dmx lighting

dmx lighting

DJ Lighting Equipment is a very important aspect of any disco equipment setup and one which should not be overlooked or underestimated. However, once you have a good idea of the available options you will find that it is relatively easy to equip yourself with some great lighting solutions at affordable prices.

There are many types of DJ lights available and they differ greatly in price point so it is a good idea to plan out your requirement and understand that if you only ever do small or sometimes medium sized venues then you will NOT need a massive amount of lights or a big lighting rig as these may only get used a few times a year. In fact it may be more realistic and beneficial to buy a few good effect lights, a couple of moving head scanners, a laser and a smoke machine and on the rare occasion that you may require more lighting then you can always hire a few more lights from your local DJ warehouse.

If you are a newbie to disco lighting then you should gain a little more knowledge through reading the next part of this article which gives you the options for choosing DJ lights and lighting packages.

1) Moonflower Lights (Gobo) – This light produce patterns through the lens and can be very effective.

2) Scanners – Available as Fixed and Moving Head lighting units and these are probably the most popular and used the most throughout the mobile disco and nightclub scene. A scanner DJ light can be linked to one another, in a daisy chain, and attached to a lighting controller (DMX controller unit) and the linked units will work as a synchronised effect.

3) DJ Laser Lights – A laser light produces either fixed pattern effect in single or multi colours (requires multiple heads) and the more advanced units can produce some amazing animations which are typically controlled via a laptop running a DMX interface.

4) DJ Black Lights and UV Lights – These produce fluorescent and black light effects such as making any white clothing you wear stand out brightly. These Black Lights are perfect for mobile disco, home and bedroom, and nightclubs.

5) Party Disco Lights – These lights are widely available and offer an affordable solution to house parties, small disco’s and other light applications. You can buy a complete Disco Party Pak from online DJ suppliers and these can turn any small venue into a flashy, colourful and atmospheric party palace.

There are many more options available including light boxes and LCD display panels, strobe lighting and Beacons also Oil Gobo Lights to name but a few. However, the main items listed above (1 to 5) are by far the most widely used lighting equipment and if you opt for a combination of those lights then you will not go far wrong.

Uttermost 19100 Ronin, Candleholders, S/2 $107.80 These porcelain candleholders feature an antiqued, crackled, light cyan finish. Antiqued candles included.Sizes:Sm-6x13x6, Lg-6x15x6...

ProAcademy Series - Event Lighting $29.99 Lighting helps set the stage for any event. People's mood, attitude and even confidence can be affected simply by how a room is lit. Lighting helps to create atmosphere. For nearly 20 years, Ben Stowe has been building, selling and teaching professionals across the world about lighting and sound for live events. This video explores the basics of how lights work, different types of light fixtures...

RGB LED Amplifier 8A/Ch $60.50  RGB LED Amplifier 8A/ChConstant Voltage Power Repeater is suitable for all of our RGB controllers to expand power output.~LT-390 Constant voltage power repeater~Supports PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control~You can stack amps (2x repeaters connected = 16A/Ch)~Input Power:  DC12V ~ DC24V~Output Power: 300W (12V)  600W (24V)~Product Dimension: L135 x W95 x H55 mmYou can just connect ...

Chauvet Hemisphere 5 4-channel Dmx-512 LED Centerpiece Light Projecting Rgbwa LED Beams in All Directions $145.99 Brand New Chauvet Hemisphere 5 4-channel DMX-512 LED Centerpiece Light projecting RGBWA LED beams in all directions Features: 4-channel DMX-512 LED centerpiece Individual control of red, green, blue, white and amber LEDs Variable electronic strobe Bi-directional motor control with variable speed Built-in automated programs via master/slave or DMX Built-in sound activated programs via master/slave...

