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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Lighting Forum => Topic started by: Frank Sesso on December 27, 2012, 10:41:54 PM
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Hello!
My son is interested in getting some lights for his DJ business/live band shows and I was wondering what the most recommended/best online dealers are on the Web!
Thanks so much for your help!
Frank
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I can highly recommend Mike Pyle.
http://audiopyle.com/sales.html (http://audiopyle.com/sales.html)
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Hello!
My son is interested in getting some lights for his DJ business/live band shows and I was wondering what the most recommended/best online dealers are on the Web!
Thanks so much for your help!
Frank
Frank,
I would be more than happy to help you out. We operate primarily as a lighting company and are dealers for most of the major lighting manufacturers. We also use what we sell in our own productions and have an intimate working knowledge of many different types of lighting fixtures. You can see some of our work here:
www.eventprolive.net
Please feel free to contact me via PM or e-mail if you have any questions. nick (dot) eventproshop (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
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Hello!
My son is interested in getting some lights for his DJ business/live band shows and I was wondering what the most recommended/best online dealers are on the Web!
Thanks so much for your help!
Frank
I feel like one of those athletes speaking in the third person about himself....just wanted to clarify. He's initially interested in lights (possibly bars?) that can project upwards behind the band and also at least one light (pars or something bigger?) atop each of his mains projecting toward the band. If they can automatically randomize color(s) or synchronize with the music that would also be great! Then, he'd like to transition these for use when he dj's....nothing grandiose...just something that he can utilize initially and then grow with him. So, I'd really appreciate some guidance on where to begin and with what to begin.
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I feel like one of those athletes speaking in the third person about himself....just wanted to clarify. He's initially interested in lights (possibly bars?) that can project upwards behind the band and also at least one light (pars or something bigger?) atop each of his mains projecting toward the band. If they can automatically randomize color(s) or synchronize with the music that would also be great! Then, he'd like to transition these for use when he dj's....nothing grandiose...just something that he can utilize initially and then grow with him. So, I'd really appreciate some guidance on where to begin and with what to begin.
take a look at LED bars. these are great for both applications and many lighting manufactures make them. check out the microh product.
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http://www.venuesupply.com/ supplier here in Houston that I work with quite often. If possible find someone close to you.
Try to stick with the established brands (ADJ, Chauvet, Blizzard, Martin, etc) and avoid the "factory-direct" stuff on eBay. You might spend a little more, but you'll get a better product with product support from the established companies.
Don't even consider anything other than LED products. Don't invest in anything that does not have DMX control. Color bars are good for a variety of applications and work well in stand-alone modes, and PAR-type fixtures are also universal. Don't buy moving heads or scanners initially until you can also invest in a decent controller.
And, finally, don't buy from a dealer that you cannot actually talk to on the phone.
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http://www.venuesupply.com/ supplier here in Houston that I work with quite often. If possible find someone close to you.
Try to stick with the established brands (ADJ, Chauvet, Blizzard, Martin, etc) and avoid the "factory-direct" stuff on eBay. You might spend a little more, but you'll get a better product with product support from the established companies.
Don't even consider anything other than LED products. Don't invest in anything that does not have DMX control. Color bars are good for a variety of applications and work well in stand-alone modes, and PAR-type fixtures are also universal. Don't buy moving heads or scanners initially until you can also invest in a decent controller.
And, finally, don't buy from a dealer that you cannot actually talk to on the phone.
And if you're paying substantially less than $300/fixture, reconsider your purchase. It used to be $500/fixture, but then Blizzard came along. I've been real happy with their products to date (even some $100 fixtures I bought for uplighting).
Cheers,
Randy Hyde
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And if you're paying substantially less than $300/fixture, reconsider your purchase. It used to be $500/fixture, but then Blizzard came along. I've been real happy with their products to date (even some $100 fixtures I bought for uplighting).
Cheers,
Randy Hyde
Randy (and others):
Of the three brands (blizzard, adj, chauvet) which is recommended for getting started?
Thanks so much everyone!
