Purchasing some new fixtures soon. Has anyone put the Ayrton Diablo Vs the Stradale? The banner specs say the Stradale should be brighter than the Diablo, but when you look at the actual datasheets, the Diablo takes the lead. I dont know where they got 20,000 lumens from for the stradale
Any other comments on these two fixtures or any other fixtures to look at in the same weight category?
Hello!
I'm looking at ordering about 20 total gobos for my performance hall. We deal mainly in concerts, and I just want something that will add a little texture to the stage rather than just having a flat wash. Are there any gobos that you would recommend, or consider to be a "hidden gem"?
TIA!
Hello from Canada, I'm in the process of migrating one of my portable systems from Cham-Sys to using exclusively ETC but have an issue with one of my sACN nodes.
I've tested this on the same PC with all the same network, setup, cables, using ArtNet and sACN, changing subnet from 255.255.255.0 to 255.0.0.0 and variations in between on both Cham-Sys and Nomad using Chauvet, NETRON, and PKnight sACN nodes. The Cham-Sys works without issue, but the Nomad has a constant bump of all patched channels from whatever level programmed to 39% (100/255) on only the PKnight (CR041R MK II) node, the Chauvet and NETRON are fine. I can duplicate this using another PC as well and nothing appears out of the ordinary when viewing through sACN Viewr. Has anyone had this happen and found out how to workaround this issue on the PKnight nodes? Attached photos show (1) the anticipated output, (2) what happens every cycle? every second? I appreciate any help.
I have an outdoor musical coming up, and I need to purchase a Lighting Package for it. It will be in South Florida, technically outside, but up under a covered roof/amp.
The budget is roughly 10-12k for everything.
Has anyone used indoor lights outside, in this type of environment. Will I be ok? or do I need to go for IP65.
This is one of the only outdoor productions we do, but it happens once a year. Everything else is inside. The IP65 are twice the cost, so it would be 1/2 the rig.
Looking for real world advice on Risk vs the Reward here....
Thanks in advance.
I was wondering if there were any recommendations for Astera tube alternatives. I don’t really need the wireless or battery powered part and I was hoping there was a cheaper alternative but still looked good without the fancy features.
Just an appreciation post for Axwell's LD and our in-house stage/set design team
I know this might look like just another random moment in a light show, but the section from 00:05 to 00:09 was one of those moments that completely blew my mind. It genuinely felt like the lights were dancing with the music. Is there actually a term for that kind of musical responsiveness in lighting?
What’s interesting is that the LD is really only using a row of blinders and a row of strobes (dim on/off, strobe, strobe faster, dimmer sweeps) but everything seems incredibly well matched to what the lead synth is doing between 00:05 and 00:09.
And that’s the part that fascinates me: if I had heard that lead on its own, I don’t think I would have picked it out as something with a lot of obvious lighting potential. I probably wouldn’t have thought there was much interesting to program around it at all. But this LD clearly heard something in it and turned it into a lighting moment that, at least to me as someone still learning lighting design for concerts, feels incredibly musical and intentional.
So am I reading way too much into what is actually some fairly ordinary lighting cues, or is there genuinely something particularly well done here?
More importantly, how do you develop the musical ear for this? How do you get better at recognizing that a seemingly unremarkable part of a track might actually have a ton of potential for an impactful lighting moment?
Wondering what everyone is doing for DMX VW lights for your drum enclosures. Thanks,
Hi friends, I'm currently learning to use Chamsys/MagicQ. I was wondering if anyone had any exercises or suggestions for "projects" to continue learning? Thanks a lot.
We’re putting together a rolling preventative maintenance cart for our lighting department, and I’m curious what tools or supplies everyone considers essential for fixture maintenance.
The idea is to have one cart we can roll out when we’re going through moving lights for cleaning, inspection, small repairs, and general preventative maintenance.
Obviously we’ll have the basics hand tools and lens wipes but I’m especially interested in the less-obvious stuff you’ve found useful over the years.
