Karaoke Forums

I have invested in some new lights. I have to admit that I know very little about lights. Until now, I have owned all "hot" lights, but I just got a couple LEDs and plan on getting some LED cans when I have $600 to spend on them.

Anyway, so I was looking at some YouTube videos about lighting basics. A light fog really accents the lights.

My question is: does anyone in here use fog for karaoke? Have some of you used fog and decided it wasn't a good idea?

The show that I was thinking about using it in: I have installed some cans on the ceiling in front of the stage. I also have some rope lights behind it and an Eliminator/Mushroom for the dance floor.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

IMO fog would be distracting to the more serious singers and the drunk ones won't care. Seriously though, it depends totally on the venue. Many fog machines set off the smoke alarm systems and we have had to stop using them for that reason. You don't want the venue hit with a false fire call that could cost them (and maybe you) a $250 fine - the fire department is not happy when they respond to an alarm and it's some DJ trying to "set the mood" in a bar.

Yep, we used to use fog and actually had someone who was unusually highly allergic to the smoke that it produced and went into seizures and passed out. Even though I think that might have been an isolated incident, that was the last time we used it.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I run a charity haunted house every year and we use fog. Froggy's Fog is one of best manus of fog fluid available and has many different applications. Fast dissipating, long lasting, and even some specific to DJ and lighting effects.

All there fog is made from lab-grade UV-Filtered de-ionized water and pharmaceutical grade chemicals, and we've not had any issues with asthmatics due to fog.

If your looking for fog I'd recommend checking them out.

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My statements, opinions and conclusions are based on my own personal experiences, observations, research and/or just my own $.02. I'm not a "cheerleader", but that doesn't make me a Pirate.

Fog / Smoke is nothing of the sort.
It is a manipulated steam.
Should not set off a smoke alarm.
Unless it is a really cheap one.
On it's own very acrid and annoying
but when used with a flavour is really nice.
A flavour saves it totally. Not acrid at all.
A haze machine is better because it disperses the steam
and the eye accepts it better.
If you have a smoke / Fog machine, put a fan in front of it
and turn it into a hazer.
That is really all the difference is.

I use a lot of lighting and effects.
95% of which would be useless without a dense atmosphere.
I have to say use it.
Beams can not be seen without it.

I only use fog for teenage parties/dances and Halloween. I don't think it's at all necessary for regular Karaoke shows.

Birdofsong

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Birdofsong

You are right.
You don't need it.
No one does.
I just happen to like it.
The pic. is the back lighting at my last few gigs.
I use side par 64 LED's for a singer.
Yes. I do it for me.

With the absence of smoke in the bars these days, a fog machine is pretty much the only way to get the lighting effects.

I wonder if one were to put some of that electronic cigarette fluid in the fog machine if it would decrease the frequency that people would go out to smoke?

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KNOW THYSELF

I like your lights, but what exactly are we looking at. Are we looking right at the stage and the singer sings in front of those lights?

And that's what I am talking about. Those effects can only happen with fog.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

I think it totally depends on the venue. My Friday night gig is ideal for lights and fog. It really adds to the "show" atmosphere and the people their love it. Without the fog the lights are useless imho.

My Tuesday night gig is in a tiny tavern and we cater to an older crowd there. Lights and fog aren't necessary.

I say if your gonna use lights then fog/hazer are a must!

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Sound Choice and Chartbuster Certified

AMERICAN DJ MISTER KOOL SMOKE LOW LYING FOG MACHINE


That's my new baby. Little ice in it and the fog lays low. I like fog for my lights. It creates the beams in the air for my laser as well as my American DJ Comscan LED systerm Scanner lights. Can't play them everywhere, some owners are afraid it will set the alarm and sprinklers off.

I wish I could find good fog for less than 20 bux a gallon. I don't want to buy 50 gallons to get a price break. Suggestions?

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

I have another question...

I use Aggressors & Mushrooms by Eliminator. The first ones I purchased were used, and I just bout another brand new by a local dealer. He told me that these lights are supposed to be in 10 minute on/10 minute off cycles due to heat. I have been searching everywhere, including the information that was in the box, as well as trying to find this information on some of the websites that sell them. Nowhere does it say that these are supposed to be 10 on/10 off.

Is he wrong? Have you heard of this for these lights? They use 2-300 watt bulbs, but I usually only use one at a time.

Thanks.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

with Halogen lights, 10 on 10 off is the recommended duty cycle. it is usually hidden in the back of the manuals by the warranty under specs. LED lights do not have these restrictions obviously.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Yeah but then it shortened the rotation. JK.

Never seen it. And like mentioned, it seems distracting. And I could see it bothering the "serious" singers, as mentioned too, , that show up.

I'd say save the $$

Yes, you are looking at the stage, the lights are my back drop.
I use a LED par 64 each side of the singer to light them.
It blinds them but they like it.
The amount of photo's people take is incredible.

I think if I could not use beams, I would not do karaoke.
It is important that I enjoy what I do.
The extra effort and expense is worth it to me.
It makes me happy.

So you use just 1 on each side? Looks like more than just two cans back there!

Also, do you point it at their front side or their back side?

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

maybe it depends if she has a cute backside

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

What you can see is two of my 4 head miracled but the beams from all of them.
They are not for lighting the singer.
They look pretty and silhouette the singer really well.

I use a stratos spot each side level with the singer.
They are panel led's probably equal to 2 x par 64's each.
They light the singers face just fine.
It would be rare that I use lighting forward of the singer.
I have one that I would only power up when there is a crowd on stage.

Sorry but I disagree 110%! My singers like my fog, I've never had a negative comment about it. I'm not saying " I could see it,,," I'm speaking from actual experience and I would never knock something I haven't personally tried.

We are looking to create an atmosphere of a big time singer on stage. Great sound, great lights and effects and a singer. I can't use it everywhere but I do when I can unless it's a gig such as a nursing home or what not. I do get positve feedback, never negative!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Yes he is correct in telling you that. Not sure why Eliminator does not specifiy that but a lot of non led effects lighting have duty rates/times. I cycle mine 1 song on 1 song off seems to work pretty well I havent burned one out yet had them for quite a few years now. As far as fog it really brings out the lighting but I do not use it at my karaoke shows. Im just too lazy to bring it along and set it up.