Question about lighting

[oilmoney]

Hi! I'm brand new at this, ordered 12 cosmic light ribbons, a couple floodlights and a couple sets of the RGB lights and pixels. I am planning to use the standalone 1602mp3 once it's off backorder plus another controller for a total of 32 channels which I feel is enough for my first year I am going to need alot more of the light strings for windows and props and such. What I haven't been able to find out though is there an alternative to buying the RGB lights that can be controlled by the lightorama controllers? Can you buy run of the mill LED's and have them controlled in a simple on/off configuration or am I looking at a couple more thousand worth of RGB lights? What is the normal route to take on this? Looking forward to jumping in to this new hobby! Thanks in advance for your time!

[TJ Hvasta]

Holy crap!! 12 CCR's ?? WOW, wanna adopt me??

ok, going with a "bit less expensive" set of lights.. you can find 5meters of IP65, waterproof (IP68 is better, submersible) 5050 RGB dumb (not individually addressable pixels) strips on eBay for abt $18(IP65) $25(IP68) per roll. http://www.ebay.com/...65 RGB&_sacat=0

Controlled with a LOR CMB-16QC DC controller. Sequenced like the CCRs but they can not chase from one pixel to another on the same string, nor be a different color from the next pixel. I can tell you they are very bright. They are perfect for window / door borders / roof lines tho. It will allow you to fade / twinkle / shimmer / on / off just like any other set of lights, but be RGB, so low power (12v dc) requirements. I just got 50 meters (10 rolls) for $16/roll, free shipping from China, took 6 days to get here! http://www.ebay.com/itm/110922760729?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Edited August 21, 2012 by TJ Hvasta

[greywolf]

geez !!!!

i feel small

with a few strings of C9's an a few blow molds run on 1 controller to start with for this small yard an house LOL

[DownTown]

geez !!!!

i feel small

with a few strings of C9's an a few blow molds run on 1 controller to start with for this small yard an house LOL

Hey Greywolf, it's not how many lights or channels you have, it's what you do with them. Do it up and be proud!

D.T.

[digdeepfundraising]

All that for your first show rather you than me and my head ache planning and programming my show has now gone all over to you

good luck and welcome to the crazy world of lights that last all year round

[oilmoney]

You guys are scaring the heck out of me! Lol! I'm hoping the stuff will arrive soon so I can start playing and learning but we'll see..... Thanks in advance for your timely replies!

[Max-Paul]

Ah, another person who is JUMPING into this hobby. Unless your a natural, dont be to frustrated. This hobby has a learning curve and for most, starting now is going to be a big curve to learn the hardware, software and other little things that make a show. Add to this that most of the veterans are going to be doing the crunch thing. And you are not starting off crawling. Your trying to run and jump with those CCRs. Good luck and if things do not come together this year. Get started like most of us in Jan of next year.

[greywolf]

i have to agree there is a lot to digest in this addiction i been playing with the software for over a month now an i'm still learning stuff i hadn't come across yet but i can see the results as i play with it ... looking outside the box ... lol

but ... the more i play with it the more ideas i get on the displays i want to make

i can't wait to implement my ideas

[Steven]

i feel small

In the words of Nigel Powers from Austin Powers: Goldmember: "It's not the size that matters, but how you use it."

[edvas69]

I think a lot of it has to do with what experience you already have. Someone who is technically minded, an electrician or who has a very sound understanding of electrical fundamentals can usually take on this hobby at a much faster rate as they already have the basic knowledge and fundamentals of working with electricity. Someone new who does not work with electricity or doesnt have a sound understanding of electrical principles will struggle as they will have to also learn that before feeling confident

But i think for most people new to the hobby and who dont have a good understanding of electrical fundamentals that the cut off time for doing anything successfully without too much commitment and frustration is quickly passing.

[james campbell]

with 12 ccrs I highly suggest superstar,I have not used it but I am sure with 12 you can use it. also that said I have played around with superstar and it has a big learning curve.don't wait until you get the hardware go ahead and start learning the software now,,,, btw welcome to the group

[Ron Boyd]

with 12 ccrs I highly suggest superstar,I have not used it but I am sure with 12 you can use it. also that said I have played around with superstar and it has a big learning curve.don't wait until you get the hardware go ahead and start learning the software now,,,, btw welcome to the group

+1

There is a big learning curve with Superstar. That being said, I have used it extensively with programming my 4 CCP sets and Rainbow Pixels. It's been a great asset to me. I kept a very close eye on the Superstar forum for quite sometime, asked questions and even e-mailed Brian a few times. He's always helpful. Believe me, it's a lot easier programming 1200 channels in Superstar than, in my opinion, it would ever be programming each set manual.

As James said, start playing around with it now if you plan on using it. Once you have that "Aha" moment and it all clicks, I think you'll love it.

Welcome to the fantastic world of Blinking, flashing lights and good luck.

Ron