For my example, I am using Carol of the Bells. You can also download the songs from the internet. Rip the song you want from your favorite legally purchased (or otherwise) cd to an MP3 file on your computer. By this point, I hope you at least have an idea of what Christmas music you'll be using for your display. The sequence editor is where you'll program your lights to turn on and off with the music. As long as the lights turn on, you are all set to start programming!Ĭlose the Hardware Utility and launch the Sequence Editor. Play around with the controls in the center window to see the different light options. Then click refresh in the center at the top and it will detect your unit. Once it has detected the com port, change the max units in the top right corner to 5, unless you have more than 5 controllers. If it doesn't, refer to the setup documentation that it came with for further assistance. Assuming the unit is powered on and set up correctly, the hardware utility should detect and set the appropriate com port. From the Hardware Utility, click Auto Configure in the top left corner. (Hardware utility is also in programs, but you will need to launch the control panel as well.) If the control panel gives you an error about com ports, press ok and ignore it for now. Right click on it and go to Hardware Utility. Launch the Hardware utility by clicking: Start -> Program -> LightORama -> LightORama Control Panel The control panel is a little light bulb icon in your taskbar. You can then run the hardware utility to test the equipment. You then need to connect the network cable to the USB adapter and the USB adapter to your computer with the included USB cable. This particular model has sixteen channels, eight on each side, so it will have two plugs to plug in. Take note of this number because you'll need it later. Also, if you have more than one controller, you'll need to set the controller number from the dial inside the unit. Run your network cable through the hole in the bottom and plug it into either one of the network jacks. ![]() Once that is complete, start by removing the screws from the front of the controller and remove the face plate. Using the CD that came with the controller (or by downloading the drivers from the website), follow the directions to install the software on your PC. If you like this method, make sure that you don't mount the controller outside until after you're done programming. Personally, I found it easier and more interesting to program the lights with the controller on the floor with extra lights plugged into it so I could see what I was doing as I did it. Draw your design on paper or in the computer and number each item with what lighting channel it will be on. In order to make everything work, I combined the Santa face with the roof lights (more on that later). If you count, you'll notice that I have seventeen items and only sixteen channels. For my light display this year, we have four fake trees, seven reindeer, a manger scene, two lighted real trees, a Santa face, lights around the perimeter of the roof, and a Santa and reindeer on top of the roof. You need to have a pattern that they can follow. When designing the lights, you want them to be complex enough to intrigue your audience, but not so complex as to confuse them. The worst thing you can do with lots of channels is just have lights and figures scattered all over your yard in no particular order. If you decide to expand and add more controllers in the future (which is as easy as buying another one and plugging it in), you will need to think more about aesthetics and choice of color when designing your lights. We only have 16 channels to work with, so the design can't be too elaborate. Also keep in mind that with fm transmission, there may be regulations on that in your area and with speakers, respect your neighbors and keep the volume loud enough for bystanders to hear, but not so loud that you are disturbing neighbors.įor this example we will keep it simple. I will be using speakers for this demonstration. Other equipment includes: Computer to run the software Christmas lights of your choice Lots of extension cords Some method of delivering sound to listeners Time to design and program A quick word on sound: There are two ways I can think of to deliver the sound using speakers, or an fm transmitter so people can listen in their cars. ![]() The package I purchased was the Light-O-Rama 16 Channel starter package, which includes: LOR1602W - 16 Channel 30 Amp Controller Light-O-Rama Software - Extended Edition USB485B - USB to RJ45 Powered connector 50ft Cat 5e Network Cable Total cost of $437.95 If you're savvy with electronics, you can purchase DIY kits for significantly cheaper. For this example, I am using Light-O-Rama controllers. There are many different lighting controllers that can be used.
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