Dj Lighting
Hey guys, I know this has probably been asked before, but I am a new dj and am looking for advice as to what dancefloor lighting to buy first. I do mostly house parties and am looking for something around $300. People have recommended the American DJ Galaxian which goes for around that price and it seems like a great option. Is this a good light by itself or should i go for two cheaper ones or something else?
I use a Chauvet LED Kinta X (130USD) and an American DJ LED MegaBar 50 (150USD) for house parties. If I had the choice, I’d get the American DJ Agressor Tri LED (130USD) instead of the Kinta though. American DJ products seem to have better response to the music, at least to me. I’d also recommend a small fogger - I have the American DJ MiniFog that I snagged for 40USD. The fog creates a neat effect as the beams of light from the fixtures cut through it.
One thing with fog you have to watch out for is setting off smoke alarms though. Some places don’t like it for that very reason. It’s one of the reasons why Hazer’s are so in style recently.
Very true - but hazers also have the same problem. It all comes down to not using very much of the fog/haze. In fact, this is a case where less is more. Just a little fog or haze every 10 mins is more than adequate for a small gig. More info:
american dj LED based lights a re great value for money, and no worries about blown bulbs,
lighting effect bulbs are expensive, i’ve often set up my lights and had £20 go pop as two bulbs go, so i had to carry spares, and you have to mind thes as moisture of a slight bang and they’ll blow as soon as you power them.
american dj led bars are great and feature DMX which is like midi for lights, allowing you to do custom light shows as your setup grows, american dj revo is a great room filler and their combination bars, cant remember the name but they have a lazer, moonflower and strobe built into one unit.
oh and if you’re doing house parties, chances are there will be smokers in the room, so you wont need a fogger or haze machine, man life was easier before smoking was banned in venues in ireland and the uk
DJ Lights for house parties should get away with small laser and LED fixture.
Two American DJ Mega Bar 50’s would be the perfect thing. They aren’t as cheesy as the usual effect lights, but they keep things interesting with a very bright wash, and are DMX programmable. Realistically, I’d save your money and pick up a couple of these…
I just bought an American DJ LS60a package.. 4 par38 cans+dmx controller+stand for less than $200.. They’re halogen pars and get bloody hot, but amazing package
as far as the hazer goes, are there any cheap ones out there? those things are expensive!!! all i see for cheap are fog machines. =(
There is a very simple and true mythos to lighting. You get what you pay for. I know this is cliche, but it tends to be doubly true for lighting. Older people hate smoke machines due to the smell and the residue that they leave. Cheap hazers are nothing more than smoke machines. Also, they are, from what I hear, far less effective compared to hazers. A quality hazer will fill a large room with haze and VERY clearly show the beams of your lighting just as heavy smoke, but when the beams are absent, it’s almost impossible to tell there is anything in the air.
well, if thats the case then im shit out of luck because theres absolutely no way im gonna shell out at least $400 for a hazer when im just gonna be DJing in my apt lol. Sure i want the cool lighting fx for when people come over to hear me DJ, but for that much money, no thanks. =(
that is sweet!
only £75 here as well:
http://www.htfr.com/p/331659/american_dj_mega_bar_50_led_rc_led_colour_wash_remote_control
might get one for my bedroom 
If it’s just your apartment, go with a cheap $60 fogger. You won’t need pro gear. Just be aware of the potential smell and residue if you use it a lot. If it’s not too much, you’re good as gold.
For an apartment, just get a cheapo fogger. Maybe like chauvet colorrail for nice washes or some sweet uplighting behind ur dj booth and than an effect light of some kind. That would put u around the $300 to $350 range. I’m not a fan of effect lights, but scanners and moving heads are way out of ur budget. Plus ur in an apartment so u wouldn’t need that shit anyway.
Haha sobi, didn’t realize u posted that vid on the colorrail. Those things are pretty sweet tho, definitely good for flooding a small size room
Whaa…? Lights? Nah… Bro, what you need is FOAM PARTY equipment!
Theres no better way to get your audience properly groped and ready to party than with a FOAM PARTY!!
WAAAAY cheaper than costly lightbulbs and dangerous lasers than can get your audience blind, FOAM can just make your eyes itchy and red as the devils ass and you can double income by selling eyedrops at the bar!!! Or even you can make a middle show performace giving eyedrops to the crowd!! GNARLY!!
Even MOAR money videotaping the whole thing and making a COOL movie!
FOAM PARTYs are SO SO COOL!!!
I don’t know. I have two q spot 260s, and this guy did a great job of making me want two more…
Hahaha! Thats fucking awesome…i want
Thats a sweet setup…
What controller would you recommend
Hello,
I am new to the dj lighting world. I am a youth worker and recently purchased some lights. I have 2 Chauvet - 4bar/4play, 2 Chauvet - circus, Chauvet Scorpion and an American DJ Event Bar. I am wondering what others might choose as the best controller and programs to make a bunch of random light shows. I find that I tend to black out the 4bars most of the time as the youth seem to like a darker room and the 4bars fill the room to brightly. I haven’t had a chance to use the event bar yet and am looking forward to it. If someone out there has some advise, I would appreciate it.
