I'm using a UDT II IR timer (Terror By Design) to control a talking Bucky, an animated groundbreaker, and squawking crow. The crow needed a separate relay powered by the timer on the groundbreaker as the voltage across his trigger switch was interfering with the ISD chip triggers. For sound I built two of Scary Terry's ISD boards and use GoldWave to modify .wav files for them. The Bucky skull (Grim Reaper prop) speaks courtesy of BPE's AutoTalk servo controller board. I also use a TLF box from HauntMaster for the lightning. BTW, his advice about using photoflood bulbs for lightning effects is good; those bulbs are bright! Next year, I plan to move on to compressed air effects.