Animated Musical Holiday Light Show - Version 2.0

Posted December 23, 2007 6:35 PM Categories: .NET | Coding4Fun | Light Sequencer

I finished this a bit later than I wanted to, but a brand new version of my Light Sequencer application and article is now available at Coding4Fun.  You may recall my previous article on creating a musical light show for the holidays.  If not, here's the video showing the output:

New Features for 2.0

  • MIDI support
    • Load a MIDI file and a sequence will be automatically created based on the data contained in the file.  You can automatically create your own show with barely any effort at all!
  • Playlists
    • Load up several sequences and have them play in order to create a multi-song show!
  • More accurate timing
    • The timing algorithm used in the last version was very imprecise...it worked, but it wasn't perfect.  The new version uses a method which gives millisecond precision timing
  • Cut/Copy/Paste
    • One can now cut/copy/paste cells on the grid...makes it easy to repeat chunks of sequences without having to tap out the rhythm by hand over and over again
  • Edit existing sequences
    • After loading a sequence created by someone else (or yourself), you can now re-assign Phidget boards, serial numbers, output ports, etc. to get them to run on your setup.

Note that any sequences created with the old version will continue to play just fine, but editing them could be troublesome due to the new timing method.

Give it a try and let me know how it works out for you.  Hopefully version 3 won't take as long as this one did...

Comments (11) -

Mehmet Polat Diker
Mehmet Polat Diker
2/29/2008 10:05:36 PM #

Hello!
Is it possible to convert your software to use phidgetled 64?
I mean easily Frown
I'm an architecture student and want to use led sequences on a scale model.
Your software is just what I need but I've found it after I've ordered phidgetled 64.

Thank you for your time..

Brian Peek
Brian Peek
2/29/2008 10:24:16 PM #

@Mehmet, I've never used the Phidget LED64, but I assume it uses the same API as their other kits, so it should be pretty easy to use...

Brian Belden
Brian Belden
3/1/2008 5:28:01 PM #

I see that you used 2 Phidget Interface Kit 0/0/4 , was there a reason you choose this configuration over using 1 Phidget Interface Kit 0/0/8?

Brian Peek
Brian Peek
3/1/2008 5:45:03 PM #

@Brian, there are 2 reasons:
1) It just came out two weeks ago Smile
2) The amperage max per relay is 2 amps which may not be enough if driving many small bulb strands or even 1 or 2 regular size bulb strands on the same channel.

That said, you *should* be able to plug the new board right in and have it work with the software unless they've made some drastic change to the API.

mike
mike
11/21/2008 5:07:17 PM #

where can I find 2.0?

Brian Peek
Brian Peek
11/21/2008 5:08:49 PM #

@mike, click through to the article and click Download

Karl
Karl
12/23/2008 2:22:44 PM #

Hi Brian,
I have to say that this article has provided me with some great times.  Last year after reading your article I built my own relay box (with two 0/0/4 phidgets), but never actually got around to doing much more than tinkering with it.  This year, I weatherized the unit and set it to task on my apartment balcony.
http://www.facebook.com/v/543364007411
This is a video of the finished product, it's not that great of resolution, and the sound is a bit soft, but you get the idea.
I just hope I don't drive my neighbors too nuts over the holiday season.

Thank you very much for this great article!

Regards,
Karl

PS: not sure if your blog supports embeded comments, but here's a shot:
http://www.facebook.com/v/543364007411" />http://www.facebook.com/v/543364007411" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="240">

Peter Khouri
Peter Khouri Canada
11/17/2011 12:23:50 AM #

Brian, I know this is probably an old article, but 'tis that time of year...

What can you suggest in terms of getting this Phidget device working outdoor? I mean, I don't want to leave a computer outside... any thoughts?

Peter

Brian Peek
Brian Peek United States
11/17/2011 2:15:17 AM #

@Peter, my only suggestion would be to weatherize the box somehow, then run a looooooong USB cable into your house from the box.  It's definitely not an ideal scenario/project for an outdoor show.

Peter Khouri
Peter Khouri Canada
11/20/2011 10:25:01 PM #

OK, that's what I figured... I will try to find a thin USB cord that I can pass through the doorway.

Do you have any links to a sequence repository?

Thanks,
P

Brian Peek
Brian Peek United States
11/21/2011 12:47:43 AM #

@Peter, I do not...sorry!

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