Should You Buy Spot, Wash, or Beam Lights? (and does it even matter...?)

Choosing the "type" of light is one of the first steps in buying new lighting. Before you get to brands, models, and pricing, it's critical to define which type of light you actually need.
0:00 - Introduction
0:20 - Lighting Categories
1:03 - What Type of Lights Should You Buy?
2:05 - Wash Fixtures
4:36 - Spot Fixtures
7:10 - Beam Fixtures
8:34 - Hybrid Lights
10:04 - Wrap Up
In this video, I'll show you exactly how to do that!
Links:
What Lights Should I Buy?: www.learnstagelighting.com/wh...
Grab Your FREE Guide to Begin with Lighting: www.learnstagelighting.com/
Learn Stage Lighting LABS: lp.learnstagelighting.com/lea...
Learn Stage Lighting Patreon: learnstagelighting.com/patreon
Video Specs:
Video Shot On Canon Rebel SL1: geni.us/tWzADD
Shotgun Mic: Vidpro XM55: geni.us/5qMGmf
Voiceover Mic (HIGHLY recommended for the price) SE Electronics V7: geni.us/RI06IiT
Lighting Visualization By Capture: www.learnstagelighting.com/wa...
Video Card: GTX1050 TI: geni.us/WBTe
Backdrop - ENTTEC 8P-60 Pixel Tape: www.enttec.com/range/led-stri...
Driven by ENTTEC's Pixel Port: www.learnstagelighting.com/re...
Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.
Comments Policy: Be nice, and treat others well. While my focus is on creating great videos and articles, I do reply to comments about once per week.
Remember, creating these videos takes a TON of time and effort, and I am not always available to answer questions here personally.
However, if you do want more help and assistance, check out Learn Stage Lighting Labs, where I do exactly that and more: lp.learnstagelighting.com/lea...

[@JuanDiegoGutierrezvideopro]

I really appreciate how well you explain things in your videos. Thanks.

[@LearnStageLighting]

Glad you like them!

[@SpiritOfTheSeasons]

I liked the video, I think one thing you forgot to mention was a good frost filter or edge in spot fixtures which can allow a great wash from a spot fixture

[@guywinters5939]

Good intro to basic fixture types. Hybrid lums may be desired for quickly changing between several designs (e.g. one show in the afternoon and a second in the evening, or one show's rehearsal and another show's performance), or a limited DMX control and power budget.

[@filipkadlec1998]

For me, spotbeams are number1 choice. For example stairville BS-280 R10. Great video with great explanation 😅

[@annickwillis1173]

GREAT VIDEOS, I AM LEARNING A LOT FROM YOU. THANK YOU!

[@knopkasound5561]

Thanks a lot for this video!!

[@antwanfilikian128]

Thank You

[@paulnneke8550]

Great break down

[@sg7608]

thankyou 😊. very informative

[@djliquid5050]

It's the animations for me!

[@bostoneventlighting794]

First lights I bought were beams but I specialize in lighting mirror balls

[@user-tl8ts7oo5l]

Thank you so much for this video! It’s too hard to find some information about this theme on Russian language❤️

[@quengo7169]

Dude, your are great!!!

[@LearnStageLighting]

I appreciate that!

[@JosueFlores-tm4sx]

the best explanation I have found for a long time. thanks for explaining so well. Would you recommend some lights?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Hi Josue, Glad you liked it! I don't make blanket recommendations, but I do make personalized recommendations inside of Learn Stage Lighting Labs: www.learnstagelighting.com/labs

[@grumpyoldmanracing]

Thankyou yout channel is awesome

[@LearnStageLighting]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@davidleungaxiom3491]

Thanks, this video is very helpful to someone like me as a beginner to stage lighting. My fear now is to get a LED unit that the light intensity is not strong enough to light up the performers on stage. Do you have a video talking about the spec for stage small a church of 300 people ? What lumens should you recommend ?

