Lighting recommendations

midiglitch

Hello folks, just wondering if anyone can recommend a lighting rig for us.  I know absolutely nothing at all about it.  We play pubs mainly, the odd function - birthdays at the rugby club, that sort of thing.  Budget Lets say up to about £500.

this has been suggested, any comments?
https://www.astounded.com/shop/img-stageline-parl-45set-led-partybar-stage-lighting-system-pair/

Would value your input / experiences, cheers!

John_A

They’re very similar to ours and they are great for a pub band

John_P

I use a pair of equinox gigabar cob lights which are similar and had plenty of positive feedback from bands I’ve hired them out to - quick set up and very bright. When I was looking for them they seemed a good compromise of power, ease of use, size and price.      A lot of the smaller lights look ok for the money but don’t really light up a band.   

I’ve also got a pair of chauvet gigabar effects lightbars that have a couple of wash’s as well as various moving Derby’s, layers and strobes - they are pretty cool but need a touch of smoke or haze to get the full effect so only get used at some venues.   

Roland

For pub bands the two things you want are front lighting so that front line musicians can be seen, and coloured lights which provide mood and movement. 

The easiest front lighting is a cheap Par-Can on each of your PA speakers, pointed cross the front of the playing area. Two if these like this will do. https://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_par_64_pro_series_long_black.htm Flood lights won’t do the job because they’ll illuminate everything, and not pick out the frontline. Some speakers have bolt holes for fly mounting, which you can use. Otherwise you might be able to clamp lights to the PA stands. 

For mood and movement there there are several makes of LEDs on stands. Have a look at Thomann’s range. For example https://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_stage_tri_led_bundle_complete.htm . As @John_P says, you need intensity. I’d go for the brightest you can afford, and if necessary buy one bright set rather than two lesser ones. Configure it for sound-to-light, so that it changes colour whenever there’s a loud beat. If you have two units then configure one as Master, and the other as Slave, and run an xlr cable between them so that they act in sync. If it comes with a footswitch then you can use it to black out between songs and between sets.

maltingsaudio

Well worth a call to your local pa/lighting hire company and ask them if they are updating any stock

ESBlonde

Get a couple of LED light bars and a padded carry bag. They are effective, easy to set up, front/side/back. You dont 'need' stands but can use them if you want.

Very compact and a good basis for a more eloborate rig as time and finance provides.

Something like this (no affiliation blah blah blah).https:

//www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Equinox-RGB-Power-Batten-LED-Bar-Light/23RP?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cmVspDe3wIVCbTtCh1WAgL2EAYYBiABEgJR3_D_BwE

Roland

John_P said:

I use a pair of equinox gigabar cob lights which are similar and had plenty of positive feedback from bands I’ve hired them out to - quick set up and very bright. When I was looking for them they seemed a good compromise of power, ease of use, size and price.      A lot of the smaller lights look ok for the money but don’t really light up a band.   

I’ve also got a pair of chauvet gigabar effects lightbars that have a couple of wash’s as well as various moving Derby’s, layers and strobes - they are pretty cool but need a touch of smoke or haze to get the full effect so only get used at some venues.   

Here’s an example of coloured wash lighting from a pair of LED T-bars, with Par Cans picking out our singer and my guitar. When I move forward to take a solo, or play a significant guitar part, then I also get illuminated.

John_P

ESBlonde said:

Get a couple of LED light bars and a padded carry bag. They are effective, easy to set up, front/side/back. You dont 'need' stands but can use them if you want.

Very compact and a good basis for a more eloborate rig as time and finance provides.

Something like this (no affiliation blah blah blah).https:

//www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Equinox-RGB-Power-Batten-LED-Bar-Light/23RP?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cmVspDe3wIVCbTtCh1WAgL2EAYYBiABEgJR3_D_BwE

I have a pair of those - cracking lights for low cost - I use them for tiny gigs with a few led spotlights on the floor and hang them from the pa tops or either side of the drums as uploghyers Ona big stage.    Not sure I’d use them as my only lights in a lot of gigs but they are great for the price.  

midiglitch

Cheers fellas, very helpful info