HID Digital H8-8000K Xenon High Intensity Discharge Conversion Kit with Digital Ballasts $62.95 HID bulbs are simply designed using a different technology to produce the light. Instead of a fine piece of wire filament, the light comes from a glass chamber of gas with no filament. Thus, road bumps and shock cannot damage the lamp. Our kit is one of the most bright on the market! Your eyes will be amazed how much better you can actually see driving on dark roads. Please check with your local l...

Dragonframe 3 Stop Motion Software $295.00 Dragonframe is the premier image capture software for stop motion animation, motion design and visual effects. The software is used by major motion picture studios and independent filmmakers alike. Dragonframe is the evolution of Dragon Stop Motion. New features in version 3.0: * Frame-based timeline with drag and drop frame editing * Multi-character track reading and lip-sync interface * Tabbed...

LED Bike Spoke Light Key Specifications/Special Features: * Waterproof * 14 blue LED lights * Shows riding time * Install on the front wheel * 36 design patterns and five word patterns, patterns change every three seconds * LED lights will keep blinking for two minutes after wheel has stopped * Final light will turn off completely in approximately three minutes after wheel has stopped * Requires 3 x AAA batte...

sPDS-480ca 7.5V ...

LEDwholesalers IR Remote Controller 44 Keys for RGB LED Light Strip $4.79 Easy to connect and operate Control a variety of LED light by adopting an advanced micro control unit With Voltage: DC 12V Max. output current: 6A Max. output power: 72W Working temperature: -20°C - 60°C...

USB Controlled DMX Interface, Factory Assembled & Tested $75.79 At this point some of you may be wondering... "um, what is a DMX interface?" While it's not something you would find in a typical home, it's widely used in stage and music productions. DMX is short for an EIA-485 based communications protocol that is commonly used for stage lighting and stage effects. If you ever wondered how do they control all those stage lights, lasers, and other effects remote...

Leviton N3008-D 3000 Series 8 Channel DMX Controller $199.57 ...

GreenLEDBulb 18 Watt Under Water LED, RGB with DMX512 controller, CREE led 18x1 $349.00 18 Watt Under Water marine LED Light with min. life span of 50,000 hours. Build time: for samples, 7days from day payment is received; for mass production, 14-20days....

ZB-300 Strobe Replacement Lamp, 750 Watts, American DJ XOP 750 $34.99 ZB-300 750 Watt Strobe Replacement Lamp This strobe bulb works in most 750 watt fixtures, including those listed below. It has 3 wires: Positive, Neutral, and Trigger. 10 million flash life. Details Item: XOP 750, XOP750 750 Watt Strobe Lamp, ZB-750, aka BSTR750, ST-750B, ST750B, PS750, PS 750, ZB300, ZB 300 Operating Orientation: Universal Watts: 750 Watts Max Overall Length (MOL): 237 mm ...

Ushio 1000205 - DMX INC120V-500W Projector Light Bulb $25.95 500 watt 120 volt T20 Medium Prefocus Flanged (P28s) Base 3,200K Clear DMX Projector / Stage / Studio Incandescent Ushio Light Bulb...

Chauvet DMX3P - 3-Pin Lighting Cable (5 Ft Cable) $10.99 A 3-pin cable designed just for lighting fixtures to provide safety and prevent bad signal transmissions....

Chauvet LEDsplash 86B - LED Wash Light $79.99 The compact and lightweight Chauvet LEDsplash 86B wash light is a red, green, and blue LED wash fixture with 3 or 7 channels of DMX control. This compact, lightweight fixture is powered by 86 red, green, and blue LEDs. It features a pulse effect with adjustable speed, static colors and color mixing, plus built-in automated and sound-activated programs that are operable with or without DMX....

CaseCrown Faux Suede Zip Sleeve Case (Fuchsia) for Motorola XOOM WiFi / 3G Model $9.21 This CaseCrown Faux Suede Sleeve Case is the stylish way to protect your Motorola Xoom. The exterior is a soft, yet extremely durable material that is nice to touch and uniquely eye striking. This case will help protect your Motorola Xoom from scratches, dust, fingerprints, and damage without adding additional bulk. It provides an accessible and convenient solution for carrying the Motorola Xoom o...

