Category Archives

Lighting Units

Effect Lights

Theatrical Effects

 A gobo, also known as a pattern, is either a metal, plastic or glass disc that allows some light to pass through and blocks others.  By putting a shape in that gobo you are dictating then what light will pass through and it will create that shape.  This can be anything from “Class of 2014” to patterns that make it look like light is passing through oak trees and hitting the forest floor.  These are the lighting units that can project those images.  Some units have built in gobos while others let you put your own in.

Browse our selection of gobo/pattern projectors.
Strobe lights emit bright flashes of light in a repetitive fashion.  The idea is that you can get a “stop action” effect of things moving.  Used with individual flashes, if the unit allows, you can also use it as part of a lightning effect.  Strobe units range from home party, incredibly inexpensive to the professional dmx controlled higher budgeted items.

Browse our selection of strobe lights.
Video Screen Panels let you build a scenery wall in which you can then produce scenery that changes via your controller.

Browse our selection of video screens/panels.
Flame lights, literally are that.  They give the effect of flames while not actually having flames.  Great in windows and fireplaces onstage.  If you need to burn down the town (theatrically) – here you go!

Browse our selection of fake flame lights.
If you are looking for that effect of having white phosphorus fabric or UV treated paint glow on the stage, these are the units you need to get those wave lengths excited to the eye.

Browse our selection of UV lights.
If your looking for drape with pretty colored dots of light that you can control, this is where you will find that.

Browse our selection of effect light drapes.
Move that light to where ever you want it to go, to whatever color you want, to whatever shape you want and whatever speed you want…  In other words you are in control with these lights, you tell them what to do.

Browse our selection of moving head effect lights.

DJ/Club Effects

The Derby is general a side to side with some up and down dancing of light creating many single beams of light.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos they are very helpful.

Browse our selection of derby effect lights.
The Moon Flower grouping of lights offer a circular pattern of beams of light twisting and turning.  They can be incredibly effective especially looking right into them.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos they are very helpful.

Browse our selection of moonflower effect lights.
Multi-Beam Effect lights truly have multiple effects.  From linear to boxes creating scenery all over the place.  Maybe I sound like a broken record but click into the category and then pick a unit and watch the videos.  For the price point you can really get a lot of bang for the buck for your dance floor.

Browse our selection of multi-beam effect lights.
These units can either be used in projecting fun colorful effects or as actual pieces of scenery.

Browse our selection of pixel-mapping effect lights.
The scanner effect category gives you units with a lot of variation coming out of them.  Their variation is very helpful in filling out your dance floor.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos they are very helpful.

Browse our selection of scanner effect lights.
Theatrical Lasers can really make some impressive effects and shapes on walls and in smoke.  They also generally can cut through the fog further then regular lighting equipment.  The lower end units have preprogrammed patterns and the higher end units both have the preprogrammed and give you the ability to control your own.

Browse our selection of laser effect lights.

LED Lighting Units

LED Lighting Units are here now and are much of the future.

When I worked on the first edition of this book I did not recommend LED units for anything other then coloring silver truss with primary colors.  Times have changed and technology has really improved. Don’t be mistaken, there are cheap units out there that are still only good for primary colors on something reflective. There are also professional quality units out there that can give you almost any color you want including light tints.  This is a section not to skimp in budget.  Quality in LED lighting comes with a cost but have incredible saving opportunities.
  1. LED units do not use a dimmer.  Their intensity control is purely with internal computer chips and receive their information from your DMX controller.
  2. They last an incredible amount of lamp life hours.  You do not have to pay to replace the lamp.  By the time a LED burns out you will be either retired or looking for the newest technology again.  When you do not have to change a lamp you have a huge labor savings.
  3. Then think about the reduced power draw on your electrical bill.  Not only is the unit going to take less power, so will your air conditioning system.  You will have happier audience members when they are comfortable and not sweltering hot.
  4. You will spend less money on perishable gel as you will adjust your color from the lighting controller.  With that being said there is also some benefit to using white LED units and matching it up with particular gels that you love.
  5. When using DJ LED lights you no longer have a duty cycle.
What the color codes mean…
  • RGB – Red, Green and Blue LED’s.  The concept is that with the three primaries you can get any color you want.  It’s simply not true.  These are good for solid primary sort of colors.
  •  RGBA – Red, Green, Blue and Amber LED’s – Getting much better at being able to color mix.
  •  RGBW – Red, Green, Blue and White LED’s – Also much better at color mixing then just the RGB.
  •  RGBWA – Red, Green, Blue, White and Amber LED’s – Go to town and color mix to abandon!

