Sean Meighan
Software => Nutcracker Autogenerate Sequence => Topic started by: sean on January 14, 2014, 09:19:48 AM
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here is how i sequence a song.
1) first get all models created that match your rgb devices. in my case
candles
stars
megatree
arches
eaves
boarders
2) Open a music file and also click to open an audacity timing file
the audacity timing files for 20 songs are included in your download
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards1.png)
on my windows 8, the songs directory that has audacity timings are located here
C:\Program Files (x86)\xLights\songs
the audacity timing files are like this
assume you have a wizards.mp3 file, you will find audacity timing files ending with a *.txt exension.
this is the order i marked them up, sorted from the least to the most timing marks.
wizards_4bars.txt: one timing mark every 4 bars of the song. (29 lines)
wizards_2bars.txt: one timing mark every 2 bars of the song. (58 lines)
wizards_bars.txt: one timing mark every bar of the song. (184 lines)
wizards_beats.txt: one timing mark every beat of the song. (461 lines)
wizards_onsets.txt: one timing mark every note of the song. (918 lines)
wizards_notes.txt: timing mark every polyphonic note of the song (1670 lines)
i usually start with either the 4bars or 2bars timing files. this is because for every model and for every timing mark you will need to decide what effect you want there. make it easier on yourself by not having too many to get started.
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards2.png)
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards3.png)
3) now you go into "Display Elements" and click on every model you want used in your sequence.
You will now see columns added, one for each model.
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards4.png)
4) get ready to autogenerate effects. I first go and lock down certain buttons. RED lock means when you autogenerate random stuff, the RED locked buttons wont be touched.
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards5.png)
5) Now go and look at effects that were generated. The effects you like, select the cell and protect it.
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards6.png)
(http://nutcracker123.com/forum/images/wizards7.png)
6) repeat autogeneration again and protect more effects you like. eventually all of the effects are to your liking.
7) save sequence.
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This is great information Thanks!!! I do have one question. I see you have the timings for some songs Can anyone set up a tutorial on how to creat timings using Audacity? It would help greatly.. Thanks
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There is already a very detailed Video Tutorial on Audacity Timings.
http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/ (http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/)
scroll down to a list of tutorials
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Thanks for the video links. I forgot they were there... one minor thing when Sean said to "protect" how do I do that ? Sorry for all these stupid questions but I am new to this...
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... when Sean said to "protect" how do I do that ?
To Protect an Effect from an "Autogenerate" you Right Click on the the effect and select Protect.
It will now be a different color. It will not protect it from you, :) just Autogenerate.
The File/Backup feature will protect it from you.
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Thanks Jon
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There is already a very detailed Video Tutorial on Audacity Timings.
http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/ (http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/)
scroll down to a list of tutorials
I get a 404 error when going here.
Thanks,
-joni-
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There is already a very detailed Video Tutorial on Audacity Timings.
http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/releases (http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/releases)
scroll down to a list of tutorials
I get a 404 error when going here.
Thanks,
-joni-
fixed in your quote above. Now you have to go to the Releases page and scroll down
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Hi Sean
Any chance of getting an option for the Auto Generate feature to "Use Presets Only" ?
Thanks!
Steve G
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Hi Sean
Any chance of getting an option for the Auto Generate feature to "Use Presets Only" ?
Thanks!
Steve G
that would be a great option. ill pass it on to don julien (author of the auto generation)
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Sean--learning how to export Audacity timing marks into XL/NC--is there a way to bring timing marks into an existing XL/NC file? For example, I have MS's "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" sequenced for arches in XL/NC from last year. I want to bring timing marks into this file because I will be adding a megatree to my display this year and I think I need more timing keys in the file. Not sure how to do this based on previous posts.
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Dan you should have started a new thread since this thread is about auto generation, but here is your answer.
This is what I have used. I saved it from a post by Jon Back
Re: How to add audacity timing marks to an existing xseq
« Reply #1 on: 11/12/13 at 07:14 PM »
from JonB256
Here's the way I've done it.
1. Create a brand new Nutcracker sequence with the same music and import the Audacity timings.
2. Add at least one model and one or more effects, and then save it, but save it with a different name than your "existing XSEQ" file (so it doesn't overwrite it)
3. Exit xLights/Nutrcracker. Open your xLights folder. In it should be your newest XML and XSEQ file plus your old XSEQ file.
4. The XSEQ file that you just created in Step 2 - delete it.
5. Rename (or copy and rename the copy) the new XML file from Step 2 to EXACTLY match the good XSEQ file.
6. Open xLights, go to the Nutcracker tab, and find the XSEQ file. When you open it, it will find the matching XML file with the timings and you will see them in the list.
I've done this several time and it has worked well. Don't skip a step unless you have good backups. :)
Modify message
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I will give that a shot. I will probably print all that out so I get it JUST RIGHT!! Thanks .
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sorry if I'm late to the party, but to auto generate, do I select "create random effects" ? in the screen shots of your description, it doesn't actually point out what to press for auto generate.
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yes that is the option you select. Really works great. Pick an effect you like, protect it, then create random effect again.
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thanks
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if you have multiple models i find two things help the sequence you generate
do a SHIFT-Click on "Create Random Effects" instead of just click. This will pick a random effect for each row but apply the same effect to every model on that row.
Second you can get cross fades for every effect if you also click the Morph button on the buttom left.
experiment.
Remember autosequence just gives you a baseline to start working from. You will have a fully sequenced song, you can use it and have your audience like your show. it is not as good as going to each effect and really tweaking it.
my flow is
1) mark up song using audacity. Manual timing marks makes a better show than the auto marks, but auto marks will work.
2) auto sequence song
3) Protect effects that look good, click "Create Random Effects" again. Protect more
4) tweak sequence, change some effects, change colors
after 2), you have a fully sequenced song. it is just not polished or perfect. it does give you sequences so takes part of the pressure off for your shows.
more time you put into 3) and 4) the better your show will become.
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if you have multiple models i find two things help the sequence you generate
do a SHIFT-Click on "Create Random Effects" instead of just click. This will pick a random effect for each row but apply the same effect to every model on that row.
Second you can get cross fades for every effect if you also click the Morph button on the buttom left.
experiment.
Remember autosequence just gives you a baseline to start working from. You will have a fully sequenced song, you can use it and have your audience like your show. it is not as good as going to each effect and really tweaking it.
my flow is
1) mark up song using audacity. Manual timing marks makes a better show than the auto marks, but auto marks will work.
2) auto sequence song
3) Protect effects that look good, click "Create Random Effects" again. Protect more
4) tweak sequence, change some effects, change colors
after 2), you have a fully sequenced song. it is just not polished or perfect. it does give you sequences so takes part of the pressure off for your shows.
more time you put into 3) and 4) the better your show will become.
thanks again for your hard work sean. the "shift-click" will help a lot. I was going to go threw and work on one element at a time and tweak before I move onto the next. auto generate is a big help with effects I might not see putting together on my own. no new elements this year so the next 3 months will be focused on new effects and new songs.