Tag Archives: COLORstrip Mini

Band Profile: Good Night Gracie

Posted on by
Reply

Whether it’s a new tune from Lady Gaga or a classic from the Eagles, Good Night Gracie is a five-member band who is creating a giant sound throughout northeastern and central Indiana. To liven up their performances, the band incorporates CHAUVET® DJ fixtures into their lighting setup. Read on and get to know more about these Midwest rockers.

1. How did you come up with the name of your band?
There are two versions of how the name Good Night Gracie came about — the truth and the one that sounds cooler. The truth is that the band created a list of names and picked the one they all agreed didn’t suck. The much cooler version is that the band is named after our guitarist’s daughter’s middle name. If anyone actually does the math, they’ll see that the latter version isn’t possible since she was born a few years after the band’s formation.

2. How many members are there?
Good Night Gracie consists of five members: Amanda Kittredge Prieur (vocals, guitar, shaker thingies and eye candy), Danny Robertson (vocals, keyboard and dancing machine), Rob Ruppert (vocals, guitar, and stage diving administrator), Matt Wood (vocals, bass, gear hookup guy and coffee addict) and Dan McCoy (vocals, drums, 808 bass dropper and rapper impersonator).

3. What type of music do you play?
Good Night Gracie performs throughout northeastern and central Indiana and plays music that keeps people dancing all night long. In addition to local bars, they also perform at corporate events, private parties and weddings of all sizes. The electronics produced by the drummer and keyboardist allow the band to add a virtually unlimited number of instruments to their performances which creates a sound that no other band in the region can emulate.

4. What CHAUVET® DJ fixtures are included in your setup?
The band uses two COLORstrip™ and four COLORstrip™ Mini linear wash lights to illuminate the main stage. They utilize the preset chase scenes and also control the fixtures using an Obey™ 10 DMX controller. The band performs a lot of long medleys and the lighting stays perfectly in time — regardless of the setting or tempo. To add effects and light the dance floor, a Vue™ 4.1 and Radius™ are included in the setup.

5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
All of the lights are permanently attached to two light bars. To break down, we just take the T-bar off the pole at the end of the night, unplug the DMX line to the controller and from one light to another and we’re done.

6. Complete this thought: A show without lights is like…
A show without lights isn’t a show. We’re always looking at what we can buy next that will further improve our lighting awesomeness. Of course, if CHAUVET® decided to help us out and send us any lighting equipment, we would be more than happy to support that decision.

Why Your Mobile Setup Needs a Backdrop

Posted on by
Reply


-written by Brett Allen

A few years ago, my band was featured in an article titled, “7 Things That Separate a Good Band from a Great One.” Granted, it sounds like something out of Cosmopolitan magazine, but it ran in a music magazine based in Chicago. Surprisingly, none of the seven problems had to do with sound, but centered on stage presence, lighting and ambience. Let’s face it, most establishments don’t have a stage and they tend to throw DJs and bands into a dark corner. I’ve even played in bars where patrons have to walk through the band to get to the bathroom.

The article offered a great suggestion for any type of mobile performer: bring a backdrop to hang behind your performance area. Better yet, have your DJ or band name on it. A backdrop has a twofold effect: it covers up all the crap on the walls behind you and offers a neutral background. The name of the game is marketing — every picture taken will feature your name instead of a bar sign or picture in the background. With a quick crop that great action shot is Facebook ready.

Let’s face it, a mottled gray background, while a great idea, is boring. So I started using CHAUVET® DJ COLORstrip™ wash lights behind the backdrop. I wanted a lightweight backdrop that allowed light to shine through, so I built my backdrops out of bed sheets. Originally, I placed two COLORstrip™ wash lights behind the sheet and set them in master/slave mode. I was immediately blinded. Seriously, the COLORstrip™ is a bright fixture. Don’t believe me? Go to YouTube and type in “COLORstrip™” and “birthday party.” You will find a video where the DJ is only using two COLORstrip™ fixtures to wash the whole area in color. To correct the blinding effect, I mounted both fixtures on the floor and positioned them straight up, which gave the hazy effect I was looking for.

