-known, however, as a mobile DJ, adding this type of effect to your show may be something that you have never even considered. Now though, thanks to Showtec’s new compact and easy-to-use FX Shot system, adding impactful confetti and streamer bursts to any party is both easy and affordable. 84 Pro Mobile Issue 73.indd 84 The Showtec FX Shot is an electric confetti shooter, designed to fire prefilled single-use electric cannons, available in 40cm and 80cm measurements.

These cannons contain a pressurised nitrogen cartridge that, according to the Showtec website, enables the user to launch confetti up to 12m into the air and project streamers 20m wide. Before putting these specs to the test, I handled the main firing unit to see how sturdy it felt. Housed in a compact but robust unit, measuring 13 x 12cm and weighing in at a pretty lightweight 1.7kg, I can say that you won’t have any trouble storing or transporting the FX Shot, however it does feel robust enough to withstand the pressure exerted by the nitrogen cartridges.

So far, so good. Setting up the Showtec FX Shot was easy enough. One thumb screw allows you to lock the angle of the barrel (variable through 180°), while another thumb screw secures the cannon in place for firing. The cable trailing from the cannon is then slotted into a connecting socket on the body of the FX Shot unit.

All pretty self-explanatory, although I was pleased that these screws ensured a tight and secure fitting – something you want, especially when you’re using a potentially dangerous effect close to a busy dance-floor. Also making setup a simple and straight-forward affair, the unit can be mounted onto a base plate or rigged to trussing (for which using two clamps is recommended for safety reasons). Showtec actually sells a base plate specifically for floor-mounting, which includes pre-drilled holes enabling you to accommodate one, two or four FX Shots.

These base plates measure 30 x 30cm and weigh around 3.5kg, so are also easy to store and transport. So, setup proved simple enough, and, in fact, the Showtec FX Shot was easy to fire too! Not least because of its variable angle and simple triggering mechanism. From the ground, the FX Shot can be easily positioned to shoot straight upwards, so that the confetti or streamer effects float back down in close proximity to where you fired it from.

Alternatively, you can angle the barrel slightly outwards so that it can be fired from your DJ booth/area out onto the dance-floor. For more of an overhead effect, you can angle the unit to fire horizontally, out over the top of the crowd, when mounted on truss. SHOWTEC FX SHOT 20/10/15 6:45:he unit is activated (fired) simply by providing a standard 230V mains power supply to its IEC inlet socket. There is no switch or other control signal required.

This could mean simply connecting a 3-pin plug to IEC ‘kettle’ lead to the FX Shot, plugged into a switched mains socket to provide the firing control. Alternatively, one of the channels on a standard IEC switch pack – such as the Showtec DJ-Switch 8 – could be used to provide the firing signal. Finally, if you want to incorporate the FX Shot’s effects into a DMX- controlled show, a DMX switch pack could also be used to provide the firing signal. Of course, however you use it, the exact angle can be altered for each of your events, so you can tailor your setup to the size and layout of a specific venue, as well as to suit the type of cannon you’re using.

These types of ing qualities, many different options, the from around £8 cannon is fitted compressed is used to fire was able to try cannons, giving how these range. The 60950 is a confetti cannon specifies a 6m something that for. I found that plenty of confetti, colours, and general party add energy to a special ‘moment’. also available in colour options, want to match the colour scheme tie in with a SHOWTEC FX SHOT Pro Mobile Issue 73.indd cannon have vary- I was also able to try out the with Showtec offering 60950WS – the white and silver verconfetti/streamer sion – which is perfect for wedding prices for which range first dances.

Combining bright white to £10 each. Each and reflective silver confetti, it prowith a single-use duces a classy effect that will look gas canister, which great when emphasised by white the effect. Luckily, I lighting. out four different me a good idea of Offering streamers instead of consolutions vary across the fetti, I also tested the 60960 cannon, which also measures at 40cm and offers multi-coloured effects, 40cm, multi-coloured only this time in the form of streamfor which Showtec ers rather than confetti.

Again, the projection distance – colours were bright and therefore I can certainly vouch ideal for use in any party situation. it was packed with However, this streamer cannon ofmade up of bright fers double the projection distance therefore perfect as a of its confetti counterpart, making effect with which to it ideal for venues with very high an event and create ceilings or for when your crowd is a This cannon is fair distance away. Not only does the a selection of single- 60960 create an impactful effect – making it ideal if you the streamers shoot out quickly and the confetti burst to float down after a few seconds – but of an event or to the streamers are sure to end up particular song. draped over party goers, adding to 85 20/10/15 6:45: the atmosphere for the rest of the night.

Once again, this cannon is also available in various single-colour options. The 60960 is also available in a silver version (the 60960SL) which and fire the cannons. provides you with a more elegant the projection distance alternative to the multi-coloured fects lived up to what streamers, with the silver material specs! Whether using providing a reflective element that or streamers (12m) looks great when the dance-floor more than enough, is bathed in bright white light or a 80cm versions offer spotlight is focussed on the bride tances if required. and groom at a wedding.

The real cherry on After trying them out, I can clarify the choice of colours that each of these cannons producaccess to. Multi-coloured, es a loud bang and an intense firing coloured, silver/white, effect. A single cannon is suitable for confetti and streamers average-sized function venues, but, so you can easily despite the intensity of the single to suit the theme of cannon, multiples may be needed colour-scheme of a to provide suitable impact at larger lyrics of a song.

These venues and events. Alternatively, as versions I tried out; I mentioned earlier, Showtec does fers confetti in make larger 80cm cannons, priced a metallic colours, little higher but packed with more more scope to get confetti or streamers. These larger your confetti shots. cannons can project much further (12m for confetti; 20m for stream- In conclusion, the ers) and therefore require more is a great way to space, making them ideal for very to any event, and big venues with high ceilings or for and affordable too. use outdoors. purchased the you can simply buy All in all, my experience with the streamer cannons as Showtec FX Shot and its range need them in whatever of available confetti cannons was require, for as little a positive one.

Setup was incredreally it is a long-term ibly simple, the unit is robust and that will provide compact, and it was easy to load for many clients to 86 Pro Mobile Issue 73.indd 86 60950 60950WS What’s more, of these efit says on the confetti (6m) the distance is while the larger even larger distop, however, is that you have 60960 singleand silver are available, adapt the effects an event, the venue, or the are just the Showtec also offluorescent UV and giving you even creative with 60960SL Showtec FX Shot Speaking of clients, I’ve no doubt add excitement that you could ‘upsell’ the Showtec it’s compact FX Shot – or, more to the point, the Once you’ve effects it produces – to your custom- Showtec FX Shot, ers as an added extra.

So, as well as in confetti and providing you with an impactful party and when you effect that can be used for a range of colours you events, from colourful children’s paras £8 each. So ties to stylish weddings, the Showtec investment FX Shot could also be an extra source special moments of income for your DJ business. And come. that can never be a bad thing… SHOWTEC FX SHOT 20/10/15 6:45: • 700W RMS DSP • 8 X FULL RANGE 2” SOURCE WITH 120 • 12” HIGH EXCURSION • SATELLITE HEIGHT FROM 1.5 - 2.2 METRES READY 1 Pro Mobile Issue 73.indd 20/10/15 6:45: