Dance floor LED wash lighting

[TZ2012]

Hello, I've been putting together my first lighting rig... just got a crank up truss and my first light, which is also going to be my centerpiece, is going to be an LED wash light. I am quite interested in the ColorStorm 252, but just as I was ready to place my order I realized that I was unsure if this unit is dimmable via DMX. I would like to be able to bring the intensity down at certain times.

Also, are there any other lights that you would recommend for a centerpiece unit in a budget lighting show? I'm doing mostly weddings, looking for something classy and versatile with DMX cabability, dimming, something that provides a nice dance floor wash and is in the <$300.00 category.

Thanks

[DJStevieRay]

The colorstorm 252 is an awesome fixture.

When programming if you want to control brightess, you would want it in 3 Channel Mode 1 or 9 channel. You can control the overall intensity of each color. But there is no master dimmer. Colorstorm Manual

If you want a Master Dimmer that you can manually take over. Then consider....
The Storm Chaser in 7, 10, or 31 channel mode.
or The ProBar RGB

[NuSouth Technology]

I use 4 StormChaser's in my rig and love them. They definately get noticed by the crowd!

[TZ2012]

Hey, thanks for the replies.

The rig that I am assembling is going to be a work in progress... but then again, aren't they all? I will add fixtures to my set up as $$$ allows, over the course of the next year or so. I want to make sure that I am adding key pieces of equipment that will remain in my set up as time goes on. Currently, I am running old school par 56 cans with 300 w halogens and I want to move to a primarily LED based system.

I'm only able to purchase one light for right now and it will be my centerpiece, as stated. My budget is definite not going to allow for anything over $350.00 at this point. I'm looking for the light with the most versatility, best beam & field angle to wash a dance floor, highest light output, something DMX with good auto programs also (I realize that I'm looking for a lot for the price but I know that something must fit this criteria).

It seems like the master dimming would be a very important thing for something like the 252 to have and would make this purchase an absolute no brainer... other than the fact that I'm having trouble getting a hold of one locally in time for my next gig.

I have also been looking at the ColorRail from Chauvet and some of the ADJ and Irraident stuff, but honestly, I would much rather go with a blizzard product. The Colorstorm 252 seems to be the ticket but I am a little uncertain with the lack of a master dimming control if it is the best light to build my rig around.

I'm likely going to use 2-4 of my par 56 500 watters on the outside of my 10' truss, with the centerpiece (still undecided) and a mirror ball w/pin spot as a starting point. The Stormchasers actually seem really cool but I like the idea of the interspersed color blending with the 252 is of more interest to me. Is there anything else that you can tell me about this?

Also, is it true the the 2nd generation version of the Stormchasers and Colorstorms all come in a white box with a picture, as opposed to the brown box? I was reading that on a message board somewhere... I almost placed an order for a CS252 yesterday but the guy said that it was in a brown box and I told him that I wanted to do a little more research before making the purchase.

I really appreciate any additional insight that you may be able to provide. I realize that I'm being very particular here but I have made enough gear purchases in the past to know that it is better measure twice and cut once!

Thanks.

[TZ2012]

I want to clarify that I am putting together my "first" LED rig... so I understand that lighting output can be much different than what the halogen stuff kicks out.

[NuSouth Technology]

Yes, the 2nd gen StormChaser is in a white box. The only difference between the 2 is the power cord on the 2nd gen is IEC instead of attached and 2nd gen has a power out for power linking the fixtures. I have 2 of each gen and as far as function goes they are identical. I think you would be very happy with the StormChaser.

[TZ2012]

I'm quite tempted to go with a stormchaser. I like the idea of expanding to two of these eventually. Do they have an adjustable bracket so that they can be titled from a truss to wash a dance floor?

I've had two people tell me that the stormchaser would not make for a great wash light... any comment on this? If I have just one of these as the centerpiece to my truss to wash a dancefloor, obviously that isn't ideal but as a starting point... would this be too bright to aim right at people and would it be bright enough to get an effective wash for say toasts and such, at a wedding?

I would really like to place an order on something ASAP, as I have upcoming gigs and need to learn how to use DMX within the next month. I'm hoping that if I spend a half hour a day for a few weeks, that I could get the hang of some basic programming in time for a mid March gig.

