DJzone DJ Magazine

American DJ's new DMX Penta Beam is hotter than a searing red laser when it comes to generating club lighting excitement. That's because the Penta Beam features - not one -- but five red-hot lasers, each of which shoots out a different geometric pattern.
An intelligent 4.9mW red laser effect, the Penta Beam will send stars, ellipses, circles and other geometric shapes gyrating across a club's walls, floor and surfaces. Its five sizzling laser beams project out over a wide area, making it a great effect for even large-size venues.
Featuring an internal microphone for sound activation, the Penta Beam's fiery red patterns will dance around the room to the beat of the music, or their movement can be programmed with any standard DMX-protocol controller. Either way, the Penta Beam will create a spectacular laser light show that will rival Fourth of July fireworks. Its glowing beams can be made even more intense by using the unit in conjunction with a fog machine or other smoke-type special effect.

"The Penta Beam is a unique effect, because it incorporates five separate lasers into one compact unit," said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Cos. "Plus, it's an intelligent laser, so you can do a lot of creative things with it. With its DMX programmability, five separate lasers and wide beam spread, it's a really great effect for clubs that want the excitement of a multi-pattern laser light show, yet also want the ease and economy of a single affordable fixture."
A 6-channel DMX fixture, the Penta Beam includes one channel for each of its five lasers, plus one channel for special functions. In addition to being operated with a DMX controller, the Penta Beam can be set in Sound Activation Mode to chase to the music via built-in internal programs. When in the Sound Activation Mode, users can control the intensity of the effect's response to music with a Volume Sensitivity Knob located on the rear of the unit.

The Penta Beam can also be configured Master/Slave and linked in multiples for a larger, even more dazzling, coordinated laser light show. When operated as a stand-alone unit or Master/Slave, American DJ's optional MINI/C Controller (sold separately) can be used to control blackout function.

As big as it is on laser excitement, the Penta Beam is small and compact in physical dimensions. Weighing only 7 lbs. and measuring 8.75"H x 17.25"W x 6"H, it can be used for both mobile and stationary applications.

As an intelligent effect that provides the excitement of five lasers, the Penta Beam is also "small" on price. The manufacturers list price of the Penta Beam is only $339.95.