Patti Rogers Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I have so many questions. I am just starting out and I really want to make the singing faces I see on You Tube. First what exactly do I need to get started. It sounds like need to have a controller. I would like to do the 4 singing faces I would have about 5000 or so lights. I would eventually add on. I thought about having the thunder and lighting package start the show. Would 1 controller be enough for this or should I start with 2? To create the sequences It sounds like I need to have the sequence program as well. How much did it actually cost you all to get started? As far as connecting the controllers to the computer can I use a wirelss device that hooks up to the computer and sends a signal to the initial controller? Will this work. I really am not able to run the computer out in the garage or add wires inside the home to the computer. Has anyone tried this option? Will it work? I will need to probably put the controllers together. Will this easy enough to do? Is there anything else I really should know before I get started? I know I should have started earlier but what can I say I procrastinated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 This will help you get started: http://www.lightorama.com/FAQ.html | http://www.lightorama.com/TypicalSetups.html | http://www.lightorama.com/BuildYourOwn.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Patti Rogers wrote: I have so many questions. I am just starting out and I really want to make the singing faces I see on You Tube. First what exactly do I need to get started. It sounds like need to have a controller. I would like to do the 4 singing faces I would have about 5000 or so lights. I would eventually add on. I thought about having the thunder and lighting package start the show. Would 1 controller be enough for this or should I start with 2? it depends on the number of channels you want per face I never did faces before myself but many other users did To create the sequences It sounds like I need to have the sequence program as well. http://www.lightorama.com/ShowtimeSoftwareSuite.html compares the diffrent versons of software the version you want depends on the number of controllers you are going to be using and the features you wantHow much did it actually cost you all to get started? for me Light O Rama wise it was about 500 - 600 ish for 1 ctb16pc 1 generic starter package with a usb485B and a Easy light linker for the lights and extension cords and other items needed that added an additional 100 - 200 dollarsAs far as connecting the controllers to the computer can I use a wirelss device that hooks up to the computer and sends a signal to the initial controller? Yes with the Easy light Linker http://store.lightorama.com/ealili.html they sell them in pairs and also single's you would connect one at your computer and the other with in your controllers it would be daisy chained in your controllers you only need one per group of controllers and depending on your set up you can use more for eg you neighbors house across the street the controller over there would also get an ell for the easy light linker the adapter for the computer you will need is the usb485B Will this work. I really am not able to run the computer out in the garage or add wires inside the home to the computer. Has anyone tried this option? I have been running my display wirelessly ever since I started 4 years ago and It works wonderfully with only one small problem which i fixed by changing the wireless channel they were running on some other device in my area was interfering with the signal Will it work? I will need to probably put the controllers together. Will this easy enough to do? It is very easy to do and if you ever have questions please dont be afraid to ask one of us we are always happy to help Is there anything else I really should know before I get started? I know I should have started earlier but what can I say I procrastinated. The main thing is welcome to the addiction I will post some cross reference links to other post for stands for the controllers and some other helpful information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Rather than run the show over a wireless device, another option that is cheaper is to run it off a mini-director instead. You load the show on a SD memory card and it plays the show off this device rather than having to have it hooked up to a computer.http://store.lightorama.com/midiwimp3pl.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=16571&forum_id=80&highlight=mounting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti Rogers Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 Oh my gosh thank you so much for the replies. You are all awesome. Thank you so much for welcoming me to the obsession. Another question, where do you find the music. Are they just downloaded mp3s from like Amazon or ITunes? Then the sequences with the music are put into the software correct? Do I have that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Patti Rogers wrote:Oh my gosh thank you so much for the replies. You are all awesome. Thank you so much for welcoming me to the obsession. Another question, where do you find the music. Are they just downloaded mp3s from like Amazon or ITunes? Then the sequences with the music are put into the software correct? Do I have that right?Yes and this will help you out: http://www.lightorama.com/PDF/QuickStartGuideMusicalSequence.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 You will also want Audacity with LAME. Some downloads have a variable bit rate that can fustrate you with timing. Audacity will convert it to a fixed rate and the LAME add on will convert/record the revised song to MP3.Welcome to the addiction, no cure is needed, but a big wallet really helps. Don't forget extension cords, you will need lots of them.Please revise your profile to show your city/state, this helps you and us provide better info suited to your location, or someone may live near you to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Clapper Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I have not done the faces so don't quote me but I beleive most faces are 7 channels, and most of the videos I've seen like Crackers are 4 faces so to do that you would need 28 channels just for the faces. Then you would need a channel for each additional item you want to control seperatly. I would say to do a good 4 face setup you would need at least 3 controllers which is 48 channels (16 per controller) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Tom, nearly all of us just use 14 channels.. the first 7 are the main face, the second 7 are the chorus faces.. there is no need to have the chorus on their own channels. Just plug them into the same second set of 7 and have them just mirror each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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