- In the last issue of the magazine, Mark Walsh a battery-powered portable PA system from Lotronic’s Ibiza Sound brand, and for this edition it’s my turn to look at one of the offerings from sister brand Ibiza Light. The 9BEAM-MINI is a compact multi-beam effect that is ideal for the mobile DJ market thanks to its compact size, powerful output, and affordable price. 8800 As Mark explained last issue, Lotronic is a well-established sound and lighting company in mainland Europe with a number of brands including BST and AFX Light.

Lotronic’s equipment has been available sporadically in the UK through a number of different distributors over the years, however the company has now setup a dedicated UK operation, so you can expect to see much more of their products over the coming months and years. Ibiza Light is Lotronic’s primary lighting brand in terms of its offerings for mobile DJs and the 9BEAM-MINI is a great starting point for delving into what the range has to offer. It consists of three mini scanning battens, each fitted with three LED spots, mounted in a triangular formation on a rotating base.

This is not a new concept, as a number of other brands have brought out similar fixtures, however what sets this model apart is its compact size. Although featuring the same layout – and not compromising on LED brightness – the 9BEAM-MINI is a lot smaller than other similar units. This, coupled with its extremely affordable price, makes it perfectly suited for mobile DJs. The unit is powered by nine potent 10W CREE RGBW LEDs, each positioned behind a lens which focuses its light output into a sharp 5-degree beam.

Each group of three lenses is arranged in a narrow fanned pattern on a motorised batten which can sweep up and down by just over 90-degrees. The three battens are then fixed to a rotating head, which can spin continuously in either direction at variable speed. Each LED can be individually controlled, which allows for chasing patterns and multi-coloured effects to be created. Each batten can also move independently, which makes for impressive sweeping and spinning beam effects when combined with the base rotation.

While testing the 9BEAM-MINI I set it up in my local church hall to find out how it performs in a gig-sized venue, and I have to say that I was very impressed. Even with the main lights on, the projected dots were bright and the colours were rich and vibrant. When I then turned out the lights, this fixture completely filled the sizable room with movement and colour. Finally, I filled the space with haze and that was when the effect became truly impressive.

The razor-sharp beams reached all the way from the front to the back and were clearly visible across their entire length. The combination of the spinning and sweeping movements with the multi-coloured beams made for some re- TIHBEIZ AAR LTI GOHFT A 9DBVEEARMTI-SMININGI ally impressive effects and I soon For simple realised that this has the potential the unit comes to be much more than a ‘coloured with four dots’ light. It’s motor movements Each of these are very smooth and with a little run automatically bit of creative DMX programming or triggered by some very nice sweeping beam efsic.

One or more fects could easily be created for a can also be wedding first dance or other ‘feables and set to ture’ moment within an event. will cause them the Master unit When it comes to control, all of gram that it is the usual options are provided. This means that the fixture can be left For DMX control, to its own devices running its interchannel modes nal programmes or integrated into selection: 16, a larger synchronised lightshow options offer using DMX to fully control every asunit’s rotating pect of its effect.

A backlit LCD disrate tilt movements, play on the front panel of the base nel differences provides access to a menu-driven the LEDs are interface that facilitates mode se- 16-channel lection and DMX addressing. mixing for all IBIZA LIGHT 9BEAM-MINI Ibiza Light 9BEAM-MINI ‘plug-and-play’ operation, combined, while the 24-channel pre-programmed option allows individual control selectable lightshows. of each set of three LEDs. Finally, can either be set to the full 48-channel mode allows at a pre-set speed, individual RGBW colour mixing the beat of the mufor each of the nine LEDs indeadditional fixtures pendently, allowing custom colour connected via XLR cachasing effects to be programmed.

Slave mode, which to synchronise with Despite the 9BEAM-MINI’s diminuand mimic the protive form – it measures 298 x 278 x running. 185mm – I was pleasantly surprised by the apparent build quality of three different the unit. It is constructed from are available for metal, with rubberised plastic ele- 24 and 48. All of the ments, and has a professional feel full control over the that belies its low price tag.

While I base and three sepawouldn’t describe it as heavy – the with the chanunit weighs 4.5kgs – it does have a effecting the way substantial feel. It is also fitted with controlled. For the two convenient handles, positioned option, the RGB colour at either side of the base, which nine of the LEDs is makes it easy to carry and mount. o 81 Ibiza Light 9BEAM-MINI The fixture is fitted with rubtheir own alongside ber feat, which means that it can fixtures such as be used standing directly on the barrel scanners.

For floor or on any other firm, level the fixture could surface. It is also supplied with a multiples, spread hanging bracket which attaches to create a real blaze of the base using a pair of threaded and colour. Alternatively, bolts (provided), which screw into pair would look very dedicated holes in the base of the sitioned directly on fixture. These bolts are fitted with at either side of a moulded plastic tops, which means retro helicopter-style they can be screwed in by hand, therefore no tools are required to Having thoroughly fit the bracket.

9BEAM-MINI I find gling to find anything From a mobile DJ perspective, The LEDs are bright, this gives a few different options crisp, and the for integrating the 9BEAM-MINI The build quality into a mobile DJ lighting rig. Used good and the unit’s alone, it is an obvious choice for a make it perfectly centrepiece on a goal post rig, and part of a mobile DJ its nine powerful beams will easily only minor complaint cut through wash lighting and hold to come up with is 82 other popular IEC mains output socket.

These are moving heads or now common on most mobile DJ larger shows, lighting fixtures and are useful to also be used in help reduce the number of power across a rig, to cables running up to a lighting rig. moving beams I think a Overall this is a great dancefloor efeffective pofect, especially if you are able to use top of speakers haze so that the beams are visible setup to create a in mid-air. It is bright enough for effect. even the largest of venues in which most mobile DJs find themselves tested the booked to perform, and offers myself strugplenty of flexibility when it comes to criticise. to mounting options and operating the optics modes.

Whether you chose to use movements fluid. just one fixture as a centrepiece or seems to be very multiples spread across your rig, size and weight and whether you decide to rely on suited for use as a the internal programs or create lightshow. The your own with DMX, as a mobile DJ, I was able I don’t think you’ll be disappointed the lack of an by the Ibiza Light 9BEAM-MINI. IBIZA LIGTHHTE 9EBAERALMY -DMAIYNSI WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE £89.00 £119.00 Save £30.

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