0.000000	3.900000	 Tech It From Me is an independent and solo-produced podcast.
3.900000	7.500000	 Welcome to the Tech It From Me podcast, I'm Mike Madole.
7.500000	13.500000	 Every December, my house transforms into something people around my neighborhood call a bit of magic.
13.500000	18.300000	 It's a full-blown animated light show synchronized perfectly to music.
18.300000	25.200000	 Cars line the streets, kids push their noses up against car windows, or they can be found dancing on the sidewalk.
25.200000	30.200000	 The whole block comes alive with lights dancing in time with the beat.
30.200000	39.700000	 Behind that magic is a ton of planning, cables, light controllers, computer software, and honestly a fair amount of chaos.
39.700000	46.200000	 In this episode, I want to pull back the curtain a little bit and take you behind the scenes of my own show.
46.200000	55.200000	 The Rusty Griswold's light the display in Burlington, Ontario, Canada to show you how holiday lights actually get animated to music.
55.200000	60.700000	 I'm going to talk about the technology, the creative side, the community, some of the funny disasters,
60.700000	70.200000	 and why I keep doing this year after year despite broken props, long nights, and occasional family thinking the show extends inside my house.
70.200000	74.200000	 This is the Tech It From Me podcast. Let's go!
74.200000	77.200000	 This is the Tech It From Me podcast.
77.200000	82.200000	 Although my start date has changed a few times over the past 10 years my show has been running,
82.200000	87.200000	 this setup officially kicks off the weekend right after Canadian Thanksgiving.
87.200000	97.200000	 While a lot of people are still polishing off leftover turkey sandwiches, you can find me outside with ladders, spools of wire, and boxes of props.
97.200000	103.200000	 That's just my tradition. It basically my kickoff to the holiday season.
103.200000	112.200000	 By the time I'm finished about six weekends later, I've put up over 14,000 light bulbs across the house and my yard.
112.200000	118.200000	 Most of them are what are called WS2811 pixels.
118.200000	124.200000	 These are special LEDs where every single one can be controlled individually.
124.200000	129.200000	 It's because each bulb has a computer chip built inside of them.
129.200000	141.200000	 They are the difference between a static string of lights and a light show that can chase, strobe, fade, and pulse in perfect rhythm to any song.
141.200000	155.200000	 I concentrate solely on the Christmas season for my show, but there are others out there around the world who build light shows for Halloween, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, almost any and every holiday.
155.200000	162.200000	 My first official show night is Black Friday, that is the last Friday in November.
162.200000	171.200000	 While people are fighting over big screen TVs at big box stores, I'm flipping a switch to on and starting a tradition.
171.200000	182.200000	 And I should say the name Rusty Griswold's Light Display, it is a nod to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and also a little tribute.
182.200000	192.200000	 If you grew up around Burlington, Ontario, you probably remember Doug Musson, who is known as the Clark Griswold of Burlington.
192.200000	200.200000	 Doug's display was and still is iconic, and it's located on Spruce Avenue here in Burlington.
200.200000	203.200000	 People line up just to see it year after year.
203.200000	208.200000	 Sadly, Doug has since passed, but his legacy continues to live on.
208.200000	216.200000	 His family keeps the show going and his memories alive at ChristmasDisplay.ca, their website.
216.200000	220.200000	 And I tip my hat to him and thank him for his inspiration.
220.200000	229.200000	 For me, carrying the Rusty Griswold name forward is a way to honor what the Musson family has built and keep that spirit alive.
229.200000	235.200000	 And that is bringing families together through lights, music, and a little bit of holiday magic.
235.200000	242.200000	 Now let's get to the part that fascinates me, and probably use since you're listening to a technology podcast.
242.200000	245.200000	 That is the backbone of the show.
245.200000	249.200000	 At the heart of it all is a computer program called xLights.
249.200000	255.200000	 It's a free open source program you can grab online at xLights.org.
255.200000	260.200000	 That's x-l-i-g-h-t-s.org.
260.200000	263.200000	 Think of xLights as the conductor of a symphony.
263.200000	271.200000	 You drop in an audio track, and then you use timing marks to line up lighting effects with the beat, the melody, or the vocals.
271.200000	283.200000	 So, for example, if I wanted the roof line to chase with every drum beat or the megatree to explode in color on the chorus, I'd build that into xLights.
283.200000	289.200000	 It's like editing a music video, but instead of video clips, I'm working with lights.
289.200000	296.200000	 Once those sequences are ready, they get exported to the brains of the show, the light controllers.
296.200000	309.200000	 In my case, I use a mix of Falcon Board, Raspberry Pi, or Beaglebone Black Mini computers running Falcon Player, or FPP, as most people call it.
309.200000	316.200000	 Full disclosure, I am not sponsored by any of the brands that I mention in this episode.
316.200000	321.200000	 My show in particular uses eight different light controllers.
321.200000	327.200000	 Those controllers receive their instructions from one main computer, the show player.
327.200000	331.200000	 You can use almost any computer as a show player.
331.200000	340.200000	 In the past, I have used a Windows computer, but this year I've decided to move towards using a Raspberry Pi.
