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Topics to read about your sequence: You bought a sequence. Now what? If your sequence uses royalty free music Buy the music before installing the sequence What to do if you can’t buy the music at Amazon.com Downloading your sequence(s) Copy your sequences to a safe place because your computer will die What are you getting? Make sure the ShowTime Sequencing Suite is installed and what level you’ll need Directories / folders Sequence cannot find the audio file? ‘Can’t init conversion’ The music is not the right volume compared to other tunes Sequences and shows Changing your sequences Channel layouts Typical layouts Using your sequence with ShowTime Director Please don’t share Need more help?You bought a sequence. Now what?After the successful purchase of a Light-O-Rama sequence, you will receive a confirmation email with aserial number and link to where you can immediately download the sequence. The download link is atthe bottom of the email. If you're still in the sequencing store, you can also look under 'My Accounts','Track your recent orders' and click 'View Details' to find the download link.If your sequence uses Royalty Free Music and/or had RFM in the nameSome of our sequences use royalty free music, meaning Light-O-Rama has taken care of the licensingrequirements for you. The music file is included with your sequence to make things easy. Please keep inLight-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 1
mind we have arranged for the music to be licensed only to you so copying the music file to share withothers is not allowed. Skip the next couple of topics about buying the music.Buy the music before installing the sequence.In the store description we provide a link to where to purchase the music at www.Amazon.com.Purchase and download the music to your computer before installing your sequence.What to do if you can’t buy the music at www.Amazon.comMatch the album cover and music track name as shown in the Light-O-Rama Sequence Store to what'savailable in your country. Make sure the music track length is the same as what’s specified in thesequence store. Purchase and download the music to your computer before installing your sequence.Downloading your sequence(s)Each store order typically involves two or more files to download to your computer. The first file(s) isnamed something SEQ-?.exe or SEQ-?.zip or SEQ-?-exe.zip. This is the actual sequenceinformation. Some Internet browsers will warn this file might not be safe. We scan the files daily forviruses so they should be safe.Once the sequence file(s) is downloaded, you will then need to run it to install the information on yourcomputer.If your downloaded sequence file is named something like SEQ-?.exe, simply run the file by doubleclicking it. Read the prompts very carefully and allow the downloaded file to run.If your downloaded sequence file is named something like SEQ-?.zip or SEQ-?-exe.zip, openthe file and inside you’ll see another file named something SEQ-?.exe. Double click or run thisSEQ-?.exe file. Read the prompts very carefully and allow the downloaded file to run.The last file to download is called ReadMeFirst.pdf and includes the contents of what you are readingnow.Copy your sequences to a safe place because your computer WILL dieOnce you have downloaded your sequences from the Light-O-Rama sequence store, copy thosedownloaded files to a safe place and make sure it’s not on the same computer.Why make a copy of your sequences?Your computer will eventually die, get stolen or run over by a truck. Should you need access to yourpurchased sequences from the Light-O-Rama sequence store after a year, well, it’s too late so you’llhave to buy them again.Bottom line: make a backup copy of your sequences and store them somewhere else other than thecomputer you’re working on.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 2
What are you getting?Upon the receipt of a Light-O-Rama sequence, you will be receiving one installation file that includes thefollow files embedded within: A Light-O-Rama sequence file (it ends with .lms)The Light-O-Rama sequence installerIf royalty free music then an audio file (it ends with .mp3)The sequence installer will put the sequence in your preferred Light-O-Rama sequence directory.If your Light-O-Rama sequence uses royalty free music, then we will put the music file in your preferredLight-O-Rama audio directory. The music file will typically have the same name as the sequence but endwith .mp3. You can skip to the next topic.If your Light-O-Rama sequence does not include the music. We provide a link to purchase the musicthrough Amazon.com. The music is licensed directly to you. Amazon embeds a unique identifier in themusic file that can be tracked back to your purchase.It’s important you use the same musical track we specify. Since there can be different versions of thesame song by the same artist, the light patterns can be off if you use a version different than what thesequencer used.The sequence installer will search your computer for the correct music file needed by the sequence,create a copy, put it into your default Light-O-Rama audio directory and attempt to link the sequence tothe music.Make sure the Light-O-Rama ShowTime Sequencing Suite is installedYou must have a recent version of the Light-O-Rama ShowTime Sequencing Suite software alreadyinstalled on your computer. If you do not have this software, please go to www.LightORama.com topurchase the product.Your sequence was written with the latest version of the ShowTime Sequencing Suite Sequence. It willusually work with earlier versions of our software but we always recommend being on the latest andgreatest so you have the best tools available.‘Ready To Go’ sequences can only be guaranteed to work with our S3 or later software (version 3.0and higher).What level of ShowTime Software Suite do you need?This is a 48 or 64 channel sequence. The 'Basic' level of the Light-O-Rama ShowTime Sequencing Suitewill only control the first 32 channels. The 'Basic Plus' level will handle up to 64 channels. The Standardand Advanced levels will also handle your new sequence just fine.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 3
