I have reported a few stories on the i-Pix BB4 and BB7 LED fixtures that have been making the news as of the last four months or so, and in my research and planning posts I wanted to get a lighting designer/director’s perspective on these fixtures. A lighting designer/director/programmer, Mark Wynn-Edwards was kind enough to write about these for the site – Mark’s got a ton of work under his belt, and has used the BB4 and the i-Pix Satellite in his work. Mark’s been quoted in LEDs Magazine and LSI Online, and others.
From an email from Mark:
I have used the Ipix rage of fixtures in many of my designs for TV and touring band work over the past few years even using them as the only fixtures toured and used on stage 100 % LED rig.
Ipix Satellite
I love the durability of the fixture and the fact you can daisy chain the power so you can have quite a number running off one 16A supply – this on quite a few occasions has been a saving grace. The lights have quite a punch, on numerous occasions I have used them with bands as the only source of lighting or to add a sudden extra dynamic to a stage .
To control the beam they have caps that will fit over the front with various levels of frost – I tend to go with a light frost so there is only a slight amount of control on the beam but you still get a bit of colour mixing in the air .
The Satellite is quite a small fixture so as a result you can hide them in the truss or my favorite use for them is hide them in and around the back line makes a great effect and great dynamic to use for subtle moments and with the right timing and an extra edge on the more upbeat moments .
BB Wash (BB4)
I was lucky enough to use the first version of the BB wash and use the beta Version on the Klaxons May Tour. The fixture looks almost like a molefay – its has four battens with three LED lamps in each batten. Lets just say its not a small fixture, not what you would expect for an LED.
The first time I fired the beast up I was silly enough to be quite close to it and have it pointing straight at me ….it was painful …even bright through my eye lids. It is a great fixture for lighting up set or as a rock LD I use it as an alternative form of back light and again a good device for hiding around the stage.
Every date of the tour the beta version was used on I would get comments from the local techs who were stunned by the fixture , I was also very impressed with the fixture couldn’t believe how bright the fixture was.
Ipix then developed the BB4 each batten of the fixture is removable this was a great idea as you can hide the base then have each batten spread around the truss or where ever.
The most recent edition to the Ipix range is the BB7 is a cluster of seven LED super bright lamps in a hexagon shaped body. Yet another great fixture for Ipix and a great look and very different.
I love the Ipix range and love working with the people at Ipix – they pay a lot of attention to what the LD wants and needs and most importantly provide a fantastic support system.
Thanks for commenting on these, Mark! Check out Mark Wynn-Edwards’ portfolio and leave him a comment!
