SYS T E M : £630..CHAUVETDJ.EU Over the last few years, CHAUVET DJ’s Freedom Series of wirelessly-controlled and battery-powered lighting fixtures have proved extremely popular with many mobile DJs. The Freedom Stick freestanding LED battens, particularly, have found their way into many DJs’ setups – mine included. That’s why I jumped at the chance to try out the latest addition to the Freedom Series, the new Freedom H1. 72 72 sponsored by The Freedom H1 is an extremely compact LED wash fixture that is primarily designed for up-lighting and other atmospheric venue lighting applications, where running out power and control cables would be impractical or overly time-consuming.

The fixture houses a single hex colour (red, green, blue, amber, white and UV) 10W LED as well as an internal rechargeable battery and built-in CHAUVET DJ D-Fi wireless transceiver. With dimensions of 97 x 75 x 139mm, the Freedom H1 is a very small fixture, however its potent LED allows it to kick out a significant amount of light that belies its tiny form. It is also very light, weighing in at just 700g, yet still has a very high quality feel. It is constructed from metal, with an elegant design featuring all rounded corners, and has a luxurious matt black powder-coated finish.

It is also fitted with a Kensington Security Slot, which could prove useful for installations in public places. A beam angle of 21-degrees makes the fixture ideal for up-lighting sections of wall with swathes of colour as well as for illuminating tables and other specific venue/event features. It is supplied with a diffuser, which slightly increases the angle and softens the beam when it is applied. This is held in place by a magnetic holder that detaches from the front of the fixture and is incredibly easy to remove, but that locks back into place very securely.

The Freedom H1 is an extremely flexible fixture and it is clear that a great deal of thought has gone into its design. It is supplied with a variableangle bracket, but that can easily be detached by removing a single thumb-tightening screw. The base of the unit features slightly raised corners, which means that it can sit directly on the floor for uplighting duties when the beam is required to point straight upwards. If you wish to angle the beam in towards a wall, the bracket can also be used as a floor stand.

It has a unique cross-shaped base design, which means that it can stand firmly on the floor – or any other flat surface – allowing the unit’s wash of light to be pointed in any direction. A standard M12 hole in the base of the bracket means that it can easily be attached to a truss clamp or T-bar. The base of the bracket is also fitted with a very strong magnet, which means that the unit can easily and securely lock onto almost any metal surface – such as a roof I-beam or suspended ceiling support – to allow added rigging flexibility.

CHAUVET DJ FREEDOM H1 X4 SYSTEM CHAUVET The fixture’s controls are located simply cycles on its base. Here you will find an On primary LED / Off rocker power switch together blue, amber, with a 4-button / 4-character LED the second menu interface for mode selection with smooth etc. The Freedom H1 is supplied precolours instead programed with 63 colour macros, The third program which are easy to select quickly, many more however the menu interface also different allows for full RGBAW+UV colour LED elements, mixing so that any shade or hue can program is be selected without the need for a smooth fading DMX controller.

For DMX The unit is also pre-programed H1 is equipped with four different chase DJ D-Fi wireless patterns, which can be set to However, due run at a user-selected constant it doesn’t have speed or triggered by an internal means that the microphone (with adjustable the unit via sensitivity). The first program means that CHAUVET DJ FREEDOM H1 X4 SYSTEM DJ Freedom H1 X4 System through the six to use CHAUVET DJ’s FlareCON colours: red, green, Air tablet / smartphone control white and UV, while system or a CHAUVET DJ D-Fi Hub program is the same but to connect your DMX controller / fades between the software of choice wirelessly to of quick changes. the fixtures. cycles through colours, making use of A choice of three DMX channel combinations of the six modes are supported.

The basic while the fourth 6-channel option simply provides the same but with 0-100% dimming of the six LED transitions. colour elements. The 8-channel mode then adds in Master Dimmer operation, the Freedom and Strobe control, while the with a CHAUVET 12-channel option adds in remote DMX transceiver. access to the unit’s internal colour to its compact size, macros and auto programs, with XLR sockets, which speed / sound sensitivity control, only way to control as a well as choice between three DMX is wirelessly.

This different Dimmer Speed Modes you’ll either need (fast, medium and slow). reedom H1 X4 The Freedom H1 fixtures are open during charging. supplied in a set of four, known DJ quotes the time as the Freedom H1 X4 System. full charge as seven Alongside the four units the kit is the run time is 8 supplied with a four-way charger, of the LED elements an IRC-6 infrared remote control and up to 20 hours and a convenient carry case. colour element is Constructed from a tough black be more than synthetic fabric, the case is fitted mobile DJ events, with a dense foam inlay which all evening parties. makes it rigid and keeps the lights well protected.

It has dedicated During operation, cut out slots for each of the four LED display on fixtures, the charger, remote the fixtures provides control and mains power cable. indication of the batter y power. The plastic charger has an IEC segments of the input and four trailing DC plugs LED displays illuminate for connection to the fixtures, the battery level, with two positioned on each side. meaning 100% and This arrangement means that the meaning the fixture units can be charged while sitting 25%.

When the in their compartments within the to run out, all four case although (due to the heat flash to give a final generated) the case should be left the battery is low. 74 System CHAUVET The supplied IRC-6 infrared required for a control can be used to remotely hours, while select colour macros, manually hours with all select colours, choose automatic illuminated modes and set the speed / sound if just a single sensitivity. Multiple units can then lit.

This should be connected Master/Slave, using enough for most their wireless transceivers, which and certainly means that whatever colour or program you set on the master head (either using the onboard the 4-character menu or the wireless remote) the the rear of other units will automatically also a visual pick up. remaining The middle I found this very easy to set up, four 7-segment and it worked flawlessly when I to indicate took the system out to a gig.

I with four bars used the four fixtures to up-light only one bar the wall behind me in the event’s is down to colour scheme as guests arrived battery is about and then switched over to a slow bars begin to colour fade as I started to fill the warning that dancefloor and then a fast-paced colour chase when the dancefloor was in full swing. I have to say, I was very impressed by both the Freedom H1 and also the case and charger arrangement that make up the Freedom H1 X4 System.

However, there’s no getting away from it, this is an expensive product! At just over £600 for the set, it will require a serious investment to be able to fully illuminate a complete function room. That said, I think the price tag is very much justified as there have clearly been no corners cut during the development of this product. The combination of hex LEDs, wireless control, a flexible design and robust construction make this the ultimate wash light source for venue dressing.

If you’re serious about transforming venues with light for your clients, then this is a professional tool that I’m sure you’ll love. If you just want LED illumination on a budget, this quite simply isn’t the product for you! CHAUVET DJ FREEDOMTH HE1 E XA4R LSYY SDTAEYMS AD OPERA .pdf 1 05/12/2016 12: