How to Create a Phone Controlled LED Podium for a Game Show Host or for the Players at your Trivia Night Show

12/27/2018 0 Comments

How to Create a Phone Controlled LED Podium for a Game Show Host or for the Players at your Trivia Night Show

I am always looking for new ways to improve the production value at my events, and with such great and easy apps, I thought a great next step would be to have light up podiums. They turned out to be quite a bit easier to make than I had anticipated, so I wanted to share the steps below, and the links to all the items you will need on Amazon.

The total cost for each podium (minus the microphones, as I already had them) was $104.17.

Step 1: Order all the items you will require.

A) Red, Green, Blue, LED light strip with wifi control from Amazon - 2x 16.4 ft.

I just realized I wasted some money buying the waterproof version of these lights. You can save $8 per strip by purchasing the regular version. Oh well, at least I’m covered if I ever use them for an outdoor event.

B) Extra connectors for the RGB strips. I had some already and didn’t buy these, but these help connect the wires together, especially if you aren’t confortable using a soldering iron.

C) Microphone Stand. Pretty straight forward. You can’t beat this price from Neewer.

D) XLR Mic cords. Again, this is something I already had, but you can never have to many of these audio cords. They snap together too, to lengthen your reach.

E) The podium itself. I researched and went over many, many podiums options in this process. But for the price, and versatility of these ones by Techni Mobili have impressed me. You’ll have to set aside an hour or two to putting it together. It’s fairly easy though, and they include the necessary philips screwdriver.

Step 2: Put it all together.

Build your podium using the included instructions, You’ll notice the wheels with brakes, and that it compacts nicely. These come in very handy at my shows, and I’m sure you’ll like them too.

Cut the LED strips on the cut lines with enough length to go completely around the front of your podium on the top and bottom edge. They already have 3M tape on the back, so this is pretty easy. I put extra staples at the end to give extra security (See photo). Use your connecters and extra wire to connect the top strip to the bottom strip. Leave the wifi attachment on the base somewhere where you can point the remote at it. I stapled it tucked away and fed the power cord to it.

Step 3: Download the phone app to control the lights and set-up scenes.

Here is the link to the mobile app on Google Play. Though it should come with your LED strip too, along with further instructions

That’s it!

Have fun playing with the features on the app. There is music control, it connects with Spotify too I believe. There is a color wheel, and you can create scenes with ease. I made some fun color strobes when people chose the hidden side-games from our Fat Bottom Trivia - Game Show Presentations. And it worked wonders. I even had the kids up at my booth playing with my phone, and coming back for more once they realized I controlled all the stage lights.