Part of the Elements line is the Krypton series of lights. They can be best described as a series of versatile, active controlled matrix fixtures. This is a fancy term for arrays of light bulbs that can be turned on individually and run in series of cool on/off patterns. They are the perfect conventional light to be used for pixel mapping or using the built-in macros that show off the dazzling effects these fixtures produce. They come in different sizes for any application.
Krypton 10
The Krypton 10 is a strip light reminiscent of the old MR16 strips manufactured over the years, except they have taken it to a new level. The user has total control of the built-in dimmers allowing the user to turn on and dim each of the 10 bulbs individually. The 75W or 50W Halogen MR16 bulbs are the same bulbs we have used for years. Like all the Krypton fixtures, Elements has addressed the longtime problem of similar lights where the bulbs fail because of shoddy connections between the bulb and the socket. The tight-fitting covers of these fixtures prevent any slight movement and keep the bulbs in place on the bumpiest of truck rides.
The Krypton 10 is only 1 meter in length, 5.1 inches wide and weighs 6 lbs. The yoke spans the length of the fixture. Fed DMX through a 3 pin XLR connector, the fixture can run in one-, two-, five- or 10-channel mode. They draw 3.5 amps at full (when run at 220V) through a Neutrik powerCON twist lock connector. An Edison-to-Neutrik adaptor is included. The buyer must choose either a 100V or 220V power supply at time of purchase. Inner Circle sells some stealth road cases for these fixtures, which can fit either four or eight of them at a time. There is an additional tray inside for cables as well as wheel trays on the top for easy stacking during transport.
Krypton 6
The Krypton 6 is a smaller version of a similar type fixture. This straight array of 6 PAR 30W/75W bulbs packs quite a punch for a fixture that is only 29.5 inches long. It is only available as a 220-volt fixture and requires only 2.2 amps of power at full. These particular fixtures can run in auto run and master/slave modes as well. Through the digital LED display on the rear of the fixture, one can preset the speed and brightness of chases and leave them on their own to run. The same DMX and power connectors come standard as well as a different sized road case that contains eight of these fixtures and their cables.
Krypton 25
The U.S. has their own line of box-shaped white lites, as the Elements manufacturers unveil their 25-bulb matrix of lights. Each of the Krypton 25 has five rows of five PAR 30W/75W halogen bulbs stacked on top of each other, forming a square array of lights. While similar to other manufacturer’s fixtures out there, Inner Circle has figured out a way to market these at an affordable rate. Each lamp has its own individual dimmer, but the controller can run in four different DMX modes. Utilizing all 25 channels, users can write and endless array of effects and chases. They can also run the fixture in a 4-channel DMX mode, which allows the Krypton 25 to control pre-programmed letters, numbers and dozens of symbols through built-in macros. A 14-channel mode allows the user to control rows of five lamps individually, both horizontally and vertically.
Each Krypton 25 fixture is a two-foot square that is 6 inches deep and only weighs 37 lbs. This is smaller than other matrix-type fixtures on the market, making it suitable for nightclub use as well as for exhibition booths. Each fixture comes with a single yoke, but double yokes are available for those who want to couple two of them together. The coolest thing about them is the way they interlock seamlessly with each other. The space between the outside bulbs in two fixtures side by side is perfectly milled to be the exact same distance as between the bulbs in the fixture. Each fixture has male and female spigots alternating on each side, making the possibility of locking them together sturdy and painless. Last month I witnessed over 90 of these fixtures locked together to make a giant matrix wall for a televised award show. The wall was pixel-mapped to some video clips and was more impressive than any other matrix I have seen.
The dimming curve on each of these Krypton fixtures is 100 percent linear, and I noticed no sudden drop in intensity as I slowly dimmed them. At zero intensity, there was no noticeable ghosting of the bulbs. They were blindingly bright when brought to full in zero time and they can easily be used for any live concert application. The fixtures take DMX through 3- and 5-pin XLR connectors. A digital display on the back is used for addressing and choosing modes. The fixtures also have an LED map on the back that shows that each of the 25 bulbs is getting power when on. If the LED is lit and the bulb is not on, the user knows it’s time to swap lamps.
As a bonus, the Krypton 25 has an optional mirror front panel that can be attached to the fixture. This allows the programmer to bounce lasers of thin beams off of the front of the fixture while allowing the full intensity of the fixture’s 25 beams to shine through. Lastly, I was concerned about the roadworthiness of the Krypton 25 after having issues with other matrix lights. After I ran them through a rigid test, I placed an Inner Circle road case with four of these in a truck and let a runner drive all over the streets of a city, constantly bouncing them for the day. I took them out of the case the next morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that all the bulbs were intact and functioning.
Besides the various conventional fixtures mentioned in this article, Elements has developed one particular LED fixture that I feel is worth mentioning. The Krypton 515 is a fixture that consists of three rows of 15W tri-colored LEDs that are staggering bright while housed in a heavy-duty frame. A glass panel mounts in front of the fixture, sealing it for indoor and outdoor use. I’ve seen these used on quite a few arena tours this year. Whether used as an architectural fixture or a concert blinder, these flood lites definitely fill a void in today’s marketplace.
Elements Krypton Series from Inner Circle Distribution
Pros: Low cost, maximum bang for the buck, matrix effects.
Cons: No auto sensing power supplies currently available.
How Much: Elements Krypton 25: $1,399; Krypton 6: $659; Krypton 10: $499; Krypton 515: $1,399 (MSRP)
