Fright Ideas BOO BOX MINI User manual

BooBox Mini Operating Manual
BooBox Mini Operating Manual
mini
OPERATING MANUAL
471 Maybank Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M6N 3S7
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www.frightideas.com
Recording Sounds
To begin recording you will need the following connected to the mini:
•A powered speaker or speakers connected to the mini’s Line-Out OR a standard speaker connected to the
speaker output.
•An audio source such as a CD player or computer connected to Line-In. Make sure the source is not amplified.
•A stereo audio cable to connect your audio source to the mini’s Audio Line-In
•The mini’s programmer connected to the programmer port
Once the above is connected try pressing play on the audio source, you should be able to hear the sound faintly
through the connected speaker. Do not turn up the source volume so your speakers are really loud! Use this sound
only as a guide so you know when to start and stop recording. Once the sound is recorded and the mini plays it back
it will be much louder than it is now.
You will have to experiment with the volume of your sound source to see what gives you the best recorded sound
quality. If the source is too loud the recording will sound distorted, if it’s too low you may not be able to turn the sound
up loud enough even with your speakers at full volume. Do a few test recordings, keep adjusting the source volume
and then previewing the sound from the mini until you’re happy with the quality and volume level.
Volume Levels for Common Sources
Source
Volume Level
Computer
20% to 40%
iPod or Portable CD Player
75%
The ambient sound must always be recorded first, once you are happy with how it sounds you can move on to
recording the scare sound. The scare sound can then be recorded and re-recorded as needed. If the ambient sound
is ever changed the scare sound will have to be re-recorded, even if it does not need to be changed.
Sound Length
Record as long an ambient sound as possible, this sound will be looped while the mini waits to be triggered. The
looping point will be heard less often if this sound is long, just make sure you leave enough room for your scare
sound, you have 4 minutes total space for your sounds. Your scare sound length is less critical, just make sure it’s
long enough to play for the entire length of the animation you want to record.
Recording and Previewing
To record the ambient sound hold “1” and press “REC”, press “REC” again to stop recording. To record the scare
sound hold “2” and press “REC”.
To preview the sound, make sure you stop the source if it is playing, then hold either “1” for the ambient sound or “2”
for the scare sound and then press “PLAY”. Pressing “PLAY” again will stop the sound.
Turning Off Ambient Sound
To turn off the ambient sound make sure an audio source is connected to the audio-in, hold “REC” and press “1”.
Then within 3 seconds, press “REC” again.
How to Create Your Own Sounds
Getting a sound just right may require some editing. Programs known as waveform editors allow you to modify every
aspect of a sound. If you’ve never tried using one before it can actually be quite fun, and when you’re done with the
sound it will be exactly what you wanted.
Connecting Speakers
There are two options for connecting speakers to the BooBox mini. You can either connect an amplifier or pair of
powered speakers up to the mini’s Line Out, or use the mini’s internal 22 watt amplifier with a 4 or 8 ohm speaker.

BooBox Mini Operating Manual
BooBox Mini Operating Manual
Recording Animation
Once you have your sounds recorded into the mini you can begin recording the scare scene’s outputs. Make sure
you have removed the audio cable from the mini’s line-in jack before proceeding.
It’s also much easier to record the animation with the trigger removed and the mini at its default settings, this is
especially true when using a motion sensor for a trigger. If you have changed the input to normally-closed or
changed the mode to something other than 1 then you’ll probably be better off changing back to a normally-open
trigger mode and an operating mode of 1 before attempting to record.
Connect the RTP to the mini and press some of the output buttons. You’ll notice the relay outputs will activate in real-
time as you press the buttons. You may also notice that the ambient sound has stopped playing, this is so you can
focus on programming the scare scene. To turn the ambient sound back on once you are done programming, hold
the play button for about 3 seconds, the scare will play and once it is done the ambient sound will begin.
Press REC on the RTP, the scare sound will start playing. Press the output buttons to record them in sync with the
sound. You can press the buttons as many times as you want and hold them for as long as you want. Whatever you
do with those buttons will be recorded for up to 4 minutes. Press REC again to stop recording, the scene is
automatically saved. Press PLAY on the RTP to preview the scene.
The scene can be up to 4 minutes long, the length of the scare sound has nothing to do with how long a scene you
can record. If your scene is shorter than the sound clip the sound will simply be stopped, if it’s longer there will be
silence once the sound is done.
