When Is A Good Time To Start?

[jhunt2006 10]

When is a good time to start? Last year I decided to go animated, and I already drew a layout, and programmed a few songs, but I have since taken a break. So when is a good time to start programing, and when should I need to be done to get the show right?

I know the actual answer is NEVER, but I need a baseline idea of how long it takes to program 4 or 5 songs, and how long it takes to set up a basic show. I have 16 channels this year, but still plan on having a mega tree. Any ideas on a timeline?

[Brian Mitchell 13]

Remember this is a year round hobby. The more songs you have done and in the can come fall, the more time you will have to work on setup and not worry about sequencing so much.

[Paul D 10]

I agree with Brian,

I started programing in last month (April), but started the prep work shortly after the new year.

[Apache Lights 10]

I had a lot of changes this year so I started in November (before last years lights went up).

Really no such thing as too early, you'll just have more time to change and refine your display.

If you're anything like me it will change often and with costly consequences.

[jhunt2006 10]

I figured. I keep telling myself I need to get working on it. It always helps when I show people my idea's and see their faces light up. I can't wait to see the end result. This will be my first year going animated. I have a lot to live up to since only 10 miles away is the Redneck Christmas display.

[Paul D 10]

I keep telling myself the same thing "get started, get to work..etc..etc.."

Right now, I have arches setup in my backyard for testing

[BaldEagleChristmas 23]

I don't do musical animations. But some friends who do and have large displays have said that they spend 40 hours to program 1 minute of music. So you better get crackin'. I'm just saying. . . .

[knute73 0]

I see taking breaks through out the year so you don't burn out, but I tend to keep on trucking. I agree with the earlier you get your songs done, the more time you have for you actual display. I do get some weird looks in the summer when I have the Christmas I am animating to, playing in my car.

[FrostNsnow 10]

I see taking breaks through out the year so you don't burn out, but I tend to keep on trucking. I agree with the earlier you get your songs done, the more time you have for you actual display. I do get some weird looks in the summer when I have the Christmas I am animating to, playing in my car.

Just exactly like what knute said. Last night i was using tapper wizard fell asleep laying down on couch seq. with laptop on chest woke up few hours later and there i was finger still on mouse and all. I was startled at first and said WHAT!?? well i said a few more words but we leave that alone lol. Anytime you can and your are focused and theres nothing on tv is a GREAT TIME! Its a bunch of work but i wouldnt have a stroke over it or anything few minutes at a time. A wise man told me once its better to have a few songs perfect then 15 songs that look like crap so...so less is more

[BaldEagleChristmas 23]

. . . A wise man told me once its better to have a few songs perfect then 15 songs that look like crap so...so less is more

Consider looking for opportunities to re-state this thoughout the year. It is indeed, wise advise.

[Bill V 65]

A wise man told me once its better to have a few songs perfect then 15 songs that look like crap so...so less is more

[knute73 0]

Very funny Bill.

[FrostNsnow 10]

The funny part to all this is Bill was the one that gave me that advice Sorry bill didnt mean to put ya on the spot

[tcoody 0]

A wise man told me once its better to have a few songs perfect then 15 songs that look like crap so...so less is more

I remember when I first started out I had only a few songs and they looked like crap and there were no wise men around to tell me what to do......

looking back at my 1st year and 15K lights I think it looks worse than crap.

But the people LOVED IT

Now with over 150K I do not stop for long. After the show goes live, I think about what I want for next year, after putting everything away in January I start a 1 month break then I start looking for ideas, songs, discounted items. setup starts late July pulling out items for repair/painting, in mid-late August posts go in the ground for the tree lines. Sep/Oct everything goes up to start live testing in November.

---point of interest, I live 30 miles from my display and work mostly on weekends to setup.---

To finish this post......START NOW, download LOR trial version, start designing your show and knocking out songs.

GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO EXTREME CHRISTMAS

[vvolf27 10]

I am doing my first animated display this year as well. I started learning how to use Lightshow pro in Feb, I have 5 songs ready so far and plan on doing 4 more. I rotate from days to nights at work in two month intervals. So I use my nights to do my programming if things are quiet. In Sep/Oct I plan on putting up my lights, do some testing and have everything ready to go by 25Nov. Right now it usually takes me about 8 hours to program a 2 minute song. Good luck on your display, I sure can't wait to see mine in action.

[Bcspy 10]

My second year. Wanted to redo the whole display and different songs. Two days of sequencing, looks like a zig saw puzzle. Need a break, have a big headache. Need more controllers for sure.

[jstorms 15]

So here is a rough, rough timeline. Could go faster or slower based on alot of factors.

Given 16 channels with a Mega Tree, to do 5 songs I would guess...

1 week to play and learn software (go through a few tutorials)

1 week to plan. Where will you put everything, what channel will control what, etc.

2 weeks for the first song

1-2 weeks per additional song X 4 = 4 to 8 weeks

1 week for actual prep and setup

~9 to 13 weeks

[danj 5]

I know this is an old thread.... Can anyone give me a rough timeline for setting up/testing/running my first synchronized display? I will be running 16 channels this year with mostly simple stuff to install (bush net lights and four mini trees) with a static display (icicle lights, a manger scene, and a cross). I am talking about physically setting up the wiring, lights, controller, FM transmitter, etc not planning/sequencing. I am thinking about starting setup two weekends before Thanksgiving with the goal of having my synchronized display up & running Thanksgiving night. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

[PaulChristmas 13]

I know this is an old thread.... Can anyone give me a rough timeline for setting up/testing/running my first synchronized display? I will be running 16 channels this year with mostly simple stuff to install (bush net lights and four mini trees) with a static display (icicle lights, a manger scene, and a cross). I am talking about physically setting up the wiring, lights, controller, FM transmitter, etc not planning/sequencing. I am thinking about starting setup two weekends before Thanksgiving with the goal of having my synchronized display up & running Thanksgiving night. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

Hard to answer that!

I will be starting to sneak things out soon.

I will be taking almost 2 weeks off in Nov to complete most of it.

I like to have everything ready well before the go live day.

Gives me time to fix things... for example last year I added 4 CCR arches that I discovered didn't work on my one network and had to order 4 adapters from LOR!

I would set up except the grass is still growing and it would be impossible to cut.

[danj 5]

Understood difficult to answer. Sounds like I am probably in about the right ballpark, planning to setup the two weekends prior to the "go live" day. I like that term!! Thanks very much.

[vvolf27 10]

Really depends on your display and how much time you can dedicate to setting up the lights. It gets cold and sometimes snow here in NOV, so I like to have mine set up before the end of OCT. I will have all my lights strung up and ready, then just plug in the controllers and test about two weeks before my planned live event. That way I can work out any bugs. This year I will have 12 rgb strips and will be testing those very soon!

[Hilliard Lights 0]

Really depends on your display and how much time you can dedicate to setting up the lights. It gets cold and sometimes snow here in NOV, so I like to have mine set up before the end of OCT. I will have all my lights strung up and ready, then just plug in the controllers and test about two weeks before my planned live event. That way I can work out any bugs. This year I will have 12 rgb strips and will be testing those very soon!

Snow? What is that- we Florida guys don't have it and sometimes we want it but then again- it is nice to set up and tear down in shorts and t-shirts...