340.200000	352.200000	 That little Raspberry Pi player sits there every night in December, sending out tens of thousands of commands per second to each tiny pixel.
352.200000	356.200000	 And of course, that all sits on top of a network setup.
356.200000	371.200000	 We're talking E1.31 and DDP protocols, Ethernet cables running through the yard, to switches and waterproof boxes, and a lot of labeling to make sure I know what goes where.
371.200000	374.200000	 Now it doesn't always go smoothly.
374.200000	381.200000	 One year, I had props flickering like a bad horror movie due to data overload over the show network.
381.200000	388.200000	 Another year, I discovered halfway through December that one of my controllers wasn't quite configured correctly.
388.200000	393.200000	 So a whole section of the house looked like it was all inebriated.
393.200000	404.200000	 The show must go on, but behind the scenes, there are nights I'm out there in the cold, redoing configurations, just so people in their cars don't notice the glitches.
404.200000	409.200000	 It's a technical challenge, but that's honestly what makes it fun for me.
409.200000	420.200000	 And here's a fun fact. A lot of the gear I use in my front yard is the exact same gear you're going to see on TV shows like the Great Christmas Light Fight.
420.200000	430.200000	 The software, the WS-2811 LED pixels, even the types of controllers, they're all part of the exact same ecosystem.
430.200000	433.200000	 That's one of the cool things about this hobby.
433.200000	437.200000	 You don't need Hollywood budgets or a TV crew to do it.
437.200000	446.200000	 The tools that light up a million dollar displays on national television are the exact same ones you and I can download or order online.
446.200000	453.200000	 It really comes down to how much time, effort, and creativity you want to put into it.
453.200000	459.200000	 But the technology is only half the battle. The real magic comes from the creative side.
459.200000	463.200000	 The first big decision is song selection.
463.200000	469.200000	 I almost always pick upbeat holiday songs because they just show better.
469.200000	477.200000	 If you've ever watched lights chase along with a driving baseline, you know what I mean. It's borderline electric.
477.200000	484.200000	 I also try to pick songs across decades, starting from the 1950s going till today.
484.200000	488.200000	 That way, every generation has something they can connect with.
488.200000	498.200000	 You might hear Burl Ives one minute, Mariah Carey the next, and then maybe something from Sia or Ariana Grande right after.
498.200000	502.200000	 Sequencing is where the artistry comes in.
502.200000	510.200000	 In X-Lights, I'm layering effects with sweeps, color washes, strobe bursts, and text scrolling.
510.200000	517.200000	 It's essentially choreography, but instead of dancers, I'm working with LED lights.
517.200000	520.200000	 And I'm not the only one who treats it this way.
520.200000	528.200000	 If you've ever gone down the YouTube rabbit hole of animated light shows, you've undoubtedly seen Tom BetGeorge.
528.200000	531.200000	 He's world famous in this hobby.
531.200000	535.200000	 His displays in California go viral every year.
535.200000	545.200000	 Massive scale, insane synchronization, flamethrowers, light up drones, and creative use of music way beyond just Christmas.
545.200000	548.200000	 He's even been featured on national television.
548.200000	556.200000	 For a lot of people, Tom set the bar for what's possible when you combine technical skill with artistic vision.
556.200000	561.200000	 Over the years, I've added props to push the creativity further.
561.200000	568.200000	 LED panels, P5 LED panels that can display video-like effects.
568.200000	577.200000	 Mega Christmas bulbs that appear to sing along accurately to the words thanks to fanatic mapping of every syllable.
577.200000	582.200000	 Or 3D printed elements that give the show a unique look.
582.200000	587.200000	 The more tools I have, the more I can play with rhythm, melody, and color.
587.200000	595.200000	 And when it all clicks, when a sequence just perfectly matches a song, it's ecstatic. It's pure joy.
595.200000	603.200000	 Watching the lights move in harmony with the music feels like creating your own kind of music video that the whole neighborhood can enjoy.
603.200000	605.200000	 So, what do you think?
605.200000	607.200000	 Does this sound too good to be true?
607.200000	615.200000	 Now, before I make this sound too perfect, let me share the not-so-magical side of running a public light show.
615.200000	621.200000	 When you open up your front yard to the community, you're inviting in all types of behavior.
621.200000	629.200000	 Most of it, I'll admit, it's wonderful. People are respectful. They're grateful, sometimes even dropping off a thank you card.
629.200000	637.200000	 But not always. There was one time a kid ran straight into one of my gingerbread men props.
637.200000	642.200000	 Tripped over a wire and damaged the whole thing. Just ripped the wire right out.
642.200000	648.200000	 Another year, a kid actually kicked one of my lanterns so hard that the glass shattered.
648.200000	657.200000	 Their parents? Well, they treated my front yard like a playground, and they just let their little Johnny's or Susie's run free.
657.200000	661.200000	 And then there was the time a family tried to come into my house.
661.200000	667.200000	 I guess they assumed the show continued indoors? I'll never really know.
667.200000	673.200000	 But I do know my 100-pound dogs were more than happy to make sure that they left quickly.
