Latest and Greatest LOR Software

[Sparky Griswold]

To ALL,

My name is Bryan and I'm in Phoenix, AZ. I'm a newbie and looking forward to breaking out in a big way next Christmas with the LOR system.

I'm looking for anyone who has a grasp on the new LOR software. I have the demo software downloaded and have been working into it but still feel blind. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Bryan (bryanblake)
Phx, AZ

[jimswinder]

Hey Bryan...

Welcome to the LOR family.

I think most members on this forum have a "grasp" of LOR...but usually we are looking for a more specific question as there are SOOOO many different aspects to using LOR.

[Sparky Griswold]

Hi Jim

Thank you for replying. I completely understand and yes, there is much to learn about every facet of pulling something like this together. I am very comfortable with a computer and, like you said, have a pretty good grasp on what its going to take. For now I just want to learn the software ie, how to start/build a music sequence, animation, load a track. As an overall statement, understand the software. I have been playing with the demo software and utilizing the online tutorials however those are with the old software and are only getting me so far. I just don't want to leave this piece until the end. I think you would agree. I really appreciate any guidance you can offer. Thank you again for your help.

Bryan
Chandler, AZ

[jimswinder]

Have you checked out the manuals and tutorials on the LOR homepage itself:

http://www.lightorama.com/w_support.htm

[Sparky Griswold]

Actually I have. I didn't even want to dive into the forum until I felt I exhausted all current available info. I just didn't want this to be a trial and error effort in understanding how to get started but feeling like that might just be the case.

[bisquit476]

You'll also find good tutorials at

http://lightoramasequences.com/content/blogcategory/32/48/

Michael has done a good job of presenting the info

[shfr26]

Welcome aboard Bryan,

I think if you narrowed your question down a little it would be much easier to answer. All of your questions are pretty much what I asked when I did my first year,this year. Ask as many questions as you need to, but a little more on one subject and everybody will be glad to help. So lets start with "how to start/build a music sequence"? OK now let the pros answer from there. Once again welcome to the addiction.

[Sparky Griswold]

Hey Pete,

Thanks. Guess I tend, at times, to try and bite off way more than I can chew. Sooooo, how do you start to build a music sequence?

[Guest wbottomley]

About 99% of questions are answered here: http://www.lightorama.com/w_faq-home.htm

It has tons of information for everyone.

[Sparky Griswold]

This is it. Exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you so much. I appreciate everyones help and as I become more knowledgeable I will be happy to return the favor. Thank you again.

Bryan

[George Simmons]

bryanblake wrote:

...I just don't want to leave this piece until the end.

That's probably one of the smartest things any newbie has ever said. (And I'm just a little jealous that I never thought of something that profound.) November most definitely isn't the time to start thinking about sequences and how the software works. In my opinion, learning the software and creating sequences is the number one thing you should spend most of your time doing during your first year. (Okay, so maybe that sounds like two things but in reality it's one and the same.) It's disheartening to me to see so many people begging sequences in the fall because creating sequences is where the creativity and the vision comes from. Your sequences are what separate you from everyone else and what makes your display unique.

My software advice is to learn the main keyboard shortcuts. That alone will cut your sequencing time by at least a third. And don't forget to start stocking up on extension cords. As Jim has already said: welcome to the 'family'.

[Surfing4Dough]

bryanblake wrote:

Actually I have. I didn't even want to dive into the forum until I felt I exhausted all current available info. I just didn't want this to be a trial and error effort in understanding how to get started but feeling like that might just be the case.

My advice would be that you will never understand all the tricks of the software before you start sequencing for the first time (not even close). It is just too overwhelming. It is best to just jump in and start trying. Download a sequence from www.lorsequences.com to get some ideas of basic sequencing, and just give it a try. As you start doing it, some things will start to click. Those that don't, it will be clearer on what you need to ask here. If something doesn't make sense, takes too long, doesn't turn out right, etc., then is a great time to ask if anybody can help you find a better way to do that particular action. As you start getting some of the basics (such as simple 100%-0% fades), then you will see possible opportunities to expand off of that (such as "wonder if I can fade from 60% to 20%?"). If can't figure out how to do these new ideas, you then have a perfect question for the forums. Step by step you will start to learn the potential of the software. And with time, start to learn how much knowledge people have here and how incredible the willingness to help is. And chances are that any questions you have, probably 16 other people are wondering the exact same thing--so just have to be ask.