My old mobile DJ booth was made out of clear Plexiglas® and had my name etched into it. I ran four PARs behind it (two in the front and one on each side) to create a glow. Fast forward 10 years and I could have had the same effect, but better, by vertically mounting CHAUVET® DJ COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights. They are half the size of COLORstrip™ and work great for smaller areas. A band in town mounts them to their speakers for extra light. I just want to figure out how to mount a COLORstrip™ Mini to an oscillating tower fan…minus the fan.

Still not sure about backlighting? Jump on YouTube and search for “COLORstrip™” and “DJ façade.” After watching some of these videos, I may dump my sheets and build a new backdrop. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out how to make an oscillating, DMX-controlled COLORstrip™ Mini and probably void my warranty.

DJ Profile: Greensleeves

Posted on by
1

Michael Warkentin, aka Greensleeves, is the DJ and co-emcee of the alternative hip-hop band, Broken Tongues. He started DJing in 2001 and incorporates elements of rock, jazz, funk, reggae, soul and livetronica. He owns Dancin’ Shoes DJ, a mobile DJ, audio and lighting company in Denver, and also works as a professional audio engineer at CCM Recording Studios. Read on and get to know more about him.

1. How did you get started as a DJ?
I became interested in turntablism in high school while listening to Paul’s Boutique, DJ Shadow, The Avalanches, Portishead, Invizibl Scratch Picklz and Jurassic 5, among others. I began scratching and learning to beat-match in college and eventually started DJing the set breaks for a few different bands.  I try to be as dynamic as possible and cater to all kinds of events ranging from live-band shows, clubs and festivals, to themed parties, weddings, corporate events and school parties.

2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
I DJ part time and work roughly 40 events per year. As a professional audio engineer at CCM Recording Studios, I mainly record, mix and master music, but I also do a lot of music production, audio logos and voice-over work. I live and breathe music daily, whether it’s at the boards, behind the glass, on stage or in the booth.

3. What fixtures are included in your setup?
I have several SlimPAR™ 56 and COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights, a slew of lasers and a Hurricane™ fog machine. I like the SlimPAR fixtures because the mixture of RGB LEDs provides a smooth wash for uplighting, and the COLORstrip™ Mini fixtures are really good for chase effects and scrim lighting. I would love to add more wash lights and a few Circus™ effect lights.

4. What is your favorite fixture and why?
I don’t really have a favorite fixture, but I love using the fog machine because it enhances the effects and creates a cool depth to the lighting. I also love using guitar pedals as turntable effects when performing with my band.

5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Practice a lot and use the internet to learn. Be humble and have a strong portion of your DJ set be well rehearsed, or use a well-catalogued database to freestyle from. It’s all in the practice and preparation.

6. What are your top three most requested songs?
Anything by Rihanna, just about anything from the 90s and “something for my girlfriend.”

CHAUVET® Rides Corona Bus at Carnival in St. Maarten

Posted on by
Reply

Our dealer from the French West Indies Renttasound put COLORstrip™ linear lights to good use at the Carnival Jouvert Morning 2K12 with Corona Beer. He also used COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights, MotionFaçade™ LED front board for DJs, BOB™ LED flame effect light, and a Bubble King™ bubble machine. Here are a few photos from the party:

CHAUVET® DJ Lights Rock Opera

Posted on by
Reply

Baltimore Rock Opera Society uses two COLORstrip™, two COLORstrip™ Mini, one Arena™ 2100 Flex, four SlimPAR™ 64, one Hurricane™ Haze 2D, two Sweeper™ LED, two 4PLAY™ fixtures in their latest feature-length rock opera, Valhella. Tune in as Artistic Director Aran Keating and Lighting Designer Chris Allen give a quick tour of the set and explain the purpose of all 14 CHAUVET® DJ fixtures used to make their production a ”gosh-darn face melt.”

DJ Profile: Elmo Joseph Jr.

