Understanding the Technology Behind Moving Head Disco Lights

Moving head disco lights are an essential part of any discotheque or nightclub. They create a dynamic and exciting atmosphere that can get people moving. But how do these lights work? What technology is behind them?

This article will delve into the technology behind moving head disco lights. We will discuss the different types of lights, the motors that move them, and the control systems that make it all possible.

Types of Moving Head Disco Lights

There are two main types of moving head disco lights: scanners and beam projectors. Scanners use a mirror to reflect light in different directions, while beam projectors use a lens to focus light into a beam. Both types of lights can be moved in a variety of ways, including panning, tilting, and rotating.

Scanners

Scanners are the most common type of moving head disco light. They are relatively inexpensive and can create a wide variety of effects. Scanners use a mirror to reflect light in different directions. The mirror is mounted on a motor that can move it in two directions: panning and tilting. This allows the scanner to create a variety of effects, including:

Spotlights: A spotlight is a narrow beam of light that can be used to highlight a person or object on stage.

Wash lights: A wash light is a wide beam of light that can be used to illuminate a large area.

Gobos: Gobos are metal templates that can be placed in front of the mirror to create patterns of light.

Effects: Scanners can also be used to create a variety of effects, such as strobes, chases, and color changes.

Beam Projectors

Beam projectors are a newer type of moving head disco light. They are more expensive than scanners, but they can create more powerful and focused beams of light. Beam projectors use a lens to focus light into a beam. The lens is mounted on a motor that can move it in two directions: panning and tilting. This allows the beam projector to create a variety of effects, including:

Spotlights: A spotlight is a narrow beam of light that can be used to highlight a person or object on stage.

Beam effects: Beam projectors can create a variety of beam effects, such as laser beams, gobos, and color changes.

Aerial effects: Beam projectors can also be used to create aerial effects, such as mid-air beams and gobo projections.

Motors

The motors that move moving head disco lights are very important. They must be powerful enough to move the lights quickly and accurately, but they must also be small and lightweight enough to fit inside the light fixture. The most common type of motor used in moving head disco lights is the stepper motor.

Stepper Motors

Stepper motors are brushless DC motors that move in discrete steps. This makes them ideal for moving head disco lights, as they can be used to precisely control the position of the light. Stepper motors are also relatively inexpensive and easy to control.

Control Systems

The control system for a moving head disco light is responsible for sending commands to the motors that move the light. The control system can be either analog or digital.

Analog Control Systems

Analog control systems use a series of potentiometers to control the position of the light. Potentiometers are variable resistors that can be used to change the voltage sent to the motors. This changes the speed and direction of the motors, which in turn changes the position of the light.

Digital Control Systems

Digital control systems use a computer to control the position of the light. The computer sends commands to the motors that move the light, and the motors move the light accordingly. Digital control systems are more precise than analog control systems, and they can also be used to create more complex light shows.

Conclusion

Moving head disco lights are an essential part of any discotheque or nightclub. They create a dynamic and exciting atmosphere that can get people moving. The technology behind moving head disco lights is complex, but it is also very interesting. By understanding the technology, you can better appreciate the power of these amazing lights.