Karaoke Forums

I'm very much a lighting novice. Recommendations?

I recently bought 2 very cheap PAR lights from Amazon and a T Bar and I have a spare speaker stand. Considering 2 Chauvet Swarm 5s as their sound activated options have to be better than the cheap Amazon PAR lights I bought.

Any photos of a gig or party would be a huge plus.

This is only my opinion, but ANY lights are better than no lights. Even the cheap ones from Amazon will add some fun.Simple is best for set up. Sound activated is fine in most cases, but if you are wanting to get really fancy shmancy then add DMX capabilities and learn how to really put on a show (light show that is) Some set ups can be pretty fun, and still fit on a simple t-stand. Your imagination is your only limitation.,,, oh,,yeah, your budget too.. can't forget that one.

Lights are fun and I tried using them when I was still in the business, but since I did Golden Oldie shows, with many Seniors the blinking lights triggered negative reactions in some people, and I had to stop using them. You will find this especially true if you play at Veteran organizations like American Legion, and VFW. The flashing lights sometime trigger flash backs for some vets, and in their minds they go back to some of the fire fights they were in. Keep this in mind.

P.S. It is not the lights themself, if they are steady stage lights. It is the flashing action especially if it is linked to the tempo of the music.
Usually the lights are not a problem for younger patrons. Some of the other things flashing lights can trigger are epileptic seizures, and even strokes. This condition is called photosensitive epilepsy.

You can either keep them static, or have them slowly fade from one color to another, thereby eliminating flashing.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

It all depends on the venue and how you program your lights. They can be static, change fast or slow, be sound active whatever. You can control them according to the mood and/or the venue. Tried moving heads at one venue and it didn't work, tried a Moonflower and everyone loved it.

I have these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012X ... UTF8&psc=1

They put out a huge amount of light, and over a large area and distance.

I found this on ebay used (model you mention) - good deal?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Dj-Qu ... SwdNlej7n6

I would prefer the Chauvet 4Play over the ADJ unit. The cost for new isn't much more than the used price of the unit you're looking at. Also the individual lights of the 4Play are independent of each other and can be aimed in different directions. And it does come with a carry bag.

https://www.idjnow.com/chauvet-dj-4play2.html#3

Here is a picture of a Quad Gem. It will cover twice the area shown.

Is the Quad Gem on a tripod behind where the photo was taken?

Yes, it is... sort of. I made a bracket the slips into the hole on the top of a speaker stand. I also use the stand to mount other lights on. The Quad Gem is about 6 feet off the ground and slightly tilted up, so it cascades across the entire ceiling.

The light is wonderful for me. Creates an atmosphere, but does not eat away the eyes. I do not like excessive light, which dazzles in the eyes and does not allow to see anything.