LOR Sequencer, xLights and LOR Hardware

[jtindale]

Hey all,

I'm really knew to sequencing christmas decorations as last year was my first year.  I'm looking to build on it this year but want to make sure I start off on the best footing.

I have a G4 director, 6 pixie controllers and 3 ac controllers.  Last year I ran all my shows from the LOR software/director.  I did my musical sequencing in the LOR software, but I did my singing face in xLights and brought that into the LOR sequencer.  It seems like the industry/community is largely using xLights.

I'm asking the question here because I love the LOR hardware and want to keep using it.  I just want to make sure I'm using the best possible software.  What are most of you LOR hardware users using for your shows?  And if it is xLights, is it best to export your shows from xLights so you can run it from the director, or do you need additional hardware to run your xLights shows on LOR hardware (like a falcon player)?

[Timothy 1083]

Following as I have the exact same question.  

[k6ccc]

There are people here using xLights.  I played with it briefly many years ago and did not like it.  Personal preference.

For full disclosure, I sequence almost everything in SuperStar.
 

[Don]

I've used LOR software for 21 years now. I've never, personally, figured out the appeal of xlights. I've programmed many shows in that 21 years, and have yet to run across one that I couldn't do in LOR.

*shrug*

[Timothy 1083]

Hi Don, 

I hope you are well...I just sent you a note to see if you would be available to help with converting a sequence for me.  

[Vince4xmas]

I've used LOR software for 15 years. I experimented with xlights one year and it was not for me. 

 

[jtindale]

Thanks for all the input so far.

The more I read about xLights and Pixel controllers, the more I want to stick with LOR software this year.  It seems like Pixel controllers and xLights dont play well together as the channel count grows.

[Orville]

Looked at xLights, like many others, it was a no go for me.  I found it both cumbersome and confusing, and it my Director didn't like it either.  Went back to LOR AFTER creating only one sequence and testing it.  I just couldn't relate to it being as good as the LOR Software, or working as reliably either.

  I run my shows from an N4-G4 MP3 DIRECTOR, have for years, and I sequence EVERYTHING in the LOR Sequencer, although I'm still using an elder version of the LOR Software Suite, 4.4.16:Pro presently, but it fits my needs for the moment.  Eventually I'll upgrade to the latest version, just not at this time.

[Steven]

I'm working on a project that requires xLights (for a Tesla light show), and I find the LOR user interface to be much easier.

[Al Saunders]

I too looked into x-lights BRIEFLY. I did not like it at all and found it confusing. My take on x-lights vs LOR is that LOR is more of a sequencing software and x-lights is more of an effects generator. In LOR you sequence beats, instruments, vocals and any other sounds. In x-lights you make an effect like a spinning wheel or something and drop it on this or that part of the song. I'm probably over simplifying x-lights but the little I looked into it I found it seemed that way. I feel LOR is much easier to use and gives you more precise control over your lights especially when using AC controllers along with RGB lighting. And in doing so gives you a superior product when you're done sequencing. 

Just my honest opinion 😁. 

[Dr_Aplet]

9 hours ago, Steven said:

I'm working on a project that requires xLights (for a Tesla light show), and I find the LOR user interface to be much easier.

I am playing around with xlights too because my son wants to get into it a little and cant buy the LOR software to get to pixels for one tree. here is what i know.

LOR Pros; does AC lights really well, stable, support available, MIIP (thanks Bob-O)

LOR cons- slow to learn, seems to be slow to learn at least for me.

Xlights pros; drag and drop effects over pixels

xlights cons- unstable, does not do ac lights well.

 

 

[Dr_Aplet]

4 hours ago, Al Saunders said:

My take on x-lights vs LOR is that LOR is more of a sequencing software and x-lights is more of an effects generator. In LOR you sequence beats, instruments, vocals and any other sounds. In x-lights you make an effect like a spinning wheel or something and drop it on this or that part of the song. I'm probably over simplifying x-lights but the little I looked into it I found it seemed that way. I

I think this is a good summary.  I like the idea of being able to drag and drop effects but i also want the precision that LOR offers.  That would be an area where LOR could dominate that marked if they figured out how you can drag and drop effects to the time line squish and stretch, fade in and out the effects right there like the AC.  Also does someone offer a pixel class that goes over the detail of sequencing in pixels?  There are some youtube videos but they are not comprehensive enough.  I will start a few new threads asking my questions about how to's.

[Mr. P]

1 hour ago, Dr_Aplet said:

I think this is a good summary.  I like the idea of being able to drag and drop effects but i also want the precision that LOR offers.  That would be an area where LOR could dominate that marked if they figured out how you can drag and drop effects to the time line squish and stretch, fade in and out the effects right there like the AC.  Also does someone offer a pixel class that goes over the detail of sequencing in pixels?  There are some youtube videos but they are not comprehensive enough.  I will start a few new threads asking my questions about how to's.

Xlights is a lot more then just drag and drop effects. You can actually redesign, change and fine tune those effects. LOR and XLIGHTS are more similar now since LOR S5 as you have to build previews and add props. However, Xlights is like LOR S6 and Superstar rolled into one.

[Dr_Aplet]

2 hours ago, Mr. P said:

Xlights is a lot more then just drag and drop effects. You can actually redesign, change and fine tune those effects. LOR and XLIGHTS are more similar now since LOR S5 as you have to build previews and add props. However, Xlights is like LOR S6 and Superstar rolled into one.

I do like that you can tune on the fly and dont have another window open up every time. i must admit.