Special Effects

Atmospheric and special effects do two different jobs. Haze and fog make light beams visible, which is what turns a lighting rig into a visible show; snow, bubble, confetti and cold spark units create a moment the audience notices in its own right. Both categories interact with venue fire detection and ventilation, so the venue conversation matters as much as the specification.

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Specifications below are taken from the product data for each item in this collection. Rows with fewer than two published figures are omitted. Sorted by price.

How to choose stage effects

Separate haze from fog. A hazer produces a fine, even, long-hanging suspension that makes beams visible without looking like smoke. A fog machine produces dense visible clouds for a deliberate effect. Buying a fogger to make your lighting rig visible gives you a room full of smoke and an unhappy audience.

Talk to the venue before you buy. Haze and fog set off optical smoke detection in many buildings. Venues that allow effects usually require the detection system to be isolated and the fire officer informed. This is a booking conversation, not a technical one, and it decides whether the machine is usable at all.

Plan for ventilation and hang time. A room with strong air handling clears haze in minutes, so the machine has to run continuously rather than in bursts. A sealed room holds haze for a long time and needs much less output. The same machine behaves completely differently in the two rooms.

Check control and power. DMX control lets the effect sit in the show cue stack rather than being triggered by hand. Published power consumption matters because heater-based machines draw heavily during warm-up, which is often more than their running figure.

Treat cold spark units as a regulated effect. They produce a visible spark fountain and are subject to venue and local rules even though they run cooler than traditional pyrotechnics. Confirm what is permitted at the venue before specifying one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between haze and fog?
Haze is a fine even suspension that makes light beams visible without looking like smoke and hangs for a long time. Fog is a dense visible cloud used as a deliberate effect.

Will haze set off the fire alarm?
It can. Optical smoke detection reacts to haze and fog in many buildings. Venues that permit effects normally require detection to be isolated and the fire officer informed in advance.

How much haze does a room need?
It depends on air handling. A well-ventilated room clears haze in minutes and needs continuous output; a sealed room holds it and needs far less.

Can effects machines be controlled from the lighting desk?
Units with DMX control can sit in the cue stack with the rest of the show. Check the individual product page, since not every machine offers it.

Are cold spark machines allowed in every venue?
No. They are subject to venue policy and local regulation even though they run cooler than traditional pyrotechnics. Confirm permission before specifying one.