Moving Head Light Basics

Moving head lights combine a base, moving head, optics and control system for programmable stage looks. Learn the core parts and control path before comparing fixtures or requesting project support.

View the Moving Head Range or request a project quote.

Moving head lights are used in theatres, concerts, clubs and events. Pan and tilt aim the light; zoom, where fitted, changes beam width. The available optical and control functions depend on the model.

This blog post will guide you to know the basics moving head light, explore what a moving head light is, how they work, their pros and cons, as well as provide guidance on how to choose the right one for your needs!

1. What is a Moving Head Light

A moving head light is a motorized lighting fixture that can change its aim under control. Depending on the model, it can also change colour, intensity, beam width, patterns or framing.

Structure of a moving head light

A typical moving head has three main assemblies: the base, the yoke and the head.

The base supports the fixture and normally contains the power and data connections, display and control electronics. Connection layouts vary by model. RDM is communication carried on a compatible DMX connection; an Ethernet port for network control is a separate, model-dependent feature. Use the specified mounting points, clamps and secondary suspension when hanging the fixture.

The yoke links the head to the base and supports its movement. The head contains the light source and optics, with colour, zoom, gobo or framing mechanisms where fitted.

Pan turns the yoke around the base; tilt pivots the head within the yoke. Travel limits are model-specific, so do not assume either axis rotates continuously. Zoom changes beam width, while focus, where fitted, sharpens a projected edge or gobo. Neither replaces pan/tilt aiming.

A controller sends DMX values to the fixture’s selected channel mode and start address. The console or software normally stores the show cues; DMX itself does not store scenes inside a fixture. Onboard automatic programs or scene memory are separate features that must be checked in the model manual.

2.The category of moving heads.

Based on the light source, it’s classified into discharge lamp moving head and led moving head.

1. Discharge-lamp fixtures use a specified lamp and optical system. Check the required lamp, operating conditions and replacement procedure for the exact model.
2. LED fixtures may use a white-light engine with colour filters or a multi-colour LED engine. Compare useful output and colour quality at the intended angle and distance rather than assuming one source type is always brighter.
3. And there are mainly two types of LED moving lights: RGBW color mixing lensed stage lighingt & white beam Moving lights , which contain one powerful white LED lamp source.
4. Some moving heads use a laser-based source. The source design and operating requirements are model-specific; a laser moving head is not automatically a combined LED-and-laser fixture.

Based on the function, it can be classified into Beam, Wash, Spot, and Profile or Hybrid stage lights.

1. Beam lights – it’s a more focused beam of light for creating certain effects such as beams or shafts on the stage. It’s usually with a strong light output to shine on the stage.
2. Wash lights – this type of moving head light has wide beam angle range that can cover larger area for general stage lighting needs, like wash fixtures, they are more spread out and softer in their coverage area to create general lighting inside the scene. With the progress of software and hardware, wash lights are now more and more rich effects, in addition to a large angle zoom in and out, there are many other features, such as effects, pixel mapping, greatly enriched the stage background effect.
3. Spot lights – It usually contains gobo wheels, which is a metal disc with patterns cutout of the edges, and these gobos can be projected out of the light fixture to create different interesting effects.Sometimes it contains more than one gobo wheel to create more effects.
4. Profile lights use framing shutters to shape the beam boundary and control spill. Gobos, where fitted, project patterns; they serve a different purpose from the framing blades.
5. Profile describes framing capability. Hybrid describes combined beam, spot and wash functions. A fixture can offer both, but neither label guarantees the other. For a comparison by lighting task, read the types and uses of moving lights.

Based on the use of environment, it can be classified as indoor and outdoor stage lighting.

1. Indoor moving lights. As the name suggested, it means they are used for indoor applications, usually marked as IP20.
2. Outdoor moving lights, which marked as IP65 or 66. They are designed with stronger metal or aluminium housing and more protection to survive in outdoor environment. Now more and more theme park and top buildings, such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, use more and more outdoor stage lighting.

3. How do moving lights work

Usually there are 5 ways to control a moving head light. They are manual, automatic program running, sound activated and DMX 512 control and wireless cotnrol.

Manual control

This is the simplest way to operate. You can control the moving head light via the display of the fixture .

Automatic program running

The preset program on the fixture will play automatically. For example, if you choose the color change mode on the fixture, it will run through all colors one by one automatically and then stop at last color after finished running all programs .

