Embedded Files
Thunder & Lightning Build Notes
Thunder & Lightning Build Notes
Our Thunder & Lightning effect is made up of the following components:
An old iPhone with a thunder audio track set to repeat
A small mixer to distribute the audio to two PA speakers
Two powered PA speakers, which we hide in bushes
A "lightning processor". This device analyzes the thunder audio track, and based on the amplitude and duration of the thunder, generates lightning patterns. It has five outlets for lighting: Four outlets feed four separate and independent lighting channels. The four channels will independently turn on and off with different brightness levels in patterns based on the thunder's audio waveforms. The fifth outlet is used to connect internal lights inside your house, and flickers on and off after the outdoor lightning effect, designed to simulate the house's power flickering after a nearby lightning strike.
Four super-bright, fast-switching LED spot lights (they are specifically designed for lightning effects) are placed around different parts of the house to simulate moving lightning flashes.
Our initial testing rig. Most of the cabling is for the lights which create the lightning effect.
Loudspeakers for thunder.
Very first proof-of-concept test of the the thunder and lightning system - this was before I had the super-bright and fast LED lights. Lots of settings were tweaked to improve the timings of the final deployment (you will notice too much "hang time" on some of the lightning), and I didn't even have the internal house lights hooked up, but it was so exciting to see this in action for the first time!
Watch the video on the home page for the final version.
Google Sites
Report abuse