Sequencing

[indiatango]

Hey there, my name is Andrew. I have been thinking about doing a music-synchronized Christmas display for a couple years now. I have decided to get serious about this. Don't worry, I realize it's a little too late for this year so I am planning to purchase a LOR controller in February when they have the next clearance sale, as well as more lights and extension cords after Christmas. In the mean time, I am thinking about my design and what music I will use. I have downloaded the S2 demo and have played around with it a little bit. It is easy to use and I have done a few seconds of sequencing and watched the animation for it to see how it works.

Here is my question: Are there any tricks or tips for using the sequencer or is it really going to be as tedious as I am realizing? What I mean is this: as far as I can tell, you have to basically play the song until it gets to the part you want to light up, and press stop, add it some light commands, check it, then repeat the whole process again, getting it to another spot in the song, stop it, add some commands, etc. I know of the tapper wizard, but does this just set the timings? Or is this for marking spots you want to light up, so you don't have to keep finding them. I hope you understand what I am asking here.

Thanks for reading.

[gizmomkr]

Well, It is tedious.

You can use the tapper wizzard to turn a channel on or off. So I guess you could play the whole song wiht tapper wizzard "programing" one channel at a time.

There are a lot of different styles of sequencing. I can only give you my opponion, but I know others have there own "way"

Sometimes I use the tapper wizzard - I click along with the beat - this gives me a long series of "beats" in the sequencer. I listen to a song many many times before I ever start sequencing, so by the time I sit down at the pc, I already have a picture in my head of the visuals I want.

I then use the wave form and the "beat track" to help determin when turn a series of lights on or off.

For chases, or the arch, I will usually focus on the begining and end points - then I fill in the blocks between the two points. Copy / paste also helps alot. I use copy paste a lot with "invert" - music is all timing, so if you make a section you like its usually easy to copy and paste it some place else in the song to re use it later on without having to manually lay it out again.

It will drive you crazy, make your eyes blurry, and never want to hear a given song ever again. But there is nothing more rewarding then watching it all when its done. If that doesnt get you, then hang out infront of your house and watch people smile and stare as they drive by.

Finally I would recomend you check out http://www.christmascarolina.com Carl does a great job sharing info, and hosts a mini / convention each year. Its a great place to share and learn.

[DavidPeterson]

Watch out on the February clearance sale. It's a great time to get a controller, but they can go FAST. If you end up not being able to get one then, the summer sale is much easier. Not as low of a price, but not a huge difference on the kits. Plus they usually give away stuff, and no limits on available merchandise.

[Guest wbottomley]

core21 wrote:

Hey there, my name is Andrew. I have been thinking about doing a music-synchronized Christmas display for a couple years now. I have decided to get serious about this. Don't worry, I realize it's a little too late for this year so I am planning to purchase a LOR controller in February when they have the next clearance sale, as well as more lights and extension cords after Christmas. In the mean time, I am thinking about my design and what music I will use. I have downloaded the S2 demo and have played around with it a little bit. It is easy to use and I have done a few seconds of sequencing and watched the animation for it to see how it works.

Here is my question: Are there any tricks or tips for using the sequencer or is it really going to be as tedious as I am realizing? What I mean is this: as far as I can tell, you have to basically play the song until it gets to the part you want to light up, and press stop, add it some light commands, check it, then repeat the whole process again, getting it to another spot in the song, stop it, add some commands, etc. I know of the tapper wizard, but does this just set the timings? Or is this for marking spots you want to light up, so you don't have to keep finding them. I hope you understand what I am asking here.

Thanks for reading.

Come and visit the rest of us at http://www.christmascarolina.com

[Don]

core21 wrote:

What I mean is this: as far as I can tell, you have to basically play the song until it gets to the part you want to light up, and press stop, add it some light commands, check it, then repeat the whole process again, getting it to another spot in the song, stop it, add some commands, etc. I know of the tapper wizard, but does this just set the timings? Or is this for marking spots you want to light up, so you don't have to keep finding them. I hope you understand what I am asking here.

If you look at the "Play" menu at the top of the screen you will see "Play Range" as one of the selections. There are 5 choices in there that you can choose from which will help you with this.

Also, you can use the space bar to start the sequence from the current location (as defined by the active cell) and it will play until you hit space again. (Unless you have a section of cells highlighted within the timescale (yellow bar) section. Then that will take priority.)

[indiatango]

Thanks to all who posted so far! This is all good info and will help me.

[paulanator]

Seriously, really helpful tips for this new guy too! Thanks everyone.

[ainsworth]

I would add that under the menu item play is speed. Slowing down the song can sometimes make it easier to pick out a specific instrument, if you decide to sequence that way.

It also helps me a lot if I pick songs that I like to listen to. This year I have gone from sequencing Xmas music to Xmas lights to sequencing Xmas light to music I like.

Have fun

[wallleyes]

Dont forget the clip board feature combined with different timing grids can help you sequence fast.

[PaulXmas]

Start NOW!

Have a general idea of what you want your yard to look like.

Then squence every spare moment.

Oh and use headphones if your married, and want to stay married because you will listen to each song 100's of times a few seconds at a time.