Q&A for How to Make Your Christmas Lights Flash to Music

I use multiple colored strings in the same bush or tree. The controller selects which string to light (and sometimes all or multiple colors in the same tree. All shrubs have white and another color. The controller dims the white at times to make the color stand out.

You can buy a device to broadcast over a short distance, or DIY something from a Raspberry Pi or Arduino for a lot less. Be aware that FM broadcasting is typically frowned upon by law enforcement, so choose a channel that's empty and away from other stations.

You should buy the ones that don't if you're using a controller. The lights that flash typically do so at a set interval that can't be changed. Regular lights don't have that restriction. In addition to being able to flash them any rate or to any rhythm, regular lights can also be used to create animations.

There are some sites that can give you the complete codes you need for a variety of songs. Just find a controller and then look up specific tutorials for that controller.

To know exactly what you'll need, design your show using PowerPoint with music and a background of a picture of your house at night. Animate the light show by duplicating slide and changing the color of the little circles representing the lights from a dark color, that is barely visable, to a light color when they are turned on. Group the circles according to which light strip they are on so that changing the color of one will change all of them. Make sure the slide show is accurate, i.e. to scale, has the same number of bulbs per light strip, etc. This should tell you exactly how many strips or extension cords you will need. It should also simplify making the code and deciding on a control system.

It depends how annoying the songs you play are. Any songs that are overused or often made fun of might result in your house getting vandalized.

No. Solar lights use solar panels to store energy in a battery that is used to light a bulb at night. There is no external access, and even if there was, the solar light couldn't handle that much power.

No. You can rent a music installation. Ask the renting company for a specific system that allows lights to be plugged in. In essence, it's not different from the ones they use at discos, where the lights also follow the beat. You connect the lights to the music system and select which option you want for each light. They can come on on the beat, slightly after, slightly before, anything really.

The same techniques should work for the indoor tree that would work outside your house.

Light-o-Rama controllers are a good choice as they are easy to use and are affordable. They have a wide range that should match your light.