Christmas lights synced with Guitar Hero axe
While we already knew Sony's mysterious Rolly got down to holiday tunes, this installation managed to capture our attention just a wee bit more. Rivaled only by the famed TSO project from 2005, this guitar-controlled setup transforms a traditional office into a holiday funhouse by enabling rockers to control the light patterns within the building. Open source software, dubbed Frets on Fire, was modified to generate controls for dozens of light strings around the cubicles, with the corner plant being used to "keep the beat" and the trash can fittingly being lit only when someone missed a note. Click on through to catch this madness in action -- and yeah, it's pretty evident the boss left weeks ago to enjoy the rest of '07 from afar.
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mushrooshi @ Dec 24th 2007 10:42AM
This beats DDR whack-a-mole.
Dragod @ Dec 24th 2007 10:51AM
He's using a Guitar Hero guitar controller, but the game he's playing is Frets on Fire, not Guitar Hero. :P
Mort @ Dec 24th 2007 11:02AM
Which is why the headline said "Guitar Hero axe" (axe being slang for guitar if you didn't know) and the actual article said "Open source software, dubbed Frets on Fire."
At least this is slightly less nerdy than using your keyboard with function keys for the chord buttons.
Dragod @ Dec 24th 2007 11:04AM
Oh, lol.. I guess I only read half before I decided to watch the video. xD
jared @ Dec 25th 2007 6:03AM
Is activision going to demand payment for somebody using their hardware without using their software?
cortes.john @ Dec 24th 2007 11:18AM
lawl the way he looks gives nerds/geeks bad rep
Matthew Hilario @ Dec 24th 2007 11:34AM
or better rep at that.
Baba Booey @ Dec 24th 2007 12:13PM
Logitech X-230's! I love those
Matthew Hilario @ Dec 24th 2007 1:09PM
me too!! the sub woofer freakin bumps. the cords are messy tho.
Chuckles McGee @ Dec 24th 2007 2:12PM
Me three.
Colin B @ Dec 24th 2007 2:30PM
Hehe those are my speakers, actually..., and yes, the subwoofer definitely thumps. The song we originally demoed was Lay Down (Priestess), and the whole floor could hear it with those puppies at full blast. If you have any questions about the display, feel free to post here and we'll get back to you! Thanks!
Will H. @ Dec 24th 2007 12:13PM
GH is the only game that makes huge nerds look mega cool, but somehow this guy, even whilst shredding, still looks like a geek. harsh.
Andrew @ Dec 24th 2007 12:44PM
They need to play "Through the Fire and the Flames" or "Jordan" on those lights.
CubeGuy @ Dec 24th 2007 11:07PM
The lights would catch fire and explode.
Ayle @ Dec 25th 2007 12:44PM
I second that...
Colin B @ Dec 27th 2007 11:55AM
Hey, just wanted to update you...we did! Through the Fire and Flames is now up on YouTube, here http://youtube.com/watch?v=GEaERyASXVY . Hope you enjoy it!
Chuck @ Dec 24th 2007 1:22PM
If they can do that with Christmas lights, whats to stop somebody from doing the same thing with Pyro? Flams, sparks, flashs, etc would be cool as hell. Not in an office, i hope not atleast.
Ian @ Dec 24th 2007 3:06PM
ahh and make it like a real concert! wait i dono if id want to go to a concert to watch someone play guitar hero, no matter how many pyrotechnics they had
Chris Schutte @ Dec 24th 2007 7:43PM
They could have at least used LED strands instead of the old school lights.
JakeLL @ Dec 25th 2007 1:46AM
His boss was in all likelihood completely aware of his project. That's NI (National Instruments) and they've all got awesome stuff like that set up.
Renehasp @ Dec 26th 2007 3:07AM
This is def creative and fun!! Very nice job!!
-Rene
Brent @ Dec 26th 2007 9:20AM
I was there for the unveiling. Quite cool. He modified the Python source code to use the CompactDAQ system (his baby) to switch the lights on and off. This is his fourth or fifth year of lighting his cubicle, and his manager surely got the invite.
kickyoda @ Dec 28th 2007 7:49PM
what was the song playing at the beginning and end of the vid?