LED Single Can Wash Lights

Here is a frustrating truth.  When LED units first came out there was no universal way of categorizing them.  Some equated them to conventional Par 64’s or Par 56’s.  Some of them listed them as the amount of LED’s the unit possessed.  Neither was very helpful or accurate as to the actual output of the light.  Because of this I have made my own system.  I judge them by how far I think they are going to give you an effective throw of light.  That is how I have listed them below.
 The 5 to 12 foot throw grouping is fun for small rooms and parties.  This is not a professional category.  This is simply to throw some color, dance to it and just have some fun.

Browse our selection of LED single can wash lights with 5′ – 12′ throw distance.
The 10 to 20 foot category is a mixture of good DJ quality and short throw professional.  You will be able to see the difference purely by price.  Quite honestly, the more expensive these units are the brighter and smoother the dimming curve is.

Browse our selection of LED single can wash lights with 10′ – 20′ throw distance.
The 18 to 40 foot category is where you start getting some units to really be proud of.  The output is strong and it’s color mixes quite well.

Browse our selection of LED single can wash lights with 18′ – 40′ throw distance.
The 30 to 50 foot category – The only thing I am going to say about this is that Radio City would be proud to use these!

Browse our selection of LED single can wash lights with 30′ – 50′ throw distance.
When you are looking to color the outside of a building or doing outdoor theater,  these are the safest way of doing it.

Browse our selection of outdoor rated LED single can wash lights.
If you want to decorate for Halloween and not charge anyone – go for it.

Browse our selection of small, decorative, LED single can wash lights.

LED Cyclorama Wash Lights

Lighting a cyc is always one of the biggest and most important challenges for a lighting designer.  The advantages of being able to do it with LED fixtures can be many.  One of which is that with the more professional units you can control each and every cell one by one.  You can do a moving rainbow on your cyc.  Not to harp on this, but if you choose cheap LED fixtures for a cyc you will be displeased with the dimming curve and the throw distance.  This is an investment for the life of your theatre.
Browse all our LED wash lights.
  This category gives you examples of individual units that you would use to either uplight a column or wash a cyc.  Instead of having multiple cells next to each other, these units will give you a certain width of light on their own.

Browse our selection of LED cyc & uplight wash lights.
This section shows you units that have multiple cells that will give you a more linear format.  The more professional models allow you to group the cells to as many or as few as you like.  This can make coloring drops much more adventureful and being able to do different color moving effects. Browse all our LED strip & border lights.

Browse our selection of LED strip wash lights.

LED Spot Lights

A spot light is a unit that throws a defined beam of light.  Some people classify followspots as just the one and only spot light.  Obviously I disagree.  They are a type of spot light, one that can follow something or someone.  So in this section you will find ellipsoidal spot lights, followspots,  pin spots and a new section of gobo spots.  While an ellipsoidal can project gobos it can also do a lot more.  There are now units that just project gobos.  The benefit to that is that they are cheaper and if that is the only functionality you need then you can save your budget with them.
 An Ellipsoidal is classically one of the most used lighting units in the industry.  It is popular because of the control you can have of the light.  While it begins with a circle of light you can adjust the size, hardness, shape and color at the time of focus.  This is a LED option to this unit.  Some produce white light that you color with gel and others have internal mechanisms to change the color.  The price point is higher then conventional ellipsoidals, but with all LED units the savings is in lamp life and power reduction.

Browse our selection of LED ellipsoidals.
LED Followspots give you all of the flexibility as regular followspots while running incredibly cool and at an incredibly low power draw. If you are in a small classroom setting with a small amount of power this is an incredibly helpful style of unit.

