'll likely book based on the image they see, in which case a starlit booth / maybe screen (still unsure about them) with podiums may be the way to go... but when the lights go down I doubt it'd have the same impact as my current show.

[yourdj]

#3 I cannot get the pictures but really surprisingly she said she didn't like this at all. She asked what "those weird things were on poles" I explained "wizards" and she said "they look more like Dementors"......

Interesting. The backdrop on my one and LOVE letters sell it tbh, rather than the screen and lighting.


Are you not also showing the actual effect rather than just the fittings? A pair of Wizards in darkened room is impressive, a picture of the Wizard’s themselves much less so.

Thats the point. Out of all of them i think in the flesh the S&H starlit booth looks the best, especially when the Wizards are turned on.
But it goes to show a lot of clients now may bot want to see all the equipment, so minimising and maximising quality seems a good bet.
I guess nightclubs have now gone this way as the lights have got smaller and they bland them in the with ceiling etc.

It seems the mega platinum roadshow with banks of speakers and ten million crap lighting effects is dead, at least for weddings anyway. I would say a nice line array sticks on poles, several very good lighting fixtures (often better on full control), uplighting/wash lighting and a nice booth is industry standard.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Not that I have any stats or figures to go by but, I think that the majority of customers out there aren't too bothered about what the set up looks like. I think it is more us that do. I'd like to think that someone browsing (for example), my website, would be more interested in what I am like as a DJ and the way I work.

Presentation is obviously important and I am sure all of us on here believe that, but isn't it about the music at the end of the day and giving the customer want they want? Ok, some customers may know exactly what they want in a set up etc, but in my experience, I can count on one hand those customers that have actually been bothered about what everything looks like.

[funkymook]

Not that I have any stats or figures to go by but, I think that the majority of customers out there aren't too bothered about what the set up looks like. I think it is more us that do. I'd like to think that someone browsing (for example), my website, would be more interested in what I am like as a DJ and the way I work.

Presentation is obviously important and I am sure all of us on here believe that, but isn't it about the music at the end of the day and giving the customer want they want? Ok, some customers may know exactly what they want in a set up etc, but in my experience, I can count on one hand those customers that have actually been bothered about what everything looks like.

I’ve no pictures of my set-up on my websites and no one who’s booked me has ever asked which seems to bear this out.

[ppentertainments]

I’ve no pictures of my set-up on my websites and no one who’s booked me has ever asked which seems to bear this out.
I never did until last Summer. Since then I have had quite a few asking. Think I know part of the reason why (nothing to do with me) but sometimes think it is because they don't know what else to ask lol

[Nakatomi]

It seems the mega platinum roadshow with banks of speakers and ten million crap lighting effects is dead, at least for weddings anyway.
Nope, it's sadly very much still alive & well - and not at the budget end of the price spectrum either. Shudder. Ahh well, more fool them if they like spending 90 minutes each way.

[ukpartydj]

I've been asked a few times recently about setup and what things look like. Could this possibly be a website vs word of mouth / phonecall thing though? Where on the website you must make more of an effort.

My personal experience suggests my clients do care to a certain extent, I have 2 couples visit me this month where they have specifically asked to see photos / examples and haven't actually asked to have a chat about their wedding day.

I guess I may be attracting different types of client.

In other news the pictures I've shown people have suggested most like the screens, don't like uncovered truss, prefer the look of the stick speakers and consider how it physically looks way before they think about light effects, interesting!

[DJColsie]

I have had 3 couples this year contact via my website ask specifically to have "columns and balls", which they mean plinths, spherons and additional uplighting.

All 3 couples said the look of the venue and equipment was really important to them.

[Nakatomi]

A lot of discos even now look still like utter crap. Extension blocks dangling from stands, cables strewn at angles all over the place, gear in poor condition & loads of lights all doing their own thing, and all on at the same time. Starcloths & stand covers all creased or with holes in, lightboxes with too many bulbs out.. They're all things venues see on a regular basis. They're getting away with it because some punters don't care. It's a disco, right? Hahaha.

[ukpartydj]

Update:

So I met with a couple last week and showed them a few photos who said they liked the starlit booth & the screen with no preference over either. My friends seemed to like the screen the most and the price was the most attractive to me (1/5 of the price) so that's what I went with. I am going to have to do something about lining up those damn hinges, why are they both the same length (any ideas before I saw the top one down on all the panels), they are infuriating! Also no feet so the black paint comes off, had to pop some rubber feet on them... oh but now it won't slide easily, I guess that's not a bad point.

