I can’t believe the amount of time and MONEY I WASTED with Martin lighting and DMX programming. I’m not sure I ever got a comment good or bad. It was just lighting vomit. Looked great from my perspective. All the rage these days of moving heads is a lot of the same. No one has ever asked about what kind of lighting I used, they just want some lights so they can turn down the room lighting and add some party atmosphere. I’m back to 4 pars (where I started) pointed up to create wash over the dance floor…(thanks to you) and clients are happy. The Apelab uplights are icing on the cake and can make a room look amazing with such sophisticated simplicity. Sold my 24 cans. Cool but nobody cared Gone.
I agree, when i do a school play/concert i use all the DMX novelties and effects. But for a wedding only wash is best. Its classic and romantic. Most brides don't want their dance photos drenched in lazer stripes, colored dots and all club effects anyway 😂
For my band, I spent 5-6 hours programming out several lights shows with our lights and storing it and then I just pick a different one each set. I did it once and I may keep them for a several months before redoing it. It's not so bad.
You are sooo right on this Brian! I wish more of my danish fellow DJ's would realise this. I see many promoting their services on Facebook and judging by the pictures many go all in on moving heads, flowers etc. But when you're playing a wedding in smaller room with 50-100 guests it seem the DJ is directing all focus on him. The focus should always be on the bride and groom and the guests...
💯 correct!! Same with me. I started in 1980…For mobile Dj’s DMX is too much. With Ape Labs and Chauvet ILS fixtures with the command ILS incorporated as well as the gig bar I cut my ties with DMX and my set ups have been a breeze. Clients still love it. By the way, I appreciate all your videos, I always look forward to watching your new content.
I use LightRider its somehow easy to setup and to operate. But I agree for weddings nobody wants polka dots all over, so washes and uplights are best imo
Yes I been a DJ since 1986. I used all the light you talk about here . I now using the new dmx lights but I only run them with sound only. Because I don’t like to program the light to a dmx program . I want to do it but I don’t know how
One off season I programmed tons of looks and scenes into vibrio. Easy app. Then mapped each scene to a button on a novation launchpad. Works great every gig.
Hi Brian These seem to be just the thing I need. I am visually impaired but despite that have been providing disco’s for events for many years and I have to concentrate very hard on what I’m doing on the desk and don’t need any distractions. Could you please give details of where I can get these? Are Ape products available in England?
That internal tech, with the RF remote, MusikMode...etc...is also why they're 6x the price of the generic ones per fixture. You can save a lot of $ if you're willing to put a bit of time into it. Convenience isn't free.
I agree for most Dj apps i feel programming lights is uneeded as long as your lighting is solid everywhere else, if we were lighting experts though then yeah it would make more sense.
No one gets high anymore, I guess. Bar attendance down, young partiers don't drink. A wedding is formal. There's no tripping, less drinking, no transcendent consciousness going onto trance states encouraging the DJ on his trippy light effects. You can make someone feel like they're dancing on the ceiling, suspended in the nurturing velvet black void of the star lit universe, but then that's too intense for a regular audience not anticipating entering an altered state of perception 'into the mystic.' Buttoned down. No one makes a pass at the nuptials anymore. no hotel room bacchanals...with the DJ and the best man hosting, with some bikers thrown in. Bring the hookers in from the cold! I used to have fireworks and.. ok i better stop here. You get the point. I have the DMX hardware @ home - never set it up. "Alexa, turn on Disco"... dance in underwear. THAT is fun for people.