Recording 1, 2 or 3 Outputs at a Time
For more complex scares it can be easier if you don’t have to program all the outputs in one shot. The BooBox mini
lets you program as little as one output at a time. The outputs you have finished recording will playback while you
record the others so you can see the scene come together.
To choose the outputs you’d like to record:
1. Hold the REC button for a few seconds, the REC light will begin blinking
2. While still holding the REC button, hold down the buttons of the outputs you’d like to record
3. Let go of the REC button
You will notice that only the outputs you have chosen to record will activate relays.
To go back to recording all 4 outputs at once just repeat the above process with all four buttons held.
If you’d like to erase what you have recorded and start from scratch simply enable all outputs for recording and press
REC twice, effectively recording nothing.
Connecting a Trigger
There are many different types of triggers, choosing the right one for your setup will help make your scare more
effective. Below is a quick summary of some popular triggers …
Trigger Types
Trigger
Pros
Cons
Contact
PIR Motion
Sensor
- Very affordable
- Unaffected by fog machines
- Easily installed
- Triggering time can vary a bit
Normally
Closed
Beam Sensor
- Triggering time is instant and
consistent
- Can be a bit pricey
- Installation can be tricky at first
- Affected by fog machines
Normally
Open
Pressure Mat
- Relatively affordable
- Simple installation
- Patrons can often spot the mat
- Patrons may not step on mat
- Hiding and protecting the wire
and mat
Normally
Open
Pushbutton
- Actor can judge best time to
trigger
- Need an actor
Normally
Open
Using PIR Motion Sensors
If you are using a PIR motion sensor for a trigger make sure you set the contact type to normally-closed.
PIR motion sensors have a built-in delay of about 2 minutes when they are powered up. During the delay the BooBox
mini’s “Playing” light will stay lit. This is normal, once the sensor is warmed up the mini will begin operating normally.
Determining your Trigger’s Contact-Type
If you are unsure of what contact-type your trigger is then you can figure it out quite easily. Connect your
trigger/sensor using the diagrams in this manual. Power up the mini, if your trigger is a motion sensor wait a few
minutes for it to warm up. Trip your sensor/trigger as you watch the yellow input light on the mini, if the yellow light
turns ON it’s a N.O. contact, if it turns off it’s N.C., if it does nothing there is a wiring problem.
Setting the Contact Type to Normally-Closed (N.C.) or Normally-Open (N.O.)
1. Power down the BooBox mini, wait about 15 seconds
2. Connect the Real-Time Programmer
3. Hold the “REC” AND “PLAY” buttons to set to N.C. or just the REC button to set to N.O.
4. Power up the BooBox mini while holding the button(s)
5. When the red light on the programmer flashes twice you can let go of the buttons
NOTE: If you are using normally-closed outputs you must also hold those buttons down in step 3.
Trigger Pre-Delay
If your trigger can’t be placed in the perfect spot, you may want the mini to delay a bit before starting the scare scene.
Adjust the pre-delay anywhere from 0-25 seconds in 0.1 second increments. You’ll notice the mini will blink the
“PLAY” light to indicate it’s delaying.
Trigger Post-Delay (Recycle Time)
If you’d like to prevent the mini from triggering right after the end of the scare scene set the post-delay. Also known
as a recycle time, this delay can be set anywhere from 0-102 seconds. The “PLAY” light will blink during the delay.

BooBox Mini Operating Manual
BooBox Mini Operating Manual
Trigger Wiring Diagrams
Connecting Terminal Block Outputs
The outputs are simple contact closure’s, by default they are in the off position. The outputs do not supply voltage, if
you would like them to you must wire voltage into one of the terminals. If you plan to use 120 volts then it is your
responsibility to take the appropriate safety precautions with wiring and enclosing the BooBox mini.
Each relay can handle 10 amps @ 125 volts.
Setting Outputs to Normally-Closed
Outputs 1 & 2 can be set to act as normally-closed contacts, this allows the 120 volt outputs to be used to turn things
off rather than on. This can be useful to turn lights off when a scare begins. This is done in software, the relay itself
will remain energized when idle, and will de-energize when activated. To set outputs to normally-closed:
1. Power down the BooBox mini
2. Connect the Real-Time Programmer
3. Hold the “REC” button as well as the buttons of the output(s) you’d like to be normally-closed
4. Power up the BooBox mini while holding the buttons
5. When the red light on the programmer flashes twice you can let go of the buttons
NOTE: If you are using a normally-closed trigger you must also hold “PLAY” in step 3.
