P_McLigger Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hi all, I'm a first time poster, and I'm really hoping someone will be able to provide their expert knowledge of confetti dropping. I'm currently researching these products - and I have found the 3 below which look really interesting: - Confetti Storm Machine (MTFX)- Confetti Spinner (MTFX)- Confetti Swirl Fan (Magic FX) I'm hoping someone can offer their advise relating to the above items, or any anecdotes regarding their experiences perhaps? In a nut-shell I'm looking for the below characteristics (or as close as I can get!): - Small / discreet- Silent / quiet- Can take a bespoke substrate - perhaps larger than standard confetti- Truss mounted / suspended (no ground support - maybe this rules out the Storm Machine)- Large capacity - maybe refillable?- Variable dispersal speed, controlled by DMX maybe.- RELIABLE If someone can kindly provide some advise relating to the above 3 machines I have found that would be greatly appreciated! If there are alternative mechanics / technology too I would really like to hear about it. Many thanks, P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 How much larger than normal confetti? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRisdale Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Have used Magic FX swirl fans a fair bit. - Small / discreet = Subjective! They don't look out of place next to moving lights (just a black round bin) and don't take up lots of truss space.- Silent / quiet = Running at low speed for a rain / snow type effect they're pretty quiet - wouldn't call it silent. The sound of the confetti hitting the casing is louder than the fan in my opinion.- Can take a bespoke substrate - perhaps larger than standard confetti = Have seen up to 50mm petals, but I'm guessing you could go bigger that this as long as the product is light and flexible.- Truss mounted / suspended (no ground support - maybe this rules out the Storm Machine) = Yes - only option.- Large capacity - maybe refillable? = 3kg of normal confetti is plenty for 5 mins+ of rain. You'd have to bring the truss in to refill.- Variable dispersal speed, controlled by DMX maybe = runs on a normal dimmer channel. Normally best to make it's control separate from lighting (in case a number crunching error dumps confetti at the wrong moment).- RELIABLE = It's a fan. Not really anything to go wrong. I like them - very easy to use and produce a big effect per unit (can cover a whole stage with a few units). Gareth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiLL Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Have used the confetti spinner. - Small / discreet. well, not tiny but no bigger than a standard mover- Silent / quiet. Extremely quiet, but not silent- Can take a bespoke substrate - perhaps larger than standard confetti. As long as the substrate fits through the drop aperture no problems as they load into a large 'dish' on top. We were using large stage glitter flakes which are about 40mm x 20mm- Truss mounted / suspended (no ground support - maybe this rules out the Storm Machine). Standard G-hooks and safety bond.- Large capacity - maybe refillable? Large enough for a sustained drop lasting over a minute, depending on the substrate. I would seriously consider safety considerations when refilling a confetti spinner from what's been swept up. Whereas they certainly can do it, you need to be careful you're not also dropping lose screws, hair grips, coins, dirt and toe-nails on the cast on the second night along with the recycled confetti- Variable dispersal speed, controlled by DMX maybe. Can't help here, I wasn't opping- RELIABLE used one in about 4 different shows of week-long runs, never had a single problem, tbh there is not a lot that go wrong. hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_McLigger Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Hi both, Thank you for your quick replies. With regards to size, it would be a useful option to drop synthetic leaves up to 100mm x100mm if possible? Do you know of any different kinds of droppers? an non-fan based device? Many thanks P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Set Up Scenery do a leaf droper,2 meterish long tube with holes in,friction driven from a DMX controlled varible speed motor.works very well,but is a ballache to get in the air without flys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_McLigger Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Sweet. Thanks for info : ) P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.