Members cwatson Posted April 6, 2008 Members Share Posted April 6, 2008 Basically a mate from another band has just asked me, if there is anyway in which he can have 3 stobes positioned on stage, but turn them on all simultaneously from say a footswitch so they can be turned on at exactly the right time in a song etc. Is there any way of kinda doing this on a budget, say modifying an extension lead by put a foot switch in the middle? I'd be a bit worried about wiring up to deal with mains if i were in his position. Any ideas/ products ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NeonVomit Posted April 6, 2008 Members Share Posted April 6, 2008 Don't know of any, but keep in mind that you'll have to put a warning up on the door saying that there will be flashing lights. We did that once at a gig when we were 16 and this kid in the crowd had an epileptic fit. His mum went bezerk and threatened to call the cops on us Although quite what he was doing at a gig where there would be flashing lights (of some sort anyway) is beyond me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cwatson Posted April 6, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 6, 2008 Yeah we're well aware of that, theres also a certain frequency that is particularly effective at setting off people with photosensitive epilepsy which your not supposed to use I can't remember what it is off my head though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike fitzwell Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Find a power strip with a switch on it big enough to be able to turn it on and off with your foot. Cheapest thing I can think of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Yeah we're well aware of that, theres also a certain frequency that is particularly effective at setting off people with photosensitive epilepsy which your not supposed to useI can't remember what it is off my head though Just from what I know dealing with strobes on fire alarm systems, if the strobe lights are in sync with one another, they don't pose as much of a risk, and as such many jurisdictions require fire alarm strobes to be synchronized. However, when you're dealing with stage strobe effects, you have to take into account that you're going to play hell getting more than one light synchronized without a dedicated control unit, and even then, you're having to deal with oddball factors like reflections, which can cause a strobing effect to seem "out of phase", the same as being out of sync. I personally can't handle strobe lights; I'm not epileptic, but I've fallen down at concerts where they used them. One second I'm watching the stage intently, the next second I'm on the ground. Weird...C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist_with_ Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 just ask someone who knows about electronics to wire it up for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DevilRaysFan Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Punch SP/ST and DP/DT switches can be found at Radio Shack if you want to build one. Also, MBT makes a floor on/off contoller........but if you really want to go the "el-cheap-o" route, check Warehouse Closeout stores (like Big Lots) or eBay: What you are looking for is a zip extention cord (14 guage THHN - basically, a lamp cord-style) that has a footswitch or large punch switch built into it It looks like this: http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/12-33-outdoor-extension-cords/stanley-tappermax-green-extension-cord-289140.aspx - they are usually sold as a seasonal accessory (Christmas and Halloween are usually when you can find them), but Im almost sure an internet search would find one, although it will have to be a thorough search (theres a link to one above). Add a 3-way to the recepticle-end (if it doesnt have one) and you are good to go....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philthygeezer Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I hate strobes. They make my head hurt and I feel sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TimmyP Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Strobes were cool 30 years ago. Nowadays - not so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tacobear Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I know a band from the UK called Devil Sold His Soul and they use strobes as part of their live show. Check out their myspace and drop them a message asking what they use. i think using strobes can be really effective but the trick is not to over do it and make everyone feel sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Super Bass Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I was at a gig the other night that used strobes, they were ok but maybe went on for a little too long. I wouldn't advise using them for a whole gig if you are, maybe for the last song or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cwatson Posted April 7, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Cheers guys, just the kinda thing I was looking for, as I said it not for my band but yeah. I have no idea how getting them synchronised would work unless there were three seperate outs from the discharge coil or however they work. With three seperate (budget units) I see this could pose a problem in terms of syncing. I suggested to the guy that maybe one good quality strobe would be enough rather than three POS strobes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I hate strobe lights. They are so very annoying. I feel like I'm going to have a seizure when they go off, and I don't have epilepsy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Apendecto Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I've always wanted to have a band where I'm drumming and have a short ape {censored} solo with strobes on me. I've never been a fan of blasting the audience with them but I love how motion looks under them. Yo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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