Posted on by
Reply

Elmo Joseph Jr. is an engineer by day and a musician and DJ by night. Joseph has been practicing music, trombone, percussion and DJing for more than 13 years. He owns and operates 823 Entertainment in Bay City, MI. Read on and get to know more about your fellow DJ.

1. How and when did you get started as a DJ? What types of events do you do?
I started DJing in college. I bought some early Gemini CD decks, complete with the digital jog wheel, off this guy in my hall and really got addicted to mixing. From there, I got some gigs doing university and fraternity parties. I worked my way into a residency in the only bar/club in the town for 2 years. Since graduating, I’ve expanded from doing just parties to providing mobile entertainment for weddings and corporate functions.

2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
Being a DJ is a part-time gig for me. My full-time job is engineering for a very successful consumer products company. Initially, I stopped Djing to focus on my full-time job and only did parties for friends. Those parties generated more requests and made me reconsider getting back behind the decks at least part time. It was with their encouragement that I started my own mobile entertainment company — 823 Entertainment.

3. What fixtures are included in your setup? What are you looking to add?
I have two lighting rigs that I am always optimizing. For my small rig, I use a two Intimidator 1.0.scanners and a 4BAR™, 4PLAY™ CL and two VUE™ 1.1 effect lights. This setup accommodates small – medium weddings and bars. For my larger rig, I use a 4PLAY™ CL effect light and three COLORstrip™ and three COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights. I use this setup in conjunction with my lighted façade for proms and larger parties.

I am really looking at taking my setup to the next level by adding some LED movers.

4. What is your favorite fixture and why?
Personally, I like the 4PLAY™ CL because it gives a different element to the light show and you can also use the beams to highlight yourself as you DJ. It’s a versatile fixture and when it is used with the 4BAR, it creates quick light show.

5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
This quote by Lou Holtz embodies what it takes to get into the DJ industry: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

To be a DJ, everyone will say that you need the ability to mix and beat/phrase match but it’s not the only characteristic that is critical to your success. You have to be motivated about entertaining people. You’re playing for a crowd and not yourself. More importantly you need the right attitude. No matter how good you are, if people can’t work with you, then what good are you?

I learned these principles from reading about other DJ experiences on The DJ Syndicate. The members of that community try to provide examples and insight for DJs to learn from so that the DJ industry as a whole can succeed.

6. What are your top three most requested songs?
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO is the number one request I receive — it’s a classic and has an impact equal to “Yeah” by Usher. My second most requested song is “You Make Me Feel” by Cobra Starship — it has a very catchy chorus and it’s a favorite among the ladies. Lastly, it’s a toss-up between “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera and Super Bass by Nicki Minaj. These are all great tracks and get the party started.

 

COLORstrip™ lights Calamigos

Posted on by
Reply

Here is a photo Sean Lee, owner of Masters of Ceremony Entertainment and Lighting in Calif., shared with us on Facebook. The wedding took place at the beautiful Calamigos Equestrian Center located in Burbank, Calif. The event featured a Vue™ 6.1 effect light and one 4BAR™, one COLORstrip™ and four COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights.

Strip Lights…A Big Misunderstanding

Posted on by
Reply

Written by guest blogger Larz Hanson, Detour DJ & Audio (and former Facebook Fan of the Month!)

I told my wife I’m trying out a killer new “strip” light at some upcoming gigs. She paused, furrowed her eyebrows a little then told me she didn’t mind me being a DJ and working with bands, but she had a real problem with me setting up lights just for strippers at parties. She left the room in a huff before I could explain…

Maybe you’ll understand better. I’m talking about the new CHAUVET® COLORrail™ IRC fixture. I have several older CHAUVET® COLORstrip™ lights, and they’ve served me well for a number of years. They’re bright, and have some nice features, especially when linked in multiples for “runway” effects.

The new COLORrail™ IRC, on the other hand, picks up where the COLORstrip™ leaves off and improves several aspects. The COLORrail™ IRC is made with a stout, extruded-aluminum shell. At first glance, it simply looks better than the COLORstrip™…which can be important for some of the intended buyers of the COLORrail™ IRC. A nice feature is the choice of a single mount point, so the light can be hung from truss with just one clamp (the COLORstrip™ takes two), or dual “feet” that double as mount points too.