Browse our selection of LED followspots.
LED Pin Spots throw a tight even field circle of light. They are great for things like highlighting a small object or creating that sparkly effect with a mirror ball.

Browse our selection of LED pin spots.
LED Gobo/Slide projectors are simple LED units that really are only meant to project a gobo or slide.  The gobo can be metal or plastic because of the low heat. Some of these units allow you to print out your own slide on transparent plastic from your own printer.  Many retail establishments are using these units to project their store logos for advertisement.

Browse our selection of LED gobo/slide projectors.

LED Moving Lights

 LED Moving Head Spots are a wonderful bridging of conventional moving head spots with the low power draw of the LED world.  Imagine being able to do everything a moving head does with hardly any power draw or heat!  While there are some conventional moving heads that are still brighter then the LED units, the LED’s are catching up quickly and are bright enough now for most uses.

Browse our selection of LED moving spot lights.
LED Moving Wash Lights not only let you place the light any where you want but let you do all of the color mixing from your lighting console.  Low Power – Low Heat!  Be able to pack your pack with these with one electrical circuit.

Browse our selection of LED moving wash lights.

LED Effect Lights

LED Effect Lights do all of the fun things that conventional effect lights do but without duty cycles and at an incredibly low power consumption. The Derby is generally a side to side with some up and down dancing of light creating many single beams of light.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos they are very helpful.

Browse our selection of LED derby effect lights.
The Moon Flower grouping of lights offer a circular pattern of beams of light twisting and turning.  They can be incredibly effective especially looking right into them.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos they are very helpful.

Browse our selection of LED moonflower effect lights.
The scanner effect category gives you units with a lot of variation coming out of them.  Their variation is very helpful in filling out your dance floor.  Click into the category and go to each unit to watch the videos – they are very helpful!

Browse our selection of LED scanner effect lights.
Multi-Beam Effect lights truly have multiple effects.  From linear to boxes creating scenery all over the place.  Maybe I sound like a broken record but click into the category and then pick a unit and watch the videos.  For the price point you can really get a lot of bang for the buck for your dance floor.

Browse our selection of LED multi-beam effect lights.
Instead of reflecting dots off of a mirror ball, these units produce the dots from inside.  These make for great center pieces to your club area.

Browse our selection of LED spinning dots effect lights.
These units can either be used in projecting fun colorful effects or being used as actual pieces of scenery.

Browse our selection of LED pixel-mapping effect lights.
LED Video Screen panels can make small to huge video panel walls.  If you are looking for the ability to continually change the scenery behind you, then this is something to look into – not for the faint budget minded.

Browse our selection of LED video screens.

Pin Spot

A pin spot is a narrow beam of light.  Its purpose is to highlight something.  They are most commonly used to light a mirror ball – without the pin spot you will never get those little dots of light, or things like highlighting a center piece on a table.
 
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 This is a black bodied conventional pin spot.  It is a glorified Mag Light.  Very tight beam but a very uneven beam.  Sometimes the uneveness gives a great texture.  Great for small rooms, it is a unit that is easy to hide.  The light starts off as white.  You can put plastic lenses on it to color the light.

Browse our selection of pinspots.
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 This is a LED Pin Spot.  The light field is much more even.  If you wanted to project a circle of light this would be a great unit for you.  Very cool to the touch and long lamp life.

Browse our selection of pinspots.

Ellipsoidals

An ellipsoidal, also nicknamed a leko, is one of the most common stage lighting units.  The reason it is so common is its ability to be controlled in so many ways.

