Gaffer & Gear 103 - Astera Titan

[@piotrmasiak6355]

Its one of the most valuable yt content for fulltime cinematographers. Thank you so much. cheers!

[@reynoldsc]

Theres a reason that the Astera Titans and their other products are 'Industry Standard' , because they're so bloody good. Gaffers on feature films, gaffers on adverts/Branded Content, even lighting camera-people have these sets in the back of their van. They are the gold standard of LED tubes on the market bar none. Nice review Andrew 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Richard_Bumblebee]

I've been watching a lot of the episodes lately and I thought I'd sort them by popular to mix them up. If 91k is the top video then you really are underrated and I don't throw that term around often at all. Hard to believe none or your videos have passed 100k

[@Richard_Bumblebee]

Then again you're not a 20-30 something year old who fills his video with loads of trendy BS filler and actually make good content that the brain dead masses wouldn't appreciate. So take it as a compliment lol.

[@gaffergear]

Lighting professionals is a small demographic. My last episode is up to 21K in two days, I can't figure out why that's done so well

[@Leeroy0918]

Great vid for me. Been using the tubes now for several years as a lighting director and only had one operator that’s been able to control them with any satisfaction. So I used this vid to refresh myself as an ex operator. Now I’ll be using them more offen👍🏻

[@tony_testa]

This is the absolute best titan tube review/tutorial I have seen. Seriously appreciate how thorough this is. Thank you! Would be very interested in your perspective for creating scenes and functions.

[@darrenk4356]

Always the most thorough review of products. I appreciate you discuss not only the great things about the light, but also any downsides. Thank you!

[@geoffheith]

This is one of the best explained videos of these lights! Well done mate

[@MrDDouglas]

at a push if on a built set you can screw the clamps into the wall and mount the tube that way - we done it on a short to bring up the ambient level of the room - works a treat, love these lights, so fast

[@mikeldickman]

Another great review Andrew. Thanks! Reading the last comment, advice from my Astera distributor (Wireless Film Lights); leave automatic updates off. I found out the hard way. Lighting a big bar scene on a movie years ago, the AX1 tubes were malfunctioning. I made a panicked call to my distributor. What had happened was the tubes had started an update in the middle of lighting! I got them working again after starting another update. And just in time; they were not waiting on me, but close to it. I now check for updates before shoots (and reset the tubes, too, as Astera advises, before each job). Another tip; sometimes there will be an Astera or two that will not respond to wireless control. Often the cause is the light getting hung-up on the auto input. Go to the lights menu and select specifically which input you want, like "app". This will usually fix the issue.

[@gaffergear]

After I filmed this episode, the lights had an update available, but this time it gave me the option to skip for now.

[@christianmouzard2470]

Love my Titan tubes! My only criticisms are regarding the wing plates and the app. The wing plates will swivle on the pin if the weight is on the wrong side (like a c-stand head). Given the weight of the unit this is a potential safety hazard. In regards to the app I will say that I understand that is was built for the original purpose of Astera products, events shows, etc. I am used to it now... but it took some time. It's a little clunky and I look forward to future versions. Criticism aside, these lights have changed my life. Time saved from not having to cable my light sources and the ease of dimming and colour control from my phone while sitting in front of the monitor has been a total game changer. I am also surprised how often I use the effects. Flow sets in car and bus rigs have been extremely successful and I quite like the fire effect. Thanks for your great videos! Please keep it up.

[@Loftikaz]

So glad to see this review, their misleading 20h battery life is actually 2h at 700lumens which is similar to chinese tubes. Thanks

[@cagf2013]

I'm amazed that the colour render is so good given they have no white LEDs.. impressive!

[@andocombo3073]

This in-depth review is great, thank you a lot. Definitely gives me a better idea of how those tubes are to use.

[@wreckmedia2721]

Would love to see a comparison video from you between the NYX Astera bulbs and The upcoming Aputure bulbs. As an owner of a set of AX1's this was a great a review for me even. Great job man.

[@jpleblond9650]

You're no hack! Very insightful work, thanks a million.

[@kipling1957]

Your reviews are just amazing. Thanks again!

[@manuelimboden6275]

Very thorough review - thanks for making this!

[@KallusGarnet]

These lights are a dream thank you for this excellent review.

[@andrscpndr]

Thank you very much for your videos! Very useful. We hired a kit of Astera AX1 (8 tubes). We had the transmitter and a phone with the app. But we couldn't change the color and brightness of a single tube. All the tubes changed the color and brightness simultaneously. The app had a master control for all the tubes. I don't know if we were wrong to use the app. But we did not find instructions in the manual about the ability to change the properties of a single tube trough the app. I don't know if you can do this with the Titan.

