We recommend reading our extensive documentation for in-depth instructions about using our software and hardware, but if you're more of a visual type, we have a variety of video tutorials that can help you learn the core concepts.
Tutorials on this page are grouped by topic, and generally in "recommended viewing order." The majority of these videos are 5 minutes or less so you can learn exactly what you need to on a topic! (Some in depth videos are longer lengths)
S5 Software Suite - Getting Started
Light-O-Rama S5 - A Beginner's Overview |
Learn about the high level uses for each program in the Light-O-Rama software suite, and how the S5 software works as a whole in only 8 minutes! |
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Versions and License Levels |
Learn about the different software license options and which one is right for you. |
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Upgrading from S4 to S5 |
Ready to jump from S4 to S5? This video will help ease the transition. Check out our specific S4 to S5 tutorial section father down for more videos. |
S5 Software Suite - Create Your Preview (Virtual Layout)
Create A New Preview, Import & Export |
The basics on creating a preview: The buttons to create a new preview, or import or export a preview from somewhere else! |
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AC Channel Props |
Learn the foundation for adding traditional (or "AC") elements in your preview. |
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Creating Basic Groups |
Once your individual elements are created in the preview, put them in groups for easier sequencing! |
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Dumb RGB Props |
Learn the foundation for adding dumb RGB props (like our flood light kit!). |
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Smart RGB Props |
Learn the foundation for adding smart RGB props, like pixel trees, arches, rooflines, and more! |
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Smart RGB Prop Group Arrangements |
Smart RGB props can be arranged in a variety of ways in preparation for use with motion effects. Learn about your options! |
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Setting Pixel Dimming Curves |
Need to lower the brightness on your pixels? This video will show you how. |
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Channel Conflicts & Bulk Changes |
This video will help you solve common problems with channel conflicts and teach you how to purposely assign a channel to multiple props! |
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Formatting and Resizing Props |
Learn the shortcut to getting your props aligned and the same size! |
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Resizing Pixel Trees |
Have a sequence for a 16x25 pixel tree but have a 16x50 tree in your display? No problem - just watch this video. |
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Assign Different Preview to Sequence |
Purchased one of our sequences but want to assign it to YOUR preview? This tutorial will show you how. |
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Preview for Traditional Lights |
An extended look at creating a preview for traditional lighting elements in S5. |
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Preview for RGB Lights |
An extended look at creating a preview for RGB elements in S5. |
S5 Software Suite - The Sequencer (Create Your Light Shows!)
Customizing Window Layouts |
Before you ever start sequencing, make sure the Sequencer is organized in a way that works best for you. |
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Timing Grids & Audio Wizards |
The first step in creating a musical sequence is to create your timing grid. Learn about the different audio wizards and options available! |
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Audacity Timings & LOR |
A look at how to creating timings in Audacity and use them with Light-O-Rama! (Courtesy of Listentoourlights) |
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Beat Channels |
A Beat channel can help you mark sections of music and keep track of your sequencing progress. Add multiple to a sequence! |
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Grid Configurations |
Once your preview is built, a grid configuration can help you organize your sequencing space, which replaced channel configurations from S4. |
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Top Toolbar Commands |
Learn about the options in the top toolbar, like paste modes, playback speed, dragging edges of effects, and zooming in/out on your timeline. |
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Basic AC Channel Commands |
This fundamental video explains how to place basic commands, like on, off and fade. (Toolbar layout has been slightly modified since this video) |
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Advanced AC Channel Commands |
Learn about more advanced sequencing effects, like chase, fill, toggle and intensity. (Toolbar layout has been slightly modified since this video) |
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Color Fade Effects |
Learn to create solid color effects for dumb RGB or smart RGB. |
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Motion Effect Rows - Creation |
The first step to sequencing smart RGB is to create motion effect rows (Pro license level required). Learn the basics here. |
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Motion Effect Rows - Application |
Go beyond the basics of Motion Effect row creation and learn about some common uses for having multple Motion Effect Rows per prop |
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The Motion Effect Generator |
The Motion Effect Generator is the key to creating effects. This video will give you a brief walkthrough of each preset option! |
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Motion Effect Basics |
Learn the basic anatomy of the Motion Effect Generator so you can start choosing your own effects. |
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The Effect Samples Tab & Presets |
The Effect Samples tab is a shortcut to our preset effects and all effect favorites. Take a look at this sequencing option! |
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Mixing Two Motion Effects |