Common Adjustments You Can Control with an Ellipsoidal

  1. The light begins as a circle of light.  By running the barrel (adjusting the lenses in relation to each other) you can achieve a hard or a soft focus.  By choosing the right lens configuration, you can set the size of your circle of light at a particular throw distance.  In general the further away a light is the larger the circle while using a particular lens degree.  A 50 degree lens will give you a larger circle of light than, say, a 19 degree light.  Click here to use our throw distance calculator to figure out the best lens degree situation for you.
  2. Iris – just in front of the shutters may be a drop in iris slot.  It is generally covered with a black piece of metal.  You loosen the screws on both sides and then slide it forward.  This gives you the ability to then drop an iris into the unit.  An iris reduces the size of your circle.  Some units have built in irises and others use the drop in iris slot.  Choose carefully.
  3. Shutters – in the middle of the unit are four shutters.  This allows you to shape the light with four straight lines giving you the ability to “cut” light away from an area that you do not want it to have light.
  4. Color/ Accessory Slot – In the front of the light are 3 to 4 brackets that can hold a gel frame or other lighting accessories.  The gel frame is where you would place your color media like Roscolux to achieve coloring the light.  This is also where you would put things like top/ half hats to hide the light beam from the audience.
  5. Gobo slot – just behind the top shutter is a slot in which you can slide a gobo/ pattern holder into.  This allows you to shape and texture the light by using a gobo.  Gobos are metal or glass stencils that block some light and lets other light through.  This is how you can project shapes and images with an ellipsoidal.
  6. Gobo Rotator – in the same slot that you can drop an iris into you can also drop a gobo rotator in there to rotate your gobos.  Some gobo rotators are a “double” gobo rotator which allows for really wonderful movement of light.  Not every ellipsoidal has this slot.  Choose carefully.

Popular Ellipsoidals:

The Chauvet Ovation is a LED Ellipsoidal that produces a white light.  It has the shutters, drop in iris/gobo rotator slot, shutters and color/accessory holder.  The major benefit to this light is that LED units have an incredibly long lamp life and run very cool.  While the initial cost is higher then conventional ellipsoidals the cost of not having to have a dimmer for the unit and the major life time savings of not having to change the lamp is large.  Don’t forget that when you change a lamp, not only do you pay for the lamp but also the labor to change it.  The unit uses common lens barrels that conventional units like the Source Four and Phoenix use.  Click into the unit to read more about the amount of channels it takes and how much control you can have of the dimming curve.

Browse our selection of LED ellipsoidals.
 
 The Altman Phoenix is a great conventional ellipsoidal.  It can be lamped at 575 & 750 watts.  It has the shutters, drop in iris/gobo rotator slot, shutters and color/accessory holder. The major benefit to this light is that it has an affordable price point with all of the features of traditional ellipsoidals.  The Phoenix, unique to itself does also have lockable shutters and a light leak preventing accessory holder.  If you can not afford LED Ellipsoidals it is an excellent choice.  Click into the Altman Phoenix to read more details about it and its specifications.

Browse our selection of fixed degree ellipsoidals.
The Altman 3.5Q is a cute unit for a low ceiling height.  It does have shutters, gobo slot and color frame holder.  Its max wattage is 500 watts.  Click on the unit to view the different lens configurations and lamp choices.

Browse our selection of fixed degree ellipsoidals.
The ETC Source Four is probably the most common ellipsoidal used today.  Like the Phoenix it does have the gobo slot, shutters, drop in iris slot and color / accessory holders.  It may be lamped at 375, 575 and 750 watts.  It is a great light with many different lens options.  The barrel does rotate.  The shutters are not lockable.

Browse our selection of ETC Source Four units.
The ETC Source Four Jr. is a smaller sized Source Four that is still a powerful light for smaller spaces.  It can be lamped at 375 & 575 Watts.  It does have the shutters, a gobo slot, a drop in iris slot and accessory holders in the front.  The barrel does not rotate but the pattern holder has some adjustment possibilities that help make lining up a gobo easier.

Browse our selection of ETC Source Four Jr. units.
The ETC Source Four Zoom is incredibly useful when you are not in a situation where the size circle of light is always going to be the same.  It gives you ranges of being able to change the size of the circle by not changing lens tubes but by simply changing the relationship of the lenses in side the unit.  The positive side is, it is  a lot more adjustable. The down side is the price point is a little higher and the unit is heavier.  Many of the ellipsoidals have zoom options.  Click on the browse our selection below to see more of them.  As most ellipsoidals it also has the shutters, gobo slot, iris slot and accessory holder in front.