[Tim Meyer]

bryanblake wrote:

To ALL,

I'm a newbie and looking forward to breaking out in a big way next Christmas

Hello Bryan, I am also a newbie. Trust me when I say that I am excited and overwhelmed at the same time. The only advice I can give is this: READ A LOT, pay attention to what these wonderful folks have to say, click on the links they offer for ideas and information. The people here are great and they all have most certainly helped me thus far with their different opinions and methods of how to go about doing things. I pay attention to what they say and research every single one until I find the way that works for me. I have no experience, as of yet, so I have no real advice to offer other than what I have already stated. Good Luck and will look forward to seeing what you will accomplish.

[shfr26]

One thing I leaned in my first year was to "WORK BACKWARDS". Figure out what your display will look like, how many lights do you have, what is the power supply needed, now how many channels will you need, and go from there.

[Sparky Griswold]

Hi Pete,

Thank you. Honestly thats the approach I have taken thus far. I have actually already completed an Excel matrix for all 48 channels, not only showing which lights are actuated by each circuit but the total amperage that circuit takes. I have also already completed my sub panel with 6 dedicated 15amp breakers. The only piece I'm missing besides actually putting it all together is understanding the softward and that will definately be a learning curve. can you tell me how to bring in the animation sequense into the music sequense? Really appreciate all your help.



bryan

[ainsworth]

I'm not really sure if I understand your question or not.

If you have built an animation of your display and want to have it in all of your sequences use -edit- -export channel configuration-. This allows you to save both your channel configuration and animation. Now you can use -import channel configuration- to bring it into any or all of your sequences. You can also set this up as your default when you create new musical sequences.

[iresq]

There is no direct way to convert animation to musical. Here is a link outlining 2 ways to accomplish this:

http://lightorama.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=20552&forum_id=74&highlight=convert+animation

As for your getting started request, I would find a song that is relatively short (< 3 min) with a good beat. Music Box Dancer is popular and relatively easy. Try to picture what you want the song to look like. There is no right or wrong way to sequence, just try to find a way that works for you. I typically start with a grid laid out with .05 second timings. Your first time through, you might want to try .10.

Start with the easier items such as drum hits. You can either work a section at a time or instrument at a time or both. If/when you get stuck, move on to another element. You can always come back.

It takes me many many hours to sequence each song. Usually to the point were I am sick of the song by the time I am done . When you get tired or frustrated. Step away.

[Sparky Griswold]

Thanks Dave. Wise words for any of lifes situations. I appreciate the reply and will take it to heart. Thank you again.

Bryan

[Surfing4Dough]

bryanblake wrote:

can you tell me how to bring in the animation sequense into the music sequense? Really appreciate all your help.

Might want to clarify what you are wanting to do here, since it is possible you are missing a key point. (Or I am missing what you are describing.) Music sequences are animation sequences set to music. You don't need to create a separate animation sequence (which is a sequence without music) to later import into a music sequence. Just create your animation in the music sequence in the first place. 95% of what you will be doing is musical sequences. I haven't used "animation sequences" (non-musical) for anything so can't really comment what people use those for. You can run animation sequences without a computer (or mini-director) on Showtime controller--it just loads into the controller and is saved there. However, since most of us are using music, we make music sequences and run them off a computer or director.
Is this what you are asking, or did I miss it?

[sjmiller]

I wouldn't quite call it working backwards - you do need to know where your lights are going to be setup, and and how many channels you are going to use.

Next you want to create a new musical sequence - this is where you add your controllers (channels) to the configuration and set the initial timing grid if you are using fixed timing. Now create the animation - a logical link from controller channels to the lights each channel will control. Now export the channel configuration and that will be your template for all future musical sequences.

As iresq stated - pick a song with strong rhythm that you think you can listen to 1,000 times and select it as the media file. Print out a cheat sheet of the keyboard short cuts and start making the lights turn on/off/fade up/fade down to the music.

Save that as fixed_test, now create a new musical sequence - select one of the wizards and import your channel configuration. Now figure out how to use the wizard to help control the lights.

Don't be intent on producing a master piece of music syncronized lighting. You are exploring the capabilities of S2 - which I think everyone here will agree has more capabilities then most of us use. We find what is "comfortable" for us to use - and that's how we program. My mistake for 2009 was I spent to much time in the beginning of the year doing things the hard way. Once I learned the wizards and using tracks - I cut my programming time significantly.

By the time I got to programming my third song -

- I was up from 16 channels of LOR to 72 channels, and I had 96 channels of DIO on-line (168 total). In the end I used 81 channels for my 2009 display.

Take the time to learn S2 on the front end - it will save you mega hours later

Steve