Single Bright Flash With Foot Controller

[y98dwatkins]

Hi Sorry if this is an obvious noob question but hours of internet searching are yielding few results.

I want to have a momentary foot switch that triggers a bright flash from a few different points on the stage. So essentially I can control the flash along with stabs in the music. Its for indoor stages maximum size 8m by 6m.

Is this possible and can anyone explain how and what I would need to do it.

 

Thanks very much in advance to anyone who can help.

 

Dan

[harrison110]

Hi Sorry if this is an obvious noob question but hours of internet searching are yielding few results.

I want to have a momentary foot switch that triggers a bright flash from a few different points on the stage. So essentially I can control the flash along with stabs in the music. Its for indoor stages maximum size 8m by 6m.

Is this possible and can anyone explain how and what I would need to do it.

 

Thanks very much in advance to anyone who can help.

 

Dan

 

Is this for an lx controller to operate or a member of a band? (I was not sure as to why you need a foot peddle?)

[y98dwatkins]

Hi

Thanks for the reply it will be for a member of the band, his hands will be busy playing guitar. It would be great to have a lighting engineer to do this but It's not in the pipeline.

Dan

[ImagineerTom]

Why doesn't the guitar player also play the drums at the same time?

 

Answer - because he can't possibly concentrate properly on two contrasting tasks at the same time so one will suffer and it probably won't be his guitar playing; with the net result that the effect will either be hideously over-used or completely under used. Whilst it feels cool to have lighting operated by foot switches tapped randomly by a player; out in the real world I can't think of a single time when this has actually looked good and I can think of plenty of times I've seen it done and it look TERRIBLE.

 

If you're determined to have a light-show (of any scale) that's syncronised to your music then either look at something time-coded / midi controlled taking its feed from your keyboardist so that no-one is getting distracted by having extra buttons to play with or get a lighting engineer to travel with you.

[timsabre]

Do you have any lighting equipment at the moment - are you asking for ways to trigger an effect you've already got, or do you need suggestions for the lighting equipment as well?

[y98dwatkins]

Hi Timsabre, no I don't have any lights. I have been looking in to strobes and dmc controlled LED Par Cans. They all look like they could do the job but I was hoping someone may know of how it may be done and what equipment would achieve the best results.

As for the ins and outs of weather I should do it, I can see where your concern comes from but these are for a few specific moments in one or two songs in a set usually in conjunction with a full light show. it would be lovely to have a lighting tech do it but that's not feasible currently.One day and when we have enough seats on the tour bus http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

Thanks for the help so far Im really grateful for any further advice on equipment and set up.

Dan

[JCC1996]

Depending on the effect you want, you could look at the KAM Powerbar/Partybar. They are prewired, easy to set up and come with a foot controller.

 

http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=product&product_id=308

 

http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=product&product_id=439

[greenalien]

The cheapest way to do this is to find strobe lights that have analogue triggering - usually via a 1/4" jack socket. The trigger voltage is nominally 10 volts, but a 9v battery will do the trick in most cases - so all you need is a box with a 9v battery in it, and a foot switch that only makes the connection when someone stands on it, plus wiring to your strobes. The strobes should have a speed control on them as well, turned one way will give one flash, the other way will give a series of fast flashes.

[y98dwatkins]

Thank you so much guys both those options look viable. The strobe in particular looks like its just what we need. Would people recommend LED or bulb strobes? Any particular ones that are good or worth avoiding?

Thanks again

Dan

[timsabre]

I think JCC's suggestion of KAM Powerbar is the best for what you want. Strobes are a very flickery camera flash sort of effect which doesn't sound like what you were wanting. With the LED pars you can do a sort of rock concert "crowd blinder" effect which sounds more appropriate. But only you know what you are looking for.