Equipment, Tools, Tips and How To's
Controllers
I have four LOR1602W controllers. When I first started, money was not really the main concern for me. It was more along the lines of figuring out exactly what I was doing and how I was going to get there. So I spent the extra money and got the Show Time line controller (though I don't think they called them that back then) because I did not want the worry of putting anything together . Now that I have been doing this for a number of years, I think that the next time I upgrade I will purchase a DIY PC-CTB16PC-COMPLETE. After that, I may take on the DIY CTB16PC-KIT-PACKAGE where soldering is required.
Audacity
This program will allow you to import your music and over lay sound files you've downloaded or recorded yourself. It is really easy with the "Effect" drop down to quickly edit your creation. Noise removal, fade in, fade out, ect... are just a few clicks away. To listen to some of my radio bumpers, visit the radio bumper page. For an Elf like voice you can speed up the tempo and pitch. For a scary voice just slow down the tempo or pitch.
You can download it here http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
Here you can watch two of three tutorial videos that I made for using Audacity to create voice-overs
Note; Due to upload volume, I will post the third part on vimeo.com next week.
http://vimeo.com/32725692 How to record, normalize, and clean audio.
http://vimeo.com/32726174 How to change your voice (sound more like an elf)
You can download it here http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
Here you can watch two of three tutorial videos that I made for using Audacity to create voice-overs
Note; Due to upload volume, I will post the third part on vimeo.com next week.
http://vimeo.com/32725692 How to record, normalize, and clean audio.
http://vimeo.com/32726174 How to change your voice (sound more like an elf)
Transmitter - Whole House Transmitter Gold
This is where it get's tricky. I have had nothing but good fortune with this transmitter. In my area 106.7 Fm is not used by any radio stations, so that is what I transmit on. I get great sound for the viewable area. Some people have said that the distance for them is small and the quality is bad. I have not had those problems. I can pick up the radio signal from two to three blocks away. Well before I can even see my house or the glare of the my lights. See below.
Here are some tips for using this transmitter:
I have noticed if the volume on the computer is set to high the transmission is distorted.
I have my WHT placed just under the front eve with the help of a 20' audio cord, so there are no electronics near the transmitter or antenna.
What I have read, but have not tried:
"It comes with a 55in. very thin wire for an antenna. Add another piece of thin 20ga.wire to make it 110in.long will increase the range".
Here are some tips for using this transmitter:
I have noticed if the volume on the computer is set to high the transmission is distorted.
I have my WHT placed just under the front eve with the help of a 20' audio cord, so there are no electronics near the transmitter or antenna.
What I have read, but have not tried:
"It comes with a 55in. very thin wire for an antenna. Add another piece of thin 20ga.wire to make it 110in.long will increase the range".
Google earth shot of my house
My house is in the bottom right corner of this screen shot where the "A" is. On a good night, I can get the signal as far away as the four way signal controlled intersection in the upper left corner. This is over 1000 feet away. On rare occasions I have received the signal even farther than this.
Light Keeper Pro
I can not say enough good things about this product. It has been a tremendous help over the the years. You can usually find it on sale or marked down the closer you get to Christmas at Lowe's and Home Depot. If your local store has only a few and it is before Christmas, don't wait for a sale or the mark down. It they have plenty, go ahead and wait for the after Christmas mark down. You can see the 7 minute and the 40 minute "how to" video here http://www.lightkeeperpro.com/how-it-works/videos
Light, fuse, and small part caddy
I purchased this box at Harbor Freight. When I get new lights or friends donate lights that don't work any more, I strip them and the parts get organized for later use.
Liquid tape
It does not matter what brand, but be sure to have liquid tape on hand. If you have to repair or need to splice light strands, this is a valuable item.
Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrink tubing is a must. After applying liquid tape, protecting it with heat shrink tubing will make the repair last a long time.
Light Hook
I made this light hook from on old corner paint roller. It attaches to an extendible paint pole and allows me to quickly put up or take down light under the eves. I should add that a few years back, on a nice spring day, I put teacup hooks under all of my eves.
Overhead Storage
I put up some 1"x1" boards with some 1/2" x 2" to make an upside down "T" on the ceiling. With these in place, I slide my storage bins in between them. There are 13 bins in this picture. That's 13 bins that would have been stacked along the walls or sitting on a shelf. These bins do not hold a lot of weight, but by putting stuff that's light over head, I can free up space else where.
Extension Cord Storage
So far this is the best solution for me. I can carry them in and out of the garage or move them out of the way quickly and easily . They stack nicely too, so they take up very little room in the garage.
Cable Connection
When connecting the controller to the computer, or connecting from controller to controller, be sure to loop the cable and leave some slack after feeding it into the bottom of the controller. If some steps on the cable of it gets pulled for some reason, you will have wiggle room before any damage is done to the actual connector base.