An event at Vintage Gardens in Modesto, Calif. takes place under an enormous tent illuminated with four SlimPAR™ 56 wash lights, two COLORstrip™ linear lights and a MiN™ Laser FX laser controlled with an Obey™ 70 control board.
Photo courtesy of Jason Gulley
A holiday party at the Oro Verde Hotel in Ecuador featured acrobats dangling from truss and 18 COLORpalette™ wash lights.
Photo courtesy of Christian Claverol
Can someone really imagine a show without lights? The DJs we interviewed throughout the year in our Facebook Fan of the Month interview series–click here to check it out–pretty much agreed that a show without lights is a contradiction in terms. And we agree. Lights are part of a show just as a limb is part of a human body. Well, their answers are more fun and creative. Read on:
A show without lights is like…
1. …dark. No, really, it’s like going on a date with a beautiful woman while you’re blindfolded! - Larz Hanson, Tenn.
2. …the dark side of the moon. No matter how amazing it is, you can’t see it without some lights! - Alex Bardos, N.C.
3. … feasting on bread and water when you could be having steak and lobster and champagne. - Kirk Hilzinger, Mo.
4. … a party with no people! – Aron Wickart, Ill.
5. … popcorn without butter. What’s the point? – David Dienstbier, Neb.
6. … an artist without a paint brush! – Mauro Advise, Calif.
7. … a birthday cake with no candles. Still tasty and great, but not as festive. – Curtis Rock, Texas.
8. … a Christmas without presents…POINTLESS! – Storm Savino, Fla.
9. … dancing in the dark. – Matt Holmes, Minn.
10. … watching a movie with no sound. It’s called audio-visual for a reason! Victor Wooten answered this question with “one-dimensional” and he was dead-on with his answer. An exciting show stimulates more than one sense. There are no exceptions. – Nick Pignetti, Md.
11. … SpongeBob SquarePants without Patrick. – Shawn Herold, Ga.
12. … a James Bond movie without a cool car or gadgets…it just shouldn’t happen! – Jasper Ibe, Canada
This is a show with lights!
Charles Gardella, aka DJ Borracho, is a versatile DJ in Montebello, Calif. who DJs everything in English and Spanish. He owns his own DJ business, has 17 years of experience and knows how to get party goers on their feet and keep them moving to the music.
1. How and when did you get started as a DJ? What types of events do you do?
I got started around the age of 15 with one of my friends who happen to be a DJ. I bought speakers, then a mixer, and I just kept adding to it. Now, 17 years later, I have DJ gigs at clubs and a few radio stations.
2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
I own my own DJ business, so this is a full-time job for me.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup? What are you looking to add?
I have too many fixtures to remember all of them. From what I can recall, these are the CHAUVET® fixtures included in my setup: two Scorpion™ lasers, the whole line of Vue™ effect lights which includes Vue™ 1.1, Vue™ 3.1, and Vue™ 6.1, Mega Moon™, Elan™, J-Five™ and more. I would really like to add the 6SPOT™ or the 4PLAY™.
4. What is your favorite CHAUVET® fixture and why?
Well, I have a few favorite lights, so I can’t list just one. I think if I had to pick one right now it would be Cubix™. I really want the Circus™.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Don’t start your own business because there is so much competition nowadays. If you really want to get started, make sure you play all kinds of music so when people ask if you can play certain things, you can say “yes I can.”
6. What are your top three most requested songs?
Suavemente, Escandalo, and songs by Snoop Dogg
Throughout the year, CHAUVET® DJ carefully selects DJs from all over the world and contacts them for an interview. The interviews turned out to be really entertaining and produced a lot of great information. From these interviews, we formulated the DJ Profile series. These profiles are shared here on our blog, our social media sites and in our newsletter so the world can get to know a little bit more about them and their profession. Part of the questionnaire asks, “What are your top three most requested songs?” The list below features the 15 most popular songs of 2011.
