sequencing for dummies?

[kboyts]

So i just ordered my first controller (renard ss16) And have no idea on how to start on the sequencing. A I stated I will only have a max of 16 channels (possibly less depending on my power handling situation[electrical upgrades are out of the question])

Things I have on hand already-

6 strings LEDs
6 strings large globe type regular lights
3 green mini trees
3 white mini trees
6 candy canes
2 sets of net lights (but no longer have shrubs to hang them over :(


Could anyone point me in the right direction for an easy song to sequence for a first timer, Tips to get started? Layout suggestions maybe?I tend to like the more classical, type christmas musc (plus I think itd be easier to sequence for a first timer). My favorites are TSO but I think their songs may have a little too much going on at once for me to sequence with my tiny display.

[ErnieHorning]

The first thing should be checking out the Christmas Wiki right in the center of the blue bar at the top of this page. Check out the Beginners Guide to get an overall view how all of the hardware is mapped out. Then check the Software/Vixen section. You’ll find the documentation in there to explain its operation in detail. You might want to look at the How-To section first. There are some video’s that should get you up to speed a little faster.

Pressing F1 in Vixen may also answer a question but this isn’t very detailed.

I’m sure that you’ll still have questions then, so ask away.

[BuzzKill]

Jingle Dogs!

bark bark bark - bark bark bark - bark bark bark bark bark - bark bark bark - bark bark bark bark - bark bark bark bark bark - bark!

[Virtus]

Watch these videos (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15182&postcount=1) and then try a song like this (http://www.amazon.com/Wish-You-Merry-Christmas-Instrumental/dp/B001BK9BAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1254950331&sr=1-2).

[dirknerkle]

Watch these videos (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15182&postcount=1) and then try a song like this (http://www.amazon.com/Wish-You-Merry-Christmas-Instrumental/dp/B001BK9BAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1254950331&sr=1-2).

I've got a few like that in my show this year -- they're pretty tricky. You have to do one instrument at a time and use the "slow speed playbacks" to tap the notes into Vixen. Afterward, since you're probably a little late, you need to move them up a cell or two to get them right.

One of them is Handel's Messiah, "For unto us a child is born." Lots of 32nd notes for singers and instruments... and it's all kinds of blinky-blinky going on!!!

[Penfold]

You could always try a slow song like "Happy Birthday Jesus". Just so you get the feel of it. that's what I used last as a confidence booster. Also, there is a walkthrough that was done by Chris "XMUS" that took you through all the ins and outs:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCOby8K3HQ
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWiH-j-EeUQ
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTCslI6qmgM
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQMwlVMHIt8
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_YiFh4VZYA
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0det88zr-k
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_H_raLhh9U
Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYWE3ob7Zg
Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJeVXpLMrg
Part 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=487NnxO8HOw
Part 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsSGzhE3k-g
Part 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS4IEEnkjiw
Part 13: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr9KdXni3_c
Part 14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtloISxpnwc
Part 15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyJvKRvJrIA

I Just saw Virtus's post. There are a couple of more vids there that you should check out. Virtus beat me to the punch!

[ctmal]

[QUOTE=Penfold;80761]You could always try a slow song like "Happy Birthday Jesus". Just so you get the feel of it. that's what I used last as a confidence booster. Also, there is a walkthrough that was done by Chris "XMUS" that took you through all the ins and outs:

QUOTE]

just an fyi. XMUS's name is Dave.

My first test sequence was the beginning of Pink Floyds The Wall(I had to do a demo to sucker my brother into this). It's very simple to sequence and you get to use a couple of features like ramps, ramdom, etc. Not very Christmassy though.

[Penfold]

just an fyi. XMUS's name is Dave.



Your absolutely right about Dave I don't know why I was thinking Chris sorry about that Dave if your out there!

Mike

[ErnieHorning]

Ah… You were thing of CHRIStmas. It happens this time of year.

[kboyts]

so I got my preview setup and the beat track laid out. Is there a way to listen to the music track while your viewing the sequence. If not how do you get make your sequence correpond to the music without memorizing the entire track down to the milisecond?

[ctmal]

Adjustable preview allows you to see your sequence. F5 starts playing the sequence from the beginning, F6 starts it from the current position(the selected block) and F8 stops the sequence. It's also very helpful to slow the song down when sequencing.

[kboyts]

ok I'm really sorry for all the questions but now adjustable preview doesnt seem to be working. First time I tried it I got an error about it not being able to access my COM port. I assumed that may be since I didnt have a controller plugged into it so I went into my profile and disabled the renard plugin.That didnt work now nothing happens at all when I hit the play button(or F5). I tuirned the plug in back on but still nothing?

[ctmal]

I'm not really sure what would cause the com port error unless either something else is trying to use that com port or if the settings weren't set up right.
If you look through those videos from XMUS he walks through setting up the adjustable preview.

[kboyts]

i watched all the vidos and it seems to be setup correctly. I just read another thread that said his similar error message was because he didnt have a controller plugged in (just like me) and unchecking the box for renard under the profile fixed the error message/

I did that and no error message anymore but I still am not getting the preview window or any music when I click play.


EDIT: nevermind I just did what I should have done from the beginning- closed the program and restarted it and everything is working LOL Thanks for the help!

[rstehle]

Are you using a 'Profile'. If so, check to make sure you have the 'Adjustable Preview' box checked (Profiles - Manage - (select the one you are using) - Output Plugins), and that you have the correct number of channels (1 - 16 in this case) assigned to it, then click on 'Done' twice. It is very easy to omit this step (we have all done it). If the box is checked, your sequence should play, and you should hear your song playing, as long as you have an audio file attached to the sequence (MP3).

[kboyts]

So I've got 2 basic sequences laid out so far. Nothing impressive, mainly just used waveform then changed a few tiny things here and there. How would I set up vixen to play through multiple sequences one after another. Is there a way to program a "play list" of sorts?

[dirknerkle]

So I've got 2 basic sequences laid out so far. Nothing impressive, mainly just used waveform then changed a few tiny things here and there. How would I set up vixen to play through multiple sequences one after another. Is there a way to program a "play list" of sorts?

When you build a "program" in Vixen, it will tell you how long it is in minutes/seconds. If you have multiple programs defined, each different, just assign them a specific starting time that is after the previous one finishes. You set the start times for a program in the Scheduler.

[Brad H]

Vixen Alternative.....

I am at my wit's end with Vixen. It kept freezing on me last year so I kept swapping computers until I got one that seemed semi-stable (all running XP). A few months ago I went and bought a used system and wiped the HD, installed a new XP Pro and Vixen - nothing else. I started testing with Vixen 2.1 and was still having problems. I posted the information on the Vixen site and included timer traces and details about the failure. No one ever responded.

I recall seeing a post somewhere in the DIY forums about another program that was nearing completion. As I recall it was to be shareware and was a modest cost. Anyone know what I am talking about? If so please give me the name of the company or a link so that I can maybe get a stable system up for this year.

Thanks!

[budude]

You might be thinking of Light Show Pro - it can supposedly run about any controller including LOR and DIY stuff. I don't believe it's free though but it wasn't an arm and a leg either...

[JEEPGUY]

The Basic version is $49.99 and the Pro version is $89.99.

[Brad H]

Yes That's the one! Thank you!

Jeepguy... I see you have Renard boards - are you using the LightShow Pro? How do you like it? I just visited the website and watched the video - it looks pretty impressive ... of course anything that didn't crash would be impressive to me right now!