DJ Lighting Starter Kit: Pars, Moving Heads, GigBAR and Haze

Good lights turn a room into a dance floor. You do not need a truck full of gear to start. Here is how we help DJs build a lighting kit that looks good and sets up fast.

All-in-one bars: the fastest setup

An all-in-one bar puts several effects on one stand. The Chauvet DJ GigBAR 2 has two derby effects, two wash pars, a laser and strobes on one bar with a tripod. One power cable, one stand, and it runs in sound-active or automatic mode with a foot switch.

For a new mobile DJ, this is usually the first light we suggest. It covers the dance floor on its own, and you can add other lights later.

Pars for wash and uplighting

A par is a simple wash light that floods an area with color. Put them on the floor pointing up at walls and you have uplighting, which makes any hall or backyard look dressed up for a wedding or quinceañera.

The Chauvet DJ SlimPAR T6 BT ILS is flat, light and has Bluetooth control from a phone app. A few of them set to one color change the whole look of a room for little effort. Battery-powered pars skip the extension cords, which helps at outdoor events.

Moving heads for real movement

A moving head spot like the Chauvet DJ Intimidator Spot 260X pans and tilts, with gobos (patterns) and colors. It throws sharp beams and patterns around the room and onto the dance floor.

Moving heads look best when they are programmed or synced. Many run fine in auto or sound mode. If you want full control, a DMX controller or software lets you build scenes. Start with two so they can move in mirror. Put them on a truss or on stands at each side of the DJ booth so the beams cross over the dance floor.

Fog vs haze

Beams and lasers only show up when there is something in the air. Fog is thick and comes in bursts. Haze is fine and even, and hangs in the room longer, so beams show without a cloud on the dance floor.

The Chauvet DJ Hurricane Haze 1DX is a water-based hazer that makes beams from moving heads and the GigBAR laser really pop. Before using fog or haze indoors, always check with the venue. Some halls have smoke detectors that trigger on it.

Putting it together

A simple starter kit: one GigBAR on the dance floor, four to eight pars for uplighting, and a hazer. Add moving heads when you are ready. Joe can show you these lights running in the shop and help you set up DMX or app control. We sell equipment only, no rentals. Check prices in the online shop and call to confirm stock.