Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

George or anyone that uses LED lights, I would just like to know what you are using and what you think of them?

We have been using PAR 64 cans, which draw a lot of power and we ussually have to cut back the main output so we arent throwing breakers, Ive been thinking about upgrading our lightting system and just curious what your thoughts or anyones thoughts are on LED lights versus traditional lights.

Guys since this is a tech thread, if you dont use LEDs or know anything about them please dont comment. This aint a slam thread, so respect that, some others on here may be curious about them too.

Thanks in advance

John LED lighting can get very expensive if you let it. The light show we are using now is 10K. My advise would be to stay away from the cheap stuff made in China. The better stuff we are using is made by a company called Chavet. In fact they are going to use some of our pics. as an example to tap into the club market! Most folks using their stuff are tours and churches. If you are using incadescent par cans you have to seperate the circuits you plug your power amps and lights and backline. These LED lights use very little elec. and put out NO HEAT!

Yeah Haley using the old par cans is a bitch at times, as far as seperating circuits.

So with the LEDs you guys can put them on the same circuit as your pa and back line, without killing everything?

Ive been browsing the Chauvet stuff and it looks good, one silly question, What do you replace your par cans with in thier line up?

I kinda feel inlove with those sheets that have leds made into them that can do different patterns behind you, I was thinking it would be cool to have one of those on each side behind our amps, and then build from there, eventually replaceing the par lights we are using.

If you know what all you guys are using I would appreciate a breakdown, thanks man!

I'm using a mixture of Chauvet and American DJ equipment.
I purchased the cheap stuff, sound activated. If and when I up grade I will look into the DMX controllable system as for now I purchased several 15 amp 120 volt foot switches and just turn on or off the various banks of effects with a stomp.
Utilizing two fog machines for full effect presently have them under the drum rise.

The white lights I have are a tad weak but add to the overall effect.

I'll list he equipment below with some links so you can browse and read up on the various systems when you have time.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... og-machine x2

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ser-effect x1

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... fect-light x4

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ing-effect x4 kinda neat but not rally necessary LOL

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... fect-light x2

These are not the exact clamps but similar. a wrap of gaffers tape under them on the truss keeps em from slipping.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... egree-wrap

And this truss
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... age-lights

FYI setting all this stuff up is a pain in the ass and really add to your lead time & tear down. Might consider some of the DMX stuff and a pair of T top stands to put out front / side of you guys.

George thanks for the reply, I will be checking it out, when Ive seen pictures of you goys practice space it does look great.

Once again thanks and keep on rockin!

What did you ever come up with on the LED lighting stuff? I have a little experience from the FOH position where I provided PA and the artists used their own LED setups. From the FOH position I noticed that they all seem to provide more of a wash apperance as opposed to spotting. I filled in with a band for a couple of months that used 3 or 4 of the LED trees with 4 lights on them. Pumping fog constantly was their moto and strobing lights. From the stage it was nice due to no heat and not being blinded. It still looked a little dark from the audience view.

We are still utilizing the set up as described above.
I prefer performing in a dark environment with lighting as accents.
I feel it places emphasis on the music and the band as a unit vs individuals.

However a minimal of incandescent and halogen support lights can increase the overall visual effect and can be easily controlled with a simple set of switches.

As evidenced by the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi2C3PATcmQ