Also, any preference between a DMX hardware controller and a software set up? I'm never going to be running more than say 10 fixtures max but I like the idea of the flexibility that DMX looks to provide. I would be willing to spend around 200-250 on a controller of some kind. Mostly to be able to bring the lights down for certain parts during a wedding reception and also to strobe things and engage chases and such.

I really appreciate the insight btw...

[NuSouth Technology]

Granted the StormChaser will not be as bright as a higher output LED fixture but in your price range it would be my choice. The Q12 Pucks are a much better wash light and a lot brighter but you would need more than one to be effective. As far as aiming the StormChaser at the crowd, it will be very bright. I use mine hung vertically and aimed at the audience. Check out the videos I posted on the Show Off section here to see how bright the StormChasers are when aimed at the crowd.

There really is not a perfect fixture that can cover a dance floor by itself. As far as a controller, check out the SnowCrontrol by Blizzard. It is an affordable board that would be good for a beginner to learn DMX programming on. As your rig grows you can add a software solution such as Eclipse to take it to the next level. Good luck

[TZ2012]

Alright, so I ended up getting a pair of Stormchasers!

I received them earlier this week. I also got some O-clamps from the sales rep that I spoke with out at Hollywood DJ, so that I can mount these on my truss. Well, I'm not understanding how the heck to attach the O-clamps to the light... Do I need a special size for these or what?

Also, I'm curious about DMX controllers. Right now I only have the Stormchasers, although I may add some pucks in the near future (though, budget wise I may end up going with slim pars or mega par profiles because I can't really afford more than $100 per par right now). I would like to be able to control things DMX, the SnoKontrol board looks awesome, though it may be overkill for what I'm doing.

I want to be able to adjust brightness, colormix, strobe, and program basic chases. Chances are that I might not ever have more than 6 fixtures total, but never say never. Also, I am considering picking up a mirror ball and I see that there are some DMX motors available (though they are not cheap). It would be great to have control over everything on one board.

To reiterate, what kind of O-Clamps do I need for these Stormchasers & what would be a good entry level DMX controller option (<$200)? Also, if you have mirror ball suggestions, let me know... I would be hanging it from my truss, no higher than 10' off the ground.

Thanks!

[TZ2012]

I'm going to post some pictures, I think that I must have the wrong size O-Clamp (grrr...)

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[DJ Omega]

TZ2012: Congrats on the purchase of the Stormchaser. I have a pair of them and have been very pleased with how they work as a dancefloor wash and effect light. They are also very versatile and can be used as an uplight. I attached a youtube video to show how it would look uplighting a 15 foot wall.

As for the brackets with the O-clamps, I have run into the same problem. A fairly easy fix is to drill one of the two slots just enough to accept the O-clamp bolt.

[GFUNK]

I bought two storm chasers a year ago and very pleased with it...so, I decided to add two more last week to make four (2+2=4! Hey...I did pay attention in class a long time ago). Now, I'm stoked to put on some really cool effects with these as I plug them into my Eclipse DMX.

BUT, first of all the difference: my old ones have dip switches and the new does not. My first thought was that now, I can just dial in the DMX channel and tada! Once I had everything 'dialed' in, it was ready to program some scenes. Well, here's what's F$%@ up: the effects are different for the old and new storm chasers! Although they look the same, they do different effects. Let's say I put it on chase effect 152 on channel one...Well, the old StormChasers are doing something totally different from what the new ones are. So, this really, really sucks.

I have the units patched on the same DMX channel, using 31 channels so I can program some sick scenes and also run the built in ones as well.

Blizzard...Please HELP! Can I trade my two old ones for the new ones...or vice versa? I just need them to be the same.

Thank you.

G

[Eclipse Support]

Hi Gfunk. Yes the new ones with LED display have been slightly updated to be even better than the older ones. We realize this could cause issues when users would be using some of the old ones with the new ones. I would ask whoever you purchased these from if they want to work something out with you in terms of trade-in or etc.

I'm not sure if there is much more we can do for you about this. I'll ask and see.

[GFUNK]

I doubt the vendor will take my old ones back...even as a trade in of some sort.

I'm a big Blizzard Lighting fan...all my lights are Blizzard (pucks, bars, moving heads), so hopefully this will help my case.

Thanks.

[Eclipse Support]

Right. Again Sorry that they don't match. But it was just time for a bit of an update.
We hope you forgive us
Sincerely, James.