Mirror Balls add elegance to formal events.

There are several considerations when shopping for a mirror ball.  First is the tiles should be real glass.  Secondly the smaller the tiles the more reflective points and therefore the better the effect.

There are three parts to creating a mirror ball effect, the ball, a motor to rotate the ball and a light source to shine on the ball.

Mirror balls come in sizes based on diameter from as small as 2" to 60".  Most venues will not need a ball larger than 20", even Radio City Music Hall's mirror ball is only 36".  Motors to rotate the ball are available in AC (requires an outlet to plug into) and DC (is battery operated.)  Usually the slower the RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) the better.  The last part is the light source.  In most cases the fixture used is called a Pin Spot.  A Pin Spot uses a low voltage sealed beam bulb that has an extremely narrow output of light (the same bulb used for police car search lights.)

Positioning the ball is important as it changes the effect and dictates the number of light sources necessary to create the best effect.  Usually you will see a mirror ball in the center of a room, this position ideally needs three light sources for the best effect.  The lights should be positioned 120 degrees apart for even coverage.  If the ball is next to a wall or in the corner of the room only one light source will be required.

Mirror balls are considered a large effect as it can fill the entire room, and is inexpensive to accomplish compared to more sophisticated effects.  So do it right and get out there and dance.