[@gaffergear]

You need to set that one tube up in its own group on the app. So if you want to do basic stuff with single tubes in a set up the app is a bit of hard work.

[@andrscpndr]

@@gaffergear thank you very much!

[@adrinaik93]

Absolutely amazing review, Andrew. These lights are freaking amazing.

[@joshuajenkins421]

Hey Andrew, awesome video. I have worked with Astera gear for years but as always have learned something new thanks to your videos. Hey I have noticed you use the Exalux Control ONE, what mode do you usually use the titans with the Control ONE? Thanks

[@gaffergear]

Mode 90 (CCT/HSI)

[@joshuajenkins421]

@@gaffergear Thanks mate, I came to the same conclusion. Would also love to hear your thoughts comparing the Control One to Gaffers Control...

[@spencermaurice9876]

Excellent video, incredible in depth of detail. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@baskin321]

Well 15m cables don’t get replaced with regular chargers as they do carry data and chargers don’t

[@oktawiangornik1284]

Great video, thanks for your time!

[@americanicecream8796]

Dam I was hoping it was going to be a aputure nova review next. But I needed this one too.

[@gaffergear]

I start testing the Nova today. My Nova arrived only last week. Hope i can get the review up by next Friday.

[@americanicecream8796]

@@gaffergear fireeeee

[@PlanetFrosty]

You’re ready to jam that Disco Vibe!

[@TheIQProductions]

Hi Andrew - Thanks for the great video! Why do Astera advertise a 20 hour run time if its only 2 hours and 10 minutes?

[@petermorrissey1276]

Hi, you said at 49:39 that the tubes are not RGB, but at the beginning of the video you stated they were "red, green, blue, mint and amber" and didn't have a white emitter - I understand they're not RGB'W' but are they not still classified as RGB, albeit with mint and amber as well? Thanks in advance - it's purely for my own learning.

[@gaffergear]

By not RGB. I mean that it's not JUST RGB colour emitters. It's RGBMA

[@gangd4807]

Everything is perfect except case is SUPER heavy. By the way, I'm still holding my breath until seeing nova :)

[@cathyherb]

This video was very helpful in teaching me how to use these tubes. Do you think you could make a video this in-depth about the Luminair app? I can't find any good tutorials for it that go any deeper than how to connect.

[@gaffergear]

I actually don't use that app, I had a go at it, but it just wasn't logical to me

[@cathyherb]

@@gaffergear Maybe that's why there are no good tutorials!

[@ericstephens7041]

What would you recommend in the LED Tube range for wall mounting in a home studio for live streaming purposes. I'm looking to set some tubes up on a wall position to run in the background of a DJ live stream.

[@gaffergear]

I use Androkie magnet kits and tape metal to the walls. But have a look around and you may find a cheaper option for the magnets. Horizontal mounting is the most difficult. Some people use (I think it's called) Joey's Sticky Stuff. But that's not sold in Australia

[@zacharystudio]

amazingly in depth. thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@andreazanzucchi3737]

Have you noticed that the tube intensity goes down when you attached to AC?

[@gaffergear]

That doesn't happen on mine. Can't say I've seen this on any tubes I've rented either.

[@anime2121]

Do you regret buying nanlite pavotube and buy these instead? Have you use Digital Sputnik Voyager? If yes, what do you think compare to this? Great video, thnx. Looking forward to your next video.

[@gaffergear]

I don't regret buying the Pavo tubes, I've got my investment back over and over because they were so cheap, but I would rather have these (who wouldn't). I looked at the voyage but was instantly put off as they only operate over phone app.

[@warner6495]

@@gaffergear I have the pavotubes now. One of them stopped working. Debating replacing it or moving to the asters tubes. 100% increase in price but is the result 100% better? Tough choice

[@shaunox9946]

Nice review!

[@ivolk_nyc]

Is one tube is enough for key light? (For example: Livingroom/kitchen, 2xPeople, 1,5-2m distance FP1, 24mm f1.4-f2 1/60 iso640)

[@mylesdb]

Bit of an odd hall request but does anyone have a way to convert a male 5/8” thread to the M5 male thread these titan tubes need to screw on the ends? I’m trying to attach tubes to mic stands with heavy round bases so that I can get more height on them than with the little tripod stands alone.

[@ChrisSchieritz]

All of the lights on the AsteraBox flash on for 5 seconds then off for 5 seconds until the box dies, that is it's only function, do you know what is wrong with it?

[@gaffergear]

Get on their Facebook user group, they will definitely give you an answer. The administrator is their head technician

[@h4328]

Hi Andrew, would you be able to run non astera products with the Art7 Asterabox via lumenradio crmx, that is, running the asterabox with something like luminair or blackout without any additional transmitter gak? Best video on these out there!

