Buyer's Guide: Chase Controllers

Are you ready to take your Christmas display from ho-ho-hum to Santa-approved? Well, hold on to your stockings because we've got just the thing to make it happen. Imagine your lights twinkling and dancing like sugarplums in a ballet - that's right, motion baby! With our array of chase controllers, your lights can do more than just sit there looking pretty. You can program them to put on a show that would make Rudolph jealous! Learn all about the different types of chase controllers we offer, how they work and how you can use them in your display.

Our chase controllers offer many different benefits, including:

• Synchronizing lights with music
• Controlling up to 10 strands of lights at once
• Giving your displays new flexibility
• And much more!

GFade 8 Output Fully Programmable AC Chase Controller

This controller is a real game changer. The GFade controller is an 8 output AC chase controller that is fully programmable using a built in web browser interface. This means you will be able to select the exact timing and effects for each channel of output and creating chase sequences that you have never been able to achieve before without the use of expensive and complex hardware/software combinations. For the first time, you will be able to set each channel to turn on and off at any timing interval you desire. And now, you can synchronized more than one GFade together to create nearly limitless output channels!

3 and 4 Channel 8 Function Chase Controllers

The heavy-duty three or 4 channel sequencer will give you a huge selection of lighting effects and choices as you program fun styles for your display. Whether you’re using this for your Christmas show or an event, you’ll be able to make a memorable lightscape. With this controller, you can enjoy these eight unique lighting effects:

• Combination
• In Waves
• Sequential
• Slo-Glo
• Chasing / Flash
• Slow Fade
• Twinkle / Flash
• Steady On

No matter what you choose, it’s hard to go wrong with this chase controller.

1, 2, 3 and 4 Channel Chase Controllers With Speed Control Dial

Our standard chase controllers do one thing and they do it very well! They create a simple chase sequence from one channel to the next - or in the case of the 1 channel version (we often call it a blink controller), simply turn the output channel on and off. The output pattern of a standard 4 channel chase controller looks like this: 1on, 1off/2on, 2off/3on, 3off/4on, 4off and the pattern repeats. The speed dial is used for setting the speed of the chase sequence.

2, 3 and 4 Channel Build Up Controllers With Speed Control Dial

Our build up controllers do one thing - a different thing than our standard chase controllers - and they do it very well! They create a build up sequence from one channel to the next. On a build on controller, each channel turns on in succession and then they all turn off and start the sequence over. So the pattern on a 4 channel build up controller is: 1on, 2on, 3on, 4on, all off and repeat. The speed dial is used for setting the speed of the build up sequence.

Six Shooter 2-6 Channel Advanced Chase Controller

The Six Shooter Advanced Chase Controller gives you the option of controlling lights using either a chase, back and forth (bounce), or random pattern. It also allows you to select how many outputs you wish to use via a selection knob on the front of the unit. Options range from 2 channels all the way up to 6 channels. Changing the function or number of channels being used can be easily selected/changed on the fly with no need to power the controller down.

Animator 4 Plus

This advanced chase controller is a 4 output, 16 function controller that can be set to function as a 1, 2, 3, or 4 channel multi-function controller. It also has a speed control dial which allows you to control the speed of each effect across all the desired channels. If the 4 channel 8 function controller isn’t quite cutting it for you, the Animator 4 Plus may be exactly what you need. The built in patterns include:

• 1-4 build up, 2 second hold all on, then repeat
• 1-4 sequence, then repeat
• 1-4 sequence, pause, repeat
• 1-4 then 4-1, repeat
• 1-4 sequence cross fade, pause
• 4-1 sequence, pause, repeat
• All fade up, then down
• 1-4 cross fade
• Outer to center cross fade
• Random pattern
• 1 & 4 then 2 & 3
• Twinkle
• Sparkle
• 1 & 2 fade up, cross fade 3 & 4
• 2&3 to 1 & 4
• All on then all off

Animator 10 Plus

The Animator 10 Plus takes what the 4 Plus does and amplifies it! If you want truly unique light effects, performance, and flexibility, you can rely on this chase controller. It offers up to 10 channels of multi-function light outputs that can be set to achieve a high number of different effects. You can even experiment with using 1, 2, or 3 or 5 or 7 or 8 or 9 or all 10 channels to find an entirely new array of interesting effect patterns. The built-in patterns are:

• 1-10 build up, 2 second hold all on, then repeat
• 1-10 sequence, then repeat
• 1-10 sequence, pause, repeat
• 1-10 then 10-1, repeat
• 1-10 sequence cross fade, pause
• 10-1 sequence, pause, repeat
• All fade up, then down
• 1-10 crossfade
• Outer to center cross fade
• Random pattern
• 1 & 10 then 2 & 9 then 3 & 8 then 4 & 7 then 5 & 6
• Twinkle
• Sparkle
• 1-5 fade up, crossfade 6-10
• 6-10 to 1-5
• All on then all off

Starburst 1-10 Output Advanced Semi-Programmable Chase Controller

The Starburst controller is an advanced controller that has over 65 built in lighting patterns that can be programmed in any combination (ie you can run multiple *different* patterns back to back) and then played back for your lighting display. The speed of each pattern can be controlled and programmed into the sequence during programming and fine tuned during playback. Each output will handle 1.5 amps and a max of 10 amps for the entire controller. The controller has default program that will run right out of the box for a plug and play option. Programming is done using 3 simple buttons on the front of the controller. This controller takes our 3 and 4 channel multi-function controller functionality to a whole new level!

Click here to view/download a PDF of the Starburst user guide/instructions

Click here to view/download a PDF document that shows all of the patterns that are available on the Starburst controller.

The Music Box

Sync your Christmas light show to music or sound with The Music Box controller! This is a plug and play system that doesn’t require a computer or complex software to give you a synchronized light show. You just need an audio source, speakers, and lights for a beautiful and fun display. You can even daisy chain audio inputs so that more than one music box can be used with the same sound source! There is also a silence detection mode that will automatically turns on all of your lights when the sound source stops.

Find New Chase Controllers Today

Take your Christmas light displays to a whole new level and enjoy setting up fun light shows with the help of chase controllers from The Christmas Light Emporium. Shop online with us to find the best light controllers and options to make your displays truly special.