Stage Lights and Effects
Does anybody here have any advice on using stage lights and effects for live performance. My band is thinking about investing in some lights and/or effects. I personally don't know anything about the equipment and what are crowd pleasures or not. I have been looking at MF at different lights and effects and see that the stuff always goes on sale. If anyone has some good feedback to offer before we make a purchase, it would be most helpful. Also, are packaged deals better or would you just start out with some simple lights/effects and build up over time?
To give you an idea, we are a four piece band and do not have anyone running sound or lights other than ourselves. Also, budget is a concern. We have a few 60's hippie/druggie/psych music in our set such as In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. We thought it would be cool to throw on some lights and effects for those songs. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Best wishes.
To give you an idea, we are a four piece band and do not have anyone running sound or lights other than ourselves. Also, budget is a concern. We have a few 60's hippie/druggie/psych music in our set such as In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. We thought it would be cool to throw on some lights and effects for those songs. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Best wishes.
Comments
You have to decide on this yourself. But you know the basics. Blue-lavender for sad...I've seen Satch use blue and lavender on \"The Crush of Love\" a blusey song. Blue on \"Flying in a Blue Dream\" sooo sweet!
Red-ambers for funky and fun music..etc. There are hundreds of color gels.
Pay attention to the lighting on YouTube. But watch for what you HATE as much as what you like. Just because they are Pro's...doesn't mean they aren't screwing up.
The Crush of love
Flying in a Blue Dream
I think the lighting is just as important as preparing any other aspect of your music. Satch used automated front lighting at a Concert I went to in Detroit, and I hated it. The beams of light would blind me and hurt my eyes.
I'd say go with pars on front lighting...which fits your budget anyway. Cheap par cans ($25) A par can will give you the most light for the least price but only one color.
A color changer ($100) 6-15 colors but not as bright.
Forget L.E.D.'s as they are expensive, and not really that much better...at least for all that extra dough.
Try to find a good color changer for your Band wash. I like to \"see\" the band, and I'm sure most people want that, more than effects. Effects seem to borderline on \"gimmick.\" Audiences are more sophisticated, and know a Band tends to use gimmick to make up for lack of talent. I know that is my own harsh opinion, and I mean no offense by it. I just don't care for lighting effects, unless it's a good strobe and a Disco Party Ball.
4- 250 watt lamped fixtures is plenty. Also, they will only require 20 amps dedicated to them.
Use a scanner vs. the moving heads. They are cheaper, less weight, and less moving parts to break. But of course here is the main cost in your lighting. Man...I'm afraid you need to brace for $1500 and up for this alone.
Huge subject here. These are just basic thoughts. You should invest in lighting if you can make that step. I think it is a very important part of the experience, and bad lighting can ruin a really good performance. It's kinda hard to parse this subject down to a basic level. But this is a really nice topic.
I'd check out lighting specific forums a while to learn more. Here is one. I haven't spent time there myself, but I will. I'm interested myself now. :P
http://forums.elationlighting.com/eve
But all I need is my Lava lamp.
One easy example of what not to do. IMO
Get a simple rig.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Chauvet-PAR-38-Lighting-System?sku=803139
4 par cans, lamps, gels and a stand with some kind of controller. Some kits vary below $200 and provide quite a bit of light. Sound activated is fine. Use tape over the mic sensor to lessen lighting changes.
There are also even cheaper options.
Chauvet Color Bank rigs are common too. Smaller but bright Get 2
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Chauvet-Color-Bank-4Color-SoundActivated-Light?sku=803107
Next are deeper midi controlled options but for those you need a much more elaborate rig. Par cans, controller and dimmer kit.
You can buy 2 of the cheap Color Bank kits and a type of scanner to really enhance the mood. Lighting up the band with the Color Bank pairs will be plenty and leave extra for special effect scanners with Gobo's and all sorts of things. STAY AWAY FROM LASERS.
many clubs will not permit usage of those devices since liability issues are tough and even some community ordinances require premits for any low or high wattage laser system. Some of these include laser scanners. Always ask the venue mgt about laser usage.
A couple of those would be perfect for a small house show.
Be sure to get a power conditioner for your rack or you
might get some noise from your speakers.
In those cases, we use the LED pars which draw next to nothing by comparison. 8 cans was running about 2A. They take some getting used too but have a lot of dmx options.
Mind you, if you were as good as Vai you could get away with it.