LED Stage Lighting - Why Buy LED Stage Lights?
LED lighting for stage and theatrical use has never been so cheap to buy. It seem like every major stage lighting manufacturer has dived into the LED lighting fixture market while cheap imported lights mean that even a small band or DJ can get a slice of the RGB colour mixing action. On Stage Lighting has a guide for anyone thinking of buying and hoping to learn more about LED stage lighting fixtures.
Why Buy LED Stage Lights?
High Powered LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology means that we can now use those funny little glowing things that used to live on the front of your television, in theatre shows, live music gigs and corporate shows. LED fixtures have many advantages over “old fashioned” lanterns that make them attractive in stage lighting.
- Low Power Consumption - Because the LED uses a fraction of the power of an normal lightbulb (lamp), the power consumption of LED lighting fixtures is very small, meaning you can use a lot of fixtures on small power supply such as a 13A domestic socket. This is great for small band lighting rigs and the disco/party DJ.
- Low Heat Radiation - Although LED stage lighting does produce heat, the fixtures produce light without getting extremely hot. Modern stage lighting lamps produce more heat (and light) than they ever have and this has been coupled with improved lantern casings to minimise the risk of burning the operator. There are, however, some environments where the low heat properties of LED stage lighting are desirable.
- Lightweight and Portable - The hardware that LED fixtures are packaged in does not need to be heavy and, although the various power supplies and elements all add weight, LED units are usually fairly light.
- Colour Effects - The most common way for LED lights to be used for stage lighting purposes is using a combination of different coloured LEDs. A fixture with all three three lighting primary colours, Red, Green and Blue (RGB) LEDs blended together in different combinations gives the lighting designer loads of colour choices. This is using a principle called Additive Colour Mixing, where the coloured LEDs mix on any surface that reflects the light.
- Small and Compact - LED lighting fixtures can be made in small, discreet packages which suit applications where size and brightness are important such as exhibitions stands.
- High Brightness - This really comes down to the ratio of light brightness to power consumption. The new high powered LEDs are very bright considering small amount of electrical power they use.
So, What Types of LED Lighting Fixture Might I Choose?
For the purposes of stage lighting, the RGB colour mixing (see above) capabilities of the LED fixtue is it’s selling point. The main forms are in a lighting batten, a long strip with an array of red, green and blue LEDs or in a compact array that produces a beam of light, similar to a conventional PAR can or a Floodlight. The batten are useful for lighting up flat areas, such as a wall or backcloth, while the PAR / Flood fixtures will give you a beam of light, similar to their conventional stage lighting relatives.
Moving Light technology has also joined the LED bandwagon, with LED arrays being packaged in all shapes and sizes of “waggly” DMX lighting fixtures. Another stage and theatrical use for the LED is in a large, screen-like array which can be used to show colours, patterns and moving images like a low resolution television screen.
How Do I Control My LED Stage Lighting?
Stage lighting is usually controlled using the standard DMX512 protocol, and LED fixtures are no exception. Different DMX channels control the Red, Green, Blue while other channels may deal with overall instensity or special chases and effects. The LED lights are linked to the DMX signal chain in the same way as other intelligent stage lighting fixtures and do not require extra dimmers to control them.
If you don’t have a DMX lighting controller, many LED stage lighting units can be used in “standalone” mode or can have control locally, using a simple controller/power supply that enable you to change the colour and run simple effects.
What’s the catch about LED stage lights , then?
LED stage lighting is cheaper than ever, uses less power, is smaller and doesn’t get hot. It also offers you a range of light colours, without using lighting gels. What more do you want?
Well, there is a few things you might want to know about LED stage lighting, before you go out and buy a van full.
- LED arrays can’t “focus up” like a conventional lantern. Because there are many sources of light in the fixture, you can’t get a sharp spotlight or project a gobo using an LED fixture.
- The “endless” colour choices have limits. Different LED stage lights have various colours that they just “don’t do”. A good quality white light is one of them. Because of the way that all three colours (RGB) are mixed, a good even white light is near impossible to achieve with most fixtures.
- LED lighting fixtures are bright - but not that bright. Although power for instensity-wise LED stage lighting fixtures are really efficient, they do lack the punch of their conventional lantern relatives (for the moment). A PAR can with LEDs in it is nowhere near as punchy as a PAR64 CP62 (or even a PAR56, for that matter).
- Intensity drops off quicker over distance. Or at least , it appears to. Because most LED lighting units have neither a lens nor a reflector, the light they produce scatters and struggles to maintain intensity when thrown much of a distance.
- Colour mixes better over distance(?). Because the three coloured LEDs need to mix on a surface to create an even light, this mix improves further away from the light source. This produces the dichotomy of a fixture that colours mixes well when it is too far way to mantain a good intensity.
