I am getting Studio Lights, now what?

I'm pulling the trigger on two Alien Bees b800s and I'm wondering what else I need? I want to be able to connect 24x36" softbox to each but since I've only ever used umbrellas and speedlights I'm not sure what I need to do that. The speedring that connects the box to the light, is it brand specific or will any generic or other brand work?

The branded Alien Bees (paul c. buff) softboxes are a bit more expensive than others so I'm wondering if can use others. Oddly I can't seem to find good video tutorials of the basic setup to see what I need.

You can get some of the 'eBay' softboxes with PCB compatible speedrings, but quality is on the iffy side. I've seen some generic octaboxes for PCB mounts and they are built ok. But I've seen some generic strip boxes that are outright horrendous.

Here's an old article I wrote when I first started out: http://www.ocabj.net/a​bducted-by-alien-bees/

Are speedrings universal or do I have to get one that says it's PCB compatible? Like, if I pick up a cowboy studios softbox for studio lights that comes with a speed ring, can I assume it will fit the alien bees?

Speed rings are not universal. They are specific to the brand -- and even the model, in some cases!

The physical characteristics of each head or monolight defines the means of attaching a speed ring to that light. Some have to deal with a reflector which is not removable. Some have to deal with the bayonet mount used to mount a removable reflector for a specific brand of head/monolight.

And just because you have a Brand X speed ring to fit an Alien Bee, you cannot always assume that your softbox from Brand Z fits the speedring from Brand X.

Don't assume a cowboy softbox will fit anything.
You'll need to buy from Buff or buy a knock-off with a PCB compatible speedring.

But before you spend another dime, buy a decent flash meter. The Sekonic L-358 is a good choice for almost everyone.

Flash meter? I chimp Seriously I want one but because I am limited on funds I have been going without one.

Based on this, my follow up question is stands then. I have stands I use with my speedlights with flash brackets. Will I need separate stands for the b800s that can take umbrellas as well or do I just need separate brackets or nothing at all? I wish there was a good diagram of the setup so I can see the different parts I need, like I'm not even sure how the softbox itself connects to the speedring. I understand the speedring will attach to the monolight somehow, but beyond that without getting my hands on it or seeing it in action it's hard to tell.

Sometimes things are extremely clear when you SEE the items you trying to combine...like putting a monolight on a lightstand which currently is used to mount a speedlight. Slow yourself down a bit, quit shopping blindly and ordering on line until you know what you are dealing with. Then ask more questions when you still cannot figure it out.

bone11 wrote in post #14578884
I'm pulling the trigger on two Alien Bees b800s and I'm wondering what else I need? .

A model would be nice!

Curtis N wrote in post #14579531
Don't assume a cowboy softbox will fit anything.
You'll need to buy from Buff or buy a knock-off with a PCB compatible speedring.

But before you spend another dime, buy a decent flash meter. The Sekonic L-358 is a good choice for almost everyone.

What he says, especially regarding getting a meter.

The softbox mounts just like the reflectors by squeezing the bees "antennae" together...The umbrellas go through a hole in the reflector into a round slot in the top of the light... Very basic stuff can't miss it once you see one.

Wilt wrote in post #14579576
Sometimes things are extremely clear when you SEE the items you trying to combine...like putting a monolight on a lightstand which currently is used to mount a speedlight. Slow yourself down a bit, quit shopping blindly and ordering on line until you know what you are dealing with. Then ask more questions when you still cannot figure it out.

If you know a way I can see how the setup would work, please share. I've been trying to locate a diagram with no luck. This is part of the process of not ordering blindly and trying to figure out what I'm dealing with, thanks.

bone11 wrote in post #14579703
If you know a way I can see how the setup would work, please share. I've been trying to locate a diagram with no luck. This is part of the process of not ordering blindly and trying to figure out what I'm dealing with, thanks.

What I am getting at is that once you see the kind of lightstand attachment point that is an integral part of the Alien Bee, you will immediately see what will and will not fit the corresponding attachment point on the current lightstand, and what needs to be removed or replaced to get the two to fit! Here is what the Bee's lightstand fitting looks like

Most modifiers can be adapted via speed ring inserts. I've used my Kacey Beauty dish on Bees, Speedotron 202's and Dynalite SH2000's. I've used an Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa on the Speedos and I'm going to be using it on my Dynalites.

Go to youtube and look up "alien bee unboxing"...that should get ya started.

bone11 wrote in post #14578884
I'm pulling the trigger on two Alien Bees b800s and I'm wondering what else I need? I want to be able to connect 24x36" softbox to each but since I've only ever used umbrellas and speedlights I'm not sure what I need to do that. The speedring that connects the box to the light, is it brand specific or will any generic or other brand work?

The branded Alien Bees (paul c. buff) softboxes are a bit more expensive than others so I'm wondering if can use others. Oddly I can't seem to find good video tutorials of the basic setup to see what I need.

The Paul C. Buff softboxes are quite a bit more expensive when compared to what? How much is 'quite a bit'? I see this posted here often, though I honestly haven't looked at many other alternatives, I have yet to really find evidence of this - the exception being eBay and like modifiers. I just checked the PCB website and see that their softboxes range from around $120-$160. I currently shoot with Speedlites, and have not yet ventured into the world of studio strobes... but I paid $150 for an Apollo Speedlight kit (the softbox is listed at $130 alone). I don't understand the complaint for a ~$150 modifier, when I've [hobbyist] invested A LOT more in other gear... and for me, light is a pretty important component