[@bensinger6637]

This guy is wholesome

[@stroggi11]

Thanks for the journey through the different types of lights, but could you also add pictures/movies of your examples from actual real-life examples? 3D-visualizations are great, but "real" pictures are often better (that's just my thoughts). Maybe you could also do behind-the-scenes-videos of lighting setups of your own or from other people/locations (maybe with explanations why specific types of fixtures are used there)?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Definitely something I'd like to do more of, it just costs a TON more to do these. I'll get there, but there are a couple of hurdles: 1) Most of my design work is done under contracts that do not allow me to take photos or video for my own promotion. As the site grows, I am moving away from these types of shows, but truthfully, they paid my bills for 10 years so it's hard to let go of! 2) Cataloging, managing, and editing live video takes a lot more time and therefore cost. I'm not against it, but it's SO much more cost-effective to use the visualizer, and it's incredible accurate to what "real" lighting looks like. As the site grows, it's definitely something I'll consider - but also remember, the videos here on KZbin are free to consume, and I sure don't come near making a living off of KZbin's ad earnings :)

[@mikkalbreeden956]

My production crew has just tried to get into videography. It’s slow going and very expensive. Since we are a band, and do midsize audio and light production, it’s hard to see much progress at all. However, video and social media over multiple platforms I think is essential to growing our costumer base. I hope to have channels soon and capable of fulfilling requests for specific video. We’re currently building a studio and so much energy and money is going towards that to the point of hurting our videography goal.

[@ENPIus]

Ive been calling spots as beams all these years. Thanks for this 😅

[@LearnStageLighting]

No worries!

[@woodenpiggybank7587]

You know it looks like a simple thing when you are a LD for long time. I wish I knew it when I was at the start of my way…

[@BCRaai]

Great ! One

[@LearnStageLighting]

Many thanks!

[@unfinishedworship3173]

When it comes to bands, do you recommend that wash be mounted above, to the side or on the floor? We are a traveling band, and currently do not have truss fixtures. We have three four-bars, a fog machine and some moving heads. We don't need something really complex; just something that will add a professional quality to what we do without looking goofy or obtrusive.

[@LearnStageLighting]

Front corners of the stage for most

[@TheCman3892]

Theoretically, could I create some sort of "beam/spot gobo design" to put over a wash light, like the Rock On 7 by Rockville to create a controlled beam of light? If so, what material would be best?

[@LearnStageLighting]

In theory, but in practice it doesn't work. You can widen beams with lenses, but narrowing them doesn't really work.

[@danielbusenbark3078]

I believe wash lights are best for my setting. What I am struggling to determine if for my small stage I should use x2 Gamma TX4 or x4 Eliminator Stealth HEX Wash. I have a smaller stage but a larger room to fill. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Send us an email - [e-mail] - let us know what other lights you have and we can make a recommendation!

[@egg6649]

Are those LEDs behind you addressable, or is it camera error? If so, what are you using to control them?

[@LearnStageLighting]

They are addressable, control via ENTTEC ELM: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2WrhoqhpcSNf7c

[@sportscardcollector9418]

Would the Rockville Rockon 7 be considered a spot fixture?

[@LearnStageLighting]

I'd say "wash/beam" because it doesn't focus into a completely sharp circle. Many lights fit inbetween the "buckets" of spot/wash/beam.

[@iceshcratiote3635]

Highs and down right low

[@BkDjCrush]

What light is best for truss totem

[@LearnStageLighting]

Depends on a lot of things! For more personalized help, we're glad to help you in Learn Stage Lighting Labs: lp.learnstagelighting.com/learn-stage-lighting-labs/

[@chekista91]

I'm wedding dj and can't decide for totems spot or beam ?

[@soundback5226]

Clay Paky Mythos 2 or Elation Smart Hybrid?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Depends on what you need, they both are great lights. This would be a tough decision to make without having more details.

[@artmeza7270]

Dude spill the beans!!!! You take to long

[@BongDen-vw6gc]

. 🎉

[@borg386]

No real examples? This sucks!

[@sportscardcollector9418]

Would the Rockville Rockon 7 be considered a spot fixture?

[@LearnStageLighting]

I'd say "wash/beam" because it doesn't focus into a completely sharp circle. Many lights fit inbetween the "buckets" of spot/wash/beam.