Once you've mastered the left side of the Motion Effect Generator, you can try your hand at blending effects from the right! |
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Layering Motion Effects |
Layering Motion Effects is another option to create unique end results. Learn more about layering logic with this video. |
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Modifying Effects |
Decide you want to change a whole section of AC or RGB effects in bulk? This video will show you the shortcut. |
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Sequencing AC Lights with Motion Effects |
If you've got the right music, you can even use Motion Effects to help sequence your AC lights! |
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Sequencing Tips - Breaking Down Music |
An older tutorial, but the concepts still apply! Listentoourlights explains how to break up a song into musical elements. |
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Sequencing Tips - A Sequencing Style |
An older tutorial, but the concepts still apply! Listentoourlights explains their style of sequencing to the music. |
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Singing Faces - Freehand Sequencing |
An extended 55 minute look into a free-hand sequencing style for singing faces from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit. Thanks JR Dibble! |
S5 Software Suite - A Guide to RGB
Dumb RGB Props |
Learn the foundation for adding dumb RGB props (like our flood light kit!) to your preview |
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Smart RGB Props |
Learn the foundation for adding smart RGB props to your preview, like pixel trees, arches, rooflines, and more! |
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Smart RGB Prop Group Arrangements |
Smart RGB props can be arranged in your preview in a variety of ways in preparation for use with motion effects. Learn about your options! |
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Setting Pixel Dimming Curves |
Need to lower the brightness on your pixels? This video will show you how. |
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Color Fade Effects |
Learn to create solid color effects for dumb RGB or smart RGB. |
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Motion Effect Rows - Creation |
The first step to sequencing smart RGB is to create motion effect rows (Pro license level required). Learn the basics here. |
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Motion Effect Rows - Application |
Go beyond the basics of Motion Effect row creation and learn about some common uses for having multple Motion Effect Rows per prop |
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The Motion Effect Generator |
The Motion Effect Generator is the key to creating effects. This video will give you a brief walkthrough of each preset option! |
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Motion Effect Basics |
Learn the basic anatomy of the Motion Effect Generator so you can start choosing your own effects. |
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The Effect Samples Tab & Presets |
The Effect Samples tab is a shortcut to our preset effects and all effect favorites. Take a look at this sequencing option! |
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Mixing Two Motion Effects |
Once you've mastered the left side of the Motion Effect Generator, you can try your hand at blending effects from the right! |
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Layering Motion Effects |
Layering Motion Effects is another option to create unique end results. Learn more about layering logic with this video. |
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Modifying RGB Effects |
Decide you want to change a whole section of RGB effects in bulk? This video will show you the shortcut. |
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Motion Effect Generator - An Extended Look |
An extended 25 minute look at the Motion Effect Generator from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit. Thanks Luke Kamp! |
S5 Software Suite - SuperStar (Add-on Software)
Basic Scenes |
Learn the basics of adding scenes with multiple Cosmic Color Ribbons or Cosmic Color Bulbs using SuperStar |
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Morphs |
Learn the basics of morphs with Cosmic Color Ribbons or Cosmic Color Bulbs using SuperStar |
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CCR Configuration |
Learn how to configure each Cosmic Color Ribbon for use by SuperStar |
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Multiple Network Configuration |
Learn how to setup multiple LOR data networks to handle multiple Cosmic Color Ribbons for SuperStar |
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SuperStar Basic Techniques |
Learn the basics of adding text to multiple Cosmic Color Ribbons using SuperStar |
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SuperStar Advanced Techniques |
Learn advanced techniques of adding text to multiple Cosmic Color Ribbons using SuperStar |
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Instant Sequences Overview |
Learn about the Instant Sequence Feature in Superstar - a great jump start to creating your sequences! |
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Instant Sequences Timing Map |
Learn how to take more control over the timings in an Instant Sequence creation. |
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Instant Sequence by Selection Part A |
Instant Sequence just part of a tune. Part A. |
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Instant Sequence by Selection Part B |
Instant Sequence just part of a tune. Part B. |
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Instant Sequence on a Visualization |
Instant Sequence a Visualization built in the S4 LOR Visualizer. |
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Instant Sequence on All Your Lights |
Instant Sequence based only on available light controllers. |
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Instant Sequence Rapid Fire Option |
Instant Sequence option to make the lights more responsive. |
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Instant Sequence Rapid Fire for Matrix |
Instant Sequence option to make the lights more responsive in a matrix. |
