> > Hey all,

> > I'm in a college band, playing mostly frat parties and bars, and we
> > want to take our show to "the next level."  We figure that lights
> > would be pretty badass, but our budget is maybe $1000 at most.
> > Ideally we'd spend no more than $500.

> > We'd need a pretty basic setup, beat sensitivity is a must, and some
> > control from the stage would be ideal.  I'd like to be able to program
> > a few scenes, but don't know if that sort of thing drives up the
> > purchase price.  Obviously value and durability are important
> > considerations.

> > Any suggestions?  I'd be especially interested in links to sample
> > setups from online retailers, so I can get a feel for how to interpret
> > entries in catalogs.  I don't have much experience in this area, but
> > I'm hoping that the knowledge in this group can point me in the right
> > direction.

> > Thanks!

> > Kevin

> Kevin,

> Some quick math:

> 2 Lighting trees + crossbars: $350
> 8 Par 64s (classic concert fixtures + cheap = good!): $800

> Even before you think about dimming and control, you're over $1,000.
> (Prices courtesy of BMI Supply:www.bmisupply.com.)

> Perhaps, as Bret alludes to, you might want to consider rental
> packages, as opposed to purchasing. There's no upkeep and maintenance
> for you to worry about, for starters. Plus, you can decide which gigs
> will require the lighting, and pass on the rental costs to those
> venues only--allowing you to continue doing gigs where you charge less
> to keep the money coming in.

> Or, find a sugar-momma that wants to give you some cash--you might
> want to look more at the $3,000 range, though.

> I'm not sure what you mean by "beat sensitivity"; if you mean a setup
> that can respond to your playing, you're talking about a lot more
> money than you're planning to spend. It's probably cheaper to pay a
> buddy who's not rhythmically challenged $50 to control the lights for
> you.

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