- You get what you pay for. All LED stage lighting fixtures are not the same. Even though you can buy them cheap doesn’t mean that you should and all of the above points are more apparent in cheap LED lighting fixtures. A good quality lighting manufacturer will always be more expensive but, in general, the quality of the light and fixture will be far superior.
While having their faults and limitations, DMX controlled LED lighting fixtures are an important development in the techonology of stage and theatre lighting. They expand the armoury of the lighting designer and will help save the planet - a bit. If you have any thoughts on LED stage lighting or have a question to put to the On Stage Lighting team, please use our comments box below.
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21 Responses to “LED Stage Lighting - Why Buy LED Stage Lights?”
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November 2nd, 2007 at 8:10 am
Hi
I am Scottish and run a trading company in Guangzhou China. Today I visited a factory who manufacture LED lighting for bars and clubs etc. I was really looking for some advice as after reading you web site I think you are an expert in these products. Basically do you think they are any good as I am considering marketing their product.
Thanks in advance
Robert McCairns
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Hi Robert
LED stage lighting products are a growth industry and though we can’t comment on the quality your manufacturers LED products, the availability of cheaper LED stage lights from the Far East is to be welcomed.
In the UK professional lighting industry we currently use LED products of trusted brands that gtry to keep us happy, both with light quality and build quality. The availability of spare parts and after sales service is also important.
The bar and club market have slightly different needs particularly price, ease of use and the ability to make the LED kit work without investing time and money in complex control systems or expensive technicians.
There is room in the fledgling market of LED stage lighting for a range of products for different uses and budgets. As with everything, understanding your market is the key…
Good luck for the future.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Hi
I am thinking of buying a set of Showtec LED Powerbricks and four source four spots using a Zero 88 Dimmer. Could you please suggest what control desk I could use. I have a limited budget this this.
Many Thanks
Martin
February 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi Martin,
Although I have not used the Showtec LED Powerbricks, they are similar to some other small LED lighting battens, such as the ChromaQ ColorBlock. The are controlled via a power supply that can accept a DMX control signal.
LED lighting fixtures are fairly simple, so it is still quite easy to control them from a simple DMX desk, even without specific intelligent lighting features. As most LED products are controlled by few DMX channels (I think the Powerbricks use a maximum of 3 to 5 channels) you could even use a 12 way manual DMX lighting desk.
Another budget solution is to look into a cheap USB to DMX dongles and PC stage lighting controllers.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hi Rob
Thanks for this I will look into this PC software.
Martin
March 26th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I am looking for LED lights that I can use with a portable battery that can be used to shoot videos when lighting conditions are not ideal. Some shoots are outdoors, where the light is more of a fill, though sometimes it will be indoors where the light will be a key. What would you recommend for a portable rig? I don’t mind carrying a battery as large as a car battery if I have to, and the video shoots rarely last over 3 or 4 hours, with the lights being turned on and off. Am I dreaming or is this something feasible?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Shaka,
I suspect that this kind of portable video light will become more available. I am not sure if you can get larger key light sized units at the moment.
You probably know that small handheld LED battery powered lights video lights with diffusion and barndoors are available for ENG work etc. I know that Sony make some.
If you find a source of larger LED video shoot lighting, post back here and let us know.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I am looking for an LED equivalent of a 50/75W halogen stem spot for lighting paintings for art shows. Are there such lights available? How do they compare in price and effectiveness?
May 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am
@ De Anarky
You should search for MR16 replacement LED. These are a direct swap for the “stalk lights” halogen light bulbs you refer to. Sorry for late reply.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Hi,
I’m putting a little project together for a musician friend - he’s about to launch a ‘low carbon footprint album’ (I know) and has asked for a bike onstage to power one stage spotlight of some form. The idea is to con someone in the audience to pedal like mad for a while.
Anyway - I reckon I can get about 30v out of the bike (I’m not sure of the power or current specs yet).
Has anyone got any ideas on what kind of light I could use??
May 16th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hi Oz,
Sounds like a great concept. Some cheap LED units would give you a load of bang for your bike (sorry).
The main thing to look out for is Voltage Regulation and Current Delivery of the bike generator. 12V LED fixtures, for instance, don’t like having 5 volts to 30 volts jumping about all over the place.
Having sorted out a regular voltage and a decent amount of current from your generator, you can pretty much use any low voltage LED kit that fits the bill.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I am designing a youth theater for my churches youth ministry. I want to get a truss with some lights on it and even have maybe some LED washes or tubes on stage. Any ideas on what lights to have on the truss? Also if it would be a good idea to get LC Panels from Martin?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Hi Cory
If you are starting with nothing, LED fixtures/ LC panels are not first on your shopping list. They are expensive “luxuries” that need complex control systems - the sort of equipment that you add when you already have the basics.
