Focus

In perfect synchrony

Lighting in discotheques has evolved over the years with some help of technology. Sanjeev Bhar throws some light on the changing lighting patterns

Despite sparkling silver balls and innumerable bulbs flashing in synchronisation with the music, discotheques aren't associated with too much illumination - the less there is, the better it is.

But less light doesn't automatically mean good light play; too less light and you risk making the place look downmarket, too much of light and it might look garish and cheap. To get that perfect mix of light, one needs new technologies and advanced systems. Disco lighting offers fair scope for experimentation. It needn't follow a set pattern and can be worked out according to the space in question, its theme, its clientele, the type of music played, etc.

Avinash Deshmukh, F&B manager at ITC Hotel Park Sheraton & Towers in Chennai, says, "Lighting has to be constantly updated according to changing music patterns and events. For example, for a conventionally Indian night, we would use vibrant colours to highlight the costumes worn by the crowd; in an electronic music set up, more strobe lights would be used along with programmed and synchronised scanners and moving heads, and sober lights would be used for a retro night."

The light projection is suffixed with acrylic devices like prisms, prism rotators and mirrors. The ambience could be changed into various forms from psychedelic to hallucinogenic. Referring to the hotel's discotheque Dublin, Deshmukh says, "The lighting programmes are changed every month and the positions every six months, giving the light jockey new programmes to suit his creative needs.”

Lighting up

Computerised systems like DMX (digital mixing console) offer operators a range of combinations, which can be controlled via a remote control. Naushad Alam of R K International in Delhi says, "Earlier, discotheque lighting systems were analogue-based. Now we have shifted to digital applications where the signals received, whether sound or light, remains continuous. The speed of flash blinks and brightness levels can be controlled through set programmes using software."

Dublin uses a digital lighting controller (TAS DMX Compact Desk) that enables the light jockey to control upto 24 lights on the fly. Alam explains, "The job of light control has been simplified due to digital technology programming, which provides access to multiple choices through various mix-n-match combinations. We can modulate the intensity depending upon the stage environment i.e. intensity of people gyrating to the music."

The LEDs (lighting emitting diodes - the tiny bulbs) are considered better than ordinary incandescent bulbs and fit easily into an electrical circuit. They light up solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material and also last long. Strobe lighting is another high powered option that can have powerful linear tubes (where light is beamed through a linear parabolic reflector). All controls in lighting, dimmers and animation products are made suitable for controlling and dimming low voltage LEDs, incandescent lamps, neon and fluorescent lights.

Technologically yours

Making the lighting synchronise with the music requires various applications. The colour formula of yellow, magenta and cyan is applicable for generating hues in a disco floor. Some lights are specifically placed for flashing and their speed is electronically controlled. The system also includes special effects to obtain best results on dark surfaces. Simultaneously, use of moving mirrors and moving optic projectors, set on two levels and different projections enables light to reach every area of a disco.

Alam says, "The flexi-flash technology offers a long tube containing strobe circuits linked to the main light control, which generates light play creating different zones. These flexi-flash tubes can also be used to form letters and other shapes." He also feels that laser techniques are trendy and can be synchronised with the music. "It is perfect for parties where company names and logos need to be displayed," he adds. Fogger machines have added to the lighting feature as well for presentations along with rotary lights that give rainbow effects.

An important aspect in handling lights is the selection of a good lighting controller because it helps to synchronise and program the lights. "In order to place the images at the desired location and assign the respective effects the most preferred gadgets are digital controllers, as they can be linked with the computer making them accessible on the fly. There are no fixed techniques in controlling lights; once you are comfortable with the controller, the rest is all about using one's skill and experience to synchronise them well," says Deshmukh.

Thus the digital mode helps light jockeys to change the ambience and mood according to the flow of music. Lighting is a potent tool to enhance indoor environment. A lot of emphasis should be laid on having glass that enables reflection of light and adds charm.

However, lighting should be viewed holistically. Just because discos are associated with dance floors, other areas shouldn't be neglected:

Bar counter: These must use backdrop lights with sober colours that blend with the décor of the disco. Lights should not be too bright to overshadow the dance floor. They should preferably be colour washers.

Entrance: It should be attractive and visually pleasing to the eyes; its colour must be according to the décor of the place.

Fire exits: It should always have a bright color like white or red.

Staircase: LED bulbs of a colour that suits the décor of the disco could be used.

DJ cabin: Standalone white focus lights are used to illuminate the DJ box and controls, although colours can vary depending upon the DJ's preference and décor.