Tonight I'll start sequencing (or programming) the light display. Reading through the ACL forums & chatroom it seems many other blinky-flashy enthusiasts spend many an hour sequencing their displays. Then again, many of these people have quite literally thousands of individual channels that require turning on/off every 1/4 second, with most sequences syncronised to a music track and running around 2-3 mins. Multiply this by the number of songs in a night and you can imagine how much time & effort goes into this hobby!
I think I'll start off this year sequencing just the lights and not to a music soundtrack. I know: a DJ who doesn't want to involve music! There's a couple of reasons why I'm going this option. Firstly, if I sequence to music, it makes the actual task of sequencing a little more harder & time consuming, making sure all the lights activate in time to the beats etc. Also, I would need to invest more money into weatherproof outdoor speakers so visitors would get the whole experience. In addition to this, many other Christmas light displays use FM radio transmitters to broadcast the music so you can hear it from the comfort of your car or portable radio device. This all costs more money, and with another addition to the family due later this year, my "Minister of Finance" would surely have some strong words with me if I went "all out" first year!
So how do you sequence a Christmas light show? Good question, I can't wait to find out!! There are a number software options available for this hobby, but I have chosen LightShow Pro (LSP). Why? Firstly, it was on special when I was looking into software programs! Secondly, many other members of ACL are using it and have recommended it. From my understanding, it appears to be the more high-end or professional software of all programs available, and has a good level of support in the form of its own website forum. It seems to be fairly easy to work out to use, but I know from other ACL members who have large displays use it to its maximum potential.
Anyway, enough blogging - I've got some sequencing to do! I'll post some screen caps once it starts looking more interesting!
I think I'll start off this year sequencing just the lights and not to a music soundtrack. I know: a DJ who doesn't want to involve music! There's a couple of reasons why I'm going this option. Firstly, if I sequence to music, it makes the actual task of sequencing a little more harder & time consuming, making sure all the lights activate in time to the beats etc. Also, I would need to invest more money into weatherproof outdoor speakers so visitors would get the whole experience. In addition to this, many other Christmas light displays use FM radio transmitters to broadcast the music so you can hear it from the comfort of your car or portable radio device. This all costs more money, and with another addition to the family due later this year, my "Minister of Finance" would surely have some strong words with me if I went "all out" first year!
So how do you sequence a Christmas light show? Good question, I can't wait to find out!! There are a number software options available for this hobby, but I have chosen LightShow Pro (LSP). Why? Firstly, it was on special when I was looking into software programs! Secondly, many other members of ACL are using it and have recommended it. From my understanding, it appears to be the more high-end or professional software of all programs available, and has a good level of support in the form of its own website forum. It seems to be fairly easy to work out to use, but I know from other ACL members who have large displays use it to its maximum potential.
Anyway, enough blogging - I've got some sequencing to do! I'll post some screen caps once it starts looking more interesting!