0T: LED stage lights anyone using them?

[BluesKeys]

I am looking into LED stage lights for my new band. Is anyone using them and where do you buy them? I have found them from about $250 to $700 USD. Is anyone using the cheaper ones? If I go with Higher dollar, can I get away with fewer lights to start and then build on that?

[Stormfront]

I am no expert on lighting but FWIW ...

 

I was in Guitar Center a few months back looking into lighting. The guy there showed me a phenomenon about led lighting. Seems they are so pure that if you shine a red led on something red that color does not show up on the item being illuminated. He said he's seen groups doing this that wear the wrong colors on stage and it looks really odd. Or I might be crazy.

 

That said, I have seen bands outdoors use them successfully.

 

Pete

 

[Phred]

We use a small cheap set of two of the RGB bars with builtin controller (and 'follow the sound feature') and it works ok for us. Especially for smallish places. Not a big "holy cow look at the light show..." but a cheap way to bring your own lighting to clubs that don't have it already. The ones we have allow you to plug in a pedal as well...

 

I can't remember what kind we have, but they look similar to these - but I not quite:

 

114-DOMINOx2

http://www.cheaplights.net/images/productpicts/114dominox2.gif

 

[Aidan]

I have a little Chauvet four light bar which I just place on the floor to add a bit of ambience - not much to carry and works nicely, although ideally I'd add another one for the other side some time, as they're not hugely bright, especially with ambient lighting.

[DanS]

We have a couple, and didn't pay much for them. I can check the brand later. One thing I do suggest is to get a smoke machine, they take a modest light rig and enhance it to the point of ultra-coolness.

[BillWelcome Home Studios]

we've been using them in the theaters for years. What you need to know is lumens, light output. How they compare to what you would replace. Mostly we use them for washes, pretty much never for front light, as they don't seem to have the punch we need. Your mileage may vary. The cost on them is very high compared to conventional lighting. Where you would save would be the color change aspect, low power consumption, and lighter cabling runs. In the case of a band, the only thing that really matters is the color change capability, since bands don't pay the power bills and the cable runs are not long enough to make any real difference in cost. Is it worth the cost to you, or will a conventional light with a color changer in front of it cost you less to own? Or would it be simpler and cheaper to own several instruments, each geled to a given color, and run them in a conventional manner using conventional controllers and packs. For instance, a par 56 costs well under $100, used probably under $30.. you can buy a bunch of them for $700.

[BluesKeys]

Bill, I have been looking for used lights for quite a while and only have found well worn or worn out systems. Many of the sites I find them on do not give much info on them. I just want to have light on the band so we aren't playing in the dark or the club or venue doesn't have to turn on the house lights.

 

I like the idea of less power since some places have limited breakers and with LED we can run the whole band off a 30amp breaker since they pull less than 6 watts.

 

Phred I looked at those bar LED's but thought they might be too fragile.

 

Aiden, Those are one of the sets I am looking at for around $250 USD and was wondering if one set would light up a 6pc band. Ideally we will add a second set after we get this band working and making some money.

[ITGITC]

I'd buy a new amp instead.

[kanker.]

I'd buy a new amp instead.

I'd buy ITGITC a warm beer. I'm sure he'd drink it anyway...

[ITGITC]

I'd buy a new amp instead.

I'd buy ITGITC a warm beer. I'm sure he'd drink it anyway...

 

Today? With the week I've had so far, I would drink warm beer - even though that's not allowed with the shock therapy.

[BluesKeys]

I actually have a QSC we will be using for subs instead of the Crown. I need a beer warm or cold it doesn't matter.

 

But I want to SEE what I am Drinking... LED's? Or 2 trees of par 38's for the same money?

[ITGITC]

I don't trust LEDs.

 

I'd buy the par 38's for the same money.

[matted stump]

Current draw can be a real problem in clubs. Sometimes you get one or two 15 amp circuits and that's all.

 

That's why LEDs appeal to me. Last time I carried lights, we had 500W quartz bulbs in PAR and ellipsoid cans. It was hot, bright, heavy to set up, and sucked a LOT of juice.

 

My main worry is that LEDs would be too dim.

[WWW]

LEDs are a bit dim...but they don't run hot, they draw very little current

[WWW]

and no gels needed

[SpaceNorman]

I own a system of "conventional" lights (Par cans, fresnels and a couple of stage wash fixtures). They were great back in the day when I regularly played on real stages that had realstage electrical service. These days - most of my gigs are in small venues where I'm lucky to find a couple of duplex boxes anywhere near the area of floor that's been declared the "stage". My "conventional" lights rarely leave the garage. Instead we use the two 4 bars of LED "par" fixtures my new bass player owns get used constantly - almost no electrical draw, no heat, can be set to change with the music.

 

I wouldn't consider investing in anything but LED lights today.

[KeyMoe]

We use 8 (par 64 type) LEDS for the last couple of years and love them. They use very low power and provide a ton of flexibility when using a small DMX light controller. They provide various color schemes, chasing, flashing, dimming etc without adding any buzz to your sound or risk of blowing breakers. Ours were very inexpensive ($99) per can during a GC blowout a couple of years back.

 

I used regular par 64s for years and always worried about power, broken bulbs, broken color gels and heat. These LEDS are a fraction of the weight and perform flawlessly for us.

 

Cheers,

Matt

[eric]

I have no idea of the brand or model numbers, but our longtime soundman has switched to all LEDs and they kick so much a*s it is not even believable. They absolutely rule.

[ITGITC]

I have no idea of the brand or model numbers, but our longtime soundman has switched to all LEDs and they kick so much a*s it is not even believable. They absolutely rule.

 

TRUMPED!

 

Jimmy, I've changed my mind. If Eric and others have had experience with the LEDS and recommend them, then go for it.

 

With that said, who will join me for a brewski? OK Kanker, I'll even find you a warm brewski.

[BluesKeys]

Ok, so I go with the LED's ... can anyone recommend a source? I have been looking at http://www.cheaplights.com/cart/page40.html and they have a deal on 4 lights and a tree. Anyone with experience with these lights or the company?

[jimmymio]

I recently bought a set of American DJ led lights. They're P36 and i use 3 on each side of the stage. I bought the 2 trees and 4 cans new and paid $500. I added 2 more cans from ebay for $80.

AS everyone mentions they are great for power consumption. They are also small and EZ to transport.

The 6 P36 are the minimum I would recommend for a 6 piece. The nice thing is it's easy to add on more cans at a later date.

JP

[keyguy]

Ok, so I go with the LED's ... can anyone recommend a source? I have been looking at http://www.cheaplights.com/cart/page40.html and they have a deal on 4 lights and a tree. Anyone with experience with these lights or the company?

 

For Chauvet, www.northernsound.net has been very competitive. You must talk to a real person to get the best deal.

 

[JpScoey]

One thing that hasn't been fully emphasised on this topic yet

 

is that 'conventional' lights are HOT on stage... they make you sweat even more!

 

LED's are not.

 

For 'ambient' lighting, LED's would provide a lot of (literally) colour/variety to your set.

 

.