To set the outputs back to normally-open simply repeat the above procedure holding only the “REC” button.
Controlling Solenoids or Large Relays
Solenoids and Large Relays create a lot of interference when they are turned off. This can wreak havoc to nearby
electronic devices. If you notice the sound is stopping unexpectedly when controlling one of these devices this is
most likely your problem. The solution depends on whether you are using AC or DC solenoids.
For AC, a high voltage capacitor must be installed to absorb the feedback, the best place to install it is as close as
possible to the solenoid. Radio Shack part numbers: 272-1053 or 272-1051
For DC, a standard 1N4001 – 1N4004 diode must be installed next to the solenoid,
Radio Shack part number: 276-1103 or 276-1102
AC Solenoids
DC Solenoids

BooBox Mini Operating Manual
BooBox Mini Operating Manual
120 Volt Outlet or Load
Operating Modes
In addition to programming the outputs and adjusting delays, the mini can also be set to run in a different operating
mode. There are a variety of different modes, the mini will operate slightly differently in each one.
Changing Operating Modes
1. Power down the BooBox mini
2. Connect the Real-Time Programmer
3. Hold the buttons from the “Buttons Held” column of the desired mode in the table
4. Power up the BooBox mini while holding the buttons
5. When the red light on the programmer flashes twice you can let go of the buttons
When the BooBox mini powers up the “PLAY” light will blink x amount of times, where x represents the current mode.
Operating Modes
Mode
Description
Buttons
Held
1
Normal – This is the default mode for the mini, it functions as described in this manual. The
pre-delay knob is a 0-25 second trigger delay, the post-delay is a 0-102 second recycle timer.
The scare will not loop if the trigger is held.
1
2
No Scare Sound – This mode is the same as the Normal mode with the exception of the
scare sound. Rather than the scare sound playing, the ambient sound will continue
uninterrupted, looping if necessary
2
3
Trigger Determines Scare Length – In this mode the scare sound will be played for as long as
the trigger is held, looping if necessary. This mode is useful for scenes that are controlled by
an actor, as they can best judge the length of each scare. Both delay knobs are ignored in
this mode.
1,2
4
Adjustable Scare Length – This mode is the same as the Normal mode with the exception of
the pre-delay knob. Rather than being used as a trigger delay, the pre-delay knob is used to
control the length of the scare. Turning the knob to max will play the entire scare, turning it
counter-clockwise will reduce the amount of scare that is played. The reduced version of the
scare will only play when the input is triggered, pressing PLAY on the RTP will always play
the full version.
This mode is great for busy nights when you want to temporarily shorten the length of the
scare without having to reprogram it.
3
5
Timer Mode – This mode will repeat the scare at intervals determined by the position of the
post-delay knob. The interval can be adjusted from 0 - 15 minutes. If the trigger input is
triggered the scare will play immediately and the timer will be reset. The pre-delay knob is
ignored in this mode.
3,1
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Chart
Problem
Solution
- “PLAY” light stays lit when powered up
- Motion sensor won’t trigger scare
- The motion sensor is warming up, wait 2 minutes
- Input is set to normally-closed when it should be normally-open, read
“Connecting a Trigger”
- Scare loops after about 2 minutes
- Input is set to normally-open when it should be normally-closed, read
“Connecting a Trigger”
- Can’t record animation
- Audio source still connected to Line-In, remove it
- Might be in wrong mode, change to mode 1
- Change trigger type to normally-open and disconnect it from the input
- Sound cuts out sometimes
- Put diodes/caps on your solenoids, read “Connecting Terminal Block
Outputs”
- After triggering “PLAY” light blinks
- Pre-Delay is counting down, turn knob counter-clockwise to reduce
- mini behaves erratically
- It might be in the wrong mode, set it to mode 1
- An output stays on all the time
- Output is set to normally-closed, read “Connecting Terminal Block
Outputs”
Resetting the mini
If you are unsure what is going on and would like to reset the mini to its factory defaults.
1. Unplug the mini, wait about 15 seconds
2. Connect the programmer
3. Hold “1” on the programmer
4. Plug in the mini while still holding the “1” button
5. Wait for the “REC” light on the programmer to blink twice
6. Unplug the mini again, wait about 15 seconds
7. Hold “REC” on the programmer
8. Plug in the mini while still holding the “REC” button
9. Wait for the “REC” light on the programmer to blink twice