Classy but subtle lighting?

[Ricesnaps]

Been contemplating this for a while.

Nearly all my lighting is moving - scanners, barrels, twisters etc...

Most of my work is classy weddings.

Wondering if my next purchase should be something simple like a set of four Par56 cans? I already have a chaser.

Can get hold of a set of 4 short nose par56 for about £50 - 60 which seems peanuts.

Just have a feeling that these days, less is very much more.....?

[wensleydale]

why not use the scanners as colour changers/v slow moving lights- you can do an awful lot with them- you just need to move away from the usual plug and play options.

[Ricesnaps]

why not use the scanners as colour changers/v slow moving lights- you can do an awful lot with them- you just need to move away from the usual plug and play options.
I guess in part I am looking far a reasonably quick win. The scanners are Leo's (barrels Scimiters) and therefore only have combined colour / gobo wheels and the resulting effect is limited and doesn't give much "fill". I would also need a dmx controller to achieve your suggestion (which would cost me a bit more than simply buying the cans).

Just have a feeling that the "wash" created by the cans would be simply but classy. Or would I be struggling with the 300 watt output of a 56 (or would they actually "blind" more than they fill?)

[pdarnett]

I had the same feeling about the weddings I do and so for a lot of them now I use 4 LED PAR's washing the walls (great for marquees) and a large mirrorbal with two of the mobil color colour changers on it. The other night I didn't even use the colour changers and had my discharge moving heads pointing at the mirrorball.

[Ricesnaps]

I had the same feeling about the weddings I do and so for a lot of them now I use 4 LED PAR's washing the walls (great for marquees) and a large mirrorbal with two of the mobil color colour changers on it. The other night I didn't even use the colour changers and had my discharge moving heads pointing at the mirrorball.
Don't suppose you have any pics of your set up? I did consider the LED PARS, but for the price would I just be better off trying things out with standard cans? Also curious about how you use as a "wall" wash - I was assuming I would use the cans pointing to the dance floor as a wash?

Would also be interested to know how much the use of pars detracts from mobile effects: I am currently using fascinations which are not the brightest moon flower - has also considered upgrading these to datamoons or twister 4HP's, but that would have to be instead of the cans....

[sleah]

What about PAR 38 cans? They are about 150w so not too bright. Ideally you need a dimmable chaser, especially if you go with PAR 56 as you will find them very bright.
I used to have PAR 38's but have now changed to LED PAR 56 - brill!!

[pdarnett]

I've got some pics on my camera somewhere, it might be tonight when i get home to upload them mind.

[soundscapes]

what about isolution icolours (or stairville equivalent)

[Paul James Promotions]

LED pars are great for creating a 'mood'. It's amazing the difference it makes by adding them to a lightshow, both for band lighting and disco work.

I would buy 4, and space them out along your rig. Then you can use a single nice colour for 'pre show' such as purple, then some colour changing for the show. Can upload some pics if you like, so you can see the type of effect you can create, let me know.

Par Cans would be too bright, and eat up a lot of mains power.

Regards,

Jamie

[Ricesnaps]

LED pars are great for creating a 'mood'. It's amazing the difference it makes by adding them to a lightshow, both for band lighting and disco work.

I would buy 4, and space them out along your rig. Then you can use a single nice colour for 'pre show' such as purple, then some colour changing for the show.

Par Cans would be too bright, and eat up a lot of mains power.

Regards,

Jamie
Sounds good - any idea where the cheapest place to buy LED PARS is (would consider 2nd hand). Are you certain they are bright enough - wouldn't have thought a set of 300 watt PAR 56's would have been that bright would they?

[Paul James Promotions]

Sounds good - any idea where the cheapest place to buy LED PARS is (would consider 2nd hand). Are you certain they are bright enough - wouldn't have thought a set of 300 watt PAR 56's would have been that bright would they?

Thomann do them for about £50 each I believe. I purchase mine from Stage Electrics, at just over £50 each. Second hand they usually fetch the same!

They are nowhere near as bright as a standard Par Can, but if I understand what it is you are trying to achieve, the LED's will give your rig a nice 'presence'.

The standard par cans would probrably over power your other lighting, especially if they are pointing towards the dancefloor.

[Ricesnaps]

Thomann do them for about £50 each I believe. I purchase mine from Stage Electrics, at just over £50 each. Second hand they usually fetch the same!

They are nowhere near as bright as a standard Par Can, but if I understand what it is you are trying to achieve, the LED's will give your rig a nice 'presence'.

The standard par cans would probrably over power your other lighting, especially if they are pointing towards the dancefloor.
I'm therefore thinking maybe just buy two for now and save for the other two? Do you point these towards the dance floor too?

[Paul James Promotions]

Usually yes.

[pdarnett]

not the best pic but from saturday night
2 led pars, 2 moving heads, mirror ball, 2 colour changers

[A1DL]

The Martin Mania DC1 and DC2 are great subtle effects, one is a colour wash the other a flame effect wash. Perfect for lighting walls, ceilings or as uplighters behind & to the sides of the booth