The panels were delivered in time for a kids party I did at the weekend with the mirror ball columns... I'm starting to like the look of the columns again, they work much better with the screen! Need to get some up lighters behind the screen (didn't have much setup time). I do think the pinspot is a little weak though, I feel if I had a brighter pinspot I'd be much happier but they all seem to be 3w! May be worth me looking into a bit of DIY LED upgrade :).

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Also I saw a black friday deal on a pair of chauvet intimidator 3015IRC barell effects which I originally was considering £260 off so I felt it was rude not to buy them... should be arriving later today.
I think I'll replace the moving heads on my t-bar with the barell effects, maybe splash out on a nice gobo or 2 if I'm happy with the new lights. I've already sold a pair of my moving heads. I may keep my other pair for a little while longer and possibly shove them on top of the podiums and try and sell that as a upgrade package / part of my larger show.

Hopefully I'll have my new setup (minus mirrorballs) all setup on Friday and I'll turn the wash effects off so I can get a half decent picture.

[Nakatomi]

I keep two halves of my screens taped together to save time & effort - then I only need to line up one join in the middle. Unless of course I'm only using 3 out of the 4 panels

[yourdj]

I keep two halves of my screens taped together to save time & effort - then I only need to line up one join in the middle. Unless of course I'm only using 3 out of the 4 panels

Same here, only takes a few seconds, even with the terrible riveted gorilla one. Get out to the front of it, it makes it a lot easier for some reason (as opposed to doing it from behind). You will find it dead handy at the end as you can push it out and use it as a visual screen when packing away, which adds to your privacy, but also for health and safety reasons, as you wont get kids or drunk people straying into your area. :) Only thing is the bag it comes with (it did not even have one when it came out) - I am going back to a bike bag as the bags they supply are too small and crap quality.

A lot of DJ's would dismiss the screens over a more expensive booth, but most venue managers have complimented it and said it looks really in keeping with the venues decorations / ambiance. Clients the same. For the price its one of the best investments i have made, in an aesthetically and functional sense. I may look back in a few years and wonder what i am going on about, but I am happy at the moment, with it.

[ppentertainments]

A lot of DJ's would dismiss the screens over a more expensive booth, but most venue managers have complimented it and said it looks really in keeping with the venues decorations / ambiance.

What spoils most booths is a poor star cloth - or the white overlays which go over a star cloth - always think they look naff.
What spoils most screens are people putting cheap lighting effects behind them.

Keep them plain and sophisticated :)

For the record, I have had a Rhino Stand, Screens, S&H Booth, Palladin Booth and the Equinox Booth - NEVER had any venue mention them at all :(

[ukpartydj]

I keep two halves of my screens taped together to save time & effort - then I only need to line up one join in the middle. Unless of course I'm only using 3 out of the 4 panels

So you tape all the way down the panel on top of the lycra? Or just the hinge? There is velcro all over the obvious places to tape the screens. Also if they fold together then when I put them in the annoyingly tight bag (as Toby pointed out) won't the black paint rub against each other in transit?

[Nakatomi]

So you tape all the way down the panel on top of the lycra? Or just the hinge? There is velcro all over the obvious places to tape the screens. Also if they fold together then when I put them in the annoyingly tight bag (as Toby pointed out) won't the black paint rub against each other in transit?

Mine didn't come with a bag (so I made one myself - long story involving a :Censored: load of :Censored: swearing, blood, sweat & more :Censored: swearing)...

Anyhoo, I got the lycra, put it on each section so. Then I assemble two of the panels. One end & one of the middle two. Then I grab the black gagger tape & put it down the section where the hinges are. This stops light peeking through and serves to keep the panels together. Do likewise for the other side, and job done.

I don't find paint is getting spoiled on it due to rubbing or owt.. seems ok to me.

[ukpartydj]

First outing with the new lights and setup. I must say I'm very happy with the outcome, the happiest I've been with my setup ever. Barrel scanner was set to 180/255 brightness as I didn't want to blind people being as the lights were head height. They also look excellent with a little haze.
Changes made:

Added screen.
Replace 5ft table with 4ft table so the screen tucks in nicely.
2 new laptop stands.
Swapped 4x XMOVE moving heads for 2x Chauvet Intimidator barrel 305IRC

I'm still putting the lighting stand infront on my table, the legs spread wide so they just tuck under the table and touch the bottom of the screen (the stand normally goes higher but the room was about 2 inches lower than the next hole for safety bolt, maybe I need to drill another hole).
Also I accidently put 2 diffused par on the right and undiffused on the left instead of middle and sides, need to get diffusers for all of them as I reckon they look much nicer!

To my surprise a young lady reached over and put her drink on my table towards the end of the night, very odd!

I also did a comparitive test with light output, on the left 1 of the 5 beams from Chauvet Intimidator Barrel 305IRC at the same distance on the right we have an ADJ XMOVE+R.

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