I'm using the Demo version of the ShowTime Sequencing SuiteIf your installed Light-O-Rama ShowTime Sequencing Suite says 'Demo' in the top title bar of thewindow, it does not send any control signals to any controllers. This is a free version of the software andmeant for testing and demonstrations only. Make sure your software says 'Basic', 'Basic Plus', 'Standard'or 'Advanced' in the top title bar.Directories (Folders) and where we’re putting the stuffWhen the ShowTime Sequencing Suite was installed on your computer it created several defaultdirectories (folders) including one for 'Sequences' and another for 'Audio.' Your purchased Light-ORama sequence will be installed in the default 'Sequence' directory and the music will be installed in thedefault 'Audio' directory.Your new sequence (stored in your Sequence directory) is titled something like:Name of Song-NameOfArtist.lms if it's a sequence you can modifyorName of Song-RTG-NameOfArtist.lms if it's a ready-to-go sequence.The ‘.lms’ at the end stands for Light-O-Rama Music Sequence.If you see ‘–RFM-‘ in the sequence name it means royalty free music is being used. The music file istypically named the same as the sequence file but ends with .mp3 and stored in your default Light-ORama Audio directory.If you had to purchase the music (stored in your Audio directory) it is titled the same (or very close to it)as your original version purchase from www.Amazon.com and referenced in the Light-O-Rama on-linestore description of the sequence.No ShowTime Sequencing Suite but still want the sequence?During the installation process the program will figure out you have no ShowTime Sequencing Suitesoftware installed and ask where you want to store the sequence. Navigate to a place on your computeryou can easily find later and store the new sequence there. The installation program will add a 'TMP' tothe beginning of the sequence title to remind you it's going to need to be moved later to work with theShowTime Sequencing Suite software.Sequence cannot find the audio file?Should you open your new sequence in the ShowTime Sequencing Suite Sequence Editor and get amessage saying it cannot find the audio file or cannot get the last modification time, go toEdit/Media File and browse to the appropriate music file. Save your sequence and all will beAOK.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 4
‘Can’t init conversion’This is programmer speak for ‘your music file is something I don’t understand’ and can happen if you’rerunning a version 3.9 or earlier of Light-O-Rama software. You can usually fix things by going to thiswebsite: http://audio.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp3. Upload your music, it will convert it to astandard format (CBR, 128kbps, .mp3) and download the converted music back to your computer.Another option is to use a free program called Audacity found at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ andbe sure to get the LAME encoders for it at http://lame1.buanzo.com.ar/ so the program can handle.mp3 files.You might need to go through the ‘Sequence cannot find the audio file?’ section above to link theconverted music back to your sequence.The music is not the right volume compared to other tunesThe recording artist has full creative control of what the music sounds like. Unfortunately, some like itsoft and other like it VERY loud. There's a technique known as 'Normalization" that attempts to makethe audio you hear more consistent. This is typically a one-time process that will adjust the music levelsas needed. There are several programs available to do this on your computer. If you don't already havesuch a program, we've had good success using a free one called Audacity(http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). It's a bit geeky, but very powerful. Open your audio file, gotoEffects/Normalize, and watch the magic. One special note: If you are using standard .MP3 recordings,be sure to also download the 'LAME MP3 encoder' (http://lame1.buanzo.com.ar/) with windows). Still perplexed by all this? Ask a teenager forhelp.Another option to fix the volume can be found by going to this website: http://audio.onlineconvert.com/convert-to-mp3. Upload your music, , be sure to check the 'Normalize' box, it will convertthe music to a standard format (CBR, 128kbps, .mp3) and normalize the volume. You then downloadthe converted music back to your computer.Sequences and ShowsThis sequence and your legally licensed music will play fine on your computer through the ShowTimeSequencing Suite Sequence Editor. To run the sequence in other modes, it needs to be converted to ashow. See your ShowTime Sequencing Suite on-line help for more information.Changing your SequencesIf your sequence is designated 'You Can Modify' then you can change the light patterns andadd/edit/delete controllers and light channels as you see fit through the ShowTime Sequencing SuiteSequence Editor. You can use your sequence as a starting point to build something as grand as you canimagine.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 5
