How do you synchronize your lights to music?

The display infrastructure that allows us to synchronize our display to music consists of several parts:

The computer

The computer has a program called Light-o-Rama installed on it, giving us the capability to synchronize the Christmas lights to music.  The computer software gives us the capability to dim our lights, shut them off or keep them at full brightness.  

The cable connecting the computer to the controllers

The cable connecting the computer to the controllers is a Cat5e cable (available from Light-o-Rama).  This cable connects to the computer via a USB port and sends the signal from the computer to the controllers out in the yard.

The controllers

The display setup includes 4 16-channel controllers dispersed throughout the yard.  Each controller has 16 outputs.  Each output can have a certain display item plugged into it (like a string of Christmas lights, inflatable, lit up sign, etc.). 

The extension cords

Our display setup includes over 1,000 feet of extension cords.  

The Radio Transmitter

 In order to get the music from the computer out to the cars, we use a low-power FM radio transmitter that transmits the radio signal about 300 feet from the house out to the car radios.  The radio transmitter connects to the computer audio output jack.

Do you want to do this for yourself? 

Here are a few things that you must consider if you are going to get started:

• Be prepared to budget at least $1000 for the equipment.
• Christmas light shows take a LOT more time than putting up a static display.  Be prepared to spend at least 10 hours to synchronize each song to music.
• Start early!  You cannot expect to put up a fully functional Christmas light show in a few days.  Be prepared to start planning at least several months ahead of time.  
• This can get very addicting.  Be sure to get the rest of your family on board with it before continuing.  

Resources for Creating Christmas Light Shows

 If you are interested in having a synchronized Christmas light show for your own display, we would recommend the following resources to help you get started. 

• PlanetChristmas chatroom. Chat with thousands of other Christmas lighting enthusiasts that know their stuff! Decorators that have been featured on national television congregate on this forum. Learn from the experts and do it right.
• Light-o-Rama - the manufacturer of the light synchronizing software that we use for our display.  

If you would like some guidance or direction doing this, please contact us with questions that you may have.  We are more than willing to help you out.