# \#beginner **URL:** https://forum.electromage.com/tag/beginner/11.md [Latest](https://forum.electromage.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.electromage.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.electromage.com/tags.md) --- ## [Firestorm for beginners: Windows version](https://forum.electromage.com/t/firestorm-for-beginners-windows-version/1687)
**Author:** [@Glitch](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Glitch)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/firestorm-for-beginners-windows-version/1687 "2026-10-02T22:14:10Z")
This week I took the plunge and installed Firestorm on my Samsung Galaxy Book running Windows 10. I have searched this site but there doesn’t seem to be a tutorial for us newbies to PixelBlaze and in particular to the c… --- ## [Using Pro Expander 5v with 12v power source to power 1400 LEDs](https://forum.electromage.com/t/using-pro-expander-5v-with-12v-power-source-to-power-1400-leds/4761)
**Author:** [@saskiaebe](https://forum.electromage.com/u/saskiaebe)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/using-pro-expander-5v-with-12v-power-source-to-power-1400-leds/4761 "2026-09-18T18:11:19Z")
Hello! I am new to Pixelblaze and electronics in general. I am planning to use Pixlelblaze V3 Standard XL, Pixelblaze Sensor Board, and Pixelblaze 5V Pro Output Expander to power and control between 1400 and 2000 LEDs. … --- ## [Pixelblaze plus expander: 8 or 9 outputs?](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-plus-expander-8-or-9-outputs/4697)
**Author:** [@Bpilat](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Bpilat)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2026, 11:18pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-plus-expander-8-or-9-outputs/4697 "2026-09-02T23:18:15Z")
When using a Pixelblaze and one expander, is the Pixelblaze’s one output available to control one string of pixels AND provide signal to the expander? I’m curious if the total outputs of a Pixelblaze plus one expander i… --- ## [PixelBlaze Mapping](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-mapping/4731)
**Author:** [@Unsichtbar](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Unsichtbar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-mapping/4731 "2026-08-05T21:28:48Z")
I have created a map using the LED Mapper tool as well as a number of different tools and my array shows up as two separate arrays. it is shown in the correct shape in the mapper, but the top and bottom sections seem to … --- ## [Where to start? what do I buy?](https://forum.electromage.com/t/where-to-start-what-do-i-buy/4645)
**Author:** [@kwennerberg](https://forum.electromage.com/u/kwennerberg)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/where-to-start-what-do-i-buy/4645 "2026-03-19T14:01:20Z")
I am new to Pixelblaze and would like to know what I need to buy to start. I see there Here is my project: I have now an 8-ft diameter sphere with 92 vertices with traditional C9 holiday dumb lights at each vertex. … --- ## [Controller freezing/power questions](https://forum.electromage.com/t/controller-freezing-power-questions/4648)
**Author:** [@TheYouJean](https://forum.electromage.com/u/TheYouJean)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/controller-freezing-power-questions/4648 "2026-02-15T20:37:02Z")
Hello hivemind! Working on a cosplay project, and need some assistance. Components: Pixelblaze V3 Standard with sensor board, 4 meters of ws2812b LED strips at 144 pix/m (576 total pixels), USB C female port to DC wire… --- ## [Chaotic pendulum - adding accelerometers](https://forum.electromage.com/t/chaotic-pendulum-adding-accelerometers/4165)
**Author:** [@SpicyBatch](https://forum.electromage.com/u/SpicyBatch)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/chaotic-pendulum-adding-accelerometers/4165 "2025-12-20T17:20:31Z")
Hello Electromage forum! I recently delivered on my first art grant receiving sculpture! Whoo hoo! “Circle Flirt” is a three element chaotic pendulum - an interactive kinetic light sculpture. Pixel blaze helped a ton! … --- ## [Driving 14000 LEDs](https://forum.electromage.com/t/driving-14000-leds/4211)
**Author:** [@nakwada](https://forum.electromage.com/u/nakwada)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2025, 5:08am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/driving-14000-leds/4211 "2025-11-11T05:08:09Z")
Hello! I’ve been told to post here in order to get help, so here we are. For the past three years, I have been working on a project that features 14000 LEDs. They are divided in shorter strips, each portion has it’s o… --- ## [Rebuilding an old project](https://forum.electromage.com/t/rebuilding-an-old-project/4233)
**Author:** [@ValiantEnergy](https://forum.electromage.com/u/ValiantEnergy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/rebuilding-an-old-project/4233 "2025-09-22T17:28:55Z")
Hey all, I am new here. I have an old project/installation called the “Eye of the Illuminati”. This project was a pyramid with around 2000 addressable LED’s. I used a “Pixel Pusher” to drive the LED’s and set up WiFi … --- ## [Video Lesson: Beginner's Guide to Setting Up Pixelblze](https://forum.electromage.com/t/video-lesson-beginners-guide-to-setting-up-pixelblze/4223)