Browse our selection of zoom ellipsoidals.
The ETC Source Four Mini is a really small but really cute ellipsoidal.  Magnificent for art work and high lighting in very tight situations.  Look at the picture and the persons hand.  That really gives you a great feel for how small this unit really is.  It is very common to get the accessories that let you hang this off of architectural lighting track making it amazing for gallery situations.  It uses a MR 16 lamp and is much lower wattage then traditional ellipsoidals.  Great for the power draw but not as bright as something like a Source Four Jr.  However, in the situations where you would use this light you generally would not desire something that bright.  Click on the unit to read more about its specifications.

Browse our selection of miniature ellipsoidals.

Strip & Cyclorama Lights

Coloring large expanses of light, something I like to call acreage, is a challenge that will happen in almost every show.  Whether it be lighting a common cyc or back drop to doing foot lights to a classic ballet.  Having a smooth wash of lights that also let you choose some color to it is something that almost every lighting system needs.  When first setting up a lighting system this is one place where you will invest heavily in the beginning but they will last for years and years.

Cycs can both be top lit and lit from below.  If from below that is generally called a ground row.  One thing that I really like about using ground rows is that while the theory of a perfectly flat field of cyc light sounds nice it is almost never a reality.  A ground row will put the hot spot near the performers head height which helps the audience look there.

Types of Strip and Cyclorama Lights

Strip lights are generally a group of lighting cells that are next to each other.  The most common are three and four circuits.  In a three circuit situation you could have the cells electrically grouped as…  Cir 1, Cir 2, Cir 3 then next to that another Cir 1, Cir 2, Cir 3 and then next to that another Cir 1, Cir 2, Cir 3.  This goes on for however long your strip light is.  You then choose what color to put in the individual circuit numbers as those circuit cells will come up together when given electricity.  Strip Lights can sit on the floor using floor trunions or hung off of a pipe using hanging irons.

Browse our selection of strip lights.
Cyclorama Lights differ from strip lights as they will only have one cell per color.  That cell however is usually larger and with more wattage.  Cyclorama lights in general work better in large theatres then small ones.

Browse our selection of cyclorama lights.

Conventional PARs

Generally, a Par can is simply a light that holds a par lamp in it.  That is not a true statement for all par cans so I will discuss the differences below.  In general the can is simply a holder for whatever the lamp is going to produce as far as light output in both shape and intensity.  Par cans are most commonly used for color washes whether it be for a back light washes or curtain warmers from the front.  They do easily blend together.  A par can does not have many accessories.  In general they can hold color frames, barndoors, and top hats.  The Micro and Par 38 lamps generally have a circular output while the others have a rectangular output.

The multi lens par gives you the ability to have multiple lens choices without having to change the lamp.  In general they use a HPL lamp which is also what most of the ellipsoidals are using today.  This way you only have to stock one lamp.  Most multi lens pars come with a wide flood, medium flood, narrow flood and very narrow flood lens.  You can also purchase as an add on a very wide lens.  The light output of these lenses is generally an oval shape except when you get to the narrow and very narrow lens.  There shape is harder to discern.  Remember a par can is a flood light and does not give you a hard edge so you will not get a defined oval shape.  The lenses are rotatable so you can adjust the direction of the oval.  This is incredibly useful in focusing.  Going upstage / downstage can be very useful for backlight while going stage left to stage right is magnificent for curtain warmers.  The units do have the front accessory tabs to hold color frames and barndoors / top hats.

Browse our selection of multi-lens PARs.
A Par 38 is simply a can that holds a flood light.  The size of this flood light is much like the flood you would use at your house.  They come in a variety of wattages and beam degrees.  The beam degrees are generally listed as either wide or spot and produce pretty much what they are called.  Over the past years there have been more and more governmental regulations reducing the wattage of these lamps to save energy.  So if you find a lamp you love, stock up!  There are now LED options available.  Some are dimmable and some are not.  Before buying many LED lamps for dimming, buy one first and watch the dimming curve to make sure you are satisfied.

Browse our selection of PAR 38s.
A Par 46 can holds a 200 watt medium or spot flood lamp.  Great for uplight columns.

