Selecting | Installing Lighting For A Disco Den

[discophil]

Let me apologize up front. I know this topic really doesn't belong in the music section but I have no idea where else to put this. If the mods know of a better section, please! Feel free to ship it off!

Anyway, I'm converting my basement office/den into a mini disco. I'll still work down there but I want to have a "theme." I already have my vintage SNF, TGIF and Can't Stop the Music movie posters up on the walls, but I'm wanting to get some authentic lighting in the room. I've been lurking around Moblie DJ supply websites and have found some lighting I'd like to use. My favorite are the multi-colored spinning balls. Man, those things are cool. I'm thinking of adding one of those, a strobe and maybe a mirror ball. (btw, I've noted the mirror balls [8" variety] hang about 16 inches from the ceiling. Is that right? My ceilings are about 8 foot. I don't think I have clearance for something like that...unless someone has an idea).

Has anyone else done something similar in their home? How difficult is it to hook up the lights? I know they usually hang on racks and then connect to some sort of controller. How would this translate into a home environment? I don't mind attaching things to walls/ceiling. Will that work? Will I need to still have a controller and run the connections to it?

Any advice will be helpful! And, if anyone has already done this, pics would be GREAT!

Again, sorry for going "off-topic"!

[Bernie]

Can't help you with lighting as I really don't know much about it. However, you say you have 8-foot ceilings, which for a basement is great, but it may not be enough clearance for hanging lights.

If the basement is unfinished you could hang brackets and par cans in between the joists. As for juice for all that lighting, I'd strongly recommend you consult an electrician and have him install a dedicated 20 amp line.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge in club or DJ lighting can help.

[Chappuh]

I don't believe that you'll need to bring in an electrician on this one...One simple lighting rig's not going to give you much guff.
As for the mirror ball, you can have it any height you want, it's not going effect performance or anything--just make sure you have one of those lights shining on it!
You won't necessarily need a controller for your lights, but it makes running a variety of lights handy. If you decide to get a truss for them, you might save some energy installing them. You could also move it around if necessary or even rent it out on the side!
I used to do some lighting work, hope this helps!