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Sequencing Circles |
Learn specifically about sequencing circles in Superstar. |
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Creating a Visualization for SuperStar |
Use Light-O-Rama’s S4 Visualizer to create a Visualization for use by SuperStar |
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Importing a Visualization into SuperStar |
Learn how to how to import a Light-O-Rama S4 Visualizer visualization into SuperStar |
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Preview Building for Superstar Props |
An extended 55 minute look at building Superstar Props in an S5 Preview from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit. Thanks Jim Walls! |
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Auto Sequence Feature Overview |
SuperStar Auto Sequence introduction and preview |
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Auto Sequence with Traditional Lights |
See how the Auto Sequence feature in S5 can add life to your traditional (non-pixel) lights and props |
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Auto Sequencer |
An updated 2021 Virtual Summit Christmas presentation on the uses of the Auto-Sequencer |
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Auto-Sequence Singing Faces |
Using S5 Superstar and Sequencer together? Learn how to add singing faces and sync the mouth movements with Auto Sequence. |
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Singing Faces with Images |
A 50 minute Virtual Christmas Summit presentation on a unique use of Superstar for singing faces. Thanks Jerry Morris! |
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Importing Images into SuperStar |
Adding images to SuperStar in S5 is easy. This tutorial shows you how. |
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Manipulating Images in SuperStar |
With S5, Manipulating images in SuperStar is easy once you understand the tools. This tutorial shows you how. |
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Exporting Sequences in S4 |
Learn how to export Superstar sequences as subsequences for use in S4 |
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Exporting Sequences in S5 |
Learn how props sequenced with Superstar connect back to the Sequencer in S5 |
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Purchased Sequences |
Here's how to use a sequence purchased from Superstar in your S5 sequence! |
S5 Software Suite - Scheduling Your Show in S5
Comm Ports & Network Preferences |
Learn how to correctly connect your USB 485 Adapters and set your Network Preferences so that you can output to your lights! |
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Control Lights from Sequencer |
Want to test your shows from the Sequencer before building your playlist? Learn how with this video. |
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Filler Animation Sequences |
Need a break between your sequences? This tutorial will show you how to make a quick filler sequence for between your shows. |
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Show Editor (Create Your Playlist) |
Running a show from your computer? Your first step is to build a playlist of your completed sequences in the Show Editor. |
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Background Animation Sequences |
Learn when you might want to use a background sequence and how to add one! |
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Startup and Shutdown Sequences |
Learn about adding startup and shutdown sequences that play specially before and after your shows. |
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Show Editor: In Order or Shuffle? |
Choose if your musical playlist will run in a set order or shuffle randomly throughout the night! |
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Interactive Show |
Looking to add a unique feature to your playlist? Use the interactive show feature and a trigger! |
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Schedule Editor (Schedule Your Playlist) |
After your Show Editor playlist is built, use the Schedule Editor to set the start / stop times each evening when running your show from a PC. |
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SD Card Creation - Simple |
If you're using a Showtime Director, this video will teach you the basics of building a playlist using the Hub. |
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SD Card Creation - Advanced |
When RGB is involved (and a few other things), you'll need to use the Advanced SD Creation mode in the Hub after you build your playlist. |
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SD Card Troubleshooting |
RGB effects not playing from your card but everything else is? This video will help. |
S5 Software Suite - Upgrade from S4/S3
Upgrading from S4 to S5 |
Ready to jump from S4 to S5? This video will explain the difference in versions and highlight some of the new features available in S5. |
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Importing Your S4 Sequences |
Once you've built your new preview or imported your S4 Visualizer/S3 Animator File, it's time to import your S4 sequences. |
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Archived Props |
If your old layout and new layout don't exactly match, you might have archived props. Learn more about what they are and how to fix them! |
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Channel Conflicts & Bulk Changes |
This video will help you solve common problems with channel conflicts that might have appeared after import! |
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Assign Different Preview to Sequence |
If you did a quick import at first and need to now assign your sequence to a completed preview, this video will show you how. |
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Add Media File |
Music files not attaching to your imported sequences? Here's a video on how to reattach audio. |
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S4 to S5 Differences (July 2020) |
An extended 50 minute look at the changes between S4 and S5. (sequence import process has been modified since this video) |
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S4 to S5 Conversion (July 2021) |
