Dedicated to our extended CHAUVET ® family in Norway. Our thoughts are with you.
To Oslo with Love
Reply
Monthly Archives: July 2011
Dealer trip: Nicaragua
Written by Paula Ortiz, business development manager, Latin America for CHAUVET®
I visited the store owned by our distributor Instrumentos Musicales La Voz. Owner Freddy Hernandez opened the store seven years ago and has distributed our products for five. He also sells throughout the country.
View of our distributor’s store.
View of the lighting showroom.
The lighting room features our CHAUVET® logo.
View outside my room in Managua.
Dealer trip: Costa Rica
Written by Paula Ortiz, business development manager, Latin America for CHAUVET®
I visited all five stores of our distributor Instrumentos Musicales La Voz, owned by Carlos Sanchez. They have been our distributors for more than 10 years, serving smaller stores in the rest of the country. I offered product training to the sales and technical services at the main store in San José, which opened 33 years ago.
Here are some of the photos I took:
The Alajuela’s store name is La Clave because it is owned in partnership with the person who runs the store. This store has a newly renovated showroom featuring high ceilings to show off all lights’ features.
The gorgeous view right outside the hotel in San José.
The main store in San José has a large warehouse space, as well as a service department.
The store’s name in Heredia is also La Clave.
Ciudad Musical was acquired from Mr. Robles several years ago, and the store has been at this location for more than 40 years.
A different great view outside the hotel in San José.
The store at the Novacentro strip mall features a high traffic of musicians and good sales.
LASER Basics
by Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®
We think everyone can agree that lasers are an asset to any event and are one of the greatest effect fixtures you can have on your rig. Nowadays, lasers can include multiple patterns, feature a ton of effects, and project beams in bold colors such as red, green, blue, magenta, violet, cyan and yellow. The first step to creating a great laser show is knowing how to properly use them. Click here for some helpful hints to remember when it comes to operating lasers.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ / mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®. Look for more helpful posts like this one to come.
How did they get those awesome shots?
by Allen Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®
You always see amazing photos and wonder “how did they do that?” Click here for some pointers to help turn your mediocre pictures into gorgeous shots that people will want to look at.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ / mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®. Look for more helpful posts like this one to come.
SHO Nightclub in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Getting Familiar with Images
by Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®
There are different types of descriptions commonly used when it comes to discussing images and their resolution. If you’re unfamiliar with terms like high resolution, web resolution, dpi, megapixel, digital zoom, optical zoom and SLR, they can sound technical and intimidating. Don’t be nervous, we’ll learn together and you’ll be photographing lighting installations like a professional in no time.
Read more for helpful tips when it comes to getting familiar with images.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ / mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®. Look for more helpful posts like this one to come.
Gear for a Year Viewing Party at CHAUVET® HQ
Last Friday, members of the CHAUVET® product development and marketing teams had a hard day at work as they got together for some pizza and videos. The Gear for a Year contest ended June 30th and one lucky winner, who will ultimately win a year’s worth of free lighting gear and the distinction of becoming an official CHAUVET® product reviewer, needed to be chosen. It was a very tough decision, but all of the videos were reviewed and the teams narrowed it down to a handful of finalists. Some of the videos made them laugh and some made them laugh so hard they cried. The creativity, knowledge and passion the contestants exhibited in their videos was very impressive. Stay tuned as 25 finalists are selected the week of July 11th and the grand prize winner is announced the week of July 18th.
5 tips to photograph a lighting installation
By: Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®
The best way to produce photographs of lighting installations is by using a camera that utilizes interchangeable lenses, or a digital SLR. These cameras are ready to use right out of the box and perform a lot of functions that may appear intimidating to beginners. To get started, select a six megapixel or larger digital SLR and follow the five basic tips for photographing a lighting installation.
Read more for helpful tips when it comes to photographing lights.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ / mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®. Look for more helpful posts like this one to come.
5 Tips for Wedding DJs
By: Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®
When it comes to DJ-ing a wedding, the set up and entertainment you provide can mean the difference between an extraordinary event and a disastrous nightmare. There are a million things to keep in mind when it comes to working with your clients and preparing for the event: is my lighting rig enough or should I add more, what type of crowd will it be, do I know exactly what the bride and groom expect of me, etc.
Click here for five tips to keep in mind as you prepare to DJ a wedding.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ / mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®. Look for more helpful posts like this one to come.
DJ Profile: DJ Diesel
In 2001, DJ Diesel of Pennsylvania combined his love of computers and music and began DJ’ing at local parties in his area. He started out with an old laptop and speakers and now owns all of his own equipment which includes eight CHAUVET® fixtures, truss, professional speakers and more. He is currently the house DJ of Molly’s Pub in Lancaster and also plays weekly shows in his tri-state area.
We asked him these six questions for our DJ profile:
1. How and when did you get started as a DJ? What types of events do you do?
I started DJ’ing house parties, family gatherings and picnics when I was 15. My setup included an old desktop PC and a home stereo system – needless to say I wasn’t very technical or skilled. I currently do shows at pubs, weddings, and private events. I am looking to expand to nightclubs, but that success does not happen overnight.
2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side? If it’s a side job, please let us know what you do full time.
I am a full-time chef at a renowned nursing home in my area. They are very flexible and understand that there are times I have to leave early or take off for a gig and for that I am very grateful. Even though DJ’ing is not my primary, full-time job, I would love to get to the point to where I can work for myself and build a thriving company. I consider DJ’ing a full-time job because I am constantly researching trends, looking up information, previewing tracks, and practicing.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup? What are you looking to add?
My complete rig now, consists of: one Scorpion™ LGX, one COLORpalette™, one J-Six™, one Line Dancer™ LED, two COLORstrip™ Mini, one MegaStrobe™ III and one Hurricane™ 900.
I would really like to add two MiN™ Spot RGBW moving head or two Intimidator™Scan LED 200 scanners. The COLORrail™ looks absolutely amazing as well. If I could own every light, I would.
4. What is your favorite fixture and why?
My favorite fixture, out of my entire rig, has to be the Line Dancer™ LED because of the quality sound-active mode as well as the great floor coverage. The other lights are very close behind the Line Dancer™ LED. It was very hard to choose.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Start small. DJ’ing is a very expensive career to jump into. Get the basics (laptop, controller, lights, etc.). Go to your local DJ shop and experiment with the tools to get a real feel for them. Increase your skill level and then start making contacts. Start out with smaller gigs and network with other DJs and people in the music industry. Move forward slowly. The faster you dive into it, the more issues you may run into. Practice, practice, practice!
6. What are your top three most requested songs?
Martin Solveig “Hello,” Pitbull and Ne-yo “Give Me Everything,” and LMFAO “Party Rock Anthem.”