Lighting and such

[vendettav]

So I wanna do something with my studio. It's a mixing room, and not one of those oldschool huge console rooms you know. Anyways, I'm thinking of something cool for my studio,, definitely to be with LEDs, suggest me any cool lighting projects, weird strobe effects and whatnot count too !!!!

[haveyouseenhim]

Maybe some superbright led tape controlled by a micro controller.

or google EL tape  (electroluminescent tape)    fun stuff     I have been wanting to wrap a stomp box in it. it would be an amazing bypass indicator   

[ashcat_lt]

I've always fantasized about a completely DC powered studio.  AFAIK, all the gear I use ultimately runs off of DC.  Sure, it may plug into the AC outlet, but that is converted to DC at some point - either a wallwart or built in PSU.  Lighting could be as easy as LEDs or automotive lighting.  Seems like this would cut way down on 60 cycle hum issues!

That EL tape/wire is intriguing, but it's high-voltage AC powered, and the power frequency is right around 1K Hz.  If you think 60 cycle hum is annoying, imagine having it right at the frequency to which your ear is most sensitive!

[Mustachio]

I think your best bet might be these 5050 RGB led lighting strips that come in 5 meter reels.

I picked up a 5m reel with a little controler/remote control/power supply for 10 bucks last year. Now that was an insane price and maybe a mistake by the seller on ebay. I haven't seen them that cheap again.

But that being said its still pretty cheap to light up a room this way. I think you can generally get standard 5050 RGB on a reel thats 5M long for about 15 bucks and the controler with remote is about 5 bucks and the power supply about 5 bucks. Overall pretty cheap.

Its adhesive backed and the best way to install them for a room like your wanting is to put them on the top side of crown molding/ trim work. that way it will be hidden ambient lighting against the ceiling and will light up the room to which ever color you choose. Also it does fading flashing etc.

So about 25-30 bucks you could set up 16.5 feet of lighting that changes colors. Or buy a lamp....

Hardware stores etc are selling 1 and 2 foot kits like this for 50 bucks and up! Its crazy! just look on ebay

Also If you really want crazy nice lighting like that Look up the Dream color rgb , It has an IC at every LED and will let you control the lighting much much more precise. Its just a bit more expensive.

Tayda actually has these lighting strips as well , I just think its one of the few things they have that are slightly over priced. I only say that because if you shop around or order from china its much cheaper.


:::edit:::

Here's just one of many

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-5050-5M-No-Waterproof-SMD-Flexible-LED-Strip-Light-150-leds-24Key-Controller-/271143476268?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item3f21691c2c

And the dream IC version

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-5050-RGB-Dream-color-6803-IC-LED-Strip-Light-Waterproof-DC-12V-For-XMas-Party-/170950842866?pt=US_String_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item27cd76d9f2

[dirtysteev]

Go for function first (ie quiet), not what looks cool. Anything that has a dimmer or a transformer has potential for bad noise. Incandescent and 120V track are both pretty quiet. There are quiet LED's on the market, but not all are. I have some in my house that are terrible noisy, and they were expensive. I like the above idea about DC lighting.

[Nasse]

http://www.meethue.com/en-US

[vendettav]

fun stuff so far, sadly enough I ca't find any reels shipping to this country im in right now. I'll try the stores but I imagine it's gonna be expensive here. guess I'll just put a few more LEDs and leave the rest of the room dark (:

may be put on some trannies so that some of the LEDs can flash to the music

[petey twofinger]

i like this idea very much .

i have a darkroom timer that runs my nightime lighting which is a collection of junk . red automotive tail lamp assemblies i got free from a job . remove the led boards , hide them behind the desk / furniture , i use something like a lap top power supply for those tail lamps . a few other old psychedelic lamps , a few tube black lights , heat spinner , this one odd lamp is like a plasma tube , its blue , i put it in a rustic wood box with an odd patern glass .

the tail lamps put a lot of lumens out , if thats the right word .

i also have 5 "dream machine " sound things with external speakers , i run a few different sounds , but the effect is i can sleep .

the night lighting is very , very nice , the timer really pulls it together as well . nothing has bursted into flames yet , and its been , oh 8 years .

[EATyourGuitar]

PWM controllers and LED can sometimes create all sorts of problems in a studio but that all depends on how you build it. I would stay away from PWM and use as much power as you want. your still using less power than incandescent.

[vendettav]

What is your opinion on blacklight LEDs guys?!

[deadastronaut]

What is your opinion on blacklight LEDs guys?!

too weak imo...tube is better.