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Pretty much like a choice between Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai. I've had real good luck with ADJ, not so much with Chauvet, and no experience with Blizzard. ADJ has a broad array of products, and quality is consistent. Before you start, decide on a target budget. No one can really give you good advice without this, even if it's a ballpark number. You could spend $500 or you could spend $20,000. Think about what your needs are. Illumination (floods, etc)? Beams with movement? Special effects? Simple control (sound active) or real control? Truss, light trees, or ground placement? You can find videos of most fixtures, which (of course) will show the fixtures under the best possible conditions. View them skeptically, but they can be useful if you consider that your use will not be in a pitch-black room with smoke/haze.
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Randy (and others):
Of the three brands (blizzard, adj, chauvet) which is recommended for getting started?
Thanks so much everyone!
blizzard, no experience (never heard of them until randy mentioned them)
chauvet/ADJ i have great experiences with both, and some bad with both...
DISCLAIMER: i am a production/installation lighting designer, and i also work for a reseller for ADJ/CHAUVET/MARTIN/ELATION/SGM/COLOR KINETICS and other major lighting brands. so take my advice under this consideration.
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Josh, here is their website: http://www.blizzardlighting.com/index.php/home
I've not used their products, but the general impression I have gotten from others who have is that they are somewhere between ADJ/Chauvet and Cheaplights.
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Josh, here is their website: http://www.blizzardlighting.com/index.php/home
I've not used their products, but the general impression I have gotten from others who have is that they are somewhere between ADJ/Chauvet and Cheaplights.
I'm sure this is product dependent, but my experience is similar - a bit down from Chauvet. That being said, the owner of Blizzard seems to be working very hard, and does offer reasonable support.
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Josh, here is their website: http://www.blizzardlighting.com/index.php/home
I've not used their products, but the general impression I have gotten from others who have is that they are somewhere between ADJ/Chauvet and Cheaplights.
good to know...i don't think i could honestly trust anything that would be considered less than ADJ/Chauvet (personally, professionally to sell is a different matter). but it does look like some good product though. are they ever at namm or LDI?
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Personally, I would give Blizzard a bit more credit than it seems like they are getting. Of all things NOT martin, VL, HES, etc. my personal experience is as follows:
Chauvet Professional- Many of these products are very, very solid. As a whole, I'd put this in line with Elation, and personally I'd rather see a Chauvet Professional product over an Elation one any day.
Elation- I've used several Elation products. I'd place them in the tier right below Martin etc. but my personal experience with Elation has been horrible- namely, their Platinum Spot 5R line, but I do recogonize they have been quite good performers for a large number of people.
Chauvet DJ- This is product dependant. Some that seem above their class- their new spot 350s and beam 350s come to mind, and others that are right where you might expect.
Blizzard - Very product specific. I think Blizzard is still trying to find their niche in the market. The PUCK line (especially the larger diode ones) are great. The only mover's I'd look at are the Torrents and the Quantum Pro, and their stage lighting has a good rep. I'd stay away from the effect lights, lasers, etc. I have extensive experience with Blizzard products and have been quite happy. I can also attest to their customer service- it has always been spot on for me. Exactly how a company should operate.
ADJ - I realize some people like their products. I personally won't touch them if I can help it. I've used some in the past with marginal success, but I generally don't trust them on the whole. I'm sure I am biased a bit. There was a point in time where I felt ADJ just put out anything to make a buck, this seems to be changing as I'm seeing some products that actually have some thought put into them so kudos on that, but I'm personally not ready to buy in yet.
Disclaimer, I'm a dealer for both Chauvet and Blizzard, and a reseller for the Elation/ADJ brands.
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+1
I can highly recommend Mike Pyle.
http://audiopyle.com/sales.html
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Nick, I've had the opposite experiences with ADJ and Chauvet. Been dealing with both lines for years, at several levels, as well as Martin, HES, Clay Paky, and just about everything else except VariLite.
ADJ certainly started out as a bottom feeder, but eventually their product line is quite solid. QC has been consistent (not perfect but who is?), and their support, although slipping back into a level with everyone else lately, was at one time outstanding.
Chauvet, however, has been very up and down in QC and product support. When their products work they're fine, but I've not had good luck.
