Anyone care to comment on what they believe the future of 120K lighting rigs will be? (think 120K DHPR for Fairs and Festivals). How long, if at all, will LED lighting become the new "120K" norm? Will a LD embrace this LED rig? Thanks for your input!
Future of 120K light shows
- Thread starter Bill Forbes
- Start date
Re: Future of 120K light shows
I only know from what is coming in on my level of shows (small / medium).. but I do alot of net surfing, checking rig photos, and lately I haven't seen alot of par cans period... Even the front lighting is heading towards movers, and LED lighting. I'm actually doing my first band show this year, and the only conventional I'm bringing is 4 lekos, and 4 par 56 for uplighting cause the singer wears a cowboy hat, and requested some uplighting... Everything else is a mover, or an LED par, or mover. I plan to run this rig, until we go outside, then it's back to all weather pars on the front truss. I'm sure this is the way of the furture, and that any LD would prefer a mulitple colour pallet as opposed to a one trick parcan.
I only know from what is coming in on my level of shows (small / medium).. but I do alot of net surfing, checking rig photos, and lately I haven't seen alot of par cans period... Even the front lighting is heading towards movers, and LED lighting. I'm actually doing my first band show this year, and the only conventional I'm bringing is 4 lekos, and 4 par 56 for uplighting cause the singer wears a cowboy hat, and requested some uplighting... Everything else is a mover, or an LED par, or mover. I plan to run this rig, until we go outside, then it's back to all weather pars on the front truss. I'm sure this is the way of the furture, and that any LD would prefer a mulitple colour pallet as opposed to a one trick parcan.
Re: Future of 120K light shows
I think Shane is seeing the smaller scale replicate the large scale.
Working as a stage hand I'm seeing a lot of LED fixtures of various types, more LED-based video on pixel tubes, curtains and smaller panel mosaics. What I'm not seeing is a whole lot of conventionals beyond Lekos and audience abuse.
As a provider, we're in kind of the same boat you are, Bill. We own a bunch of loaded PRT and extra 6-bars. For now we'll continue to use them, but we're thinking about stripping them to single-hung with 3 watt RGBAW replacing the PAR cans. A big issue for us is weather ratings for the LED fixtures. It's easy to leave conventionals in some rain; they're mechanically and electrically simple devices, but the LED cans will need to be rated for, and maintained to a particular weather standard. The concept of a relatively cheap retrofit ain't gonna happen. If we worked indoors only, it would be less of an issue.
As for LD acceptance, you'd have to negotiate that on a per-show basis, but if your LED cans will cover the areas needed, match the plot colors and deliver the needed intensity, I don't think you'll have too many issues. A good lighting tech from your shop should be able to get most LDs what they want.
FWIW, PAR can rigs are about as salable as PM3000s right now. I expect folks with cans in ratty shape to recover more value at the scrap yard than by selling as LX.
I think Shane is seeing the smaller scale replicate the large scale.
Working as a stage hand I'm seeing a lot of LED fixtures of various types, more LED-based video on pixel tubes, curtains and smaller panel mosaics. What I'm not seeing is a whole lot of conventionals beyond Lekos and audience abuse.
As a provider, we're in kind of the same boat you are, Bill. We own a bunch of loaded PRT and extra 6-bars. For now we'll continue to use them, but we're thinking about stripping them to single-hung with 3 watt RGBAW replacing the PAR cans. A big issue for us is weather ratings for the LED fixtures. It's easy to leave conventionals in some rain; they're mechanically and electrically simple devices, but the LED cans will need to be rated for, and maintained to a particular weather standard. The concept of a relatively cheap retrofit ain't gonna happen. If we worked indoors only, it would be less of an issue.
As for LD acceptance, you'd have to negotiate that on a per-show basis, but if your LED cans will cover the areas needed, match the plot colors and deliver the needed intensity, I don't think you'll have too many issues. A good lighting tech from your shop should be able to get most LDs what they want.
FWIW, PAR can rigs are about as salable as PM3000s right now. I expect folks with cans in ratty shape to recover more value at the scrap yard than by selling as LX.
Re: Future of 120K light shows
And time marches on. I sold the last of my par cans last year and am thrilled to be rid of them - bulky, power hungry, and single function. Even keeping spare bulbs around was annoying due to the size compared to modern HPL bulbs. We're not to the point where LEDs can replace too many leko-type functions yet - at least for any reasonable amount of money (see the $2500 LED Source Four), but for basic wash, LEDs have really hit their stride - especially for concert lighting.
Re: Future of 120K light shows
TJ, I couldn't agree more.
From a personal standpoint, I've purchased a number of RGB fixtures for my local school as well as my church. These units satisfy a wide variety of needs and are becoming more affordable as time goes by. Limited maintenance, long life, channel misers (as we have set them up, at least) are all reasons we went LED.
From a business standpoint, the HP3 and HP5 units Apollo offers are available in both IP20 and IP65 ratings. These RGB and RGBAW fixtures have been selling well due to their versatility and pricing. I think we'll see the trend continue, especially when projects take place outdoors as is often the case.
TJ, I couldn't agree more.
From a personal standpoint, I've purchased a number of RGB fixtures for my local school as well as my church. These units satisfy a wide variety of needs and are becoming more affordable as time goes by. Limited maintenance, long life, channel misers (as we have set them up, at least) are all reasons we went LED.
From a business standpoint, the HP3 and HP5 units Apollo offers are available in both IP20 and IP65 ratings. These RGB and RGBAW fixtures have been selling well due to their versatility and pricing. I think we'll see the trend continue, especially when projects take place outdoors as is often the case.