If your sequence is designated 'Ready To Go' (look for RTG in the sequence name) then you do not havethe capability of changing any of the light patterns within the ShowTime Sequencing Suite SequenceEditor. Opening the sequence within the Sequence Editor will allow you to see the channel layout andchange the audio file linked to the sequence.Converting a ‘Ready To Go’ Sequence to a ‘You Can Modify’ SequenceThere is no capability to upgrade a ‘Ready To Go’ sequence to a fully editable ‘You Can Modify’sequence. You will need to purchase the sequence from the Light-O-Rama store as a ‘You Can Modify’sequence.Channel layout suggestion for 48 channels (3 controllers)A 48 channel sequence takes advantage of three 16 channel Light-O-Rama controllers. Controller 1 usesfour groups of four light circuits. Controller 2 also uses four groups of four light circuits. Controller 3uses two groups of eight light circuits. We break things up into colors or segment numbers just to makeit a little easier to understand but you can wire your lights as you see fit.channel12345678910111213141516Controller 1Controller 2Controller 3Group A - segment 1 (red)Fixture A - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 1Group A - segment 2 (red)Fixture B - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 2Group A - segment 3 (red)Fixture C - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 3Group A - segment 4 (red)Fixture D - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 4Group B - segment 1 (green)Fixture A - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 5Group B - segment 2 (green)Fixture B - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 6Group B - segment 3 (green)Fixture C - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 7Group B - segment 4 (green)Fixture D - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 8Group C - segment 1 (blue)Fixture A - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 1Group C - segment 2 (blue)Fixture B - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 2Group C - segment 3 (blue)Fixture C - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 3Group C - segment 4 (blue)Fixture D - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 4Group D - segment 1 (yellow)Fixture A - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 5Group D - segment 2 (yellow)Fixture B - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 6Group D - segment 3 (yellow)Fixture C - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 7Group D - segment 4 (yellow)Fixture D - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 8Does the above make your head hurt? Keep reading for explanations and pictures in a typical layout.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 6
Channel layout suggestion for 64 channels (4 controllers)A 64 channel sequence takes advantage of four 16 channel Light-O-Rama controllers. Controller 1 usesfour groups of four light circuits. Controller 2 also uses four groups of four light circuits. Controller 3uses two groups of eight light circuits. Controller 4 also uses two groups of eight light circuits. We breakthings up into colors or segment numbers just to make it a little easier to understand but you can wireyour lights as you see fit.channel12345678910111213141516Controller 1Controller 2Controller 3Controller 4Group A - segment 1 (red)Fixture A - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 1Leaper G - segment 1Group A - segment 2 (red)Fixture B - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 2Leaper G - segment 2Group A - segment 3 (red)Fixture C - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 3Leaper G - segment 3Group A - segment 4 (red)Fixture D - 1 (red)Arch E - segment 4Leaper G - segment 4Group B - segment 1 (green)Fixture A - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 5Leaper G - segment 5Group B - segment 2 (green)Fixture B - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 6Leaper G - segment 6Group B - segment 3 (green)Fixture C - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 7Leaper G - segment 7Group B - segment 4 (green)Fixture D - 2 (green)Arch E - segment 8Leaper G - segment 8Group C - segment 1 (blue)Fixture A - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 1Leaper H - segment 1Group C - segment 2 (blue)Fixture B - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 2Leaper H - segment 2Group C - segment 3 (blue)Fixture C - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 3Leaper H - segment 3Group C - segment 4 (blue)Fixture D - 3 (blue)Arch F - segment 4Leaper H - segment 4Group D - segment 1 (yellow)Fixture A - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 5Leaper H - segment 5Group D - segment 2 (yellow)Fixture B - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 6Leaper H - segment 6Group D - segment 3 (yellow)Fixture C - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 7Leaper H - segment 7Group D - segment 4 (yellow)Fixture D - 4 (yellow)Arch F - segment 8Leaper H - segment 8Does the above make your head hurt? Keep reading for explanations and pictures in a typical layout.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 7
Typical layout for a buildingEach sequence is designed to use three or four of our standard 16 channel Light-O-Rama controllers fora total of 48-64 channels.Looking for a few hints on laying out your lights? Use our demonstration videos and examples as a wayto generate ideas.Controller 1 should be deployed on your main structure. The light channels are used throughout theentire song. For our example we’ve used four roof segments, four windows, four bushes and fourcolumns. Your venue might be a four story building, each with four windows. Think four groups of four.We suggest controller 2 be used with accent pieces. The light channels are used to enhance the first 16channels used with controller 1. They are not required for a good looking show but you can expand intothem in the future. Think four groups of four. We use four separate design elements (fixtures), andeach is wired with four different colors. You can certainly use your own configuration such as 16 smallobjects grouped in sections of four.We suggest controller 3 be other accent pieces. The light channels are used to enhance the first 16channels used with controller 1. They are not required but you can expand into them in the future.Think two groups of eight. We use two leaping arches as design elements, where each is wired witheight different light segments. You can certainly use your own configuration such as 16 small objectsgrouped in two different sections of eight.We suggest controller 4 be other accent pieces. The light channels are used to enhance the first 16channels used with controller 1. They are not required but you can expand into them in the future.Think two groups of eight. We use two leapers as design elements, where each is wired with eightdifferent light segments. You can certainly use your own configuration such as 16 small objects groupedin two different sections of eight.See the next pages for typical layouts.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 8
