Moving head light fixture is one of the most common used lighting fixture in stage performance. It belongs to a type of stage lights. So before we come to the definition of moving head lights, we need to know what are stage lights.
What are stage lights?
We’ll just make a brief introduction of the stage lights in this article, a for full explaination is available in another article.
Stage lights, normally called stage lighting instruments or stage luminaire, are special designed lighting fixture that apply to the stages of corporate events, theatre, opera, concert, trade shows and other performance arts. They can be classified as moving head lights, par can lights, strip lights(bar lights), spot lights(fresnels, ellipsoidal lights, followpsots etc). And according to it’s light source, there is LED stage lights and traditional lamp-based stage lights.
In a broad sense, special effects like fog machine, laser light can also be called stage lights.
Definition of moving head lights
Moving head light is also known as intelligent lights. Other expression you might hear is moving heads, moving lights. It is a stage lighting fixture that has automated or mechanical abilities to be controlled in movement like pan(horizontal movement or X), tilt(vertical movement or Y) and even Z axis, as well as functions like zoom, focus, color wheel, spinning gobo wheel. Head movement includes the ability to physically move the beam effect of light around the stage.
Common features of moving head lights
According to the function, most moving head lights have all or at least some of the listed features below. These features can be assigned to its control channels of the software.
- Pan
- Pan fine
- Tilt
- Tilt fine
- Pan Tilt speed
- Dimmer
- Shutter(Strobe)
- Zoom
- Focus
- Iris
- Static Gobo
- Rotating Gobo
- Gobo rotation
- Color wheel
- Colors(Red, Green…)
- Prism
- Frost
- Reset
- …
How to control a moving head light?
There are several ways to control a moving head lights. Control via the push buttons in the display menu, through sound mode, automatic program. The most common way is to connect a lighting console and through signal cable or wireless signal. The console signal sends data to the fixture and the fixture then takes this signal and translates it into internal signals which are sent to the many stepper motors or chips located inside.
DMX controller
Many moving head lights can be controlled using a DMX controller, which is a device that sends DMX signals to the light via a DMX cable. The DMX controller allows you to adjust various parameters of the light, such as its brightness, color, and pan and tilt positions.
DMX protocol are the most common way of controlling moving head lights. By using twisted pair, shielded cable plus XLR male and female connectors. XLR connectors are available at 3-Pin XLR and 5-Pin XLR for stage lights.
Each stage lighting fixture is assigned a set of DMX channels. The central lighting console transmits data on these channels which the stage light fixtures interprets as value settings for each of its many variables like pan, tilt, zoom, gobo, colors…
Standalone mode
Some moving head lights have a standalone mode(also called auto program or preset programs), which means they can be controlled without DMX controller. Under the standalone mode, the fixture may have built-in buttons or a display screen that allows you to adjust its settings directly.
Remote control
Some moving head lights come with a remote control, which allows you to adjust the light’s settings from a certain distance.
Voice control
Also known as sound activate. The moving head light have built-in receiver which makes it possible to receive and response with the sound.
In general, the specific method of control will depend on its features and capabilities of the particular moving head light you are using. It is always a good idea to refer to the light’s manual or documentation to understand the available control options.
Types of moving head lights
Classified by the shape of the light that produced, there are three main types of moving head lights: beam, wash, spot(profile). But as the development of the industry, it is more and more difficult to classify a moving head. Hybrid moving heads are more and more plpular nowdays.
Beam: Produces a super thin and fat beam effect of light through the air.
Spot: Create a spot or gobo with very sharp edge. Usually a spot moving head comes with static gobo wheel, rotating gobo wheel, color wheel, Iris.
Profile: A profile moving head has the same function of a spot light with additional features of framing shutters.
Wash: Has a soft edge and do not come with the precise beam control options that your spot or beam have. They typically are used when needing to light a large area.
Hybrid: This light includes a mix of different styles of beam, wash, and spot/profile. With its design to be a multipurpose light, it won’t be the strongest spot, wash, or beam fixture when compared to a fixture that has one primary function.
Effects: There are many different types of effect lighting fixtures, but for the purposes of this article, we categorized them by their ability to have individual pixel control, 360° pan and/or tilt, or unique built-in effects. They are usually used when you want to see the fixture itself as opposed to its output.