What tools, testers, cleaning supplies, lubricants, spare parts, or random little gadgets do you always want nearby when doing fixture maintenance?
I'm looking to build a quick set-up with a rotating disco-ball and a couple moving heads for a small show. I'm a DJ but have very little experience with lighting design. How can I do this simply and effectively (under 1000) without much experience? Appreciate all advice.
Hey r/lightingdesign I've always been interested and amazed by lightshows and effects.
only recently I've started actually considering taking this as an actual job!
I would love to figure out and learn where, how, and what I need to get started!
like is there a free program that I can learn from or how to use? is there a way to have a virtual 3d stage or something.
what kind of stuff should I expect if I do get into lighting design?
Has anyone found a MIDI controller with motorized faders that work with LightKey presets (not cues)?
Alternatively, has anyone found lighting software that works with a MIDI controller with motorized faders (e.g. Behringer X-Touch)?
Hi all, can anyone point me to some resources where I can actually learn basics of lighting design/concepts for a live music show? I don't mean like names of lights or DMX addressing or any of that stuff (which is mostly what I've found in online tutorials and most of this sub). I mean stuff like...do I go to blackout between every song, how much movement is too much movement, should blinders be aimed right at the audience or above their heads? I'm sure once I have 20+ shows under my belt I'll have worked out some of these answers, but I'm looking for some general pointers as I'm setting up my first shows for my band.
Hey everyone, I’ve been working on a new design for the theatre/venue I am LD at, needless to say we are looking to change our gear rental and possibly even purchase outright. Our current deal is outrageous to be honest, thanks to a former executive(s), and I know we can get a better one and better gear for what we spend yearly.
Like the post says, it’s a 1200 seat historic theatre, we do a lot of concerts, plays, dance shows, comedians, etc, so what I need has to be versatile. The stage is roughly 45 x 50 ft and I’d have most lights hung over stage around 30-40 above. I have a lot of ideas on what I want in the theatre to replace what’s rented and upgrade what’s owned. I’m going to put my current ideas down but I would love any and all ideas from you guys on things I’m missing, things that are too much for the venue, or better alternatives. Any suggestion is awesome especially if you notice an alternative that gives same function, longevity, and quality for cheaper!
Board:
Current: we have a grandma2 light
Idea: love grand ma and wanna go to grandma3 light or grandma 3 compact XT.
Key lighting/side lighting(high sides):
Current: I have a whole mess of conventional strand LEKOs from multiple FOH positions and 6 each lx each side for high sides. Don’t think I have to explain why I want to upgrade these.
Idea: looking at the ETC color source spot v with EDLT shutters for both, cutting it down to 1 on each side of each lx for high sides and 1:1 on the FOH key lighting.
Wash:
Current: I have 32 static Elation 6+Par Ls and while I know they are a powerhouse for their price in the static realm , I’d love to upgrade to moving heads so I don’t have to bounce focus or grab a genie.
Idea: looking at 18 rogue r2xs for LXs 1-3 and putting 6 Martin Mac Aura PXL on the 4th LX to be eye candy, as well as wash when needed. However this is kinda one I’m falling short on in terms of options to mull over, I know the volux phantom and robe spiider are also good lights to do what I need for the eye candy but looking for suggestions on the general wash.
Cyc: we have 12 spectra cycs and honestly I’m fine with them, so not looking to upgrade these.
Top lighting: have a bunch of conventional fresnels really don’t know many LED fresnels out there right now so need help here!
Moving heads profiles:
Current: I have 10 Martin Mac viper profiles across two different lines above stage.
Idea: looking to go for 9 movers on stage and 2 foh. My heart is telling me to go with ayrton either the rivale(bc it looks like it can really do a lot) or the Diablo s (lighter, smaller, and still can perform well)
Ground package:
Uplighting:
Current: right now I have 10 elation 6+par Ls for uplighting on curtain when I need to fill an empty stage and make it look less empty. But I want to upgrade to a moving head with beam capabilities so I can uplight curtains for comedians and simple shows, create beams for concert looks and fx when haze and energy are present.
