How Can I Build a Christmas Light Controller That Syncs with Music?

[famousken]

I was just thinking with christmas right around the corner I wanted to do something a little different than the usual lights on the eves. I would like to build a light controller that cues different sections of my lights to music, kind of like this but Ill probably tone it back a little bit, probably around 8 channels I am thinking <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TD4g0gmQSLk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TD4g0gmQSLk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
One idea I had was to use a basic stamp to control the light driver, but that means that I would have to spend days programming it to get the timing just right. Another idea I had was to make a mono copy of what ever song it was and then use the other channel to record the program for the light control using a serial signal that can be decoded in real-time (decade counter?) then I could just set my media player to loop and it would repeat itself. I want something as simple as possible and easy to set up as I only have around a month do complete it. Any ideas?

 

[noumed]

you'd need some sort of PLC to do this.. what if you take the sample of the song, pass it through an ADC, and based on the bits that the ADC spits out, control a section of the lights? here's something that i found on google, that should be able to get you started...

http://zedomax.com/blog/zedomax-diy119-make-christmas-light-controller-in-5-minutes/"

 

[oswaler]

I appreciate your creativity and desire to do something unique with your Christmas lights. Building a light controller that cues different sections of lights to music is certainly a fun and challenging project.

One option you mentioned is using a basic stamp to control the light driver, which would require programming and potentially a lot of time to get the timing just right. Another option is using a mono copy of the song and recording the program for the light control using a serial signal. While this may be a simpler approach, it may also require some time and effort to set up.

One idea I have is to consider using an Arduino microcontroller. Arduino is a popular open-source platform for building electronic projects and has a large online community for support and resources. There are also many tutorials and guides available for using Arduino to create light and music controllers, which could be helpful in completing your project in a timely manner.

Another consideration is using pre-made light and music controller kits that are specifically designed for this type of project. These kits often come with easy-to-follow instructions and may save you time and effort in programming and setting up the controller.

Overall, I think your project is a fun and creative idea. My recommendation would be to research and explore different options, such as using Arduino or pre-made kits, to find the best fit for your skills and timeline. Good luck with your project and happy holidays!