Introduction: How to Sync Music to Christmas Lights Using a Raspberry Pi and LightShowPi
I decided to make a step by step tutorial on how to create a Light Show Pi because when I created one there were only scattered information on the Internet .
Items you'll need:
Raspberry Pi Kit
https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Complete-S...
Sainsmart 8 Channel 5V Solid State Relay Module Board
http://www.sainsmart.com/8-channel-5v-solid-state-...
Jumper Wires Male to Female
https://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-200mm-...
9 Short Power Cords
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Power-Extension-Ca...
16 AWG wire
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INVEQB2/ref=p...
Christmas Lights
Wire Cutter
Pliers
Small Flat-head Screwdriver
Step 1: Connecting the Sainsmart 8 Channel Relay to the Raspberry Pi
Connect the Jumper wires from the Raspberry Pi to the Sainsmart Relay Board
- Loosen channel screws
- Connect jumper wires to the corresponding Channels from the Sainsmart to PIN # on the Raspberry Pi
- Male end into the Sainsmart and Female end at the Raspberry Pi
- Should look like pictures above (wire color doesn't matter)
Step 2: Loading the Software Onto the Raspberry Pi
Download latest Rasbian Jessie with PIXEL
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian
Write SD Card Image with Win32 Disk Imager
https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installa...
Boot the Raspberry Pi, connect to Internet, and open a Terminal.
Follow the LightShowPi Guide:
http://lightshowpi.org/download-and-install/
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install git-core
# Clone the repository to /home/pi/lightshowpi
cd ~
git clone https://togiles@bitbucket.org/togiles/lightshowpi.git
# Grab the stable branch
cd lightshowpi
git fetch && git checkout stable
cd /home/pi/lightshowpi
sudo ./install.sh
This will take several minutes
Once done type:
sudo reboot
Step 3: Testing the Hardware
After the Raspberry Pi reboots type:
sudo python py/hardware_controller.py --state=flash
or
sudo python py/hardware_controller.py --state=fade
The lights on the sainsmart board should now flash if everything is hooked up correctly
If the hardware test doesn't not work please refer to:
Step 4: Wiring Sainsmart Relay Board for Electrical
You will need:
Wire cutter/stripper
Pliers
14 AWG wire
Daisy chain all wire together like the pictures and wire nuts for the ground and neutral wires. I only linked 4 channels as you can see.
Step 5: Playing Your First Song or Playlist
Refer to the official LightShowPi Guide:
Step 6: Optional: Using SMS to Control Your Show
Refer to the LightShowPi Guide:
Step 7: Optional: Setting LightShowPi to Use Audio-In Rather Than an MP3
Refer to the LightShowPi Guide:
Step 8: Run the Show
Add Lights and run the show
Step 9: Help
If help is needed do not hesitate to drop a line in the Community:
https://plus.google.com/communities/10178959630145...
Also don't forget to check out the website for new stuff!
Step 10:
Participated in the
Amps and Speakers Contest 2016