Hi Brian These look guts seem to be just the thing I need. I am visually impaired but despite that have been providing disco’s for events for many years and I have to concentrate very hard on what I’m doing on the desk and don’t need any distractions. Could you please give details of where I can get these? Are Ape products available in England? available in England
DMX is way too much for most mere mortals. I felt I had to learn it to reign in my lights' builtin programs. Most lights for DJs & small installations tend to have 2 settings: OFF & CRAZY. Left on auto they'll merrily go through different programs then STROBE then STROBE some more & when they do it's often at a bad time. I see lights in venues do this all the time - venues that haven't invested in DMX control - lights happily strobing away irritating the hell out of me when there's not even any music on. Brian's right - there really ought to be a common light control system by now. Not DMX level where you need to know what all the channels do but settings for moods or themes. Manufacturers like ADJ & Chauvet have tried, sure but only within small sections of some ranges then just dropped the idea completely. In my DMX program (QLC+) I've got loads of buttons for different fixture groups. But what do I actually use? I could get by with 6 buttons. A static colour program, slow fades & movements, fast changes & movements, strobe, blackout & whiteout. It surely wouldn't be too hard for manufacturers & designers to come up with something they could all use. Doing it wirelessly might add $2 of components to the overall production cost. Development would cost more sure but how about it? I'm starting to think about getting rid of my moving heads & effect lights to only use wash. It'll be a lighter carry & a much easier setup. I've already trialled this & nobody seemed to notice or care. I actually tend to think the only people who really care what lights we're using are DJs. Our end goal should be pleasing our customers. Does the customer want all these fancy fixtures or would they be perfectly happy with some vibrant coloured wash?
I feel you there. Years ago, I used to test the waters when I was setting up in tight spots by setting up minimum lighting. Not once did anyone ever question it. Ambience is important, but how that's achieved does not have to be complicated
Still looking for easy DMX.... Not to sure what I want though... Wondering about the maestroDMX.... Plug and play from the controller. I want to be concentrating on the DJing and people more than lighting effects. Who knows may be in another 10 years it will all change.
I know you hate it but that’s why I got the gigbar ils and 2 intimidator spot 160 ils , all have to do is plug in 2 Chauvet usb dongles and then they’re all synchronized no DMX cables needed it
Your dislike of DMX is the same as my dislike of LED! Granted LED is not bad especially in moving heads or pars, but I cant stand it in regular effect lighting like your aggressors and vertigos. Bring back the dichoric mirrors and lenses! If you had 3 white LED chips in the new Vertigo that would strobe and spin to the music but still had the colored lenses like the original old models the effect would look so good!
I think you just wasted a lot of time bitching about having to do lights when all you need to do was pay some 20-year-old learning stage design to be the lighting guy for your gigs. You might have thought it was annoying to have to do all of that but lighting is one of those things that has to be on point because unnecessary evil. People don't notice when you have good lighting. Because it is expected. You might hate it.. But people are not going to be okay with you turning lights on and off and calling it a day. People will notice when your lighting is crappy or you put no effort into making a good show. Times have changed ...a long time ago... But you, like a lot of these mobile DJs I still see, refuse to hire a second person to help put on these shows. Hire lighting guy. Take some of your fee, and earmark it to pay some kid that's taking stage design at the local high school $20/hr. Problem solved.
Great Video!! I just picked up the sound switch one and have to get into it as of yet.. Thank you for Sharing your experience and knowledge @briansredd
Thanks for the vid. Great knowing someone with your experience can get by while hating DMX. Trying to learn to DJ at 50 is hard as it is! Haha. I enjoy lighting, but this DMX universe is crap! I'm now learning Midi. Mistake? Let me know. 💥👊🏻💥🎛🔈🔉🎶
I got the ADJ WMX1 and it makes using DMX really easy. Especially for uplighting and moving heads.
That's why I'm so glad AI Light Show came about. It allows me to have these amazing DMX programmed shows without all of the work of programming.
