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MAGIC PUPPET PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS v.3b, 4-16-09 Axtell Expressions, Inc. www.axtell.com (805) 642-7282

Now that you have checked out the basics of your “Hands Free Puppet” TM. For you who have purchased the programming option, we can now fill you in on how to create your very own programming tracks similar to the Axtell “MagicTrax”TM, complete with your audio recording (voice, music, effects) and synchronized programmed moves of your Magic Puppet.

The Hands-Free Programming System is a unique proprietary 9 channel chip based animation system installed in your modified Hands-Free Control System and includes a special programming cable. It is totally computer free, but you may use a computer to manage your mp3 audio like any other mp3 player.

First, let’s connect the different units together to make this all happen. You will need your Hands-Free Control System, a CD Player with your pre-recorded audio on it, and a speaker system so you can hear your tracks as you program (here we are using our available Hisonic system).

1 Below is the special Programming Cable that will permit you to combine your voice and/or music along with the Toucan movements into the Zen mp3 player during programming.

. First, plug the small flat plug into the Programming Record Port on the back of the HFMCS (transmitter), making sure the brown wire of the cable pin is to the outside.

2 The “audio source” plug connects to your CD player or a computer audio output so you can play and hear the tracks you have pre-recorded and are ready to program with servo motion. Alternatively you could record your voice on the fly with a microphone while you program the motion.

The motion data will be recorded at the same time you are playing and listening to your music/voice track. That’s where the last pin jack of the cable harness enters into the picture.

On top of the Zen mp3 player is a “line in” jack. This Input is where you plug in the mini-jack on your cable. We will now record both your audio source and joystick moves of your HFMCS transmitter to produce a complete programming track similar to the Axtell “MagicTrax”TM.

Cue up your CD. In your Zen menu scroll down to “Extras” and press the center selector. In the Extras menu, scroll down to “Line-in Recording”. You will then see 2 led meters on the right side of the window. These are the two channels of the mp3. The left channel should be consistently near the red mark but never “in the red”. This is your data track (On the right side of the Zen there is a volume control where you can adjust the levels of your meters). The right channel will be your audio input, so check levels with your music, speech or both to make sure you don’t produce that dreaded “red” signal. Red = distortion, so don’t overdo it. Also, too low of a signal makes the mp3 noisy, so experiment and find that perfect level!

3 Now we’re ready to record your mp3. Right below the volume toggle on the Zen’s right side is a “record” button. Push the button, start moving your puppet right away so it’s not ever “dead” during your mp3, and begin your audio while moving the Toucan with the joysticks, matching your mouth and desired gestures. Once you have reached the end of your bit, push the “record” button again to end the process.

All recording in our system is done in one pass while the audio is being played. The audio and the motion is being recorded into the Zen mp3 player at the same time. If you don’t like what you did, start over. Allow time to create a good program track.

When you are satisfied with your performance rename your file and put it in a new playlist in the Zen or organize your show with the Zen software on the computer. MAKE SURE TO CREATE A BACK UP OF IT ON THE COMPUTER and ALSO KEEP A BACK UP ON CD! Never lose your hard work!

HINTS –

It may be helpful to have someone else start the CD and the Mp3 buttons so you can concentrate on the motion performance. However, you can still do it alone. The trick to a great look is to have some motion at the beginning and at the end, so your character is not “still” for a few seconds before beginning and ending the routine.

We recommend you start very simple with the concept of recording until you feel some mastery. Try simply playing a favorite hit song and lip synching to it with the puppet. It’s the best way to learn how to coordinate everything. Remember it’s a new skill and you need lots of patience! Your thumbs will be busy with the main joysticks, your left index finger will be moving a slider, your right index finger will be moving a slider if you have more features like a second moving arm, etc. There are switches to combine body lean with head movements or not, You will be BUSY! Give yourself a full day to record something…not a panic rushed ½ hour right before a show! That is suicide!

It could take you many weeks of work to feel like you can make a performance track that feels as good as one of the official Axtell “MagicTrax”, but with your programming upgrade you will be able to do it yourself! It’s a great investment but you need to give yourself TIME to learn. Steve Axtell has over 40 years of puppet mastery and Greg has a Master’s in music and 2 pro studios to work from with all the top synthesizers, software and equipment. If this is your first experience with a puppet character, you will need to start with basics:

Basic concepts of puppetry come into play when you begin to create a performance and you need to understand them. The mouth opening and closing during singing and speech must look correct. If it is performed poorly it will not look professional. See the Axtell Learning Center for “Axcellence in Puppet Manipulation”. www.axtell.com/learn.html 4 Music and voice quality speaks volumes to your audience. They are used to hearing professional music and speaking on TV, Radio, Podcasts, etc. if your routines sound amateur and poorly recorded the audience will notice. Only perform with great recordings, and great motion!

Our team wasn’t going to release the programming option at first because we wanted the Axtell Hands-Free Puppets to always have the highest standard in the performance routines. However, with so many of these characters going out all over the world in different languages we couldn’t possibly supply enough MagicTrax for all the events and situations that would be needed. We also knew the excitement of creating your own ideas and tracks first hand and we wanted to share that concept with those that invested in the Axtell Hands-Free Puppets!

Enjoy your programming option to its fullest!

The Axtell Hands-Free Puppet Team

Hands-Free Puppets, Motor-Mouth, MagicTrax, Auto-Alive and the configuration of the puppet characters are trademarks and copyrights of Axtell Expressions, Inc. All rights reserved. 2007 Axtell Expressions, Inc.

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