An extended 55 minute look at upgrading from S4 from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit. |
Light-O-Rama - Miscellaneous Trainings and Tricks
Projection Mapping Incorporation |
An extended 60 minute deep dive into Shawn Makes' incorporation of Projection Mapping and Light-O-Rama. |
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Common Problems and How to Solve Them |
An extended 45 minute look from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit at troubleshooting a range of common problems. Thanks Seth Jones! |
S5 Software Suite - Tips & Troubleshooting
Comm Ports & Network Preferences |
Learn how to correctly connect your USB 485 Adapters and set your Network Preferences so that you can output to your lights! |
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Control Lights from Sequencer |
Want to test your shows from the Sequencer? Learn how with this video. |
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Assign Different Preview to Sequence |
Purchased one of our sequences but want to assign it to YOUR preview? This tutorial will show you how. |
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Archived Props |
If you assign a sequence with a different preview to yours, you might have archived props. Learn more about what they are and how to fix them! |
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Channel Conflicts & Bulk Changes |
This video will help you solve common problems with channel conflicts and teach you how to purposely assign a channel to multiple props! |
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Resizing Pixel Trees |
Have a sequence for a 16x25 pixel tree but have a 16x50 tree in your display? No problem - just watch this video. |
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Setting Pixel Dimming Curves |
Need to lower the brightness on your pixels? This video will show you how. |
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Filler Animation Sequences |
Need a break between your sequences? This tutorial will show you how to make a quick filler sequence for between your shows. |
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Fix White XXXs in Sequencer |
Are you seeing RGB prop rows with white crosshatches? It means you're missing Motion Effect Rows. Learn how to add them in this tutorial. |
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Modifying Effects |
Decide you want to change a whole section of AC or RGB effects in bulk? This video will show you the shortcut. |
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SD Card Troubleshooting |
RGB effects not playing from your card but everything else is? Don't forget to use Advanced Creation Mode in the Hub! |
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Print Channel Configuration |
Need a list to carry with you while you install? Print your channel configuration using the String Summary tab of the Preview Editor! |
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Fixing an Imported Visualization |
This hour long video is from a support session where a customer gets real time support for a variety of preview questions in the transition to S5! |
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Common Problems and How to Solve Them |
An extended 45 minute look from the 2021 Virutal Christmas Summit at troubleshooting a range of common problems. Thanks Seth Jones! |
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LOR S5: Tips and Tricks |
An extended 2 hour Virtual Christmas Summit tips and tricks presentation by Great Christmas Light Fight winner, Darren Huffty! |
Light-O-Rama Hardware (Click here for hardware manuals)
Hardware: The Basics |
This 50 minute presentation from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit walks though different hardware options in detail. Thanks Synchronized Christmas! |
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Comm Ports & Network Preferences |
Learn how to correctly connect your USB 485 Adapters and set your Network Preferences so that you can output to your lights! |
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AC Controller Set Up |
Learn how to set up your first AC controller, courtesy of Listentoourlights |
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Testing an AC Controller |
An older video, but the concept still applies! Listentoourlights explains the basics of testing AC controllers. |
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Hardware Utility: AC Channel Controllers |
Learn about the basics of the Hardware Utility and how to set the Unit IDs of AC channel controllers. |
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Pixie 2 / 4 / 8/ 16 Configuration S4 |
A step by step walkthrough for configuration of the Pixie Series controllers in S4. Thanks JR Dibb! |
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Pixie 2 / 4 / 8/ 16 Configuration S5 |
A step by step walkthrough for configuration of the Pixie Series controllers in S5 from the 2021 Virtual Christmas Summit. Thanks JR Dibb! |
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PixCon16 Configuration |
A video tutorial for configurating the advanced PixCon16 controller with our latest software. Thanks to one of our community members for this video! |
S4 & S3 Software Suite (tutorials for previous versions)
Initial Setup (S3 and S4): Initial Setup |
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Initial Setup of the Sequencing Software |
The Light-O-Rama Sequence Editor is very powerful and every now and then a bit of help from an expert is exactly what you need. This video shows how to setup the sequence editor. |
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Sequence Editor (S3 and S4): New Sequences | ||
New Musical Sequence Creation |
How to create a new musical sequence in the sequence editor. |
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New Musical Sequence Options and Channels |
How to handle the channel options when creating a new musical sequence. |
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New Musical Sequence Options and the Sequence Information |
How to handle the Sequence Information questions when creating a new musical sequence. |
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New Musical Sequence Options and the Timing Grids |