I can’t believe the amount of time and MONEY I WASTED with Martin lighting and DMX programming. I’m not sure I ever got a comment good or bad. It was just lighting vomit. Looked great from my perspective. All the rage these days of moving heads is a lot of the same. No one has ever asked about what kind of lighting I used, they just want some lights so they can turn down the room lighting and add some party atmosphere. I’m back to 4 pars (where I started) pointed up to create wash over the dance floor…(thanks to you) and clients are happy. The Apelab uplights are icing on the cake and can make a room look amazing with such sophisticated simplicity. Sold my 24 cans. Cool but nobody cared Gone.
lol
I agree, when i do a school play/concert i use all the DMX novelties and effects. But for a wedding only wash is best. Its classic and romantic. Most brides don't want their dance photos drenched in lazer stripes, colored dots and all club effects anyway 😂
For my band, I spent 5-6 hours programming out several lights shows with our lights and storing it and then I just pick a different one each set. I did it once and I may keep them for a several months before redoing it. It's not so bad.
Yeah DMX is a different beast! Took me a minute to learn it but so glad I did
You are sooo right on this Brian! I wish more of my danish fellow DJ's would realise this. I see many promoting their services on Facebook and judging by the pictures many go all in on moving heads, flowers etc. But when you're playing a wedding in smaller room with 50-100 guests it seem the DJ is directing all focus on him. The focus should always be on the bride and groom and the guests...
Thanks Brian, I’ll have a look round.
Regards
Steve - Decades Disco
💯 correct!! Same with me. I started in 1980…For mobile Dj’s DMX is too much. With Ape Labs and Chauvet ILS fixtures with the command ILS incorporated as well as the gig bar I cut my ties with DMX and my set ups have been a breeze. Clients still love it.
By the way, I appreciate all your videos, I always look forward to watching your new content.
That's still DMX.
I use LightRider its somehow easy to setup and to operate. But I agree for weddings nobody wants polka dots all over, so washes and uplights are best imo
You definitely nailed it. I remember everything you are talking about back in the day. I used to use the same things. And I absolutely hate DMX today.
Yes I been a DJ since 1986. I used all the light you talk about here . I now using the new dmx lights but I only run them with sound only. Because I don’t like to program the light to a dmx program . I want to do it but I don’t know how
Chauvet ILS could be the start of something.
That's still DMX.
Loving Chauvet ILS, it reminds me of the old days, simple controller with enough control for my needs.
Soundswitch has solved my lighting problems.
As long as I have control of the color and strobe effect, that's enough for me
I love Ape Labs!!! I just got the NEW Ape Neon Tubes and will bring them to my next wedding this Sunday in Slinger, Wi 👍🏼
One off season I programmed tons of looks and scenes into vibrio. Easy app. Then mapped each scene to a button on a novation launchpad. Works great every gig.
What did you use? Or recommend?
Hi Brian
These seem to be just the thing I need.
I am visually impaired but despite that have been providing disco’s for events for many years and I have to concentrate very hard on what I’m doing on the desk and don’t need any distractions.
Could you please give details of where I can get these?
Are Ape products available in England?
Yeah Ape Labs is available over there. It's a German company.
That internal tech, with the RF remote, MusikMode...etc...is also why they're 6x the price of the generic ones per fixture. You can save a lot of $ if you're willing to put a bit of time into it. Convenience isn't free.
I agree for most Dj apps i feel programming lights is uneeded as long as your lighting is solid everywhere else, if we were lighting experts though then yeah it would make more sense.
No one gets high anymore, I guess. Bar attendance down, young partiers don't drink. A wedding is formal. There's no tripping, less drinking, no transcendent consciousness going onto trance states encouraging the DJ on his trippy light effects. You can make someone feel like they're dancing on the ceiling, suspended in the nurturing velvet black void of the star lit universe, but then that's too intense for a regular audience not anticipating entering an altered state of perception 'into the mystic.'
Buttoned down. No one makes a pass at the nuptials anymore. no hotel room bacchanals...with the DJ and the best man hosting, with some bikers thrown in. Bring the hookers in from the cold! I used to have fireworks and.. ok i better stop here. You get the point. I have the DMX hardware @ home - never set it up. "Alexa, turn on Disco"... dance in underwear. THAT is fun for people.
DMX is rocket science.
No it isn't.
