How to Light Your DJ Facade - InSync

How to Light Your DJ Facade - InSync

When you step into the role of a DJ, your creativity and personality extend beyond the decks. Many DJs aspire to deliver an unforgettable light show to complement their soundscapes. However, there's no need for cumbersome setups with oversized PAR and wash lights that are more suited for stadiums. Often, a simple facade coupled with a single strategically placed light can significantly elevate the audience's perception of your stage presence, transforming you from a mere entertainer to a polished professional performer. Below are some straightforward suggestions for lighting your DJ facade that can simplify your decision-making. Remember, even a modest light show can greatly enhance your performance without straining your budget compared to other DJ gear.

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Lighting Terminology for DJs

By Philip Courtney, Sweetwater Sales Engineer

PAR - Short for parabolic reflector, this type of light is generally employed to illuminate areas larger than 6-8 feet in diameter, featuring a distinct parabolic beam shape.

Wash - Refers to a lighting fixture designed to cast light over a sizable area.

Scrim - A semi-transparent material that allows for light diffusion, resulting in dynamic color effects.

Facade - Similar to a scrim but positioned right before the DJ itself, typically serving as the booth barrier.

Spot - Refers to a spotlight, designed to highlight a specific area and can include GOBO patterns such as logos.

Beam Angle - This measurement (in degrees) defines the distribution of light from a fixture; understanding it can help determine how extensive the illuminated area will be from a certain distance.

DMX - Standing for Digital MultiPlexing, this serial data protocol is essential for controlling lighting fixtures, with most LED models utilizing multiple DMX channels.

Facade Options

To begin with, you'll need a facade that pairs seamlessly with your new wash lights. Your choice between front board facades and cloth scrims will largely rely on your current setup or future expectations. While neither option is inherently superior, it's crucial to identify which style aligns best with your needs.

Front Boards and Booth Facades

These are considered the industry standard for professional DJ booth lighting. They offer a universally recognized aesthetic without being constrained to a specific table size — a foldout or dining table can work effectively behind any framed facade. Typically constructed from lightweight metal alloys or aluminum, most facade frames are easily transportable. Additionally, the fabric scrims are conveniently removable for cleaning and protection during transport.

Table Scrims and Facades

When incorporating scrims, which are the fabric stretched within the facade frame, they present an excellent alternative to investing in a new facade if you already possess a DJ-specific table. Their opaque nature effectively acts as a projection surface, allowing vibrant color wash effects to resonate with your audience. The advantages of scrims lie in their smaller footprint (requiring less additional hardware) and cost-efficiency, although having a dedicated DJ table is suggested for optimal usage.

Our Recommendations

Booth Facades - Check out Odyssey's offerings; their facade lineup, including the Scrim Werks 48" x 46" and Scrim Werks 72" x 46", caters to the sizing of most tables and stages.

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Table Scrims - If you're equipped with a DJ table, you might consider using the Gibraltar Radius Deck DJ Workstation or the ADJ Pro Event Table along with either the Gibraltar Radius Scrim or the ADJ Pro Event Table Scrim.

Lighting Options

Let's delve into various lighting fixture options available for illuminating your facade. In addition to spotlights, choices like wash lights, PAR cans, and bar lights can enhance your setup. We've omitted spotlights from our recommendations, as they do not offer the broad wash needed for effective facade lighting at closer ranges.

The option of a floor wash or PAR light presents flexibility, suitable whether you utilize a frame or scrim setup over a DJ table. Wash fixtures are generally more cost-effective and offer a wealth of programming options.

Our Recommendations:

Chauvet DJ Wedge Tri

Packing numerous features into a compact design, the Wedge Tri wash light from Chauvet DJ is a valuable asset. It includes tri-color LED with strobe capabilities, multiple DMX control options, along with sound active control functionality. Its user-friendly digital display simplifies color selection, further facilitated by the included IRC remote control, and operates flicker-free, much to the delight of those capturing your performance.

ADJ Element Hex

The Element Series from ADJ features versatile LED fixtures ideal for wall washes and facade lighting. With battery life extending up to 11 hours, these fixtures come equipped with a kickstand for adjustable color wash angles. Designed for indoor settings, the Element Hex boasts RGBAW+UV LEDs for diverse color macros, with operation modes that provide operational ease and versatility, reducing limitations for your facade lighting.

Chauvet DJ Freedom Par Quad-4

This battery-powered wash fixture impressively grants up to 20 hours of use and operates wirelessly through the FlareCON mobile application. With quad-color RGBA LEDs, it presents numerous color wash options along with integrated strobe capabilities, presenting a feature-rich, user-friendly solution for your DJ facade lighting needs.

Bar Light

Bar lights serve as an excellent choice for illuminating your DJ facade and are especially effective for multi-color displays. Their broader coverage allows for a more uniform wash, providing a distinct advantage in comparison to PAR wash lights, albeit requiring more considerable management and upkeep.

Our Recommendations:

Chauvet DJ COLORrail IRC

A quality and cost-effective option is the Chauvet DJ COLORrail IRC, an RGB bar with automated programs and adjustable settings. Its sound-operated feature allows you to synchronize effects with your music effortlessly, making it ideal for vibrant lighting across your DJ facade.

ADJ Ultra Hex Bar 12

For a unique twist in bar lighting, the ADJ Ultra Hex Bar 12 presents fascinating features. With 12 hex lights, it allows for creative applications, supported by automatic, sound active, and DMX-controlled modes, enabling a professional lighting show. Its non-flicker operation adds to the overall experience while maintaining energy efficiency at a low 90-watt power draw.

Ready to Light Your DJ Facade?

With a plethora of lighting solutions at your disposal, DJs aiming to upgrade their visual displays or those making initial forays into this area have a wealth of options to choose from. Whether you've selected your gear or require guidance, reach out to one of the accomplished Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-. With a myriad of lighting possibilities for your facade, we can assist you in finding the best fit for your setup. Don’t hesitate to get in touch and enhance your performance today!

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