Hercules DJ Console RMX $299.99 With 2 wheels, 6 faders, 12 rotary buttons, and 46 push-buttons, the Hercules DJ Console RMX Dual-Deck Controller gives you all of the essentials to have the party jumping all night long. The Hercules DJ Console RMX Dual-Deck Controller also features a microphone input, 2 stereo inputs, and 2 stereo outputs for flexibility on the spot....

Chauvet Techno Strobe $79.99 The Techno Strobe 2000S from Chauvet Lighting is a 75W strobe that is adjustable from 1 to 20 flashes per second. A two-position switch on the rear of the unit is used to enter one of two modes of operation: sound active or manual speed. The strobes are linkable via mono cable, chasing enabled via optional controller, and DMX controllable via optional converter....

Dmx Adapter Cable $10.99 6"...

DMX Controlled Relay Kit $55.80 What if you need to do more than dim a resistive incandescent light in your DMX control chain? What if you need to provide an on/off function? Just like the K8039 dimmer, if you are switching a device that doesn't have a standard DMX control input, you're pretty much out of luck... unless you have this handy little relay board! Here's how it works: First we plug this relay board into the DMX contr...

Understanding DMX Controllers - For the Novice This book, is directed toward the novice programmer who wants to learn how to program DMX lighting fixtures with the common 12 fixture, 240 scene hardware controller.The book takes the reader through the step by step process, to properly control any DMX lighting fixture. With the programming knowledge, the reader will fully understand the world of DMX 512, and be able to move on to software progra...

Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design (DMX512/1990 & AMX 192 Standards) $129.95 Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers & Controllers plus AMX 192 Analog Multiplex Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers & Controllers. A copy of RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR DMX512 is included....

Uttermost 19100 Ronin, Candleholders, S/2 $107.80 These porcelain candleholders feature an antiqued, crackled, light cyan finish. Antiqued candles included.Sizes:Sm-6x13x6, Lg-6x15x6...

ProAcademy Series - Event Lighting $29.99 Lighting helps set the stage for any event. People's mood, attitude and even confidence can be affected simply by how a room is lit. Lighting helps to create atmosphere. For nearly 20 years, Ben Stowe has been building, selling and teaching professionals across the world about lighting and sound for live events. This video explores the basics of how lights work, different types of light fixtures...

DMX Controlled Relay Kit $55.80 What if you need to do more than dim a resistive incandescent light in your DMX control chain? What if you need to provide an on/off function? Just like the K8039 dimmer, if you are switching a device that doesn't have a standard DMX control input, you're pretty much out of luck... unless you have this handy little relay board! Here's how it works: First we plug this relay board into the DMX contr...

Understanding DMX Controllers - For the Novice This book, is directed toward the novice programmer who wants to learn how to program DMX lighting fixtures with the common 12 fixture, 240 scene hardware controller.The book takes the reader through the step by step process, to properly control any DMX lighting fixture. With the programming knowledge, the reader will fully understand the world of DMX 512, and be able to move on to software progra...

Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design (DMX512/1990 & AMX 192 Standards) $129.95 Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers & Controllers plus AMX 192 Analog Multiplex Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers & Controllers. A copy of RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR DMX512 is included....

GreenLEDBulb 18 Watt Under Water LED, RGB with DMX512 controller, CREE led 18x1 $349.00 18 Watt Under Water marine LED Light with min. life span of 50,000 hours. Build time: for samples, 7days from day payment is received; for mass production, 14-20days....

ZB-300 Strobe Replacement Lamp, 750 Watts, American DJ XOP 750 $34.99 ZB-300 750 Watt Strobe Replacement Lamp This strobe bulb works in most 750 watt fixtures, including those listed below. It has 3 wires: Positive, Neutral, and Trigger. 10 million flash life. Details Item: XOP 750, XOP750 750 Watt Strobe Lamp, ZB-750, aka BSTR750, ST-750B, ST750B, PS750, PS 750, ZB300, ZB 300 Operating Orientation: Universal Watts: 750 Watts Max Overall Length (MOL): 237 mm ...