Enough about the impressive construction though. It’s a light fixture, so you wanna know about the light. Without a doubt, the COLORrail™ IRC is BRIGHT! Loaded with 320 tightly packed 10mm LED’s, the COLORrail™ IRC has a strong output. A smart design feature is the way the LED’s are arranged along the length. As opposed to the COLORstrip™’s repeating blocks of four by four similarly colored LEDs, the COLORrail™ IRC spreads them out evenly.

This results in very smooth color mixing without multicolored shadows or “color banding”…something easily appreciated when being used for uplighting at elegant events. Like the COLORstrip™, the COLORrail™ IRC is loaded with interesting automatic programs for colors and effects that look great in singles, or linked together for continuous, multi-fixture effects. Using DMX, the COLORrail™ IRC allows many ways to access those colors and programs, or design your own using from two to 26 channels!

But wait! There’s more! This is the “IRC” version of the COLORrail™, which stands for “Infrared Remote Control”. Many CHAUVET® customers will LOVE this feature because it allows simple access to the light’s options via an inexpensive optional remote without having to understand DMX or even touch the fixture. By just pointing the remote at the front of the light and pressing a couple buttons, a user can access one-touch dimmable colors, color mixing, auto programs, strobing, and more! This feature is ideal for event lighting contractors who want a neat, clean array of uplights and don’t need DMX control. A wide variety of customers use modern lights in so many different ways, the IRC option is an ingenious way to solve several issues, and the COLORrail™ IRC is an excellent light to team with it.

I can’t even explain all the features packed into the COLORrail™ IRC in this brief blog. In short, it’s brighter and whiter than the COLORstrip™, smoother looking with beautiful fades and effects that work well alone or linked in lines or shapes. The IRC version appeals to an even wider customer base, and the whole thing is built like a baseball bat! Kudos, CHAUVET®!

Once I show my wife what I was talking about, I’m hoping she’ll talk to me again…

LEDrain™ 56C and COLORstrip™ Mini Shine at CA Wedding

Posted on by
Reply


This is from a wedding which took place in Modesto, CA. Sound Express Mobile Entertainment positioned 30 COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights along the fence, Vue™ 3.1 effect lights were placed at the DJ booth, and 33 LEDrain™ 56C LED PARS were used to light the bar and add color to the bushes and trees.

Photo courtesy of Todd Davis of Sound Express Mobile Entertainment

He Can’t Drive Yet, But He Helps Run the Family DJ Business

Posted on by
1

Cameron Allen may seem like your average 14-year-old high school freshman, but his job sets him apart from other kids his age. During the week he is occupied by school and homework, but on the weekends, he switches gears and DJs and sets up lighting rigs for his family’s business, Musical Twist DJ Service. Are you ready for this? Their lighting rig is comprised of a Mega Moon™ and two LX5™ moonflower effect lights, two LED Mushroom™ derby-style effect lights, three COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights, a DMX Mega Strobe™ II strobe light, an Obey™ 70 controller, portable CH-31 truss and the CHAUVET® Timer System Package.

The Allen family started Musical Twist DJ Service because they thought it would be a cool idea and a great addition to the Calgary community in Canada. Glen Allan (Cameron’s dad) is the light jockey and transportation manager for the company, while Pam Allen (Cameron’s mom) handles the advertising and sponsorship. Cameron decided to get involved because he was teaching himself how to DJ at the time and has a real passion for music. When it comes to gigs, Cameron is in charge of the set up and breakdown of the lighting rig, computer and controller. Although Cameron is the main DJ for Musical Twist DJ Service, Glen tends to DJ the “older” gigs.

“We DJ school dances, private events, birthday parties, graduation parties, stampede events, pool parties, church events, retirement parties, charity events, the list is endless,” Cameron said. “I balance school and the business by being organized, getting good grades and having a plan. My favorite part of working for Musical Twist DJ Service is that I am able to spend time with my family and gain knowledge for the future.”

Cameron Allen
Musical Twist DJ Service