Elation has been pretty consistent, but the Platinum line has not been as dependable as their other products.
The one area that no one can compete with Elation/ADJ is the Showdesigner series controllers. Nothing else even comes close at twice the $$, which is maddening because I really want to have more options.
I don't sell any of these products, but I do specify products for my clients when I am hired to put together a system.
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Duane,
I completely understand where you're coming from. I think everyone has had a variety of personal experiences and that's why I tried to convery those were my personal experiences with each brand.
At the end of the day- you hit it right on the head, really, who is perfect?
I've had things happen with my Chauvet fixtures, luckily not much, and has support been iffy at times, yeah. I just had a terrible experience with Elation and I'm sure I'm probably biased. I wrote a post about it here where I had 5/6 PS5Rs dead out of the box. It was such a huge mess for me I kind of swore off the brand.
I bought some Blizzard Torrent F5s and have been pretty happy with them, and while they are bright and fast etc. I do have some minor gripes about them- While they are almost* as bright as the 5R, I do wish they were brighter-especially when some of the color filters are on, and the frost filter is a bit uneven, but its really minor stuff. I used to think I couldn't live without features like prism/frost and such, but at the end of the day I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't just buy some MAC 350s. I've been griping about a well featured, reliable, bright small profile in the 2kish range for awhile now, and I still don't think there's a clear choice.
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Nick, nearly all of my clients are "budget challenged", and the majority of them truly don't know LED from QED. I have very little hands-on experience with the bigger, brighter fixtures, as they don't fit into the typical budget. I do have, however, lots of experience with the lower-$$$ gear, and a lot of entry-level bands and DJ's make good use of this type of gear. Unfortunately they have a difficult time telling the difference between decent cheap gear and just cheap gear.
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I can highly recommend Mike Pyle.
http://audiopyle.com/sales.html (http://audiopyle.com/sales.html)
Thanks for the advice on this! I ended up ordering some lights from Mike Pyle and I couldn't be happier! He really knows his stuff! Prices were great and his service was even better!
Thanks everyone for chiming in on this - much, much appreciated!!
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Not to blow the lid off of it all but.....
Most ADJ, Chauvet, Blizzard, K-9, Aurorae, Omnisistem etc etc etc.... they all buy from factories in China. Stamp their name on the side of it and mark it up +200%
For anything with moving parts I would certainly take the advice of going with a known established company and paying more for it. Basically if it has moving parts, it's going to break at some point. Stay away from "NEW" products. While fun and shiny they are usually untested. if there are too many issues the factory will discontinue the item and you will be left hanging. This is the case with the big name companies as well. Just go for something that's been around for a few years.
Now if it's a basic LED product. Like an uplight, a parcan, a bar, etc.... go with someone you trust who can get you a good deal. Things go wrong with these as well and every once in a while the factory screws up and ships things with a bad power supply, or a lot of bad driver cards. It happens. You just have to go with someone who will offer you a 1 year warranty on the product itself. Yes dealing with the Chinese directly is a pain. I've spent years sorting through several chinese manufacturers before finding a few that I like, make good products and can supply spare parts.
That being said, I've got a really large fleet of LED gear. All directly from China. Over the years I've gotten some really cheap crap, but now I've got a list of suppliers I buy from. They all have products that are extremely on par with Any Elation product. I even bump into issues from time to time where I'm buying a product that is under contract with one of the other distributors. Sometimes I can't buy the RGB par 64 from the company I usually go with because it's under contract with a US distributor... but I can buy the RGBW of the same can, or I can go to one of my other manufacturers.
I have a "brand" that I support. We have the name stenciled on the side of the par and we sell it as our "brand". Our markup is about 100% which covers our cost of doing business, having to cover warranty on bad parts. Our factories support us with parts but redistributing them to the right places is expensive....
So for things that move and have moving parts... buy them from a trusted name with a warranty.
For things like bars and pars and what not... there are some really neat toys out there that no-one is bringing into the US right now. Don't be too afraid of low pricing there really isn't much that can break on the simple things.
