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REVIEWED
REVIEWED: Kam Party Set
Kam is well known for its versatile, easy-to-operate, plug-and-play lighting fixtures – and the new Party Set continues that trend. If you’re a DJ with limited space or you want a faster setup and breakdown, Kam’s Party Set provides an ideal solution.
From case to ready-to-party mode, it could not be easier to have a self-contained light solution in a matter of minutes. Thanks to the intuitive controls and a ridiculously simple setup, even the most novice user of DJ lighting can get up and running in no time.
The full set comes with an extendable tripod (up to 2m) in its own carry case and the pre-assembled T-bar (also in its own carry case and featuring a handy side pocket) is equipped with a pair of Kam derby lights and a pair of mini-par lights, all powered by micro-USB interface.
The main lighting unit is compact and lightweight – perfect for a quick load-in – and with the supplied (decent length) power cable you have everything you need in a small, neat package. At the back of the unit you’ll find a fused AC power input, 3-pin DMX in and out ports, and an LED display. You can select sound to light, static or manual modes on the easy-to-read LED menu panel, which features controls for menu, up, down and enter. I also noticed an additional USB port for output data to an external lamp socket.
The Party Set comes complete with a wireless IR remote for instant control of all features, providing access to the more than adequate range of built-in programs: 14 auto and six sound shows, which you can adjust for speed or sensitivity.
Controlling show modes using the IR remote will provide more than enough options for most mobile events, but you can also control the Party Set using DMX if you wish. Kam’s instruction booklet gives you an extensive list of DMX channel assignments.
With options for 3-, 7- and 34-channel modes, you have complete control over dimming, strobe speed, auto show control, and even clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation.
On the rear of each fixture is a multi-switch that enables you to ‘close’ the fixture, or adjust settings for auto and sound shows. However, I’d imagine most DJs would only use the multi-switch in order to switch off (close) a particular fixture, because you already have control over auto and sound show settings using the remote.
Once I’d attached the T-bar to the tripod, plugged in, and raised the unit up to its full two meters, the Kam Party Bar delivered an astonishing level of options for shows and effects with respectably smooth colour-mixing and lighting effects.
The throw and brightness of the high-power RGBW LEDs was a nice surprise. For such a compact unit, the Party Set performed well in a room suitable for up to 100 people.
Controlling the lights was a cinch via the IR remote control: it’s both simple and intuitive, allowing you to flip between shows to create the desired atmosphere, ranging from slow-moving sequences during a warm-up set to faster-paced effects and strobes. You can set and forget with the auto mixed shows button, which scrolls through the 14 shows in sequence and works perfectly well. However, a word of warning: this setting will play both the slow and fast-paced shows, including strobing, some of which may not be suitable at certain points in the evening.
There is also the sound-mixed shows button, which worked well when combined with sound sensitivity control from 0-99 via the LED panel on the unit. It’s noticeable that the shows don’t get overly manic, something that’s often a let down with sound-active modes. The A and B buttons start the auto par show and the sound par show, respectively, and any of the auto shows can be paused – this is handy should you need to freeze your light show for a spotlight moment. The numbered buttons control the auto show speed from 0-9 (slow to fast), a useful feature for creating atmosphere during your sets. Being able to select favourite shows would make a great addition to the Party Set, especially using the single-colour shows, which can be very effective. Maybe this could be an additional v2.0 feature?
As mobile DJs we must often adapt to various situations in different event spaces and the Kam Party Set is a versatile piece of equipment that’s worth keeping in your vehicle. This versatility and ease of use also makes the Party Set ideal for dry-hire – a great option for family BBQs or parties at home.
It definitely has its place in the market and opting to use bright LEDs is a good shout from Kam; too often you see self-contained lighting solutions with weak LEDs that make them impractical for most party situations.
I had tons of fun with the Kam Party Set. Weighing in at just 5kg, this is a great choice if space is at a premium, allowing you to enhance the atmosphere of any small to medium event without complex setups or taking up lots of space in the van.
From case to ready-to-party mode, it could not be easier to have a self-contained light solution in a matter of minutes. Thanks to the intuitive controls and a ridiculously simple setup, even the most novice user of DJ lighting can get up and running in no time.
The full set comes with an extendable tripod (up to 2m) in its own carry case and the pre-assembled T-bar (also in its own carry case and featuring a handy side pocket) is equipped with a pair of Kam derby lights and a pair of mini-par lights, all powered by micro-USB interface.
The main lighting unit is compact and lightweight – perfect for a quick load-in – and with the supplied (decent length) power cable you have everything you need in a small, neat package. At the back of the unit you’ll find a fused AC power input, 3-pin DMX in and out ports, and an LED display. You can select sound to light, static or manual modes on the easy-to-read LED menu panel, which features controls for menu, up, down and enter. I also noticed an additional USB port for output data to an external lamp socket.
The Party Set comes complete with a wireless IR remote for instant control of all features, providing access to the more than adequate range of built-in programs: 14 auto and six sound shows, which you can adjust for speed or sensitivity.
Controlling show modes using the IR remote will provide more than enough options for most mobile events, but you can also control the Party Set using DMX if you wish. Kam’s instruction booklet gives you an extensive list of DMX channel assignments.
With options for 3-, 7- and 34-channel modes, you have complete control over dimming, strobe speed, auto show control, and even clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation.
On the rear of each fixture is a multi-switch that enables you to ‘close’ the fixture, or adjust settings for auto and sound shows. However, I’d imagine most DJs would only use the multi-switch in order to switch off (close) a particular fixture, because you already have control over auto and sound show settings using the remote.
Once I’d attached the T-bar to the tripod, plugged in, and raised the unit up to its full two meters, the Kam Party Bar delivered an astonishing level of options for shows and effects with respectably smooth colour-mixing and lighting effects.
The throw and brightness of the high-power RGBW LEDs was a nice surprise. For such a compact unit, the Party Set performed well in a room suitable for up to 100 people.
Controlling the lights was a cinch via the IR remote control: it’s both simple and intuitive, allowing you to flip between shows to create the desired atmosphere, ranging from slow-moving sequences during a warm-up set to faster-paced effects and strobes. You can set and forget with the auto mixed shows button, which scrolls through the 14 shows in sequence and works perfectly well. However, a word of warning: this setting will play both the slow and fast-paced shows, including strobing, some of which may not be suitable at certain points in the evening.
There is also the sound-mixed shows button, which worked well when combined with sound sensitivity control from 0-99 via the LED panel on the unit. It’s noticeable that the shows don’t get overly manic, something that’s often a let down with sound-active modes. The A and B buttons start the auto par show and the sound par show, respectively, and any of the auto shows can be paused – this is handy should you need to freeze your light show for a spotlight moment. The numbered buttons control the auto show speed from 0-9 (slow to fast), a useful feature for creating atmosphere during your sets. Being able to select favourite shows would make a great addition to the Party Set, especially using the single-colour shows, which can be very effective. Maybe this could be an additional v2.0 feature?
As mobile DJs we must often adapt to various situations in different event spaces and the Kam Party Set is a versatile piece of equipment that’s worth keeping in your vehicle. This versatility and ease of use also makes the Party Set ideal for dry-hire – a great option for family BBQs or parties at home.
It definitely has its place in the market and opting to use bright LEDs is a good shout from Kam; too often you see self-contained lighting solutions with weak LEDs that make them impractical for most party situations.
I had tons of fun with the Kam Party Set. Weighing in at just 5kg, this is a great choice if space is at a premium, allowing you to enhance the atmosphere of any small to medium event without complex setups or taking up lots of space in the van.
The full review can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 117, Pages 84-85.
