Karaoke Forums

At my downtown gig that I personally run, I added a DMX controller with a DMX LED par, and a DMX Laser (not connected to DMX yet). and I also have a basic sound activated gobo light. I have a fog machine at this venue too because of the laser.

I have had this setup for about 6 months now and I have had a lot of fun doing lights during songs. I am even thinking of programming the lights for certain often selected songs

I have only been to one other karaoke place where a KJ actively controlled lighting and that was a two person show - 1 running the music and handling requests, the other managing lights. It was a lot of fun.

Not an easy thing to do solo though. I have the DMX controller in the slant top of my case and have become somewhat adept at controlling lights with one hand and sound with another but I sacrifice the lights as soon as people come up to submit songs, ask questions or just chat.

Do any you do anything special with lighting at your gigs?


-Chris

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-Chris

When I had a partner he controlled our lights via a laptop with a Freestyler program. We had LED PARS for the stage that could change color and a LED Revo that could be programmed to spell out Happy Birthday Whoever on the floor. But when I had to do shows alone I just had the Revo on chase. And lately I haven't been bringing the Revo because the present venues either can't be darkened enough for atmosphere or there is no where to aim lighting.

I like lights as they add mood and excitement but I think the perfect karaoke light for a small venue is just a mini-laser. It adds a lot of atmosphere yet doesn't require a space taking big stand or extra set-up time.

I should mention that the nicer lighting setup is something I will only do at the gigs I personally host. I have lights at others but nothing fancy, no DMX controllers, and certainly no expectation of the hosts working for me to work lights and run the show.

But if I found someone willing to do it and someone that did it well, I would charge the venue a slightly higher rate and pay the host more.

Good lighting and lighting management can really add a lot to a show.

-Chris

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-Chris

Skid Rowe is into lighting and smoke effects. You should ask him to chime in here.

simpmech is a big lighting guy.

I use a simple 2 spots for the stage (90 watt par38's) with lt. gold gel and a 4 Chanel chaser for the dance floor sound active.

I've been looking to update my lights for a while, but recently got a buyer for the lights I had so I sold them.... I'm now lightless and no-one has commented which means my previous lights neither added or detracted from the show.

I'm still looking for the right replacements, space is very limited in all my venues and one of my regulars is epileptic and another has glaucoma so lasers are out. Three of the places I work have some form of stage lighting, one has nothing. I'd welcome any suggestions or ideas of what directions to go in.

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

LOVE lighting!

I must confess I have down graded my lighting as of late due in part to time I tried to leave some of my personal set up installed on the bars Trussing system, but alas, everyone Tom, Dick & Harry thought they were entitled to run it OR touch it. I did run mine via DMX, but I must admit, for Karaoke Sound Active with built in programing is quite sufficient. A simple $100 laser & a few Par cans can add Tons to your show.

My suggestion is One to Two tri-stand light bars (such as Chauvet 4 Play and/or 4 Bar). Super easy plug and go with foot pedal control of Colors, Auto-Run Programs, Sound Active and Black out.

I use a Chauvet 4-Bar and two different Micro Galaxian lasers, plus a fog machine. It adds SOOOO much to the vibe of the show.

I load the fog machine with Black Label "Atmosphere" juice. It's a very light haze as opposed to the usual "haunted house" type fog. Makes the lights look fantastic without feeling like you are in a swamp.

Chauvet 4-Bar
Micro Galaxian
Micro Royal Galaxian
Black Label Fog Juice

I use the Chauvet Scorpion Storm RGX Laser.

-Chris

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-Chris

That's a nice little laser Chris, love them and are compact!

I like the RGY Fat Beams too.

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/scorpion-rgy.html

-Chris

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-Chris

I love this, been looking at the same two products for a while... sadly for the one venue that really needs it there isn't enough room. So far, the space allocated for lights has been under the tripod for the speakers or if the light is small enough attached to the speaker stand.

To give you an indication of the space available...
Stage: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

Main Audience area: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

Wonder WHY they discontinued this one and the Scorpion Storm?

I'd swear i saw the Fat Beams at the MBLV a couple months ago.

The Micro Royal Galaxian IS a very cool laser! Love the Blues!

Same here. I have seen the fat beam demo'd at Guitar Center with fog and it is pretty wicked. You can still pick up both on eBay if you really want one.

-Chris

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-Chris

I use 2 Chauvet Color rails for wash lighting
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/colorrail-irc.html

They look way cooler than par cans.

I also have a CUBIX
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/cubix.html

and a CIRCUS
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/cubix.html

IMHO....Don't ever us full fog during karaoke, all you need is a haze to make lights look good. Just dilute your fog juice with distilled water, or buy a hazer. I have been to shows where they use full fog, and it drives my throat crazy.

I usually use 2 LED par cans at most of my karaoke gigs. At the casino, I also throw in an American DJ Revo III on the celing, when I feel like it. ... I also own the Micro Galaxian, but never used it for karaoke. Just regular djing.

My main concern with using lights is to make sure they are not shining in the singers' faces. When I first started, I used to use a ton of lights going everywhere and I would get complaints from the singers that my lights were blinding them.

So I have learned that when it comes to karaoke, sometimes less lights is more.

where do you put them? Do you have stands or place them on the floor?

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

I used to put them on stands. Now I put them on the floor. I'll either use them as uplighting behind the singer or shine them on the wall behind the singer. So it's a nice effect for the audience view, but doesn't impair the singer's vision at all.