673.200000	678.200000	 So, yeah, there's the joy, and then there's the reality check.
678.200000	686.200000	 You spend months building something beautiful, and in an instant, someone can damage portions of it.
686.200000	696.200000	 It can be frustrating, but at the same time, I remind myself that for every one bad story, there are literally hundreds of good ones.
696.200000	703.200000	 Now, if you're listening and thinking, this absolutely sounds amazing. I'd love to try it myself.
703.200000	708.200000	 Well, here's some of the advice I provide to people who ask these kinds of questions.
708.200000	715.200000	 First off, start small. You don't need 14,000 lights to create something magical.
715.200000	723.200000	 Pick one prop, maybe a small tree, or a simple arch, and sequence it to one song.
723.200000	729.200000	 Even 100 LED pixels can wow people if they're animated well.
729.200000	735.200000	 Secondly, use the free tools. Grab and download ex lights.
735.200000	742.200000	 It costs you absolutely nothing, and the community support around the world is absolutely massive.
742.200000	749.200000	 There are forums, there's Facebook groups, YouTube tutorials, and you'll never run out of people willing to help.
749.200000	757.200000	 The main programmers of ex lights have donated their time over the years to produce a professional class software.
757.200000	762.200000	 They do accept donations on their website, but it's not required to use it.
762.200000	765.200000	 It is appreciated, though, I'm sure.
765.200000	772.200000	 Thirdly, plan for growth. This hobby has a way of snowballing. Believe me, it's addictive.
772.200000	784.200000	 What starts with one arch can turn into a front yard spectacle pretty quickly. And trust me, your garage is soon going to look like Santa's workshop just exploded all over the place.
784.200000	790.200000	 The point is, you don't need to be an engineer or have a giant budget to start.
790.200000	796.200000	 You just need some patience, a little bit of curiosity, and a willingness to tinker.
796.200000	804.200000	 So now the why? Why do I keep doing this year after year? For me, it comes down to the payoff.
804.200000	809.200000	 And what is that? Well, standing out there and seeing kids' faces light up.
809.200000	814.200000	 Watching cars pull up, and entire families singing along in their seats.
814.200000	824.200000	 Getting those moments where neighbors stop by just to say thanks, or participate with a sign that points to my display to say "ditto", absolutely hilarious.
824.200000	828.200000	 And frankly, I can't say enough about my neighbors.
828.200000	839.200000	 They put up with the occasional visitor blocking their driveways, or the after hours person who thinks it's funny to blast the music from their vehicles at 10.30 at night on a weeknight.
839.200000	845.200000	 For me, I'm just a small part of bringing Christmas magic to kids and families.
845.200000	848.200000	 It's also about giving back.
848.200000	857.200000	 Every year, Rusty Griswold's Light Display helps support a charity that focuses on helping kids and families.
857.200000	869.200000	 This year, in 2025, my family and I are honored to support Halton Women's Place, a local charity that provides shelter and support for women and children in need.
869.200000	875.200000	 It's a way of turning all those hours of work into something that actually helps out the community.
875.200000	878.200000	 And it's also about tradition.
878.200000	882.200000	 My family knows the weekend after Thanksgiving means it's go time.
882.200000	885.200000	 Ladders come out, and the show construction begins.
885.200000	891.200000	 The lights, the songs, the whole thing, it's become a part of our rhythm as a family.
891.200000	894.200000	 And now, part of that rhythm of the neighborhood, too.
894.200000	897.200000	 Yes, it is a lot of work.
897.200000	899.200000	 Yes, things break.
899.200000	902.200000	 And yes, occasionally some damage occurs.
902.200000	907.200000	 But the joy it brings, I'll be on that's what keeps me coming back.
907.200000	909.200000	 So, there you have it.
909.200000	914.200000	 The high-level story of how holiday lights get animated to music.
914.200000	919.200000	 At least from my perspective here at Rusty Griswold's Light Display.
919.200000	925.200000	 If you're curious to see the show in action, please check out my website at rustygriswold.ca.
925.200000	933.200000	 And that's spelled R-U-S-T-Y-G-R-I-S-W-O-L-D dot-C-A.
933.200000	938.200000	 I have links to YouTube videos where I show songs from previous years.
938.200000	946.200000	 If you just want to go straight to the YouTube channel, visit youtube.com/@rustygriswold.
946.200000	949.200000	 That'll take you straight to my channel as well.
949.200000	953.200000	 And while you're surfing, please be sure to check out Halton Women's Place.
953.200000	956.200000	 That's haltonwomensplace.com.
956.200000	962.200000	 They do amazing work year-round for women and children in need.
962.200000	965.200000	 Well, thanks for tuning in to the Tech It From Me podcast.
965.200000	971.200000	 And if you happen to be in the Burlington, Ontario area of this holiday season, be sure to come see the show.
971.200000	974.200000	 I promise you will not be disappointed.
974.200000	977.200000	 Until the next episode, thanks for listening.
977.200000	982.200000	 Tech It From Me is an independent and solo-produced podcast.
982.200000	983.797500	 [BLANK_AUDIO]