The history of moving head lights
Moving Heads offer an intense LED beam effect to your productions, and are used by countless lighting designers, club owners, stage shows and mobile DJ entertainers around the world. If you are looking to add visual flare to your light shows, you can rest assure that our extensive range of moving heads will add that professional touch, guaranteed!
The history of moving head lights can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, when stage lighting began to evolve beyond simple fixed fixtures. Early examples of moving head lights were large and bulky, requiring mechanical parts such as motors and gears to move the light source. These early lights were primarily used in theater and television productions.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the development of digital technology revolutionized the stage lighting industry, leading to the creation of more advanced and compact moving head lights. These newer lights used digital servo motors and electronic control systems to move and position the light beam, allowing for more precise and complex lighting effects.
Today, moving head lights are a common sight at live events, and they continue to evolve with new technologies and design innovations. They are widely used in a variety of settings, including concerts, theater, television, and corporate events, and are a key component of many stage lighting designs.
Best moving head lights
There are many different types of moving head lights that are available on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular moving head lights include:
- Martin MAC Aura: An award-winning wash light that lighting designers have turned to the world over due to its versatility as a powerful beam and wash luminaire of the highest caliber.
- Martin MAC Viper Performance: This is a high-end moving head light that is often used in concerts and other large events. It has a bright LED source and a wide range of color and effects options.
- Clay Paky – Sharpy: A high-power moving beam light with a brightness of approximately 19,700 lumens. It is equipped with a motorized focus and a beam angle of 2.5 degrees, making it capable of producing extremely narrow and intensely bright beams of light. Sharpy is often used in concerts, stage shows, and other live events to create dramatic lighting effects. It is manufactured by Clay Paky, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting equipment based in Italy.
- Robe Pointe: A hybrid moving head made by Robe. It create beam, spot and wash 3-in1 effects.
- ADJ Inno Spot Pro: This is a versatile moving head light that is suitable for a wide range of applications. It has a bright LED source and a range of color and beam effects.
- Chauvet DJ Intimidator Spot 355Z IRC: This is a compact and lightweight moving head light that is suitable for small to medium-sized venues. It has a bright LED source and a range of color and beam effects.
Ultimately, the best moving head light for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. It’s important to consider factors such as the size and type of venue you will be using the light in, the type of event you will be using it for, and your personal preferences.
Top moving heads manufactures
There are several manufacturers of moving head lights, which are a type of stage lighting fixture that can move and change colors and patterns. Some of the top manufacturers of moving head lights include:
- Vari-Lite: A brand of professional stage lighting equipment. It is known for its high-quality, reliable, and innovative lighting fixtures, which are used in a wide range of settings, including theaters, concerts, television studios, and other live events. The company was founded in 1976 and has a long history of producing top-of-the-line lighting products for the entertainment industry. Vari-Lite is known for its moving head fixtures, which allow the user to control the direction and intensity of the light, as well as its color-changing capabilities.
- Martin Professional: A Danish company that has been producing lighting equipment for over 40 years. Martin is known for their high-quality moving head lights, which are used in a variety of settings, including concert tours, television shows, and theater productions.
- Clay Paky: An Italian company that has been producing lighting equipment since 1976. Clay Paky is known for their innovative moving head lights, which are used in a variety of settings, including concerts, sporting events, and TV shows.
- ROBE Lighting: A Czech-based company that designs and manufactures professional lighting equipment for the entertainment industry. Founded in the Czech Republic in 1991, the company has grown to become a leading provider of lighting solutions for a wide range of applications, including concerts, theater, television, and film production. Robe’s products include moving lights, LED fixtures, control systems, and accessories for lighting professionals.
- Chauvet: A US-based company that has been producing lighting equipment for over 30 years. Chauvet is known for their wide range of moving head lights, which are used in a variety of settings, including live events, clubs, and theaters.
- ADJ: A US-based company that produces a wide range of lighting and audio equipment for the entertainment industry. ADJ is known for their high-quality moving head lights, which are used in a variety of settings, including clubs, concerts, and theater productions.
- Elation Professional: A US-based company that produces a wide range of lighting and audio equipment for the entertainment industry. Elation is known for their high-quality moving head lights, which are used in a variety of settings, including concerts, clubs, and theater productions.