Christmas (48 channels / 3 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a Christmas display. It matches the demonstration video you mighthave watched when deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handles the house. Controller 2handles four of the four color trees in the front yard. Controller 3 handles two leaping arches.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 9
Christmas (64 channels / 4 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a Christmas display using 64 channels (4 controllers.) It matches thedemonstration video you might have watched when deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handlesthe house. Controller 2 handles four of the four color trees in the front yard. Controller 3 handles twoleaping arches. Controller 4 handles two leapers.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 10
Halloween (48 channels / 3 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a Halloween display. It matches the demonstration video you mighthave watched before deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handles the house. Controller 2handles four of the four color pumpkins in the front yard. Controller 3 handles two leaping arches.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 11
Patriotic Displays (48 channels / 3 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a patriotic display. It matches the demonstration video you might havewatched before deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handles the house. Controller 2 handlesfour of the four color stars in the front yard. Controller 3 handles two leaping arches.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 12
Parties (48 channels / 3 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a party display. It matches the demonstration video you might havewatched before deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handles the house. Controller 2 handlesfour of the four color musical notes in the front yard. Controller 3 handles two leaping arches.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 13
Parties (64 channels / 4 controllers)Here’s how we set things up for a party display using 64 channels (4 controllers.) It matches thedemonstration video you might have watched when deciding to buy this sequence. Controller 1 handlesthe house. Controller 2 handles four of the four color trees in the front yard. Controller 3 handles twoleaping arches. Controller 4 handles two leapers.Don’t spend too much time making sure all the lights are perfect. Your guests will love the lightsflashing in perfect synchronization the music.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 14
Using your purchased sequence with a ShowTime DirectorLight-O-Rama's ShowTime Directors allow you to run sequences without a dedicated computer. You canuse the Simple Show Builder or the ‘Hardware Utility/LOR MP3’ tab to reformat the sequences so theycan be stored on SD memory cards and used in ShowTime Directors.'Ready To Go' sequences can be used with Light-O-Rama ShowTime Directors if you are using our S3software version 3.8 or higher. Previous versions of the software do not allow ‘Ready To Go’ sequencesto run on ShowTime Directors.If you have an active license for our software, you can download the latest version from our website ownload/. If you need to renew your license, startat http://store.lightorama.com/‘You Can Modify’ sequences can be used with Light-O-Rama ShowTime Directors using almost anyversion of our software.Please don't share your sequenceEach sequence has an embedded transaction number we use to link back to your original purchase. Donot share your sequence with anyone.Final suggestionYour guests will react to three things:1. Lights2. Music3. The lights flashing in perfect time to the musicKeep things simple and don’t get bogged down in all the technical stuff.Need more help?We're always here. Go to www.LightORama.com. You can also use our help desk athelpdesk.LightORama.comCommercial UseUsing most musical sequences in a commercial environment means performance licensing. You can dothis for each song by contacting each artist directly or it's much easier to work with the AmericanSociety of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Contact ASCAP at www.ASCAP.com or call 1800-505-4052.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 15
Want more performance licensing information? ASCAP provides thorough explanations atwww.ascap.com/licensing/licensingfaq.aspxOur last piece of adviceMake a backup copy of your sequences and store them somewhere else other than the computeryou’re working on.Light-O-Rama 22 Hudson Falls Road, South Glen Falls, NY 12803 www.LightORama.compage 16
'Track your recent orders' and click 'View Details' to find the download link. If your sequence uses Royalty Free Music and/or had RFM in the name . Some of our sequences use royalty free music, meaning Light-O-Rama has taken care of the licensing requirements for you. The music file is included with your sequence to make things easy. Please .