Hi Brian
These look guts seem to be just the thing I need.
I am visually impaired but despite that have been providing disco’s for events for many years and I have to concentrate very hard on what I’m doing on the desk and don’t need any distractions.
Could you please give details of where I can get these?
Are Ape products available in England? available in England
DMX is way too much for most mere mortals. I felt I had to learn it to reign in my lights' builtin programs. Most lights for DJs & small installations tend to have 2 settings: OFF & CRAZY. Left on auto they'll merrily go through different programs then STROBE then STROBE some more & when they do it's often at a bad time. I see lights in venues do this all the time - venues that haven't invested in DMX control - lights happily strobing away irritating the hell out of me when there's not even any music on. Brian's right - there really ought to be a common light control system by now. Not DMX level where you need to know what all the channels do but settings for moods or themes. Manufacturers like ADJ & Chauvet have tried, sure but only within small sections of some ranges then just dropped the idea completely. In my DMX program (QLC+) I've got loads of buttons for different fixture groups. But what do I actually use? I could get by with 6 buttons. A static colour program, slow fades & movements, fast changes & movements, strobe, blackout & whiteout. It surely wouldn't be too hard for manufacturers & designers to come up with something they could all use. Doing it wirelessly might add $2 of components to the overall production cost. Development would cost more sure but how about it?
I'm starting to think about getting rid of my moving heads & effect lights to only use wash. It'll be a lighter carry & a much easier setup. I've already trialled this & nobody seemed to notice or care. I actually tend to think the only people who really care what lights we're using are DJs. Our end goal should be pleasing our customers. Does the customer want all these fancy fixtures or would they be perfectly happy with some vibrant coloured wash?
I feel you there. Years ago, I used to test the waters when I was setting up in tight spots by setting up minimum lighting. Not once did anyone ever question it. Ambience is important, but how that's achieved does not have to be complicated
i cut back on buying lights for now
I love Ape, I just wish they were more affordable. I have 10 minis and would love to get another 10 and tubes.
Still looking for easy DMX.... Not to sure what I want though... Wondering about the maestroDMX.... Plug and play from the controller. I want to be concentrating on the DJing and people more than lighting effects. Who knows may be in another 10 years it will all change.
I know you hate it but that’s why I got the gigbar ils and 2 intimidator spot 160 ils , all have to do is plug in 2 Chauvet usb dongles and then they’re all synchronized no DMX cables needed it
Your dislike of DMX is the same as my dislike of LED!
Granted LED is not bad especially in moving heads or pars, but I cant stand it in regular effect lighting like your aggressors and vertigos. Bring back the dichoric mirrors and lenses!
If you had 3 white LED chips in the new Vertigo that would strobe and spin to the music but still had the colored lenses like the original old models the effect would look so good!
You get what you pay for.
I think you just wasted a lot of time bitching about having to do lights when all you need to do was pay some 20-year-old learning stage design to be the lighting guy for your gigs. You might have thought it was annoying to have to do all of that but lighting is one of those things that has to be on point because unnecessary evil. People don't notice when you have good lighting. Because it is expected. You might hate it.. But people are not going to be okay with you turning lights on and off and calling it a day. People will notice when your lighting is crappy or you put no effort into making a good show.
Times have changed ...a long time ago... But you, like a lot of these mobile DJs I still see, refuse to hire a second person to help put on these shows. Hire lighting guy. Take some of your fee, and earmark it to pay some kid that's taking stage design at the local high school $20/hr. Problem solved.
Great Video!! I just picked up the sound switch one and have to get into it as of yet.. Thank you for Sharing your experience and knowledge @briansredd
Thanks for the vid. Great knowing someone with your experience can get by while hating DMX. Trying to learn to DJ at 50 is hard as it is! Haha. I enjoy lighting, but this DMX universe is crap! I'm now learning Midi. Mistake? Let me know.
💥👊🏻💥🎛🔈🔉🎶