Thread: Anyone using a perfect storm controller?

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Anyone using the Perfect Storm controller? If so how do you like it?
Thanks!

I'm not using one myself (I build my own). But, there is a thread that should be of interest to you here.

The Morris perfect storm?
Here is my break down of 5 controllers from a thread from last year
Gemmy Light Show and Simulated thunder?
As said there, it has no direct audio input.
Here is that entire thread
Gemmy Light Show and Simulated thunder?

Would this do the same thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Velleman-MK110...7864620&sr=8-6

Originally Posted by ColenJacksdad

Would this do the same thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Velleman-MK110...7864620&sr=8-6

Yes, and it has a direct audio input which eliminates the problems caused by the "Perfect Storm's" mic picking up other ambient sounds/sounds from other props. Although with any light organ/lightning machine, I'd recommend putting a audio track where there is only thunder in the soundtrack through it, and no other ambient noises. Or as an alternative, using a low pass crossover on the input of the light organ/lightning machine if it does have other ambient sounds. With the crossover point below the range of frequencies that the ambient sounds are using. Wire the speaker to the "in" leg on the crossover to bypass it, thereby sending full range audio to the speaker itself.

The down side to filtering the input, is that thunder spans a wide range of audio frequencies. Strikes that are physically close, don't have the deep boom audible on a recording. Filtering should be limited via your crossover frequency to around 250 hz or so to minimize the other ambient noises influencing the lightning. In the end, it won't be as quite as impressive as if you have a full spectrum thunder only soundtrack. However, the vast majority of people won't notice that at all, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference even knowing what is going on.

I just orderd this one. Can't beat the price and it has 3 channels.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...p?number=C4530

I made the color organs (3 channel) years ago.
I have to say I am not as satisfied with them as the out of the box T&L machines.
The response just isnt great.

They do not have a very high current capacity (though using LEDs helps)

You need to put in a project box, etc....

I still have mine but it has been sittingin a bin untouched for years.

Your milage may vary.

I'd submit that it depends on the type of circuit design of the light organ, as to the response curve. I've been using a microprocessor controlled type circuit design very similar to the Velleman kit, and it's quite responsive.

As for the current capacity: Yes, they are lower to begin with. But, with an upgraded SCR that's given a appropriate high mass heatsink, relay upgrade, and reinforcing the traces on the board...you can give a great boost to the performance for only a few dollars spent.

Edit/ Ok, not sure why it put the "Tweet" link in there. :/

Mine has been sitting so long I cannot recall how truly responsive it is.
I do recall not liking having to run 8 ohm speaker connections to it for the audio input.

I always figured it would be fairly easy to improve on it.
Perhaps if I were to do it again, I would be a bit more discerning on the base kit selection.