Automated Fixtures - Renting some Moving Lights

[rochem]

Hi all,

For my school's spring musical, we are looking into renting some moving lights. The design is still in progress, but as of right now I think I want two spot fixtures and two wash fixtures hanging FOH. For the spots I'm leaning towards the VL1000TS to let it blend with the rig of Source Fours and for the zoom range. One thing I'm not sure about is the Internal Dimmer option. I was under the impression that most movers "dim" via DMX to the board, so I'm not exactly sure why you would need an internal dimmer and what you would need if you didn't have one. Which would you all recommend?

I also want two wash fixtures hanging FOH as well. My ideal fixture here would be the MAC 2K but I have heard that it's usually best to stick with one manufacturer for a whole rig to match colors and such. Is this true, or is there no disadvantage to doing this? If it's true, what VL wash fixtures would you recommend? I've only ever used a MAC 2K for wash fixtures, so I'm not familiar with any of the VL washes.

[icewolf08]

The difference between the internal dimmer VL1K and the VL1K without a dimmer is that the model with no dimmer requires power for the fixture AND a connection to one of your house dimmers. This option was designed so that you could match dimmer curves with all of your T/H fixtures, MLs and conventionals. The model with the internal dimmer only requires one power connection and has a built in dimmer. Simply put: the model with internal dimmer can be dimmed via DMX, the model without is dimmed via house dimmer.

As for your question on wash fixtures, it really doesn't matter what fixtures you use. With some patience you can mix almost any color. Sure the CMY values won't be the same across brands, but they may not be exactly the same from fixture to fixture of the same model. Since you are trying to match an arc source to a T/H source it makes even less difference.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by rochem

One thing I'm not sure about is the Internal Dimmer option. I was under the impression that most movers "dim" via DMX to the board, so I'm not exactly sure why you would need an internal dimmer and what you would need if you didn't have one.

DMX is a control protocol, not a means of dimming.

I think you need to do more research before taking action.
Possibly even hire a consultant.

(I'm trying to be nice, and have rephrased this at least 4 times )

[rochem]

Originally Posted by avkid

DMX is a control protocol, not a means of dimming.

I think you need to do more research before taking action.
Possibly even hire a consultant.

(I'm trying to be nice, and have rephrased this at least 4 times )

I put "dim" in quotes for a reason. When I say dim, I mean the light coming out of the fixture gets lower until finally nothing comes out. I suppose the correct term to use would have been "intensity". If I'm not mistaken, many (most?) movers are "dimmed" using the dimmer blades to block the light output, which is controlled through the board. And as such, plugging them into a normal dimmer would not end well.

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here. Of course DMX is not a means of dimming. It is, however, the means by which information is sent from the board to things such as moving lights and scrollers, which is all I was saying. Am I wrong about this?

[rochem]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

The difference between the internal dimmer VL1K and the VL1K without a dimmer is that the model with no dimmer requires power for the fixture AND a connection to one of your house dimmers. This option was designed so that you could match dimmer curves with all of your T/H fixtures, MLs and conventionals. The model with the internal dimmer only requires one power connection and has a built in dimmer. Simply put: the model with internal dimmer can be dimmed via DMX, the model without is dimmed via house dimmer.

As for your question on wash fixtures, it really doesn't matter what fixtures you use. With some patience you can mix almost any color. Sure the CMY values won't be the same across brands, but they may not be exactly the same from fixture to fixture of the same model. Since you are trying to match an arc source to a T/H source it makes even less difference.

That's what I suspected, thanks for the info. Since I'm relatively low on circuits in the FOH hanging position, I think it would make the most sense to use the internal dimmer to save on house dimmers. Are there any negatives to doing this (other than possibly a higher cost), or would it be basically the same?

[icewolf08]

I already edited my first post, but let me clarify more. The VL1K with internal dimmer has a built in SCR dimmer that dims the lamp, much like the dimmers in your racks. This internal dimmer is controlled via DMX just like your dimmer racks.

The VL1K without internal dimmer requires two connections to power. One should be a non-dim circuit that powers the fixture brains and motors. The other should go to a dimmable source and is only connected to the lamp. This allows you to dim the lamp on the same curve as the rest of your dimmers.

Technically all of the above is controlled via DMX, the difference is where the actual dimming for the lamp in the fixture takes place.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by rochem

That's what I suspected, thanks for the info. Since I'm relatively low on circuits in the FOH hanging position, I think it would make the most sense to use the internal dimmer to save on house dimmers. Are there any negatives to doing this (other than possibly a higher cost), or would it be basically the same?

Wow, I can't keep up tonight. There are probably no real negatives, you probably wouldn't notice the difference in dimming curves, but some people do.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by rochem

If I'm not mistaken, many (most?) movers are "dimmed" using the dimmer blades to block the light output, which is controlled through the board..

Correct, a mechanical system is used to dowse the light.

I think it's time for me to shut up.

[Pie4Weebl]

I am a big fan on the VL1000's for theatre and because of its great zoom capacity and frost wheel there is no reason you can't just use the VL's as both wash and spots.

[UMichLD]

I worked on a show 2 weeks ago with 4 VL 1k from FOH and 3 over the stage. I took one of the FOH VL's to its largest beam size and it washed the entire stage (Proscenium theatre 40' wide) while preserving a decent intensity while at full. The throw was probably around 15'.

If it were my call, I'd get 4 VL's. That way, there are no worries about color matching or any of the other issues that come up when working with different brands. I'd put two from the front and two as backlight so that they're not competing when aimed at the same place. But that'd be dictated by the needs of the show.

Good luck!