First sequence for 2015 thanks to Xlights

[logandc99]

Well, here is my first sequence for this years Xmas lights. Done entirely in Xlights (apart from the animations in Piskel).
Thanks to all the Xlights team for making the sequencing process such a pleasure.

http://youtu.be/Cw8qLiqu01w

Happy to share my sequences but not sure how that works as my music tracks are all edited in audacity and therefore not just a song you can purchase on iTunes. So presumably should not post the audio in a public forum.
Any ideas welcome. Can always pm me with suggestions 😉

Ok, attached the audacity .aup file.
The actual songs are Uptown Funk and
this link to the Starwars/Cantina band disco version
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/d.j.-disco-mix-vol.-2/id737483900

DropBox link to Star Wars Funk
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ihfon0276g0uj01/AABbFbvqrlZ1mzsLZCgm_wSIa?dl=0

Dropbox link to mj mix files
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ymd97vj6vvjpkxa/AAA84h2cgiOqhm-q9V-NVjkta?dl=0

[sean]

looks awesome

[drlucas]

First off - thanks for sharing! I'm going to give it a try and import.

Two questions, first off when I try to open the aup file I get the attached error. I haven't used Audacity much in the past, so wondering if this is because I need to go do some homework or if you need to share other data? Any thoughts?

Next question is do you have the itunes link to uptown funk as well? I want to be sure I grab the right source file from itunes as well.

thanks!
Ryan
10ryanlucas@gmail.com

[drlucas]

One more request (two actually because your sequence is AWESOME - will you be sharing others?!), can you zip up and post the images that go into the tree as well - for example -  \Animations\X wing.gif ? I assume that you spent some time creating/customizing these to fit on the megatree.

I'll spend some time the next few days going over your timing marks and general design of the sequence. You did an amazing job - can't imagine the time it took to pull this together. I spend 10 hours on a simple sequence (like the hippo one I posted and that was mostly just doing the mouth movements and it wasnt even that well synced!!).

[bpducman]

Great Job

Brad

[jnealand]

I am a fan of traditional Christmas music so I was not expecting to like this, but it is GREAT.  You've done a really nice job of decorating and sequencing.

[logandc99]

One more request (two actually because your sequence is AWESOME - will you be sharing others?!), can you zip up and post the images that go into the tree as well - for example -  \Animations\X wing.gif ? I assume that you spent some time creating/customizing these to fit on the megatree.

I'll spend some time the next few days going over your timing marks and general design of the sequence. You did an amazing job - can't imagine the time it took to pull this together. I spend 10 hours on a simple sequence (like the hippo one I posted and that was mostly just doing the mouth movements and it wasnt even that well synced!!).

I completely forgot about the animations. I will either zip them or put a link to my public dropbox folder when I get home. They were done in Piskel. I'll also look at the link for Uptown Funk from my itunes account.
I have another sequence which is a Michael Jackson mix of 4 songs (about 5 mins long) which I will also share - just need to get around to getting that finalised so hopefully get those available in the next day ot so.

[logandc99]

I am a fan of traditional Christmas music so I was not expecting to like this, but it is GREAT.  You've done a really nice job of decorating and sequencing.

Thanks. Because it's summer here, I think there is a different feel to christmas compared to the Northern hemisphere and therefore the songs that I tend to do have a bit more of a "party-like" feel (although I would really love to have a true white christmas in the Northern Hemisphere sometime) . Also, people are allowed to come onto our property and wander amongst the lights, and so I  have tended a bit more towards some of the songs that might be popular with the younger ones (or up and comming events like Star Wars) which often means lots of kids dancing on the driveway to the music which is always nice to see. Also, I've never done Halloween so some of the songs that might be done in Aus or USA for halloween, I might end up doing for Xmas. However, I do try to add the odd Christmas song in as well because,  after all, it is christmas  (and  I am frantically trying to get a least one done for this year).  I also really enjoy watching the sequences done by others to the more traditional songs because, lets face it, you can't beat a good christmas song to help create that whole joyful atmosphere of Christmas  .

[flyinverted]

Awesome work Logan!!!

I am using the StarWars Disco song too in my show. Sounds like they slowed the tempo to match Uptown Funk.
I'm hiring your services next year!

-Steve

[jeffl]

Been a while since I watched a video where I sat and thought that was cool...  I wonder whats next.  Very creative.  Thanks

[logandc99]

Awesome work Logan!!!

I am using the StarWars Disco song too in my show. Sounds like they slowed the tempo to match Uptown Funk.
I'm hiring your services next year!

-Steve

Yes I used audacity to slow down the Star Wars disco version quite a bit and from memory sped up the Uptown Funk a bit to get them to match. So if you listen closely to it you can hear areas where the music sounds like it's dragging its heels a bit but I figured I could get away with it.
After listening a lot to my slowed down version, I recently listened to the original Star Wars disco version and it suddenly seemed very fast to me 

[logandc99]

Two questions, first off when I try to open the aup file I get the attached error. I haven't used Audacity much in the past, so wondering if this is because I need to go do some homework or if you need to share other data? Any thoughts?

Sorry I missed reading this bit intitially. I am not entirely sure what that data file is but I will have a look. I was primarily going on the help that Sean gave me for sharing audio files -  that only the .aup file was needed (along with the two original mp3's of course).

Sean, is there a data file like the one in the post above needed along with the .aup file for audacity?
Cheers
Logan

[drlucas]

Sorry I missed reading this bit intitially. I am not entirely sure what that data file is but I will have a look. I was primarily going on the help that Sean gave me for sharing audio files -  that only the .aup file was needed (along with the two original mp3's of course).

I opened up a different MP3 file and then opened the aup file and got another unique error, so once I get that other iTunes link i'll download and try with just the AUP.

I also noticed (and realized after your other email) that you are on the other side of the pond so the iTunes link doesn't work! here in Canada, so I'm going to have to try to figure out how to deal with that issue. Is that file available for the US guys? I'd be glad to pay $1.79 or $1.29 whatever apple charges, seems i'm having all sorts of problems

I'll figure it out i'm sure...

[drlucas]

I did find this one... is the song from 1997?  Star Wars Theme / Cantina Band (12" Disco Mix)..the duration shows 3:47 in iTunes, but your link shows 3:19 for the duration and 1998 for the album, so i'm thinking its a different song.

[logandc99]

Yes it is the Star Wars  Theme/Cantina Band. I got it from D.J. Disco Mix, Vol 2 and the date on mine is 1998.
The version I have  stops very suddenly (it is 3:19 long) so it could be that the full version goes for longer.