**Author:** [@Gallaugher](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Gallaugher)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/video-lesson-beginners-guide-to-setting-up-pixelblze/4223 "2025-09-17T14:06:02Z")
This is the lesson I’ve created to help my students get up-to-speed with PixelBlaze. I’m super-new to all of this, so thoughts on this & future lessons are welcome. Thanks to all here who are helping me learn. And if it’… --- ## [Pixelblaze for Beginners - a tutorial syllabus](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-a-tutorial-syllabus/1679)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-a-tutorial-syllabus/1679 "2025-09-07T17:26:38Z")
Heavily influenced by the expression doc, found at the bottom of the PB editor (and in github) This is a first pass at a tutorial lesson plan, very subject to change… it’ll start with the most basics, and then flesh out… --- ## [Can't get pico to light my string](https://forum.electromage.com/t/cant-get-pico-to-light-my-string/4193)
**Author:** [@Goose](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Goose)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/cant-get-pico-to-light-my-string/4193 "2025-09-04T22:56:28Z")
I can’t get the pico to light this 3 wire led strip. I can connect to the board, but I get nothing out of my lights. I have the 5v all tied together, the grounds all tied together, and the data are connected. Can anyo… --- ## [Updated lighting for my walking staff for BM2025](https://forum.electromage.com/t/updated-lighting-for-my-walking-staff-for-bm2025/4174)
**Author:** [@Meowtant](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Meowtant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/updated-lighting-for-my-walking-staff-for-bm2025/4174 "2025-07-30T00:17:04Z")
Quick afternoon project. Wanted to update my walking staff from cheap ‘fairy lights’. Simple PB Pico v3 and 16 ft of WS2812B IC RGB Pebble Pixel. --- ## [Led Strips in a weird order](https://forum.electromage.com/t/led-strips-in-a-weird-order/4167)
**Author:** [@TheYouJean](https://forum.electromage.com/u/TheYouJean)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/led-strips-in-a-weird-order/4167 "2025-07-28T11:59:38Z")
Howdy! VERY new to coding and LED control in general. Using a continuous LED strip, I have added light to a cosplay sword, but in my design process I did not do a standard zig zag. Rather, there are four rows where it … --- ## [Connecting my lights & making app work](https://forum.electromage.com/t/connecting-my-lights-making-app-work/4148)
**Author:** [@MarkKFehr](https://forum.electromage.com/u/MarkKFehr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/connecting-my-lights-making-app-work/4148 "2025-07-02T20:25:18Z")
Anyone in Calgary Alberta able to help me get my lights to work. I bought a new controller from Pixellights and I cannot get the app to work. The lights are blue and the app on iPhone doesn’t work. Call me at (587) 216… --- ## [Detailed Beginner Tutorial for Making Wearables with PixelBlaze](https://forum.electromage.com/t/detailed-beginner-tutorial-for-making-wearables-with-pixelblaze/3073)
**Author:** [@ZacharyRD](https://forum.electromage.com/u/ZacharyRD)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 9:57am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/detailed-beginner-tutorial-for-making-wearables-with-pixelblaze/3073 "2025-04-21T09:57:10Z")
I ran a workshop this weekend for my Burning Man camp, that I called Making Wearable LEDs, the “I’ve never done this before and it’s under month until Burning Man” Way and had a ton of fun doing it. If that describes you… --- ## [Pass Through Battery Charging](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pass-through-battery-charging/4054)
**Author:** [@TopHatRaver](https://forum.electromage.com/u/TopHatRaver)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 9:01am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pass-through-battery-charging/4054 "2025-03-24T09:01:25Z")
I just purchased a Pixel Blaze V3 for a new wearable project I’m working on. This will have the PCB enclosed in a structure, powered by a lipoly battery. So there will not be an opportunity to remove and replace the bat… --- ## [Need Help: Only Ports 1 & 2 Working on ProExpander + Auto-indexing/LED Range Issues](https://forum.electromage.com/t/need-help-only-ports-1-2-working-on-proexpander-auto-indexing-led-range-issues/4048)
**Author:** [@chromaglow](https://forum.electromage.com/u/chromaglow)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/need-help-only-ports-1-2-working-on-proexpander-auto-indexing-led-range-issues/4048 "2025-03-22T11:49:51Z")
Hey all—hoping someone can help me figure this out. I’ve got everything fully assembled and connected, but I’ve run into a strange issue: only ports 1 and 2 on my ProExpander are working. No matter what I try, ports 3 an… --- ## [Meshing PB together](https://forum.electromage.com/t/meshing-pb-together/4004)
**Author:** [@chromaglow](https://forum.electromage.com/u/chromaglow)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/meshing-pb-together/4004 "2025-03-15T22:54:10Z")
Hey all, I am back and working on a new project and need pointed in the right direction please. The new project has 3 strands of 2800 LEDs so I will need a PB for each strand. I can’t seam to figure out how to mesh the … --- ## [Compatibility with BTF-LIGHTING WS21812B strip](https://forum.electromage.com/t/compatibility-with-btf-lighting-ws21812b-strip/4020)