Sound activated

This is another way to operate a moving head light. It can detect sound signals in certain frequencies via microphone , so when there are sounds detected by this function, moving head light starts up or changes its modes according to your settings of different functions.

DMX 512 control

DMX 512 control mode would required and expert of professional lighting designer or technician. DMX512 protocol is a communication method, which allows the moving head light to be controlled by other devices such as lighting desks or controller via DMX signal cables . The way of setting up all functions and programs for this type of control mode would require more knowledge about the professional stage lighting system. With DMX 512 control, you could preset the lighting programs of all the lights on the stage via the lighting desk or software.

Wireless control

Wireless DMX carries control data between a compatible transmitter and receiver, either built into the fixture or connected externally. It changes the signal transport, not the fixture’s DMX channel map. Check compatibility, range, obstacles and radio conditions at the venue; a wireless link is not automatically more reliable than a wired one. Power and fixture addressing still need to be planned.

4. How do you maintain a moving light?

Daily Maintenance

As the lighting fixtures are ususally used with the stage effect machines, such as fog machine, hazer and bubbles machines, those stage effece machines would produce mist all over your lighting fixtures. So to avoid this issue, please follow the below procedure to do the daily maintenance:

Disconnect power and allow the fixture to cool before cleaning. Follow the model manual for cleaning access and approved materials. Do not open an enclosure using a generic screw-removal procedure; internal service, lamp replacement and seal restoration must follow the exact model instructions and be performed by qualified personnel where required.

Daily maintenance:

1) Turn off power supply and wipe down the lights with a cloth to clean up dust.

2) Check if any part has gone out, including lamps, ballasts, connectors, etc.

3) Change all lamps and filters as soon as they burn out or if their light becomes weak.

Maintaining fixtures in a proper way is very important to the safety and performance over time, please follow these guidelines to maintain your fixture from time to time.

Common Failaure&Solution

These are a few of the most common problems that can occur with moving headlights

1. Lighting fixture no response – when you turn on power supply and the fixture is not responding. 2) Check if the power connection has been made correctly to the fixture. 2) Check the built-in power supply(transformer) is working properly or not.
2. No reponse to DMX controller – 1)Check the dmx cable signal connection. 2) Make sure the lighting library is patching with the light. 3) Check the display board is working properly or not.
3. No light output- If your moving head light is not emitting any lights , the problem might be 1)the light source, lamp or led chip burnt.; 2)ignitor(led driver) broken down; 3)the pcb boards broken down.
4. Not changing color/gobo not responding properly- The common reason for this issue would be because there are 1)no signals coming in; 2)check the sensor of the color/gobo plate; 3) Check the motor of the color/gobo plate
5. Pan/Tilt not working properly- 1)check the connection between motor and pcb board, next step check if there are signals coming in or not; 3) Check the belt is loosing or not.

In short, if you encounter a quality problem with your moving heads, it is best to consult an experienced expert or seek help from the manufacturer. Even if the lights look similar in appearance, the software of each factory is different. If the problem is the PCB board, you must use the original PCB board provided by the factory, otherwise, the software does not match, it is also impossible to fix your lights. 

5. Considerations for purchase

There are many different types of moving head lights in the market.

For example, there are low cost ones for beginners to use which have functions such as auto running and sound activated modes; high end lighting fixtures would cost higher but they have more functions and are often capable of creating more effects. There is no perfect type of fixture , different lighting designer has different needs for their own applications. Your choice of moving head lights would depend on how you are going to use them and your budget .

If you need the fixture only for occasional purposes, buying low cost ones is fine or just rent from a local market; if it’s intended as a professional or main light source in some production , high end lamps with all functions will be good for your choice.

Before you make a decision , please consider carefully and ask yourself what functions do I really need? How much am I prepared to spend on this lighting fixture? What kind of lamps or bulbs can my moving headlights run with? Then figure out the answers from thereon, making an informed decision will help you get better value in the long run.

If you are new to this, please consult your lighting designer or the person who is in charge of stage equipment before making a purchase decision. You can also refer to relevant product manuals for further guidance on how to use it and maintenance guide so that you could take good care of them properly . It would be awesome if there’s someone who could share their experience with you to help you make the right choice.

For the control path behind a moving-head rig, read the DMX512 lighting control, browse the moving head range, or request project support.