1. “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
2. “Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer
3. “I Gotta a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
4. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
5. “Cupid shuffle” by Cupid
6. “Yeah” by Usher
7. “The Time” by Black Eyed Peas
8. “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland ft. Lil Wayne
9. “SuperBass” by Nicki Minaj
10. “Blow” by Ke$ha
11. “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
12. “In the Summertime” by Shaggy featuring Rayvon
13. “Electric slide” by Neville Livingston
14. “Shout” by The Isley Brothers
15. “Hello” by Martin Solveig
Are you an outstanding DJ who should be featured in our DJ Profile series? If so, send us an email at socialmedia[at]chauvetlighting[com]
Meet Pedro Valdes, aka DJ DRO, from Miami, Fla., who has been a DJ since he was only 13.
1. How and when did you get started as a DJ? What types of events do you do?
When I was about 13 years old, leaving middle school and entering high school I downloaded a trial version of VirtualDJ and began to mix off my keyboard and mouse. I do all types of events in the Miami area like quinceañeras, sweet 16 parties, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, school and corporate events, house parties, kid parties, and I DJ at some bars/lounges.
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 DJ on the side and for now I work full time as DJ & lighting/pro audio/technology sales associate for Sam Ash Music Stores in Miami. I run mostly the lighting room.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup? What are you looking to add?
I currently own a CHAUVET® Swarm™, Kinta™ X, Hurricane™ 1300 fog machine, and some other fixtures. I am looking to add uplighting like some SlimPAR™ fixtures and flat panels and DMX them. I would also like to get the MotionFaçade™ LED to make my setup look clean, more professional, and was considering adding a follow spot and a gobo projector and the new lasers like the Cirrus™ and the Scorpion™ GVC.
4. What is your favorite fixture and why?
My favorite fixture in my setup right now would be the Kinta™ X. I love the area it covers and all my clients love that light, the colors, the way it goes with the music and the effects. Its design and lightweight structure make it so much portable, which is a big plus when you’re a mobile DJ.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Don’t listen to what other people have to say. At the end of the day it’s you, not them. So, give it all you got and make it count.
6. What are your top three most requested songs?
“Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer. “I Have a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas. “The Time” (dirty bit) Remix by Black Eyed Peas.
by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ product manager
If you are unfamiliar with the DMX protocol, controlling fixtures with it can seem intimidating and complicated. Before you can start programming DMX-capable fixtures, you need to understand what DMX is, how it works and what you can do with it. Once you understand the basics, you will have the freedom to easily design custom light shows your clients will love. Click here for three easy steps to DMX control.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ/mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®.
This shot was taken during DJ Open Night at AmpDJ in the U.K. In this photo are Circus™ and Radius™ effect lights, COLORdash™ Batten Tri linear wash light, 6SPOT™ and 4PLAY™ pack-n-go mobile wash light systems.
by Allan Reiss, CHAUVET® DJ Product Manager
You’re a dedicated DJ; you constantly improve your rig, and you like being in charge of your event. Sometimes though what you bring to the (DJ) table is not enough. For some events you book, your inventory might not be enough. This is when you consider renting extra gear. But before you do, read here and do your homework.
DJ University is an online resource for the DJ/mobile performer sponsored by CHAUVET®.
Central Territory/Key Accounts Manager, Jeremy Pace
Central Territory/Key Accounts Manager Jeremy Pace was in Minneapolis at EMI Audio for a CHAUVET® Demo Day to showcase these awesome effect lights: Fallout™, Swarm™, Circus™, Orb™, Sweeper™ LED, plus the new gobo projector, Gobo Zoom™ LED 2.0. For more on our awesome lights, stay INformed and check out these two LED drapes that are perfect for your DJ booths or for any back drop: SparkleDrape™ LED, MotionDrape™ LED. Find out more about the complete wash lighting solution 4BAR™ Tri or color-changer system 6SPOT™. And if that’s not enough, feast your eyes and get INspired from these photos and by watching the amazing video we posted here for the COLORrail™ IRC linear wash (with optional remote!).
