Chauvet DJ GigBAR Buying Guide
If you're a DJ, in a band or live productions, you already know how quickly a lighting setup can get out of hand. A few effects, some PARs, a laser, stands, cables and controllers can turn into a lot of gear to load in, set up and pack away at the end of the night.
That's a big part of what made the Chauvet DJ GigBAR series so popular. You get several lighting effects mounted together on one bar, giving you a complete light show without having to bring a collection of individual fixtures to every event.
There are several GigBAR models to choose from, though, and the differences aren't always obvious at first glance. Here's a closer look at the lineup and what you should consider when choosing one.
What Is a GigBAR?
A Chauvet DJ GigBAR combines several types of DJ lighting into one fixture. Depending on the model, that can include PAR wash lights, derby effects, strobes, lasers and even moving heads.
Instead of mounting and wiring each effect separately, they're already positioned together on the bar. Put it on the stand, connect power and you're well on your way to having a working lighting setup.
That's especially useful for DJs, band members or those setting up live productions who may be working different events over the course of a single weekend. Less equipment to carry and fewer individual fixtures to set up can make a real difference when you're doing events week after week.
Why Choose a Chauvet DJ GigBAR?
The biggest reason is simple: convenience. A GigBAR gives you more lighting from one system, with less gear to transport, set up and manage throughout an event.
A Chauvet DJGigBAR can give you:
- Multiple lighting effects in one system
- Faster setup and breakdown
- Less individual gear to transport
- Built-in automated and sound-active options
- ILS compatibility for expanding your lighting setup (What is ILS?)
- DMX control on select models
- A system that's easier to manage than several separate fixtures
That convenience becomes even more valuable when you start taking on professional gigs. The less time and attention you have to put into managing your lighting, the more you can focus on the music, read the room and make the moments that matter to your client a success.
For a working DJ, that also makes a GigBAR an investment in your business. A reliable, professional lighting system can help you work more efficiently and consistently deliver a polished experience. And when a successful event leads to a referral or your next booking, the value of your gear goes well beyond what it adds to the dance floor.
The right model depends on the type of events you're doing, the size of the rooms you normally work and how much control you want over the show.
Getting to Know the GigBAR Family
The basic idea behind every Chauvet DJ GigBAR is the same, but the different models aren't simply newer versions of one another. The right choice depends on the size of your events, the effects you want and how much lighting gear you're comfortable bringing with you.
Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3
If you're looking for a straightforward all-in-one lighting system, the Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3 is a good place to start.
It's geared toward backyard parties, private events, smaller venues and beginners who want a complete lighting setup without jumping immediately into moving heads or a larger production rig.
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3 combines two LED wash lights, two derby effects and an integrated RGB LED strip. The wash lights provide general color coverage, while the derby effects add movement around the room. The LED strip adds another visual element directly across the bar.
It doesn't include moving heads, which helps keep the system simpler for users who don't need that extra level of movement.
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3 can run standalone or react to the beat of the music, and it can also be controlled with a foot switch, optional RF remote, ILS Command or DMX.
Because it supports Chauvet DJ's ILS system, it's also not something you'll necessarily outgrow immediately. You can start with the Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3 and add compatible ILS fixtures later.
Best for: Beginners, backyard parties, private events and smaller venues.
Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move ILS
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move ILS is where the lineup takes a noticeable step up.
In addition to two LED wash lights, two derby effects, a laser and four integrated strobes, it adds two 10-watt moving heads.
Those moving heads make a big difference in how the show looks. Instead of every effect being aimed from a fixed position, you can add movement across the dance floor and around the room.
That's why the Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move ILS makes a lot of sense for wedding DJs, live bands and private events where you want the lighting to feel more active without building a full lighting rig from individual fixtures.
The system can operate standalone, react to music, or be controlled using the included foot pedal or IR remote. You can also step up to an optional ILS Command controller or use DMX when you want more control.
Best for: Wedding DJs, live bands and private parties.
Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move + ILS
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move + ILS takes the same basic idea as the Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move ILS and gives you considerably more output.
You still get the all-in-one combination of two moving heads, two wash lights, two derby effects and four integrated strobes, but the Move + also adds Chauvet DJ's Fat Beam RGB laser technology.
The moving heads jump from 10 watts on the GigBAR Move ILS to 32 watts on the Move + ILS. The wash lights use 6-watt hex-color LEDs, while the derby effects use 6.5-watt quad-color LEDs. The strobes are also rated at 5 watts.