[@gaffergear]

You would need something additional between the box and your iPad. I haven't done it myself, i just had a look at the box (I'm currently on set) and it has a link / unlink button to initiate a CRMX handshake to other devices. You would need to send your DMX in via the hard wire connection, you could do that with an artnode (wifi to DMX adaptor receiver) May be worth asking Astera.

[@baskin321]

Yes the crmx part of the Art7 is independent and can connect to and lumenradio crmx device, fun fact the 2 antennas on the Art7 box are 2 separate devices within the box one is Bluetooth Astera app one is crmx wireless dmx Cheers

[@МаксПовэр-щ6м]

Спасибо, ты лучший

[@معاويةمحمد-غ9غ]

thank you so much

[@mylesdb]

Have you considered reviewing the Astera Pixelcubes?

[@gaffergear]

They are sending some new product soon.

[@gaffergear]

They have something called a hydra (I've probably spelt that wrong) which they think suits us better

[@deaftech1230]

@@gaffergear very intruiging, there's a placeholder on their webste: NEW ITEM - COMING SOON **Pre-order Now** 1298 lumens 25 watt 6 pixels Titan engine Magnetic backing (similar to AX3) Connect up to 3 panels together

[@mylesdb]

@@gaffergear Curious if Pixelcube isn't really considered for "film industry lighting". Hydra sounds exciting with some pixel mapping features but wondering how it will be different from their tube lights.

[@gaffergear]

@@mylesdb pixel cube was more of a stage light to be seen by the audience as a set piece or prop

[@VancouverRealEstateFilms]

How come they claim 20 hour run time and you got just over 2 hours at max power?

[@gaffergear]

20 hours at minimum settings, meaningless figure for film and TV

[@VancouverRealEstateFilms]

Strange because on B&H under specs it’s listed 20 hours at MAX power and 3 hours to charge...

[@break2262]

This is gold! Thank you so much

[@quickdrive3488]

Do you think this would work in a concert environment

[@gaffergear]

Definitely, they were designed for stage, nightclubs, and special events.

[@quickdrive3488]

@@gaffergear Do you think they could handle the abuse of being moved around and set up quite often, in a live event setting. Such as at festivals large concerts etc?

[@lilugoldstone]

@@quickdrive3488 for sure.. just last week i had a shoot where it was set at an operating kitchen, steam dough vapors and metallic beating it does not flinch

[@parkercreative_au]

This might be a dumb question but i just ordered two titans and when they came the clamps dont fit around the tubes at all. Am I missing something? also, whats the best way to mount them to c stands? Thanks so much for all your help

[@gaffergear]

Something is no right there, it requires a bit of a push to get it on, I would join the Astera user group on Facebook. The administrator is one of the top engineering guys (and I suspect an owner) so usually you get a reply and sorted in 24 hours

[@parkercreative_au]

@@gaffergear thanks so much. I did that and they sorted me out. How did you mount yours to the c stand?

[@gaffergear]

@@parkercreative_au the 50cm tubes I mount with one clamp, the 100cm tubes I mount with that plate that attaches two of the clamps

[@parkercreative_au]

@@gaffergear sorry I meant how do you physically mount them to the c stands though? You clamp the tube but what goes from the clamp to the c stand? Do you use a tube holder or something?

[@gaffergear]

@@parkercreative_au spigot with a thread into the grip head

[@SimonPhoenix2022]

Can anyone tell me on the foam divider between the top 4 tubes and bottom 4 tubes what is that piece that is attached with webbing for?

[@gaffergear]

It's to hold the optional wing plates in olace

[@SimonPhoenix2022]

@@gaffergear ahhhh no shit.. thank you!

[@definingslawek4731]

Thank you for this

[@vexphoto]

You rock!

[@Bruh_69181]

I want these so bad, not for photography, but for a cool look in my room for parties but they are soo expensive! :,((

[@Bruh_69181]

John Roche thanks!

[@rhysalexander995]

i still feel like these lights are vastly overpriced. They are great though...

[@TheGalacticWest]

I'd be upsetty spaghetti if I paid $800 a tube and it didn't work.

[@FADHLEABBAS]

i love your channel and information also your nice face

[@21stcenturyscots]

Disco!

[@jfratis9081]

The batteries fail too easily without an option for repair and no im not sending this damn expensive shit halfway around the world to be repaired.

[@gaffergear]

I'm finding that I need a spares tube in order to keep 16 titans tubes running in my kit. But I suspect they are getting knocked around in rentals. I haven't had a battery issue yet. Repairs in Melbourne seem to happen very fast. Where are you located.

[@ahmadkoka479]

Come on, why is not an Arabic language

[@androcci]

They need to pair up with prolycht. This is a horrible kit. there should be no wires in its charging case and just have contacts to charge all 8.