Spotlights - Fresnels, PC or Ellipsoidals are standard lights for lighting a stage. The size/power you need depends on the distance to the stage. Or you can use a number of PAR64’s.
LED fixtures are good for washing colour on sets, walls and architecture. You can also use them as truss warmers or to make drum kits look good. LED lighting is not so good for lighting a stage or people for the reason in this article.
Thanks for your comment.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
i have a PROLIGHT DMX BABY JC1 - PROFESSIONAL 64 CHANNEL LIGHTING CONTROLLER and 2 KAM LED 800’s - i am trying to get the led’s programmed and the manual is hard work - i really need some help setting these up - i just want them to work together on either side of a stage or dj rig - HELP!!!! xx
June 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Hi Claire
If you email the user manuals of both the LED’s and the Controller, I will have a look and try to “translate” the important bits. Email is on the About page.
The trouble cheap kit, LED or anything else, are the awful user manuals. Cheap equipment is usually bought by people who need the most help and a lot of the equipment in this market is less than intuitive.
Perhaps there is a market for “translated” stage lighting equipment user manuals….
June 15th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Would you recommend LED for Cyclorama/Backdrop lighting? If so any recommendations for fixtures?
June 16th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Kaiel
LED battens are designed light wide ares like cycs. I quite like the common Thomas Pixeline 1044 but it depends on your budget. Cheaper battens have problems with producing even colour washes.
LED colours are have a certain “look” to them that might seem out of place with some traditional theatre lighting.
I have also seen a number of floodlight style LED fixtures but wouldn’t say that they replaces a single cell cyc flood.
Thanks for your question.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Hi, I am currently setting up my own band to tour with. We are looking to start with bar-type venues but would need lighting that would look professional because we are hoping to progress to play bigger venues. Unfortunately, lighting is not my expertise. I have heard about the LED lighting and have been told that it is the new up-and-coming thing. I want a professional look but do not know where to start. Which are the best makes of LED lighting to buy? How much does a good professional quality LED can cost? How many would you suggest I need to light up a band of about 5+ members. I would be extremely grateful for your comments. Many thanks, Nichola
June 21st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Nichola
LED lighting seems new and exciting and has many benefits, listed above. Starting a small Band Lighting Rig , you would be better off with some cheap PAR56 cans (similar to the 1000W PAR 64, but use less power)some lighting stands and coloured gels.
These are cheap, easy to use and maintain plus you don’t need a great deal of complex control equipment. A small bar band lighting rig can be as small as 2 stands, 8 PAR 56s and some cables. Many suppliers package up several “small band lighting kits” that have everything you need.
Having said that, you can buy dirt cheap LED domestic light fittings and benefit from their low power/heat properties. Being creative with what ever you do buy will make your lighting more professional.
Thanks for your question.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Hi Rob
A company I work with takes plays and monologues into nightclubs. Having just spent a hectic couple of sessions getting to grips with my first Avo (Azure Shadow) and somewhat unpredictable Martin Macs I’ve been told that much of the system is going to be changed to LED fixtures. The club don’t employ any kind of technician, and haven’t got the concept of keeping hold of manuals (despite me asking several times)- is there a beginners guide to working with LED fixtures or would that be specific to the fixtures/ control system? I’d like to know where to start looking if I start getting stuck.
I should say I’m a recent lighting design graduate and have had more practise programming generics.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Hi Marie
LED fixtures are generally simpler to use than full moving lights, like the MACs. There is less to control and think
about when programming. Assuming that the newly installed fixtures will be patched to the clubs Azure, you only really
need to know:
- Where the LED fixtures are patched on the Azure. Which buttons select them.
- what you can do with them ie. Red Green Blue, Strobe, Dimmer etc. You can find this out by selecting the LED fixtures
and then pressing the attribute buttons (beam, colour, effect etc) and reading what appears at the bottom of the screen
reffering to the encoders (wheels). (BTW if, for some reason, the Azure you are using doesn’t have a screen, get one. You can’t really use the desk without it).
- If the fixture personality the desk is using is HTP or LTP. Why you need to know is briefly explained in Led Lighting Control
If you are going to be the one doing the patching , you need to find out a bit more such as:
- The make/model and running mode (often fixtures have different mode setting which affect their control channel mapping)
of the LED fixtures to get the correct Azure fixture
personality from the Avo website.
- The DMX start channels of the fixtures so you can assign them on the desk.
Then off you go, press clear - select LED fixtures - choose “colour” - wind up desired look - hit “record” followed by
the plackback button you want to assign the look too. If you have managed to get your Macs programmed, you will have no
problems with the LED kit. BTW the Azure is pretty awful for easy controlling a decent number of generics.
If you have any specific questions on Avo desks - even the Azure (which I am not a big fan of due to it’s ability to make
experienced Pearl users (ie - me) look like a fumbling idiot) - come back and we can help you out.
Thanks for visiting.