Lighting & Decorations

Unfortunately, there comes a time when everything breaks, and the same is definitely true of music gear, whether it’s speakers, valve amplifiers, or your electric guitar or bass. In the worst case, you’ll need to get it fixed by a professional, but there are some smaller, more simple repairs that you can actually carry out yourself. With a voltmeter, a soldering iron and a little solder on your side, you can get more done than you might think.

Gaffer tape or duct tape? Line up a few rolls of each and you won’t be able to tell the difference but as soon as you get them in your hands, you’ll immediately know which is which. This isn’t much of a surprise since they are in fact completely different things. So, while duct tape is known for being able to fix any of the world’s problems, why is it that lighting and sound technicians turn to gaffer tape instead? We explain all in this little slip of a blog!

If the Winter looks more like a grey Autumn and you’re left yearning for a nice, thick blanket of crisp snow, then why not give mother nature the break she deserves and take things into your own hands with a snow machine? Even if it’s not to save Christmas, a snow machine adds a festive vibe to any party, film shoot, or event. Here, we offer an answer to the ten most frequently asked questions about snow machines.

No big bash, gig, or performance would be complete without some nice, big plumes of smoke to fully accentuate the lighting show or just add a dramatic touch of atmosphere. A good smoke machine is simply essential if you want to throw a memorable party. But how do you get the very best performance out of your smoke machine for as long as possible? Here, we offer 5 Golden Rules for operating and maintaining your smoke machine, so it can continue to belch out fog for as long as possible.

It’s often only after the sun starts sinking that your house or garden party starts getting truly atmospheric. From that moment on, you’re in control of the light. Guest blogger Menno is here to tell you about the do’s and don’ts of party lighting, spanning everything from simple birthday get-togethers to all-out dance and karaoke parties. Menno covers atmosphere, designated areas, LEDs versus light bulbs, and the use of effects.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably encountered a smoke machine at an event, party or gig before. You might also have wondered if it’s dangerous, or if the smoke it spits out is possibly a health risk. In this blog, I’ll tell you how safe smokes machines are and what kind of qualifications they need to meet. Let’s find out how much truth there is to “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

When you decide to upgrade your lighting set-up with a DMX controller, you’re going to need the right cables. And as a quick Google search will tell you, it’s all about two cables: DMX, and XLR cables. Here, we’ll explain the difference between both, and help you decide which one you need when, and where.

Whether you’re doing gigs with your band or you’re a DJ doing drive-in shows, lighting is an essential component for the right atmosphere. But what kind of stage lighting creates that right kind of vibe for your event? Pars, blinders, strobes, moonflowers, derby effects, moving heads, scanners, lasers, halogen lights, LED lighting…it’s intimidating how many options there are to choose from. Guest blogger Bo Janssens helps you figure out your ideal on-stage lighting set-up.

For some time now, DJ-ing has long been as much about the show as it is about what you play or what kind of effects you throw in. You’re never going to blow minds by just hitting play and sipping a cocktail. As such and especially for mobile Djs, the standard setup has expanded to include some pretty progressive lighting gear. Guestblogger and DJ, Brian (BRIVE) shares some of his experiences and tips to help guide you through what’s out there and to elevate your show and make sure your name, as well your tunes, stick in the heads of your crowd.

Halloween is just around the corner! It’s that time of year again when we open up the old costume chest or pay a visit to the fancy dress shop to find the perfect outfit that’ll scare the pants off our followers on Instagram. If you’re planning on hosting a Halloween party this year, then you’ve got a fun challenge ahead of you in terms of lighting. Your party guests are expecting to be scared silly, which means you’ll need to transform your home into a convincingly creepy haunted house. I’m here to show you the light!

By now, everyone knows when Halloween is celebrated (spoiler alert: it’s 31st October!) Hosting a Halloween party is becoming an increasingly popular activity, but what do you need to pull off a successfully spooky party? In this blog, I’ll tell you all about the history of Halloween and which Halloween products are just the thing to celebrate this fun and frightening holiday! Best of all, a killer party doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg!

A very valid question that is often asked by those interested in buying lasers and laser equipment is: How safe are they, really? Are there risks involved when using lasers? In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of lasers available, what the safety rules are, and what you should pay close attention to as an operator or a spectator.