**Author:** [@mkayetwo](https://forum.electromage.com/u/mkayetwo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/compatibility-with-btf-lighting-ws21812b-strip/4020 "2025-03-11T13:12:39Z")
I’ve used the V2 successfully with a neopixel strip in the past. I just purchased BTF-LIGHTING WS21812B IC RGB 5050SMD (150 LEDs). I assumed it would work out of the box. Maybe it’s not compatible or there’s a setting I … --- ## [Connecting GS8208](https://forum.electromage.com/t/connecting-gs8208/4012)
**Author:** [@larana](https://forum.electromage.com/u/larana)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/connecting-gs8208/4012 "2025-03-07T18:02:30Z")
Hello. I have a V3 Pixelblaze with the pre-soldered connection and bought the GS8208 lights. They don’t come on when I power it up, which after reading more into the docs appears to be because it needs 5V power in. I hav… --- ## [Cat 6 wiring question](https://forum.electromage.com/t/cat-6-wiring-question/3863)
**Author:** [@SeaLaVie](https://forum.electromage.com/u/SeaLaVie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/cat-6-wiring-question/3863 "2025-03-05T23:27:28Z")
I made a 10 ft extension cord between my Pixelblaze and my light strings but when I use it I get a little bit of glitching. The extension is 18 gauge wire but it’s simple three strand no shielding or twisted pairs. So it… --- ## [Write my own pattern using the IDE](https://forum.electromage.com/t/write-my-own-pattern-using-the-ide/4003)
**Author:** [@BernyAtHome7](https://forum.electromage.com/u/BernyAtHome7)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/write-my-own-pattern-using-the-ide/4003 "2025-02-20T13:23:18Z")
I’m new to this amazing site. So I looked at the many example presented here: https://electromage.com/patterns But how can I modify a pattern and play around with it? The is supposed to be some kind of “IDE” for patte… --- ## [Write a sequence for me?](https://forum.electromage.com/t/write-a-sequence-for-me/3987)
**Author:** [@Nathan](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Nathan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/write-a-sequence-for-me/3987 "2025-02-11T01:08:28Z")
Hello. I’m totally fine on hardware, soldering and initial configurations, but I’m incredibly dense when t comes to writing any patterns. I attempted to use AI to help at one point and it was helpful in writing some code… --- ## [iPhone pasting code into Editor](https://forum.electromage.com/t/iphone-pasting-code-into-editor/3971)
**Author:** [@sophielovely](https://forum.electromage.com/u/sophielovely)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/iphone-pasting-code-into-editor/3971 "2025-02-02T03:53:01Z")
Hi yall, I was playing with some code and realized I can’t copy or paste anything into the Editor from an iPhone (iphone 12 max). Is that just me? Is there a work around? --- ## [Restoring previous version/build, overlapping pixel address](https://forum.electromage.com/t/restoring-previous-version-build-overlapping-pixel-address/3942)
**Author:** [@sstillwell](https://forum.electromage.com/u/sstillwell)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/restoring-previous-version-build-overlapping-pixel-address/3942 "2025-01-07T18:46:36Z")
Hi, it looks like update 3.47 no longer supports overlapping data: I need to be able to overlap data to light a symmetrical artwork and allow the client to utilize the standard patterns preloaded for each Pixelblaze. … --- ## [Wearable LED festival jacket](https://forum.electromage.com/t/wearable-led-festival-jacket/3857)
**Author:** [@dancinjediknight](https://forum.electromage.com/u/dancinjediknight)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/wearable-led-festival-jacket/3857 "2024-12-31T17:41:16Z")
Hi everyone! I’ve been lurking for a while and trying to learn before I really get into a project I’m working on. I’m making a festival jacket with about 500-700 LEDs (hopefully), but I’ve started stressing about the pow… --- ## [Pigtail connectors for Output Expander](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pigtail-connectors-for-output-expander/3843)
**Author:** [@SeaLaVie](https://forum.electromage.com/u/SeaLaVie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pigtail-connectors-for-output-expander/3843 "2024-12-03T17:45:58Z")
Hello, I’ll be soldering the pin headers to the output expander soon, and looking for recommendations for a simple way to connect my light strings to the expander. I’d like it to be easily connected and removed. What I… --- ## [Beginner here! Need help setting up Neopixels with output expander](https://forum.electromage.com/t/beginner-here-need-help-setting-up-neopixels-with-output-expander/3854)
**Author:** [@19shine19](https://forum.electromage.com/u/19shine19)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/beginner-here-need-help-setting-up-neopixels-with-output-expander/3854 "2024-11-28T14:38:54Z")
I have 5 1m neopixels and I’m having some confusion regarding connecting and powering them. I could set up 1 strip to my PB without the expander by connecting the GND and V wires to both the pixel blaze and a 5v power su… --- ## [Output expander question](https://forum.electromage.com/t/output-expander-question/3845)
**Author:** [@Kemix](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Kemix)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/output-expander-question/3845 "2024-11-21T03:39:20Z")
Hellooooo! Just wanting to know if i use the recording out from a set of dj decks to plug in to the 3.5mm on the pixelblaze if that will work for sound reactive patterns. I see no reason why it shouldnt im just a noob t… [Next page](https://forum.electromage.com/tag/beginner/11.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=beginner)