Anyone make a mock-up before full-blown testing?

[Russ 1]

As great as the preview window is on Light-o-Rama, sometimes sequences just look different on the live production with real lights. LED lights react different than incandescents, and I've noticed even different brands of lights have a slightly different ramp time.

Short of trying to hook up 96 strings of Christmas lights in the basement, I began to think of a way to make a mock-up. It would be nice to cut a string of lights to a foot or two long -- and I know you can't do this with mini-lights, or any other lights that are wired in series.

Has anyone come up with a solution that you'd care to share? Bonus if you have picture.

Thanks.

-r