What Lighting Should I Buy?

This is one of the most asked questions that any person new to the industry ask's and as you begin to read this, it may seem the most important, however on the grand scale of things, it is actually the LEAST important!.

The sole purpose of lighting is to add a bit of atmosphere to the local village hall. Lighting does not make you a good D.J and it does not play music or entertain people. If you are on a tight budget, invest in your music collection first, followed by your sound equipment, and choose your lighting effects with whatever is left. You can invest in more lighting as your business progresses.

Clients have very little interest in lighting effects, provided there is a minimum of coloured lights flashing they are happy. However they will notice if you have a very limited CD Collection, or your sound system is not upto scratch, in other words your lighting should be the last on your list of purchases, once you have a decent sound system and CD Collection.

Types of Lighting

Let's consider the types of lighting available. Lightboxes and spot boxes which were the thing to have in the 70's and 80's are now considered dated. The only purpose of lightboxes is to cover the myriad of wires behind your console. They take up room in your van, and contribute very little in the way of light output. Most lightboxes use 15 or 25 watt bulbs which do little more than "look nice" on stage. Once you have a row of people dancing in front of your light boxes, the effect is lost. Instead of lightboxes, consider a simple black cloth held onto your equipment stand with velcro, or even a starcloth.

Also consider the types of functions you are working. Do you really need to latest moving heads and lasers for use in a small hall with mixed ages, or at a more formal Wedding?. Moving heads and scanners, may make your show look like Top of the Tops, but they can also cause annoyance.

The Curse of the Moving Head!!

Moving heads and scanners may look good in nightclubs and large events, but at the average family function they can be difficult to control and very annoying to seated guests away from the dancefloor. As a DJ you will have to come to terms with the fact that not everybody will want to dance at a function. Some people, especially the older generations may be happy to sit, talk and drink all night with relatives that they haven't seen for years.

Nothing is more annoying that trying to speak to the person across the table only to be caught directly in the eyes by the D.J's scanners. Four hours of this leaves you less than impressed.

Unless you are working a nightclub, your lighting should be aimed at, and remain on the dancefloor or ceiling, not in peoples faces!. To do this means using controllable effects, whose light spillage is not likely to cause annoyance to seated guests.

So what is suitable

Try to limit your lightshow to moonflowers and non scanning effects. There are many DJ Lighting effects on the market which will suit this criteria. Most effects can be linked together using DMX which enables the lighting to synchronise together to the music. Consider purchasing multiples of an effect in 2's or 4's and linking them together. Not only should this provide you with a discount when you purchase your lighting, but will give you a very effective lightshow. Building a lightshow based soley on 4 of the same effect can be very impressive, cost effective and all you need.

Some examples of the more popular moonflowers which can be linked together in multiples include the NJD Datamoon, Constella Chameleon 4 & 5 DMX Series, EVL Spins, and the Abstract Galactic Moon.

You can start off your lightshow for as little as a few £100, there really is no need to spend thousands of pounds on lighting.

Strobes

Strobes are now considered superfluous to Mobile D.J's in favour of maintaining audience sanity!. Strobes are possibly the worst effect you can use at a private function, and it will not make you popular with older audiences. In the interests of health and safety most Schools have banned their use.

When using a strobe, extreme care must be taken to ensure that they are not viewed by individuals suffering from epilepsy. Using a strobe light can easily trigger epilpetic fits and seizures in sufferers, and the onus and responisbility lies with the DJ to ensure that warnings are given in venues and functions where they are likely to be used. Even in healthy people, strobes can trigger headaches and Migrains and won't; do you or your reputation any favours.

Lasers

Lasers are now affordable and portable enough to be used at functions by Mobile D.J's. Technology offers many styles and laser colours from the standard Red version to Green and even Blue beams. The Red and Green lasers are reasonably priced, but a blue laser can set you back £1000's. Try and avoid the 5mw types which are little more than novelties and aren't really powerful enough even for small venues. 20mw and 30mw lasers are recommended for D.J use, with the Green colour being more sharper and brighter than the Red equivalant.

Care should always be excercised, when using any laser since permanent damage to the Eye can result from direct exposure to the beam. Lasers should always be pointed above head height.

Ambient Effects - The "Chill Out"

Retro and chill out effects are making a come back. These are the D.J's equivalant to the Lava Lamp and can add a colourful atmosphere to any event. Ideal for providing a ceiling or wall wash, or a colourful backdrop on a wall behind the D.J there is always an application for this type of effect.

These effects range from the Chauvet Abyss (Also available in similar form from other manufacturers) to the more retro styled oil wheel projectors - more famous in the 70's. The Chauvet Abyss is like a colourful mood light which ripples like running water as it slowly changes colour. This makes a good effect for the smoochies at the end of the evening, or used pointed at a nearby wall or ceiling, for a very eye catching effect.

D.J's and their Toys!

Lighting appeals to different people in different ways. Obviously D.J's will be more excited about an effect than our clients, and it is important not to let ourselves (and our wallets) get carried away with spending money just to satisfy our own interests. Having a lot of lighting may create an initial "wow" factor when you switch it on at the start of the evening, but after that initial few seconds it is wasted. Think how much more time would be required to set up and pack away with all that extra equipment.......equipment that you may not really be able to justify to your business and your accountant (or wife!)

More Information?

You can find more information on lighting at the DJ's United Forum, along with many unbiased opinions, comments and reviews on all manner of effects, visit us at http://www.dj-forum.co.uk

Retailers

It's important to get the most our of your money, especially if you are on a budget. We have listed a few of the more competitive retailers below.

Thomann Sound & Lighting - Well respected and reliable disco equipment mail order supplier with very competitive & realistic prices!

DJ Superstore - Massive Online DJ Superstore - Lowest Prices!

DJ Bargains - Great Deals and Low Prices on Disco Equipment