fogging/hazing

[jksbc]

We are trying to do the best we can with what we can afford right now. We currently have a cheap fog machine with no control except someone slipping behind stage and hitting the remote for a one-time shot before the service begins. This does a fairly decent job of hazing the stage area for about half the first verse of the first song. We have an HVAC unit return air duct on stage and if it's on all the fog gets sucked right into it and distributed throughout our small worship space. This is becoming more and more frustrating. What is the best solution for fogging or hazing for our situation. I am mainly concerned about lighting effects. The lights have very little impact without a haze that puts definition on the beams. Is it feasible to mount the fog machine up high and shoot the fog straight out towards the lighting rig? I mentioned this to a sound engineer and he asked why I wanted to do that since fog rises anyway. It seems like I read that some rigs have tubing that the fog runs through and sprays out evenly. I am in the dark about all of this but would like to make some recommendations to upgrade our lighting and this is part of what I would like to recommend. Another issue we have with our current set up is no matter which side of the stage we try to shoot it from if we try to post someone back stage to shoot it during the set the musicians and praise team all flare up like it offends them. All except for the worship leader and a couple of former rock band members who love it.

[Esoteric]

I would look into a DMX controlled hazer. You can run it throughout the entire worship service (no duty cycles). As far as people not liking it, with a hazer explain to them that it is all water based (like walking through a fog) and nothing to worry about.

Mike

[jksbc]

Thanks Mike, Do you recommend any?

[Esoteric]

Depends on your price point. On the low end I love the Le Maitre Radiance. I have sold those to several churches and they love them. On the high end I LOVE the DF-50 with DMX control I have one church that has had two for over 5 years with not a peep of trouble, and they fill their space in a minute or two.

Mike