Browse our selection of PAR 46s.
  A Par 56 holds either a 300 or 500 watt lamp ranging from wide flood to narrow flood in choices.  Great for uplighting but also useful for color wash lighting in small rooms.

Browse our selection of PAR 56s.
A Par 64 holds either a 500 or 1000 watt lamp ranging from wide flood to very narrow spot.  This is a unit that has been used for large color washes for decades.  If you go to the 1000 watt lamp make sure that you purchase a unit that is U.L. listed.  Some of the imported (cheaper) Par 64 units are only capable of the 500 watt lamp.

Browse our selection of PAR 64s.
  Outdoor Par lamps are just what they say they are!  They can handle the elements and if you need to do lighting outside this is where you should be looking.

Browse our selection of outdoor PARs.
Micro Pars are great for small throw distances where you are looking to highlight some artwork or product.  These can generally be powered through a chord or through a track adapter making it ideal for gallery situations.

Browse our selection of micro PARs.

 

 

Fresnels

Fresnels

A fresnel provides a soft circle of light that is adjustable from spot to flood, or otherwise known as smaller to bigger.  The fresnel lens, which was originally used in lighthouses, has a circular ridge pattern built in.  It is this ridge pattern that dictates the smooth, soft edge.  You may flood the light out or make it smaller by adjusting the relationship of the lamp to the reflector.  The closer the lamp is to the reflector, the tighter the light will be.  The further away from the reflector, the wider the lamp will be.  Some units use a wing nut on the bottom to loosen the lamp, letting the lamp slide back and forth, and others have a hand crank in the back of the unit to accomplish the same thing.  The fresnel blends very nicely with others and is a wonderful way of coloring areas. Some typical uses of a fresnel is to put color on the floor or on a curtain.

3″ Fresnel – Lamped at 100-250 watts, a 3-inch fresnel is a great short-distance fresnel. Great in small nightclub and hidden spots on stage. I like to use these in ceilings that are 8 to 12 feet tall.  It also makes a great gift for theatrical people for their homes.  Imagine having that theatrical feel in your home lighting.

Browse our selection of 3″ fresnels.

6″ Fresnel – Lamped at 500 or 750 watts, a 6-inch fresnel is great for distances from 8 to 22 feet (all opinion, remember there are no hard and fast rules).

Browse our selection of 6″ fresnels.
7″ Fresnel – ETC combines the efficiency of the HPL lamp with the singular optical qualities of the fresnel optical system to create the truly advanced ETC Source Four Fresnel. Traditional fresnel optics provide a unique quality of blending wash light and beam shaping via barn doors for well-defined, soft-edged area lighting. The Source Four Fresnel combines this classic system with a unique reflector design enabling the HPL 750W-equipped Source Four Fresnel to equal the lumen output of other 1000W fresnel fixtures. Spot-to-flood focus is accomplished by large, easy-to-use knob for quick adjustments in inconvenient positions. The unique Quick exchange socket design permits re-lamping from underneath the fixture without breaking focus in most situations.

Browse our selection of 7″ fresnels.
8″ Fresnel – Lamped at 1000 Watts, an 8-inch fresnel is great for long throw needs.
This free online resource is sponsored by the StageLightingStore.com.

Lighting Units

I consider lighting units the paint brushes of stage lighting.  It is with these brushes that we can deliver the shape, texture, amount and color of light.  Sometimes we need big brushes (strip lights) and sometimes we need tiny brushes (“lekos” and pin spots).  If you have to paint a whole sky, you would need a really big brush.  If you wanted to add a cloud, then you would use a smaller brush.  If you wanted to add highlights and shadow lines to that cloud, you would even use even a smaller detail brush.  A painter has many tools; so do you. 
 
Theatrical manufacturers have gone to great lengths to give us lighting units and control systems that permit us to manipulate the elements of light. Every time a designer thinks, “Gee, I would love for it to do this,” there is an inventor out there to manufacture it.  While it is not completely necessary for a lighting designer to understand all of the electrical and engineering components of how the systems work, it is vitally important that they understand what is available to them.

This free resource is sponsored by the StageLightingStore.com.