Question about DJ Lighting.

By lighting do you mean a rig and all? The “lighting” I bring with me is a blacklight and a $30 mini laser which take all of 20 seconds to set up and work just fine for the house parties that I typically play for.

I know the dillemma.

For many years I worked with a mobile operation. We did the “Big” gigs. Small truck full of gear, mostly light :-), 2 guys to transport load/unload, set up and test and operate.

Then I started doing smaller gigs and told people I had no lights because I didn’t want to make the investment, but mostly I didn’t want to haul all this gear around.

Then LED lighting happened :-). So I bought a T-bar, two stands, 4 LED Pars and 3 LED effects (Moonflower and two more). And I found out … it is STILL too much work and I prefer to bring just sound gear.

I have now found an alternative that works for me. I got three battery-operated LED bars, set them at slow color change during the early hours/background music and when the night picks up I’ll switch them to react to music. I place them as uplighters along three walls (one being the one behind my setup) and am done with it. I got a 60 by 60cm LED panel which I stick to the front of my DJ stand and that is about it. Less than 10 minute setup and just a step up from doing no lights.

I would (and did) charge my customers extra if they wanted/expected lights. Both for the gear and the extra time that goes into it.

I am not very fond of having stuff sit on top of my speakers, unless you can screw it down. I had someone bump into a speaker stand once and a light effect almost fell on top of his head (not my gig LOL). So, careful with that!

Greetinx,
C.

Having a lighting/sound system is a GREAT WAY to get exposure locally. If you can bring out a 3k light kit to some of the local shows/parties, you’ll make a lot of promoter/dj friends and will get paid & invited to spin more often. This is actually one of the best ins in my opinion starting out.

I still have a relatively small following, but without 1) doing sound/lighting and 2) doing activism and knowing a local collective venue, I would have never left the bedroom. Now, usually 2-3 times a month I’ll get emails asking me to do sound for an event (where I’ll get paid and get an hour slot to spin), and I’ve been booked for a festival in late June because I’ll be doing lighting for a smaller stage.

Units like the galaxian sky, hypnotic and some intelligent lighting can run you 500-700 per unit; for a DMX programmed show with some very distinct effects, 3k won’t always get you that far =D. However, if you do have a solid kit, not only will you be getting booked more (lighting is almost a sure in for playing raves), you’ll be making more money per gig.

Ah … money … then yes 3K is certainly viable for a decent light setup. I thought you ment 3KWATT! = 3000Watt = decent in traditional lighting (low even) but immense in LED. 🙂

I must say that light is hardly ever an issue when I get invited, but then again I am not very active in looking for gigs. When they come they come, if not then fine. I do have a VERY limited amount of light (4 LED Pars and some combo laser/moonflower thingie). But still I think the extra amount of work to haul, setup and breakdown lighting hardly ever get’s paid enough. So, if people want light, I can sell it to them, but at the full price I need to pay someone from which to rent, including transport, setup, breakdown and operating the stuff.

I like lights, I just really can’t be bothered these days.

Greetinx,
C.+