Ushio 1000205 - DMX INC120V-500W Projector Light Bulb $25.95 500 watt 120 volt T20 Medium Prefocus Flanged (P28s) Base 3,200K Clear DMX Projector / Stage / Studio Incandescent Ushio Light Bulb...

Chauvet DMX3P - 3-Pin Lighting Cable (5 Ft Cable) $10.99 A 3-pin cable designed just for lighting fixtures to provide safety and prevent bad signal transmissions....

Chauvet LEDsplash 86B - LED Wash Light $79.99 The compact and lightweight Chauvet LEDsplash 86B wash light is a red, green, and blue LED wash fixture with 3 or 7 channels of DMX control. This compact, lightweight fixture is powered by 86 red, green, and blue LEDs. It features a pulse effect with adjustable speed, static colors and color mixing, plus built-in automated and sound-activated programs that are operable with or without DMX....

Nexus LED Landscape Lighting -STEMS by Hinkley Lighting $11.9 Light up all levels of the yard with the Hinkley Lighting Nexus LED Landscape Lighting -STEMS. Interconnect several stems to allow taller plants or yard features to receive the same attention as lower-level ones. Available in 4 lengths. For use with Nexus LED Landscape lights for beautiful, energy-efficient exterior garden lighting. Cleveland-based Hinkley Lighting is driven by a passion to combine design and function to create exceptional lighting solutions. Family-owned Hinkley began as a traditional lantern company in 1922, and, still today, they produce top quality outdoor lighting. Hinkley Lighting has also expanded to include a full range of interior lighting solutions, including chandeliers, sconces, pendants and vanity lights. The Hinkley Lighting Nexus LED Landscape Lighting -STEMS is available with the following: Details:Bronze powder coated marine grade finishAluminum constructionUL Listed for wet locationsOptions:Size: 6", 12", 18", or 24".Shipping: This item usually ships within 7 days.

UB12900-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $255.5 UB12900-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB12500-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $132.17 UB12500-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB1208-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $18.83 UB1208-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB645WL-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $13.28 UB645WL-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB1222-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $14.83 UB1222-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB121100-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $299.94 UB121100-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB634-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $13.28 UB634-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB3-2-6-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $15.5 UB3-2-6-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

UB12550-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery $167.72 UB12550-ER Emergency Lighting Sealed Lead Acid Battery

Go study courses; it is necessary to get some sort of certificate or proper training in order to do lighting. Contact your local theatre venues and ask them if they offer any internships in lighting; additionally, find out if you can have a chat with their technicians. There are a number of short and long term courses you can do, although it depends on your location. Most often colleges or universities that offer acting courses also either offer lighting components as part of their curriculum, or offer separate courses just for tech.

Although it may seem like a good vocation, lighting is just as competitive as acting. Jobs can be anything from lighting design, to rigging, to operating the lighting desk, to just doing ‘bump ins’ (setting up the lights). Unless you have a job with a production/crew company or within a venue, or are very talented, you may find it hard to sustain full time work in the area.

My suggestion is to make a visit to Backstage.com, Gigslist.com, Controlbooth.com, Variety, or any of the other theater sites out there. There’s a lot of information and websites for technicians as well as actors. … I did have a very good site somewhere, but I can’t seem to find it anymore. …. Ah! Got it: http://www.plsn.com/

Also, another good place to start is a local chapter of a theater/lighting union. And there are a number of excellent lighting books on the market (try to get one published in the last couple of decades, since moving lights are rarely included in texts from the 70s or 80s).

You can, also, do an electrical degree, but you should also gain theatrical experience working with theatre lights; most people don’t realise that lighting design and understanding how theatre lights work requires a different set of knowledge than from what you get in an electrical degree course.