I have had my variance since 2015 and have used lasers as part of my DJ gigs ever since then, always on stage aiming out over the crowd so I don't get to see or enjoy the beams. This is the first time I was hired only to supply lasers and video for someone else's gig. For this event i was able to have lasers font, back and sides for immersive coverage. I have been lucky to be able to attend the last three SELEMs and learned tons of stuff from all the great people I met. If you haven't been yet I highly recommend going this year. So I wanted to share some pictures and videos and get everyone's thoughts, and what I could do different or better next time.
The setup took quite some time because it was in a venue I had never been in before. Also, it was a 100' cable run from Front of House to the lasers on stage, and it was about 80' runs from FOH to the lasers aimed from sides. I used one FB3 (door prize I won at my 1st SELEM 2017 - thanks Adam!) for 2 FOH lasers, one FB3 for 2 side lasers and a QM.NET for the 100' run to the 2 stage lasers. Lots of walking back and forth, and up and down stairs. Now that I have the placement and best routing figured out, it will go much faster next time. I used heavy duty c-clamps that wrap around the truss/pipe supports for mounting all the lasers, and then added a braided steel safety cable since they would be hanging over people's heads. All cables were taped down with "no residue" stage tape.
The pictures and videos are from during setup while the venue was closed before I got the safety zones dialed in. Unfortunately once the gig started I was too busy to get any pics/video with a crowd in the room.
For control I used my 17" touch screen laptop running Beyond with a second monitor and mouse for a separate workspace page. Since the gig I have purchased an AKAI APC40 because I'm a gear nerd and because the laptop touchscreen is hard to use without pushing the laptop over - its not heavy enough. I like the idea of real buttons and knobs, but now that I have the APC40 and have tried it out, I'm not sure about using it since you have to look at the laptop screen and then the APC and push the right button - requires quick hand eye coordination. I'm considering just using my Dell All-in-one 27" touchscreen as the PC and controller. I'm curious what others are using touchscreen vs APC40? The main downside of using the all-in-one is the brightness. I have used it to dj and didn't like it because I like to be in the dark...not all lit up by a giant tv screen. However, it is heavy, won't tip over and its large size makes cues easy to see and press.
Anyway, here's some pics and video.....
Play in 1080p for best looks
Stage looking at FOH
360 walk around
Some are from stage looking at FOH and some are from FOH looking at the Stage and video screen.