Looking to buy. Is it too late for Halloween?

[texmaster]

Hi,

I'm new to sequencing lights to music but would like to get into it here. Last year I used a sound activated 4 channel system from Guitar Center but it was anything but accurate. My issue is my setup is pretty simple. I would have probably at most 12 different sources for lights. Is that an issue?

Also, how hard is it to sequence the light shows?

And can I use a boombox to project the music out? I know many shows I've seen actually use an FM channel but for Halloween night especially thats not going to work for us.

Any tips or suggestions would be welcome.

This is last year's setup if it helps anyone get a better feel for what I'd be controlling.

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/texmaster/?action=view&current=2011-10-31_18-55-45_185.mp4

[vincerules]

It's never too late to start! You will end up thinking "man, I wish I started earlier so I could also do this and this" but that goes for anytime you start! Just make a list of things you want to add/change for next year.

You could use a boombox if it has an input. you would then connect the pc out to the boombox.

The difficulty in sequencing shows varies between people and what you have. With 12 different sources that should not be very hard once you get comfortable with the software. There are a lot of videos out there and the community here is great for help.

[Santas Helper]

I sequenced my Halloween display last year and worked out great. I used a boom box that was tuned to my FM transmitter (for cars and trick-or-treaters both) but you could just plug the boom box straight to the computer.

In my mind, it is easier sequencing for Halloween because I don't have near as much of a display like I do for Christmas.

I don't have a video but here is a pic of my display using 2ea 16 channel LOR controllers.

[TGabriel]

Just work with both hands and you will be ready.

Thomas

[digdeepfundraising]

if you get a 16 channel set up drop me a pm i have a few 16 channel seq to get you on your feet and give you a head start

[texmaster]

Wow thank you all for the great advice!

Now as far as ordering. Does the basic package for 300 cover my needs? Laptop and extension cords seem to be the only requirements.

[Santas Helper]

Yep, the residential starter package would be good. It still shows a sale price $264.80 or $307.80 so not sure which price is right since the sale is over (as of last night).

You might hurry up and email them and ask if they will still honor that sale price before they remove it.

But yes, that would be it.

Edit: the info from LOR as it currently shows.

Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days

ST-SP-Residential-16Regular price: $307.80Sale price: $264.80

Feature Level: BasicBasic Plus(+18.00)Standard(+45.00)Advanced (+69.00)

Connector: USB - USB485Serial - SC485(+0.00)USB Booster - USB485B(+9.00)Wireless Pair + USB485B(+209.00)

MP3 Upgrade: Upgrade Not SelectedShowTime MP3 (+209.00)

Country: USA & CanadaAustralia(+20)

Cat5 Cable: 25ft Cat5 Cable50ft Cat5 Cable(+3.00)100ft Cat5 Cable(+8.00)10ft Cat5 Cable(-4.00)No Cables(-5.00)

Edited August 16, 2012 by Santas Helper

[texmaster]

Yep, the residential starter package would be good. It still shows a sale price $264.80 or $307.80 so not sure which price is right since the sale is over (as of last night).

You might hurry up and email them and ask if they will still honor that sale price before they remove it.

But yes, that would be it.

Edit: the info from LOR as it currently shows.

Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days

ST-SP-Residential-16Regular price: $307.80Sale price: $264.80

Feature Level: BasicBasic Plus(+18.00)Standard(+45.00)Advanced (+69.00)

Connector: USB - USB485Serial - SC485(+0.00)USB Booster - USB485B(+9.00)Wireless Pair + USB485B(+209.00)

MP3 Upgrade: Upgrade Not SelectedShowTime MP3 (+209.00)

Country: USA & CanadaAustralia(+20)

Cat5 Cable: 25ft Cat5 Cable50ft Cat5 Cable(+3.00)100ft Cat5 Cable(+8.00)10ft Cat5 Cable(-4.00)No Cables(-5.00)

Thanks!

I've got an email into them since the sale price was gone but I'm hoping they will be benevolent !

[texmaster]

Well its too bad but they wont honor the price

[texmaster]

Bought the starter kit. I build my own PCs so hopefully the learning curve wont be too crazy.

I'm assuming you dont have to use all 16 inputs if you dont want to?

[spomalley]

No, but you do have to install them into the board you don't use them by not programming them.

[GaryM]

Bought the starter kit. I build my own PCs so hopefully the learning curve wont be too crazy.

I'm assuming you dont have to use all 16 inputs if you dont want to?

Assuming you mean outputs, i.e., channels 1-16? You can use as many or as few as you want, and there's no rule that says you have to install all 16 dongles. But odds are, you'll find a use for all of them, so worth doing it now.

[texmaster]

Assuming you mean outputs, i.e., channels 1-16? You can use as many or as few as you want, and there's no rule that says you have to install all 16 dongles. But odds are, you'll find a use for all of them, so worth doing it now.

Yep thats what I meant. Sorry. lol

And thanks!