I have 2 residential 16 channel controllers for LED lights but

[phxbabe]

Happy Holiday season everyone. I run 2 16 channel controllers for traditional LED lights. I use a computer with the sequences programed in S4. I want to add RBG pixels this year. What package do I need to buy that is complete (plug and play) with some pixel light strands/ribbons and the required pixel controller and hook ups to run both LED lights and the RBG's?  Thank you for your help. I am new to pixels, and know just enough to run my LEDs with the 2 - 16  channel controllers to music, so please be aware of this when answering. 

[dgrant]

First decide if you wish how the pixels to appear. I say that because there are two flavors of pixels...first are "dumb" pixels. Those are where the pixel strip/nodes will all light in the same color over the entire strip. Typically they use a CMB24D controller which supplies +/- 12vdc to the strip. You can make them appear any color but all the same. Then there are "intelligent" pixels such as the Ws2811's-Ws2815's and etc...these are individually addressable based on the type they are. This allows you to do chases, fades, twinkles and so on, but on each pixel. They usually require a E1.31 controller such as LOR's new Aurora Controller or Pixie controllers. Many other manufacturers also make controllers for these. Without looking this very moment, I'm sure LOR offers a package that will allow you to do these easily but understand that the learning curve is a bit more. Its late in the year to start that process. Many of us do animations on matrix's or pixel trees using the intelligent pixels so they are a powerful display element based on your design.

[phxbabe]

Ok...well, I understood some of that. I wanted to do the intelligent pixels, so I can run chase effects, or possibly run my 4 arches. I also have one of the faces, that I would like to use again. Stopped using a few years back because I was using LEDs and it just did not have the desired look and timing was always just a little off. So, I would need to buy Pixie controllers? And they hook up to my normal light controller, right? I would be able to run my sequences AND the pixels together all in the S4 software? I have the PRO version. Thanks

[dgrant]

Thank you for the PM about this. I wrote back to you with a rather lengthy reply, sorry about that. In that reply, I was thinking of a different posting/different OP, so it was more about formal E1.31 controllers. For arches, intelligent pixels would work really nice. Faces can be done, but serious amount of sequencing time is involved. We are all here to help in whatever way we can so please ask ask all you wish and we will try to not confuse you too badly. We all have been right where you are now, learning and expanding our ideas.

[TheDucks]

15 hours ago, phxbabe said:

Ok...well, I understood some of that. I wanted to do the intelligent pixels, so I can run chase effects, or possibly run my 4 arches. I also have one of the faces, that I would like to use again. Stopped using a few years back because I was using LEDs and it just did not have the desired look and timing was always just a little off. So, I would need to buy Pixie controllers? And they hook up to my normal light controller, right? I would be able to run my sequences AND the pixels together all in the S4 software? I have the PRO version. Thanks

S4 can run just about any oldish controller 😛 (I am not sure about the Aurora Core, which is why I said Oldish). 

AC series: Really Dumb. An Outlet with a dimmer. Gen 3 has a Dimming curve setting for On/Off to help  (not stupid proof 😢as I found out) protect things that should not be dimmed. Only the G3 can do 500K, and exist on the SAME LOR network as a Pixie (which needs 500+K). 

DC (the CMB series):  Still dumb, but has control for R,G,B outputs (4 wires), the whole string is the same color at any given moment. Much like AC, but color. A string can only do 1 color at a time. So if you really had 2 AC strings on a tree spoke, you still need a second string to have both on at the same moment. (I had white, or White mini strobes along with the regular string)

DC (The Pixie, Pixcon, Aurora Core) Each node is controllable.

Now back to your Faces... They have Mouth, Eye, Movements. In reality they mostly could be done with Dumb but there are a couple of nodes that are used for multiple expressions (Mouth and Eyes). Which is why Smart is the way to go.  (Pixies have a Face (Macro) setting that Know the LOR face nodes to use for each expression (see P21 of the Pixie manual). A Expression is a single color (shade)

Caution: I made an error in making some of my props, Hybrid (Dumb in places I did not expect to need individual control) to use the cheaper Dumb nodes (I built up My own Controller boxes, so the have a Pixie and a CMB24. I can always find a use for a spare port 🙃).  Smart nodes have come down in price (relatively) and Dumb nodes are disappearing from the USA stores. 

[phxbabe]

Thanks guys. Can you all tell me which addon package I would need to buy?

[TheDucks]

23 minutes ago, phxbabe said:

Thanks guys. Can you all tell me which addon package I would need to buy?

Package? Are you talking about Hardware? (Your Pro S4 will run just about everything as is).

Pixels do not like LONG cables from the controller to the 1st node.  (With AC, a 100' extension is no prob). I try and stay under 20' (the extension from the controller Pigtail).

LOR now (only) sells the Faces with a Pixie2 (2 ports), that gets rid of the length issue.  If you have a tight cluster like some members, they use a Pixie 4 (2 faces) or Pixie 8 (4 faces. Controller is between 2 and 4 if sideways layout) .  How many faces do you have. How close to each other?

Now the big Q. Connections are NOT standard between brands.  A 'Packaged controller' might not be compatible connector wise.  Oh, and just because if fits is not a validation. There are also variations on what pins are used for.   When you buy  into a brand Package, it is mostly for the long run.  When you need MORE, you want the support. A hodge-podge means frustration when it comes time for a layout change.

So how handy are you (basic electrical, mechanical, DIY )?   

[phxbabe]

I currently have 2 Light O Rama Controller Residential Series - CTB16PC, in which I run the 32 channels of traditional LED lights. I am wanting to run both LED lights and add RGB pixels. I need to know what additional hardware I would need to add to my 2 16 channel controllers to be able to add and run some RGB's. I have 1 face, but it hasnt been used in a few years. My normal set up is I run 8 channels for 2 arches (4 channels each- I have just wrapped LED light strands around my pvc, and have 4 separate channels for each 1), i then run the other 8 channels on the same 16 channel box to ground lights, bushes, etc. And my second 16 channel box runs various other LED light strings like for my roof and windows. I dont know if maybe I am not asking the right way, but i need to know what addon package to buy to be able to run RBGs  and still also use LED strands 

 

[phxbabe]

if I buy this package, will it work with my current setup?  CPC MegaPack - Mini Trees, Arches, and Pixel Stakes

[tlogan]

YES it will work. There will be lot of work to get up to speed in putting it all together at this somewhat late date. That's a LOT of props to physically roll out at the same time. My experience is that the first year of anything new is always the hardest, so I limit what I add in any year. I would double check your existing sequences to see if there is programming (and probably the channel configurations) for those props already there. If you started with an LOR package, and didn't make any modifications to any of the default channel configurations, and if the programming already exists, you SHOULD be able to just add the package to your show. 

The one thing I didn't see listed in that package is a highspeed network adapter, You may want to put the pixie(s) on a second network (Aux A) to keep it separate from your existing controller(s). 
 

I hope this help and good luck!