Thread: How do you guyz control your home haunt??

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As for controlling my haunt I have been wanting to do this for the last couple of years but am not sure where to start all the X10/VSA/MIDI/DMX and all that stuff has me scratching my head lol... I just want something that is cheap but reliable and somewhat easy to work or figure out....Don't get me wrong I would love to build something very elaborate but lack the Computer skillz to make it all work...All I want to do really is control some of my props and maby a little lighting I have already built the 1st 2 parts of the sound system for my haunt I will be posting some more pics later today and I really only want a way to control 10/15 props from 1 central location, from a switch pad or Comp. whatever I just don't know where to start???? Now I have been searching the net high and low and have found tons of info but I was wonder what the majority out here was using??? Also cost I am able to get many components at great prices but would like to go the cheapest root possible with the best result, I also would like to be able to add to the system as time goes on...I really like the look and set up of Jeff's MIDI Show controller from Haunted yard DOT.com but really am lost on where to start....
Then I see all you guyz talking about VSA now this really gets me lost lol, I would really love to start trying some of this stuff but dont have a clue where to start or spend my $$$$.
Another thing is prop1/prop2 controllers. I under stand what they are used for and I kind of get how they work but how??? or what do you else do U need with the controllers do you us VSA with is???

Man I have so many questions on this I have been reading everything I can find on the subjects but that might be part the problem I am starting to confuse myself lol...

All I really wan is some good input from people who use controllers to power their haunts and I want the best and easiest way to go about it...I already am in the works of building a 3 part sound stage for the haunt and am almost finished I have also just got the X10 4 camera set-up that runs of the comp. and records on command...I am able to get my hands on most of the equipment you guys talk about but need to be pointed in the right direction...any help on this would be greatly appreciated thankz in advance....

I currently only have two props that need manual activation, and for those I use X10 and a handheld remote. I'll probably continue with this arrangement for a while. It's easily expandable, and works well for pneumatics and motor-driven props.

I plan on learning VSA this year to build a 3-axis skull, but that will be self-contained and looped.

Eventually, I'd like to graduate to a full DMX-controlled display, but that's going to be a while.

-dgm

I couldn't find anything I liked so developed my own system, which has since evolved into Exorcist.

Exorcist has been developed for the complete newbie, you dont need to be a computer genius to setup and program it, and by Using a combination of VSA, DMX and 7.1 surround sound you can quickly build up a control system that can control 7/8 sets/props from a single computer.

A word to the wise, if you are interested in Exorcist, then buying sooner is better than later, despite the fact that price has risen to reflect additional features existing customers have got free upgrades to the newer versions, where newer customers have had to pay the higher prices.... and there is a MAJOR upgrade to Exorcist on the horizon which will also see a rise in price.

I use a minibrick from Gilderfluke to control 8 of my 20 props...there are 8 pneumatic props in one scene which are controlled from the minibrick, then the remaining 12 have on-board controllers (Puppetmasters from TBD, Maestro from Haunted Village, and the picoBoo mini from Frightprops). The minibrick can be programmed easily by the onboard push buttons or via free software from Gilderfluke. Here is the control panel for the eight props: (ignore the bottom cabinet unit - it is used for supplying power to the system. The top cabinet houses the GIlderfluke controller).

thankz guyz keep those ideas coming....

craigsrobotics - that is a cool set-up I am going to look into it sure looks sweet....

Phoenix_UK - I would be really interested in learning more of this program of yours, how can I find out more? and what kind of $$$ are we talking....

Here is a demo of the software, you can see that its all click n go control

YouTube - Exorcist Demo

more information available at SkullTronix

The current price is $299, for this you get the 8 channel input box, IR remote control and the basic software can control 8 VSA routine, 8 sound players, 4 Video players.

On the horizon is DMeXorcist, which is a DMX only version, this has 16 VSA players, Random and counter functions and 6 script players.... the key feature of DMX exorcist is that it can play many routines at the same time over a single DMX network