That extra output makes the Move + ILS the model to look at when you're regularly working larger rooms or simply want more punch out of one lighting system.
Like the Move ILS, it can be run standalone, sound active, through the included foot pedal or IR remote, with an optional ILS Command controller or through DMX.
For a wedding DJ who wants one primary lighting system that can cover a larger dance floor, this is probably where the traditional GigBAR concept starts to feel much closer to a full lighting rig.
Best for: Wedding DJs and larger events.
Chauvet DJ GigBAR Bridge ILS
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR Bridge ILS takes a different approach.
Rather than combining derby effects and lasers with moving heads, the Bridge focuses more heavily on powerful moving-head lighting and the ability to build a larger linked system.
It features two 40-watt moving heads along with four integrated strobes and 10-watt LED wash lighting.
That makes it a better fit for mobile DJs, live bands and venues that want stronger moving-head performance instead of a collection of smaller party-style effects.
Another major difference is scalability. Multiple Chauvet DJ GigBAR Bridge ILS systems can be linked together, with support for setups of up to eight units.
Control options include wireless ILS, an RF remote, an optional foot switch and the optional ILS Command controller.
The Bridge also comes in a case with a molded interior and nylon zip exterior, making it a little different from the traditional padded bags used with much of the GigBAR lineup.
Best for: Mobile DJs, live bands and venues that want stronger moving-head lighting and the ability to expand.
Chauvet DJ GigBAR Bridge Beam ILS
The Chauvet DJ GigBAR Bridge Beam ILS is aimed at users who want to take the Bridge concept even further.
It features two 40-watt moving heads with RGBW LED rings and washes, along with four integrated wash lights. The LED rings around the moving heads add another visual element and give the fixture more to work with than a traditional moving-head setup alone.
Like the Bridge ILS, the Bridge Beam is designed with larger systems in mind. Up to nine units can be linked together, making it especially interesting for larger venues and more permanent installations.
It can run standalone or sound active and supports a foot switch, optional RF remote, optional RFC-XL remote, ILS Command and DMX control.
For a mobile DJ or live band, one Bridge Beam system gives you a powerful all-in-one setup. For a venue, several linked units can become the foundation of a much larger lighting installation.
Best for: Mobile DJs, live bands and larger or permanent venues.
What Is ILS?
You'll see "ILS" attached to several products in the GigBAR lineup.
ILS stands for Instant Light Shows. It's Chauvet DJ's way of getting compatible fixtures to work together without requiring you to sit down and program a full DMX light show.
With ILS-compatible fixtures, different lights can coordinate their colors, effects and movement as part of the same show.
That's useful if you start with a GigBAR and eventually decide to add uplights, moving heads or other effects around the room. Instead of treating every new fixture as a completely separate lighting system, compatible ILS fixtures can work together.
For a mobile DJ who wants better lighting but doesn't necessarily want to become a lighting programmer, that's one of the more useful reasons to consider an ILS model.
So, Which GigBAR Should You Choose?
There's no single Chauvet DJ GigBAR that's going to be the right answer for everybody.
If portability and a smaller setup are your priorities, start by looking at the Chauvet DJ GigBAR Go ILS.
If you want a straightforward all-in-one system with a variety of effects, the Chauvet DJ GigBAR 3 is a strong option for typical mobile DJ work.
If you want moving heads and the ability to build a larger synchronized ILS setup, step up to the Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move ILS.
And if you're regularly working larger events or simply want to get the most you can from an all-in-one GigBAR system, take a look at the Chauvet DJ GigBAR Move + ILS.
The best choice really comes down to the events you're doing now and where you see your setup going next.
Final Thoughts
There's a reason you see GigBAR systems at so many mobile DJ events. They solve a pretty common problem: how do you bring enough lighting to make the dance floor look good without bringing half a truck's worth of lighting equipment?
For some DJs, a compact GigBAR is all they'll need. Others may use one as the center of a larger ILS setup with additional fixtures around the room.
Either way, think about the rooms you normally work, how much gear you want to transport and whether you expect to add more lighting down the road. That will usually point you toward the right GigBAR pretty quickly.
Still stuck between two models? Our I DJ NOW lighting specialists can help you compare them and figure out which one makes the most sense for the events you're actually doing.