Small venue / small lighting

[BenEdwards]

The first two things to look for are somewhere to get the power from, and something(s) to hang the lights from. (Oh!) and then there is connecting wire and connectors.

 

Personally I like tungsten PAR 56's for places where there is little power or budget, at 300w there is fair light out but minimal power consumption and they are not expensive to buy.

 

Your optimum lighting rig will always depend on the intended use of the space.

 

Thanks for that. Think par 56 is all we can afford short term. Its 13a domestic (but probably can get 2 ring mains). We have people to build scaff to hold lights.

 

Ben

[erik10_4]

Thanks, what should I be looking for? Never ever 'paird' and dimmers with controllers.

 

That's a harder question than it sounds when I consider your budget and the need to source lanterns, desk, control & cable etc. The Soundlab 4 Channel Dimmer can be found for about £60 (at that big online retailer named after a famous river and rainforest). You could get just about any 6 channel DMX Desk to control it (Pulse & Showtec have on called the SDS-6) at around £40 from the same retailer (though cheaper on eBay) - See Edit . The only thing to mention on the Soundlab Dimmer pack is that (at least on the two I have), the DMX pins are phase reversed..... so it may be worth buying a XLR Male to Female Phase Reverse adapter from eBay at less than £4 just in case. Obviously you will have then spent circa £105 and will still need to buy DMX cable (3 Pin) to link the controller to the Dimmer, your lanterns and cables/sockets/plugs to run from your Dimmer to your fixtures. None of this is what I would call 'quality' kit but I have used the Soundlab Dimmers several times (when it was not practical to lump my Pulsar or Zero Dimmer Packs to the venue or before I got hold of a Demux unit allowing me to control them with my DMX desk) and whilst they do not have the best of dimming curves, they have not let me down. They can also be controlled by some analogue desks should the need arise.

 

I hope some of this helps as I know it is not easy to build up the necessary gear to get some simple but effective lighting when your budget is very limited. eBay remains a decent source with occasional bargains to be had.

 

Edit: Just noticed that Thomann sell a Stairville DDC-12 DMX control desk for about £53 (including postage) which operates 12 channels so that may be cheaper a more flexible option.

[Jivemaster]

Looking for a NJD Logic 8000 dimmer pack inc faders, I found this http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/NJD-DPX12-4-12-Channel-DMX-Lighting-Dimmer-Pack/NSY 12 channels at 4 amps for under £200.

 

I'm thinking that a DMX desk with a NJD 12 chan dimmer feeding 12 PAR 56s would run off a 32a supply and the lights would hang from a scaf bar and be a competent lighting rig even if used open white. Take only 10 PAR 56s and the rig would work off a single 13a supply.

[alistermorton]

The only thing to mention on the Soundlab Dimmer pack is that (at least on the two I have), the DMX pins are phase reversed...

 

We have a couple of the soundlab (or lookalike) dimmer packs and they are also phase reversed. However, it's easy enough to open them up and correct this as the XLR is connected to the circuit board with a plug and socket connector which is easy enough to reverse, then it plays nicely with other 3 pin DMX kit.

 

 

 

[erik10_4]

We have a couple of the soundlab (or lookalike) dimmer packs and they are also phase reversed. However, it's easy enough to open them up and correct this as the XLR is connected to the circuit board with a plug and socket connector which is easy enough to reverse, then it plays nicely with other 3 pin DMX kit.

 

Right,thanks, just might do that then, would save me remembering adapters if I take them out http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

[BenEdwards]

Anyone tried QTX DP4 DMX, they seem to hav dip switches and look fairly simple whitch seems like a good thing.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Channel-QTX-DP4-DMX-Stage-Disco-Effect-Lighting-Dimmer-pack-/291298053576?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Lighting_Controllers_Dimmers&hash=item43d2b78dc8

[alistermorton]

If it's as in the image - an RP4 - that's a relay pack, not a dimmer pack. OTOH if it's as described in the title it ought to be a dimmer.

 

Setting the DMX via front panel buttons isn't exactly hard, though.

[kgallen]

Analogue Betapack 1 - collection only .... and it's in Bristol, just like the OP! £60 (buy it now) [2 available]

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4adfc6c738

 

You could hang an average of 500W per channel off this and be within 13A. Or I have known hire houses use 2x 13A plugs, one feeds Phase 1 [ch1,2] and the other feeds Phases2,3 [ch3,4,5,6]. (I'll let others comment if they see issue with this...).

 

Just make sure the tea urn is on another ring main... or to quote another BR member, "otherwise you get a dark stage and cold tea...".