How to handle the timing grid options when creating a new musical sequence. |
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Sequence Editor (S3 and S4): Effect Tools | ||
Effect Tools Basics |
How to use the various effect tools. |
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Effect Tools and creating a Chase |
How to use the chase effect tools. |
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Effect Tools and the Color Fade |
How to use the color fade tool. |
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Effect Tools and creating Custom Effects |
How to create custom effects. |
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Effect Tools using Fades and Intensities |
How to use the fade and color intensity tools. |
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Effect Tools and the Fill command |
How to use the fill effect tools. |
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Effect Tools and the Intelligent Fade |
How to use the intelligent fade tools. |
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Effect Tools and Painting a Sequence |
How to use the mini-sequence painter tools. |
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Effect Tools using Shimmer and Twinkle |
How to use the shimmer and twinkle effect tools. |
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Effect Tools and the Toggle button |
How to use the toggle tools. |
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Sequence Editor (S3 and S4): Copy and Paste | ||
Copy/Paste Basics |
The basics of using Copy/Paste to speed your results. |
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Copy/Paste from Foreground |
The secrets of selective copy/paste and overwrite some effects but not all in your sequence. |
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Copy/Paste Locks |
How to lock your clipboard so you don’t accidentally overwrite something important. |
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Copy/Paste Modes |
The different modes available using the sequence editor Copy and Paste function. |
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Copy/Paste using Multiple Clipboards |
The multiple copy/paste clipboards available in the sequence editor. |
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Copy/Paste and Renaming Clipboards |
How to name each of the multiple clipboards for easy reference. What a time saver! |
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Copy/Paste Saved Clipboards |
How to save clipboards to save time while using the sequence editor. |
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Sequence Editor (S3 and S4): Tips and Tricks | ||
Fades and Viewing Them |
How to view fades in the sequence editor |
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Waveform Display |
How to view the audio waveform for musical sequences. |
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Zooming and Related Tricks |
How to use the zoom command as well as other handy tools. |
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Saved/Recent Tools |
How to use saved and recent used tools. |
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Channel Colors in Sequence Editor |
How to set the channel colors as they are displayed. |
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Foreground and Background Commands |
Understanding the foreground and background concept. |
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Media File Location |
How to add/edit the music/video file linked to your sequence. |
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Repeat Command Usage |
How to use the ultra-handy repeat command. |
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Show Building |
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Show Basics and Musical Sequences |
The key to remember is one or more sequences must be assembled to create a show. This video shows you the basics on how to add musical sequences to your shows. |
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Show Scheduling |
How to schedule your shows. |
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Show Animation |
How to add simple animation sequences to your shows. |
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Show Background Animation |
How to have a simple animation running continuously in the background during your shows. |
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Interactive Shows |
How to add some interactivity to your shows. |
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End of a Show or Sequence Lights On/Off |
How to turn the lights off at the end of a show. |
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Delays and Cleanup During/After Your Shows |
How to add delays between sequences and run special sequences at the end of your show. |
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Show Music In Order or Shuffle the Sequences Randomly |
How to play the sequences in order or at random during your show. |
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Show Options |
The various options available when building a show. |
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Show Startup and Shutdown |
How to add special sequences run only when your show starts and shuts down. |
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Running Your Shows |
How to run the shows. |
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Pixel Editor (S4) (Pro Level) |
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Pixel Editor Introduction Part 1 |
Quick overview of how Pixel Editor fits in the Light-O-Rama environment |
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Pixel Editor Introduction Part 2 |
How to use Pixel Editor in a sequence and a review of some of the basic effects |
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Pixel Editor Basics |
PowerPoint presentation about using the Pixel Editor |
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Using Visualizer with Pixel Editor and Sequence Editor |
Use the best tools available. Step-by-step guide to setup pixel tree visualization |
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Using a PixieXX controller with a pixel tree with Pixel Editor |
Have a Light-O-Rama pixel tree. This step-by-step guide will help you configure all the components and use it with Pixel Editor. |