Idea: I was looking at 9 elation darts for their beams but they seem overpowered for what I want so looking for any insight on this.
Footlighting:
Current: i don’t have any lmao
Idea: 4 elation or chauvet strike saber 10 across the front for looks, fx, and really a whole mess of things outside of bands.
Haze:
Current: i have one temperamental and old Martin magnum 2500hz that i really want to upgrade and double.
Idea: 2 chauvet amhaze ecos either for dual use or for one backup. Possible one hung on rig as an idea.
Data stuff:
Current: I have some dmx splitters for some universes to allow each line to get a home run even if it’s on the same universe, and one Martin opto for my current movers and group package. Looking to keep that setup but could use suggestions on optos you think could be better. I just need one 5pin in and for this proposed plan probably 4-5 5pin out.
Idea: was considering sticking with the Martin opto but saw the Netron EN4 as well. I would need wireless dmx for foh led lekos(if I can’t figure out how to utilize the existing stuff strand laid 10 years ago) and movers. Could also make my ground package wireless to avoid mess of cables on stage. Was looking at a few options including Rockville single receivers and transmitters the dmx wtr and wre. But also saw the chauvet d-fi and adj aria so I’m a little lost since I won’t be transitioning everything to wireless.
We also have a black box attached and looking to upgrade that a bit too, although I love some of the aesthetic and use of older things in a black box for some reason.
Board
Current: I have a etc element
Idea: was thinking of just going to the etc element 2 but could be open to a change in brand or even just keeping the etc element although it’s not future proof.
Mover spot:
Current: I have one martin Mac 300 in there and tbh it’d be great if it had zoom.
Idea: Martin era 150 wash or something with zoom but doesn’t have to be fancy or high lumens. It’s just for a spot effect in the black box.
Wash/top lighting/sidelighting: currently I have put my leftover elation 6+par Ls in there for color wash but their throw is so large it captures a lot of the details I want to hide in the ceiling and such, looking to get a wash light with zoom function to tighten up the spread and have greater play with the moods/looks.
Key lighting:
Current: etc source 4 lekos with 50 degree lens
Idea: I’m all for keeping them conventional and either using my strands or keeping these, but wanted to include this in case anybody had cool suggestions for what I can do.
Eye candy:
Currently, I’ve found some chauvet color palette panels we own and I’m turning them into eye candy pieces for the black box to use them cuz why not, just mentioned this if anyone has cool ideas regarding this.
I have a bunch of ideas about this but in my effort to not be blind to the obvious or overconfident I wanted to put these ideas out and get feedback or discussion/suggestions regarding it!
All of this has many processes and procedures to go through so I might not end up with what I submit due to availability, budget, etc. But I want to submit what I want in case I do get it all or industry equivalents. Budget will be a thing in trying to get the best we can without going crazy, but with what we are spending on our current deal we have a nice amount to work with and still end up saving a bunch of money.
Thank you in advance for any and all comments:)
Hey there, I'm working on building something that can pull fixture information from a MVR and so far it's coming together pretty well.
One hiccup that is driving me crazy is while it works well for intelligent lights, I cannot figure out if there is a way to get the gel name from VW into the MVR. It seems like the color field is automatically changed into RGB values, which makes sense for automated lights, but for gel that's just not very useful when trying to get a cut sheet or order list.
Does anyone know if MVR is incapable of sending this data (as simple as R119, L201, etc.) or if there's some way to get the color field embedded in a simple conventional light?
Apologies if this topic has already been discussed. I searched but nothing came up.
If you are touring a pre programmed show into a venue which has a house rig, what mode would you prefer the multi-cell house fixtures be set to?
Do you want the basic mode which gives you a simple feature set to clone into with no frills and no complications?
Do you want the expanded mode which gives you the highest level of pixel control?
Do you want full pixel control but know deep in your heart of hearts you probably won't use it all...
Really interested to know how you approach integrating venue rigs as so many now feature more complicated fixtures.