sequencing for strobes? 1 flash per second or 3-4 flash per second strobes?

[Tom Clapper]

I am trying to get some sequencing finished and am also looking to purchase some strobes from cls. First question I guess is if I am looking to put five strobes in my 15' tall blue spruce which strobes should I buy...1 flash per second or 3-4 flash per second. I plan on buying the incandesant strobes and not the led ones.

Second question is how do I sequence them. I've read that some people pre-load the strobes by running at 10-20% for a few seconds before triggering them. Also do I just turn the channel on at 100% or do I use a shimmer or twinkle effect.

[Tom Clapper]

I guess one more question...If using them at the end of a song and everything is fading down, do I fade them down also or just pick a spot to turn them off?

[George Simmons]

My choice would be to buy the 3-4 flash per second ones - a much greater WOW factor IMO. Pre-charging strobes is only necessary with LED models from CDI to try to make them randomize sooner than they ordinarily would on their own. Xenon strobes should only be full on or completely off. You DO NOT want to fade or shimmer them. At the end of a song just pick a spot and turn them off.

[Tom Clapper]

Thanks George. I really appreciate your advise on this and the strobes info before. Thanks again, Tom

[Dan C]

George is right, You will destroy the circuitry in them if you try and fade them.
I use 55 strobes, they are all 3-4 flashes per second. But I have them on 3 different channels. I can give them the effect of fading by shutting off one channel then another, then the last over a second. Gives it kind of a cool effect.