For example there is a 36W uplight that sells all over the place right now. It looks like a Colorblast with it's own power supply. They are readily available for around $150ea. Those little fixtures are rock solid little uplights... and they are waterproof. The market is blown out the bottom of them. They suck because you can't easily hang them but for simple event uplights.... wow! the newer versions even work on video.....
I've had 2 generations of these guys now... the first generation went to one of the harshest environments in the known world for a week straight.... twice.... most of them still function perfectly. Though they are beat to crap. The new ones I'm keeping nice to do corporate with.
So to sum it up... don't buy too cheap unless you know/trust the person. Don't buy moving things unless you expect them to break.
Cheers,
Joe Cole
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Randy (and others):
Of the three brands (blizzard, adj, chauvet) which is recommended for getting started?
Thanks so much everyone!
I've used them all, Blizzard is less expensive.
I would second the comment that the quality is a bit below Chauvet (maybe all my ADJ gear is from the "bottom feeder" days, but most of it is below the Blizzard stuff I've bought).
Thus far I've bought the following Blizzard products:
Rocklight RGBAW -- Phenomenal fixtures (25,000 lux @1m; too bright, actually. Wish I'd gotten the 40-degree optics). List price is something like $399. Not hard to get them for $350 each. If you can live with PAR can style fixtures, this is a great choice.
Puck RGB (original Pucks) -- It's a $100 fixture. Need I say more? I bought 24 of them to use for uplighting purposes. The mode button was a little flakey on one unit and one unit just went back because four of the (dozens of) red LEDs weren't working. Not an amazing experience, but it does demonstrate that you're going to run into quality issues when working down at the very low end of the spectrum; of course, two problems in 24 fixtures isn't that big of a deal. If I had it all to do over again and I wanted these pucks, I think I'd spring for the extra $50/fixture and get the Puck RGBAWs.
Puck RGBAW -- I bought 8 of them. They've all worked great. Could be a little brighter. I might buy some more of them at one point because they have discrete LEDs (separate R, G, B, A, and W) and you can do some neat-o effects on the back truss with them (where people see the actual discrete LEDs).
One thing cool about the Puck RGB and RGBAW fixtures is that they fit inside a 12" rectangular truss section. I've got 24 Puck RGB and 8 RGBAW units zip-tied inside four 3meter high vertical trusses that I set behind the stage for special effects. The pucks work perfect for this application. I kinda wish they were 4-in-1 or 5-in-1 LEDs because they'd be more flexible, but I have been able to pull off some neat effects (as mentioned above) with the discrete LEDs. The catch is this -- if the people can see the LEDs, their minds don't mix the colors, they see dots of different colored lights. I have to program my shows with this in mind and it really reduces the color palettes I can use with these fixtures as a result.
Fab5- Easily found for $250 online; I've gotten a special deal for just under $200 each.
I have one on order. It hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully I can also mount it inside a 12" truss. As it uses 5-in-1 LEDs, I'm also hoping that (when I place it on the back truss where the audience can see the LEDs) it produces a good color mix so I can produce more effects (beyond illumination) on my back truss. This thing is rated at around 12,000 lux at 1m (half that of the Rocklite RGBAW and about 3-4x that of the Puck RGBAW). That's amazingly bright for a $250 fixture.
Someday (probably next year), I'll get some Torrent F5 fixtures and see how well they work. Most of my gigs are outdoors (fog or haze just doesn't work) so moving head lights just aren't that important to me right now.
FWIW, Blizzard's customer support seem to be just fine when I reported the bad Puck RGB. Just sent it off, so we'll see how long it takes to get it back.
I'm hot on Blizzard Lighting right now because for the same amount of light they're about half the price of ADJ and Chauvet (particularly at the Rocklite and Fab5 level of output). I want a really bright stage with a minimal number of fixtures and weight (and of course, at a price I can afford). It remains to be seen how well the Blizzard fixtures hold up, but thus far they've done the job for me (btw, the defective Puck was defective when it arrived, it didn't die after operating for some length of time; it was actually usable [only 4 dead LEDs] but I figured I may as well get one that is 100% working).
Cheers,
Randy Hyde