[sleah]

Or I have known hire houses use 2x 13A plugs, one feeds Phase 1 [ch1,2] and the other feeds Phases2,3 [ch3,4,5,6]. (I'll let others comment if they see issue with this...).

 

 

I've a feeling they have a common neutral, which would be an issue. A serious issue in fact! You only need a 13A socket that is phase reversed and you have an instant widow-maker.

If it would help, I have a spare Beta1 (same as link) I could whip the lid off and take a gander?

 

Interesting idea if it CAN be done safely.

Otherwise it would be better to have a couple of smaller dimmers just so you can split between 13A outlets.

Oh, and don't forget you can usually get 26A from a ring (not to the same device of course) using 13A plugs, it's only the plug that's 13A, not the supply. In theory a double socket should be able to do 26A (2x13A) although if it's a cheapo it might get warm..... Tea urn caveat most definately applies!

[kgallen]

Betapack 1s have a common neutral bar so the risk you highlight is real.

 

Betapack 1 even on 13A initially would give a bit more scope for the future, unless needing DMX from day 1 is a must.

 

Maybe the OP could set up initially with a few bits of "proper kit" and hire to fill the gaps for the first show, rather than trying to get a complete rig from nothing for £250.

 

Stage Electrics are in Avonmouth, and there are probably other smaller local hire companies, so it shouldn't be tricky to work something out to get past the first show without blowing £250 on tat.

[BenEdwards]

If it's as in the image - an RP4 - that's a relay pack, not a dimmer pack. OTOH if it's as described in the title it ought to be a dimmer.

 

Setting the DMX via front panel buttons isn't exactly hard, though.

 

OK, So I need to make sure it is a DP4? The description did not match as it said it had LED display but it did not. Seen other DP4s and they don't use dip and have a display.

 

Are there any other budged 4 channel ones I should look at. I messed up slightly on the budget and think we are talking more like £200.

 

Ben

[handyandi]

This topic covers the same dimmer made by a number of different companies. I have the CPC one which is in a fixed DMX install with PAR64 500W & 650W Fresnel's on & has worked fine.

[kgallen]

If you're going to buy one of those IEC output dimmers, then you will probably need to add:

 

IEC plug (qty 4 @ £1.76)

http://cpc.farnell.com/_/pe-00070/plug-rewireable-iec-plug/dp/PL13213

 

15A socket (qty 4 @ £9.95)

http://cpc.farnell.com/mk-electric/fc153blk/extension-socket-round-pin-15a/dp/PL06724

 

(or from SLX, comes out at £7.80 ea)

http://www.stage-electrics.co.uk/shop/sales/connectors/power/230volt-single-phase/product.aspx?code=605-5398

 

plus say 4m of 1.5mm2 TRS (@ £1.10/m).

http://www.stage-electrics.co.uk/shop/sales/cable/power/product.aspx?code=605-4038

 

That's at least another £42 to assemble your dimmer provisions. In total you're now over £100 just for that. As an earlier poster said, don't forget the cables, and the plugs and the hook clamps and the safety bonds and the nuts and bolts etc...

[BenEdwards]

This topic covers the same dimmer made by a number of different companies. I have the CPC one which is in a fixed DMX install with PAR64 500W & 650W Fresnel's on & has worked fine.

 

Thanks, going get a new one.

 

ben

 

If you're going to buy one of those IEC output dimmers, then you will probably need to add:

 

IEC plug (qty 4 @ £1.76)

http://cpc.farnell.c...plug/dp/PL13213

 

15A socket (qty 4 @ £9.95)

http://cpc.farnell.c...-15a/dp/PL06724

 

(or from SLX, comes out at £7.80 ea)

http://www.stage-ele...x?code=605-5398

 

plus say 4m of 1.5mm2 TRS (@ £1.10/m).

http://www.stage-ele...x?code=605-4038

 

That's at least another £42 to assemble your dimmer provisions. In total you're now over £100 just for that. As an earlier poster said, don't forget the cables, and the plugs and the hook clamps and the safety bonds and the nuts and bolts etc...

 

Indeed, already priced this up.

 

Been a slight development as I have managed to get the budget uped and c0astman has offered be some fairly good LEDs at a very reasonable price. Currently looking at used Budget desks but will do this as a seperate thread. Going to do first show with a very paired down non LED setup with a simple 6 Chanel controller. Happy Days;).

 

ben

 

PS, yes, I realize we are going to have to get a bunch of DMX cables also;).