How do you.... make a decision??

[Afroopuff]

So I finally started to sequence, and I am starting with Carol of the Bells :) I am doing the version that starts with the 4 different piano notes and starts off very slow (not sure if I am allowed to post the youtube clip of it???)

Anywhoo! Already, so many options are in front of me. It is a four note loop, and I have four mini trees in the front. This means I could turn each tree on for each note, or have a fan situation where the first turns on with the first and stays on, second with the second and so-on. (in addition to many more).

At first I thought I would save the possibilities that I really liked, but it ended up that in the first 20 seconds of the song, I already had 4 different versions. My question to you all is: How do you make an end decision? I can't particularly decide on one, but have no time to leave it till later. Obviously not looking for a definite answer here, just curious to see how others deal with the dilemma.

Hope all is well, and good luck on your sequencing journeys!

Michael

[chilloutdocdoc]

I can reason with myself to pause Vixen to answer a sequencing question. I generally will let it sit, and then come back in a day and see what one I like best. I TRY (keyword try) to think of the fact that my show is not comprised of a bunch of mini shows (each song) played back to back, but one entire show, and that each song is just a portion of the show. You don't have to use every element on every song if you have enough elements to do so.

Yes, you can link to youtube, there's nothing wrong with that, as long as you're not distributing the file, or a way to the file itself.

[Skunberg]

My first sequence I tried a whole bunch of different things and ideas. Hooked it up to lights and said I like this part and that part and this would be better over here ect. Ended up not using it at all but as a reference for the ones I did after that. Turned into a learning tool.

[ErnieHorning]

... just curious to see how others deal with the dilemma.I ask someone else in the house who hasn’t been staring at my sequence for way too many hours. Be sure to also ask why they like one over the other. Sometimes it helps to see someone else’s point of view.

[Greg Young]

So I finally started to sequence, and I am starting with Carol of the Bells :)

At first I thought I would save the possibilities that I really liked, but it ended up that in the first 20 seconds of the song, I already had 4 different versions. My question to you all is: How do you make an end decision?

Michael

Hi Michael:

I would save the different versions you came up with, and as others have said walk away and come back to it another day, to give you a fresh perspective.
Pick the sequence you like best and use that.
When that part of the song repeats (as most often will), use the second choice of your 4 for that repeat/refrain.
You couls stick with that, or if there are enough repeats and you want to vary the appearance of your display, you could possibly use your 3rd and 4th choices also.

It's all a matter of preference.

As you continue on, you will develop a style, and it will become second nature for you.

Good luck, and have fun,

Greg

[dirknerkle]

All good suggestions. I'll try to add a couple more...

Understand that your vision will change as your equipment and skills change. A person who starts with an Olsen 595 or Grinch has blinky-only; when he/she adds a Ren-C to it to gain dimming capability, the same blinky will work just fine but more effects become available and so the sequencing complexity changes. The bottom line is not to become frustrated by all the options but just go with the flow. Try things, like chilloutdocdoc suggested as the "key" word.

Composers are frequently met with the issue of making music out of a basic theme. The four-note motif to which you alluded in Carol of the Bells is something that you hear throughout the song. Another familiar one is the beginning of Beethoven's 5th symphony (dah-dah-dah DAHHHHH) It's hard to expand a piece of music into something of a 2 or 3 (or more) minute stretch without a concept called "Theme and Variation." Composers take the basic theme motif an expand it by turning it upside down (inversion) or playing it backwards (retrograde), doing both at the same time (retrograde inversion), changing key, using different instruments, perhaps using only a part of the theme/motif, playing it in half-time or double-time, you get the idea. The point is that you can apply the same concept to lights. If you have a two-story house, try lighting the bottom floors once, then repeat later with the upper floors, or left-side and right side, or white lights and green lights, etc.

But, as you've already discovered, is that it's hard to tell which is "best."

The problem is that there is no"best." Only what you like. And it's okay to like lots of different ways. So why not use them all? Do it one way in the early parts of the song; do it another way later. Have fun. Play with it. Sequencing doesn't have to be hard; on the contrary. It should be FUN! Let your hair out, enjoy it and don't pay any attention to anybody else who might say, "You shoulda done this instead..." Let them build their own displays.

There is one overriding idea that is almost always helpful and one you might consider: match the lighting to the music. Is the music soft and smooth, or is it wild and loud? Having a lot of wildly blinking and flashing lights to a very soft piece of music doesn't match and will affect the viewer in an odd way -- it makes them uncomfortable. On the other hand, extra-slow fades during a piece that's racing like crazy probably won't work, either.

Just a few thoughts... ;)

[olingerjccj]

Here is my 2cents. This is my 2nd year of sequencing so I am no expert for sure. Starting out a song is really hard for me can get a bit overwhelming when you have worked for a hour and have like 8 seconds done. With that said. I like to pick the hard beat counts and begin with that. When you get the feel build around that. My test is I will do some sequencing then have my kids watch it if they like it then I stick with that. I guess it comes down to if your watching what you just did ask yourself do i like it. If the ans is yes then all is good. Hope that helps

John