Bubble & Fog Machines

Fog Machines & Similar Effects

Nothing can enhance your LED and lighting laser lights like atmospheric effects. Mobile DJs, venue owners and stage producers know that the best fog machines and hazers can really raise the production value of any event. Even a basic lighting rig can benefit from dry ice foggers, Co2 cannons and water-based foggers. They create drama, mood and a more immersive lighting experience for the audience. It doesn’t matter if it’s a dive bar or a large concert venue—foggers are the best way to create a more exciting visual display. Savvy DJs and musicians can save money by adding a cheap fog machine to their setup instead of adding more lights. A compact, portable fogger or haze machine could be the best way to boost your light show on a budget.

In addition to their use in nightclubs and dance venues, fog machines are commonly used in haunted houses and Halloween parties. If you want to create an eerie cemetery scene in your front yard, nothing beats a thick layer of low-lying fog. Add some UV black lights or strobe lighting and you’ll have the coolest Halloween display on the block.

For special occasions, a bubble machine could be the perfect solution. If you’re a mobile DJ doing a Christmas or corporate holiday party, consider using a snow machine. For wedding DJs, low-lying dry-ice fog machines produce a beautiful, romantic effect that gives the illusion guests are dancing on a cloud. This effect is popular among wedding clients, and is a great chance for DJs to add value to their service. Snow, bubble and low-lying fog machines are more costly to buy, which is why rental houses stock them. Rental fog machines and bubble machines allow DJs to deliver a more memorable experience for their clients.

Fog vs. Haze

In order to decide which effect would work best for you, it’s important to understand the difference between fog machines and haze machines. In general, foggers produce a thick burst of dense fog. As their name suggests, haze machines generate a fine mist. Whereas foggers emit a burst of fog quickly, hazers slowly produce mist over a longer period of time. The effect of a haze machine is more subtle than a fogger, yet still produces dramatic results when used with lasers, spotlights and other LED lighting effects.

Fog machines typically use proprietary water and glycerin-based fluids known as fog juice. Hazers often use a special mineral oil-based fluid, but some models can use propylene water-based fluid. A fog machine uses a heating element to vaporize the fog juice. A haze machine uses an air compressor to turn its juice into a fine mist. The juices designed for foggers and hazers are not interchangeable.

Faze Machines

Also known as fazers, faze machines are a hybrid of foggers and hazers. Like a fog machine, a fazer uses a heater and a pump. Instead of using an air compressor as a haze machine would, a fazer uses a fan to disperse its haze effect. This makes a faze machine quieter than a haze machine. Faze machines use regular fog fluid instead of an oil-based haze fluid.

Wireless and Bluetooth

Thanks to modern technology, setting up and using fog machines and other atmospheric effects is easier than ever. In addition to wired remotes, DMX control and self-timers have long been incorporated into fog machine designs. Today’s fog machines can be controlled wirelessly. Some models use RF-based wireless remotes which let you trigger your effects from a long distance. More advanced foggers and hazers use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. This lets you control the output of your fog machine wirelessly with a smartphone.

Fog Machines

In order to achieve the look of low-lying fog, the fog vapor must be cooled dramatically. Fog that is much cooler than the surrounding ambient air temperature will sink to the floor. A popular way to achieve this is by using dry ice. When combined with water, dry ice produces a thick, cold fog. Other machines, known as fog chillers, can produce a similar effects. If you’re industrious, there are plenty of DIY hacks online for creating your own fog chiller using a standard fog machine.

Bubble Machines

If you’re old enough to remember Lawrence Welk’s famous television show, you know how cool a roomful of bubbles looks. Whether you want bubbles for a kid’s birthday party or you want to entertain your cat, you can’t go wrong with a good bubble machine. Mobile DJs often use bubble machines for weddings too. Bubbles evoke a feeling of playfulness that works great indoors as well as outdoors.

Snow Machines

There’s no substitute for a good snow machine when the holidays come around. They typically use a special non-toxic fluid called snow juice that is specifically formulated for snow machines. Snow juice is an evaporative, water-based fluid that contains rubbing alcohol and bubble bath liquid. Whether you use a DIY snow fluid formula or purchase name-brand snow juice, now machines can turn an ordinary venue into a winter wonderland.