Ask Alfred
Back in Black

Black lighting comes back stronger and more versatile than ever with ADJ’s range of UV fixtures – but how can you benefit?

UV black lighting is a classic effect that seems like it won’t ever die. But it’s just a gimmick, right? When you’re looking at your lightshow – how to improve it, how to change it, how to make it more versatile – you may be asking yourself, “Why do I need black lights?”

Capable of transforming any room and enhancing any atmosphere, black lights are used by lighting designers, stage productions and mobile entertainers to offer audiences and customers new levels of excitement, often when used as décor- or flood lighting as part of their light show. Halloween parties and haunted houses go without saying, of course, but there are loads of other great uses for UV – both as part of a permanent install or part of a mobile lightshow. Black lighting can be found at white parties, glow parties, school dances, and is even starting to trend at weddings. It can also be utilized in a number of permanent installs: glow bowling, fun centers, laser tag and miniature golf can all benefit from UV lighting. Not only does it appeal to the younger clientele that they target but also creates atmosphere and pizazz, appealing to customers no matter what their age.

There are countless ways for ADJ to help you achieve effective black lighting, with our range offering battery powered and wired fixtures, a choice of total DMX-control or the simplicity of ‘plug and play’, and even the option to simply swap the bulbs in your Par38 metal cans for UV bulbs.

Imagine how much more fun bowling is when you’re playing on lanes washed with candescent UV glow… or how much harder you party when the dance-floor is bathed in black light… or how cool the bar looks when the drinks bubble in exotic UV purples, blues and greens. Linear ‘plug and play’ UV fixtures, such as our ECO UV Bar Plus IR and ECO UV Bar 50 IR, are perfect for lining bowling alleys, bars and dance-floors, or for washing stages, creating vibrant washes of UV light to enhance the atmosphere, whatever the venue. For ease of use and further control, the included IR remote lets you push the possibilities even further.

For those of you who like to think big, black lighting can provide seriously far-reaching UV effects and some fixtures, such as our UV COB Cannon and UV LED Bar20, offer you the additional benefit of DMX control – so you can be in total control of your vision. Whether it’s pulsing to the beat or accentuating those ‘hands-in-the-air’ moments that crowds crave, UV lighting slots into your wider lightshow as ‘the party starter’ of the lighting world; always capable of raising the roof before bringing the house down.

It’s also perfect for washing performance stages (whether you’re a venue owner or a touring band), flooding club dance-floors or roller rinks, and providing unique effects for theatrical productions, and The big advantage of investing in a fixture like our super-bright UV COB Cannon is that, compared to traditional UV guns, fewer fixtures are required to cover the same area. New Chip On Board technology has resulted in major advances when it comes to brightness; no matter where you position it, your UV COB Cannon will provide a bright light perfect for illuminating dancers, performers or the surrounding environment, such as bowling lanes and roller rink surfaces. Meanwhile, with on-board DMX and thoughtfully placed power and DMX sockets, control and installation are a breeze. Our UV LED Bar20 is ideal for use as stage backlighting, with DMX-controllable strobing and intense UV color providing incredible crowd-facing effects with which to mesmerize your audience. Due to its linear layout and low maintenance requirements, the UV LED Bar20 is also perfect for using in permanent installs to light dance-floors, theatrical productions and games complexes.

While black lighting is well-suited to permanent installs in big clubs and complexes, those of you who operate on a mobile basis can aid speed of setup and tear down time, as well as make your UV lightshow more versatile, by investing in a battery powered black light solution. With no wires to hold you back, the sky is the limit for your UV arrangement; position the fixture wherever you like in the venue, or take it outdoors and use it in the marquee at garden parties. Our LED UV GO – part of the ADJ Go Series – is a prime example of black lighting gone battery powered, offering you eight hours of intense UV light from a powerful source of ten 1-watt UV LEDs thanks to its built-in rechargeable lithium battery. Compatible with the IR wireless remote, you can easily operate strobing, dimming and blackout for a truly wireless black lighting solution. When you’re done, simply turn it off and pack it away; the battery will be recharged and ready to go again after just six hours, so you can charge it between gigs.

Offering a simple, hassle-free black light solution, with our BLB18W and BLB7W bulbs it’s never been easier, or more affordable, to give your lightshow UV capabilities. If you’re still rocking Par38 cans with medium screw base sockets then the BLB bulbs are the answer to your prayers; simply screw in the new bulb (either 18-watt or 7-watt) and watch the all-encompassing UV light transform the area, whether it’s a small bar or nightclub, a performance stage or a dance-floor. With these bulbs, which utilize a 30-degree beam angle and an aluminum heat sink for maximum heat dispersion, you can create incredible UV effects without even having to buy a UV fixture, and with an approximated 10,000 hours life span you will have virtually no maintenance to carry out.

Why do you need black lights? Because the world is a much more boring place without them! Not only that, but because it expands the horizons of your business; why be a mobile DJ when you can be a mobile DJ that offers glow parties and UV up lighting, both indoors and out? Why be a club when you could be a club that offers UV paint parties and a killer dance-floor atmosphere? Why be a bowling alley or roller rink when you could offer glow bowling or UV roller skating? Black lights remain popular with audiences and customers across the globe, and with ADJ’s versatile range of UV solutions, you can take your lightshow to the next level – no matter what your game.

Alfred Gonzales is the National Sales Manager of ADJ USA.

1. Monster Beam - Now with super bright 1-Watt LEDs, the Monster Beam’s 5 lenses and strobe strips will bring pure lighting excitement to any party. Click here to watch the Monster Beam demo video:

2. Inno Pocket Spot - This mobile Moving Head produces a lightshow like as if you were at a live concert or high-end nightclub. At only 7 pounds and 10.5-inches tall, this is the perfect Moving Head for mobile entertainers to take any party where people are ready to let loose and dance the night away! Click here to watch the Inno Pocket Spot demo video:

3. Vertigo HEX LED - The Vertigo has been an ADJ classic since the early 90’s! As a tried and true dance floor filler, the latest Vertigo HEX LED offers a 6-IN-1 LED for more colors, long life and less power consumption. Click here to watch the Vertigo HEX LED demo video

4. Revo III - This effect have been in heavy rotation on dance floors around the world for the last 7 years. Why? Because it keeps the party going with its energizing circular patterns that hit the dance floor and almost look like fireworks. The Revo III also looks great projected on the ceiling (give it a try)! Click here to watch the Revo III demo video:

5. Quad Phase HP - The Quad Phase HP is another ADJ favorite for dance parties. Its dozens of razor sharp beams, from a 32-Watt quad color LED, penetrate all corners of a room producing instant pure lighting excitement. Make sure to use fog with the Quad Phase HP for an optimal effect. Click here to watch the Quad Phase HP demo video:

- Alfred Gonzales is the ADJ National Sales Manager  

For more information Contact ADJ:
U.S. Office - Tel: 800-322-6337/+1-323-582-2650 • Web: www.adj.com