’s also a lot of machine! If you haven’t heard of a low fogger before, which is quite possible as the technology is still very new, it’s a kind of hybrid between haze and dry ice. But without the need to actually buy dry ice, which – as anyone who has ever waited nervously for delivery of the magic ingredient on event day will tell you – could be quite an advantage. 72 72 sponsored by I’m sure you have seen the low-lying dry ice effect, if not actually used it yourself, it is dramatic, looks fabulous in photos and provides loads of atmosphere.

There are some drawbacks though: the sourcing of the ice itself (not cheap), the fact that it melts, the need to handle it very carefully, the fact that it doesn’t last all that long, and that it can be (depending on which machine you use) quite difficult to trigger effectively. The Arcus 2000, as a low fogger, gets rid of all of these problems, but brings in one small, but important, additional consideration (more of which later). A wedding first dance, done properly, really sets the tone for the night in my experience.

I like to ensure all of the guests are where I want them – surrounding the dance floor. I also want to make sure everyone is engaged in this magical moment with a great introduction and a seamless transition into the couple’s chosen song. Adding a low-lying dry ice effect produces a real ‘wow’ moment, but significantly complicates all of the above. I like to think I’m pretty experienced at producing this magical effect, but I still find it fairly stressful.

This is because from the moment I put ice into the basket, some of the effect is escaping so the game is largely given away (which is a shame) and we are now on a bit of a countdown – the ice is melting, the EQUINOX ARCUS water is cooling and a 10kg bag will only last around 3 – 4 minutes. Indeed, occasionally, after setting everything up, making sure the couple are in place, the photographer is where he or she should be and the audience is in position, we have a sudden interruption.

For example the realisation that one of the bridesmaids is in the toilet or the wedding coordinator is now going home and wants to say goodbye to the couple… Oh just please will you all hurry up before the ice melts and can’t do my effect!? Anyway, enough of my little nightmares! This fantastic machine from the Prolight Concepts Group takes care of all of that. At the press of a button – on the machine, using the handy remote or through DMX controller – you have an instant cloud magically hugging the floor and, what’s more, as long as you have the fluids needed, you can use it all night long!

This really is a machine that can produce cloud after cloud instantly and reliably, with the most amazing ability to hug the floor. The Cloud The cloud produced by the Arcus 2000 is subtly different to that of a dry ice low fog machine. The SETQAUYIINNOGX M AORBCIULES equinox arcus 2000 low fogger best way of explaining this difference is that it’s more compact. It actually hugs the floor lower than dry ice and also lasts a lot longer too.

Given a room with still air and no really big drafts, the cloud lasts for ages and ages. Indeed, when I tested it recently at a prom, I had a lovely hazy cloud over the dancefloor for ages, which was a really magical way to welcome guests for the evening. It’s actually also quite a ‘spooky’ cloud. I initially thought it was just me, but it was the word the venue staff used the moment they saw it.

It moves I very differently to anything I’ve seen before – once it hits an object, it seems to bounce back and produces waves, very much like you see on a beach. Which brings us to the consideration you need to allow for mentioned earlier. When the cloud does a reach objects, a certain amount of the haze will go up. It’s a small amount, small enough to not be a major consideration at the venue I used to test the machine, even with smoke detectors all on, but it’s definitely something you should be aware of.

For my test event, I had near on 200 16 year olds enjoying the cloud at regular intervals and, of course, they liked to kick out at it! This meant that I soon had both lots of clouds and also a great lightshow-enhancing haze effect all night – really very effective. THE EARLY DAYS 73 equinox arcus 2000 low The Science the potential for the accidentally So how does the magic of a groundsomeone standing hugging cloud without the need for ice happen? In order to run the You are able to Arcus 2000 you need two fluids: onboard control low fog and distilled water.

As is the DMX, the ratio of fog case for all effects machines, you which varies the need to go with the recommended and how long the fluids – this will ensure a good long a venue with particularly life for the machine and also that smoke alarms, you your warranty remains valid. reduce the fog of experimentation I found filling the machine the right effect straightforward, though it was the alarms! quite hard to spot the ‘max’ level for the water reservoir – once General use of the you have located it you’re fine, intuitive; the LED but I needed a torch to see in has very straightforward for the first use.

Warm up is fast; is simple to use the manual says 4 minutes, but quality. I found using it seemed much quicker to me. wireless remote to And, once warmed up, you’re way to conduct my good to go. What happens then I would – without is very clever indeed. There is DMX for bigger an ‘ultrasonic’ agitator onboard also a supplied which turns the water into a attachment making ground-hugging low mist, which is combined with fog to provide a lovely cloud-like effect.

The machine has tank capacities of 7 litres and 1.2 litres, for distilled water and low fog fluid respectively. And, for my test, very little of either fluid or water was used, so long-term the Arcus 2000 will prove to be very economical. The heating element for the haze is rated at 1500W and the advertised output is 2,800 cu. ft per minute. For DMX control, the machine requires three channels and is fitted with 5-pin DMX input and output sockets.

This means you’ll need 3-to-5 converter cables if the rest of your system uses the more common (in the DJ world) 3-pin DMX connectors. Power is supplied to the machine using an (increasingly-prevalent) locking powerCON socket, which removes 74 fogger power being simple to direct the output. disconnected by Additionally, there is also an on the lead. optional flightcase available. Though I’m not sure ‘optional’ is adjust, via the the right word; an effect machine panel or through as big (and heavy – it comes in at fluid to water, 22kg) as the Arcus 2000 needs a cloud density proper flightcase, and the purposeeffect lasts.

In built one is perfect for the job. sensitive will want to If you have a need to replace your accordingly – a bit existing dry ice machine, or are should get you looking to produce a low-lying fog without upsetting effect for the first time, the Arcus 2000 Low Fogger should definitely be on your shortlist to look at. machine is Long term, it will prove extremely panel, which cost effective and it can be used buttons, for much longer periods than and feels high traditionally associated with this the supplied type of effect.

Combined with a be the simplest DMX controller, it will give you a lot test, however of flexibility allowing you to output a doubt – use water vapour alone, or combine events. There is it with low fog fluid for denser hose and floor effects, in a controlled way. it easy and EQUINOX ARCUS LD Systems® is a registered brand of the Adam Hall Group.