FAQs, MBT Lighting and Sound

• How do I order MBT Lighting & Sound products?
• Has MBT Lighting & Sound won any awards?
• What is the difference between DMX and analog?
• What does PAR mean when we talk about PAR cans?
• What do I need to know to find a replacement bulb for my PAR can unit?
• What are the most common lamps for PAR cans?
• What is a “ray kit”?
• PAR can lamps have long model numbers: what do the model numbers mean?
• How do I install a lamp in a PAR64, PAR56 or PAR46 can?
• I own a retail store and want to become an MBT Lighting & Sound dealer. How do I use lighting products in my showroom?
  
• What are the steps I should take if I purchased a defective product?
  

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How do I order MBT Lighting & Sound products?
MBT Lighting & Sound products are distributed through our professional network of retail dealers across the United States and on the Internet. Most retail music instrument stores, pro audio and lighting stores and DJ supply stores carry MBT Lighting & Sound products. Click here to find a dealer on the internet or in a city near you.

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Has MBT Lighting & Sound won any awards?
YES! MBT Lighting & Sound has been voted for by our national retail dealer network allowing us to win a variety of company and product awards. For two consecutive years, MBT Lighting & Sound won the Musical Merchandise Review Award for “Best Lighting Line” in 2003 and 2004. MBT Lighting & Sound products have also won Music & Sound Retailer Awards for “Best New Lighting Product.”
Winning products include:

1. SC100 4-Channel Foot Controller
2. LS1-6 Link-A-Spot light
3. RS1 Roto-Strobe effect light
4. PAR64LWUL white PAR can

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What is the difference between DMX and analog?
DMX and analog are two ways in which a lighting controller “talks” or communicates a command to a lighting fixture or dimmer pack.

1. Analog requires one wire for every channel or fixture. This means special multiple-wire cables are required. Analog signals are typically low-voltage (0-10 volts). Most MBT Lighting & Sound analog products connect using 8-pin DIN cables. Typically, analog control products are not able to work with analog products from another manufacturer.
2. DMX is a commonly used abbreviation for DMX512. DMX has become a world-accepted standard where one uses digital rather than analog signals to communicate with lighting gear. DMX uses only one cable that carries up to 512 channels, significantly reducing costs of use and allowing equipment from multiple brands to work together. Although DMX was originally designed for a 5-pin connection, there are only 3-pins actually used to make a DMX connection. A typical DMX connection is a simple 3-pin XLR input. 

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What does PAR mean when we talk about PAR cans?
No, PAR is not referring to the golf game; PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) is actually the description of the lamp or bulb that goes inside a PAR can. The can is the container where the PAR lamp or bulb goes. The number beside PAR is a measurement that describes the diameter of the PAR lamp or bulb. To figure out the diameter, divide the number next to PAR by eight. For example, if you have a PAR64, divide 64 by 8 and you will have an 8-inch diameter lamp. PAR56 has a 7-inch diameter lamp, and PAR46 has a 5.75-inch diameter lamp, and so on. The diameter of the PAR lamp is useful to know when ordering a replacement lamp.

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What do I need to know to find a replacement bulb for my PAR can unit?
There are three identifying factors on a light bulb:

1. Voltage: You must match the voltage of your light bulb exactly to the one you’re purchasing. Examples of volts are 110V, 12V, 24V…
2. Watts: This is an important area to be precise. You can select a lower or equal wattage, but never select a higher wattage on a replacement bulb.
3. Style: This has to do with the physical size, shape and base (electrical connection) of a light bulb. Even though a bulb has the same volts and watts, the style can be different and may make it incompatible. Common bulb styles you may see include: bi-pin (used in many effect lights), sealed beam or mogul prong (used in many PAR cans), MR16 (Miniature Reflector PAR16 Size, used in many effect lights) and medium screw-base (standard screw-in sockets, used in PAR38 par cans). Click here for the MBT Lighting & Sound Bulb Guide.

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What are the most common lamps for PAR cans?

1. PAR64 cans use 500PAR64MFL
2. PAR56 cans use 300PAR56MFL
3. PAR46 cans use 200PAR46MFL
4. PAR38 cans use 90PAR38HFL

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What is a “ray kit”?
When selecting a lamp for a PAR can, a sealed beam lamp is the common choice, but sometimes a ray kit is used because of its lower cost and weight. A ray kit has two components:

1. Lamp: choose from a 600 watt DYS or 300 watt JCD lamp
2. Reflector dish: holds the lamp and aims the light forward.

MBT offers ray kit solutions for PAR56 and PAR64 cans.

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PAR can lamps have long model numbers: what do the model numbers mean?
For most PAR can lamps, the model number indicates watts, style/size and flood pattern. You can break up the model number to understand each of the components. For example, a model number such as 500PAR64MFL has 500 watts, PAR64 size and a Medium Flood Pattern. You can use the model number to figure out the diameter of the PAR can lamp as well; simply divide PAR64 by 8, and you get an 8-inch diameter lamp/bulb. Other flood patterns that you may see are NSFL (Narrow Spot Flood Pattern) or WFL (Wide Flood Pattern).

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How do I install a lamp in a PAR64, PAR56 or PAR46 can?
Nine easy steps to follow:

1. Set the can on its front where the gel holder is located.
2. Remove the rear cap of the can by pulling on the spring-loaded knob. This cap is often attached to the front part of the can by a small wire.
3. Remove the bulb-retaining clip by pressing the two tabs towards each other.
4. If you’re replacing an old lamp, disconnect the ceramic or porcelain socket connection and remove the lamp.
5. Place the new lamp face down onto the wire mesh screen.
6. Re-connect the socket onto the metal tabs on the rear of the lamp (it doesn’t matter which tab goes into which socket slot).
7. Put the lamp-retaining ring back in place around the rear of the lamp. It should fit snuggly to keep the lamp from moving backwards.
8. Put the rear cap back on the can by aligning the spring knob and hole and tab on the opposite side.
9. Plug the power cord carefully back into a power source to test lamp.

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I own a retail store and want to become an MBT Lighting & Sound dealer. How do I use lighting products in my showroom?
Many MBT Lighting & Sound dealers use PAR lighting systems not only to increase lighting sales, but they also use lighting to highlight products on the showroom floor. Systems such as the MBT Lighting & Sound WEEKENDER, Stage Color Package or the DJ416 are VERY effective and successful in showing off products like drum sets, guitars, keyboards or PA gear already in the showroom.

Customers are drawn to bright lights. The added color, brightness and movement bring attention to both the lighting system AND music or other products on display. It’s a win-win situation. The most successful dealers incorporate lighting into their current showroom display to sell products on the floor, and the light ends up selling itself.

Setting up lighting may sound intimidating, but it’s actually very easy, and anyone can do it. You can set up a simple effect light display by using a portable truss system where you can mount five or six effect lights that you shine on products or the showroom floor. Make sure to have a simple on/off controller to manage your light display. You can also shoot off fog or bubbles with MBT Lighting & Sound’s Fogzilla and Bubble machines, or create a dark room to show off some other neat lighting effects like MBT Lighting & Sounds’ green or red lasers or the Kaleidoscope lighting effect. Have fun with it!

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What are the steps I should take if I purchased a defective product?
If you purchased any defective products you see listed on the MBT Lighting & Sound website, you should contact the retail establishment where you purchased your product.

If you are an MBT Lighting & Sound dealer and purchased any defective products you see listed on the MBT Lighting & Sound website, you should first contact customer support via email, kmcmcpcustsupport-musicorp@kaman.com or call 1-800-641-6931. You will then be given further instructions on returning any defective products.