Actor Helper Controller Tutorial

Tutorial and Demo

Everything you need to set up, use, and get the most out of your Actor Helper Controller — all in one video. Watch the full demo and setup walkthrough below.

Scare actor audio controller board with push button, RF remote, and strobe light

Actor Helper Controller — What You'll See in This Video

Demo — All 3 Play Modes in Action

  • Mode 1 – Play to End: Press once, audio plays all the way through, then auto-advances to the next file
  • Mode 2 – Push Play / Push Stop: Press to start, press again to stop — full actor control
  • Mode 3 – Push & Hold: Audio plays while you hold the button — perfect for growl and ambient effects

Strobe Light Demo — 3 Programmable Patterns

  • Variable Frequency Strobe — adjustable 2 Hz to 35 Hz with the onboard potentiometer
  • Constant On — steady light synced to audio playback
  • Random Flash Sequence — unpredictable pattern for realistic haunt effects

Relay & Prop Triggering

See how the Actor Helper Controller onboard relay automatically activates when audio plays — sync fog machines, external lights, or any compatible prop to your scare cues.

Actor Helper Controller — Setup Guide

  1. Program the Strobe: Hold the SETUP button, plug in the 12V adapter, rotate the potentiometer to select your strobe mode and speed, then release the button — settings save automatically
  2. Select Play Mode: Flip the MODE switch to position 1, 2, or 3
  3. Load Audio: Plug in a USB-C cable, drag and drop your MP3 or WAV files — first file copied plays first
  4. Connect Trigger: Plug in the push button (wall or floor mount) or use the included 433 MHz RF remote
  5. Connect Speaker: Use the Actor Helper Controller 3.5mm line out or RCA outputs to connect to an amplifier or powered speakers
  6. Optional — Relay Wiring: Wire your fog machine, external light, or prop to the Normally Open relay terminals

Note: An amplifier or powered speakers are required — the Actor Helper Controller outputs line-level audio only.

Actor Helper Controller setup with speaker, push button trigger, and power supply connected

What's in the Box

  • Controller unit (main board)
  • 12V 3A power supply (pre-wired)
  • Push button with 5 ft pre-wired cord
  • 433 MHz RF wireless remote control
  • 20W LED lamp with 9 ft pre-wired cord
  • Small screwdriver
  • 128 MB Micro SD card (SD version only)

 

Download Actor Helper Controller User Manual (PDF)

Quick Specs

Power 12V DC, 3A (included)
Trigger Inputs 2× push button / step pad / compatible trigger
RF Remote 433 MHz (included)
Audio Formats MP3, WAV
Storage 4 MB internal or 128 MB Micro SD
Audio Output 3.5mm mono line out, RCA L/R mono line out
Strobe 2–35 Hz, constant on, or random sequence
Relay Normally Open (NO) — activates on audio playback

Shop Actor Helper Controller →

Budget Speaker Setup — Use a Guitar Amp with the Actor Helper

The Actor Helper Controller outputs line-level mono audio, so any powered speaker or amplifier with an AUX / 3.5mm input works. The cheapest, cleanest solution I've found for a haunt setup is a small 20W guitar practice amp — around $40 shipped, all-black cabinet, mono AUX input, and volume controlled straight from the Actor Helper.

Why a guitar practice amp works so well

  • Built-in AUX / 3.5mm input — plug the Actor Helper mono line out straight in, no adapter
  • Mono is the right match — the Actor Helper output is mono, so a single-speaker amp loses nothing
  • 20W is plenty — loud enough for a scare room or a corner of a haunted maze
  • All-black cabinet — disappears into any dark haunt set
  • One volume  — fine-tune from the Actor Helper's MP3 volume
  • Cheaper than most powered PA speakers — $40–$45 shipped

The two amps I tested (affiliate links):

Both are the same 20W spec — the $44.99 model has slightly better low-end response and a more compact cabinet.

How to wire it up

  1. Take a standard 3.5mm stereo cable (male-to-male)
  2. Plug one end into the Actor Helper's 3.5mm mono line out
  3. Plug the other end into the amp's AUX input (the 3.5mm jack next to INPUT)
  4. Set volume on Actor Helper half way — that's a good starting point for jump-scare audio
  5. Trigger a scare — fine-tune the amp volume and the Actor Helper's MP3 volume together

Note: these amps take a standard 3.5mm AUX cable, not a 1/4" guitar cable. Any cheap 3.5mm stereo cable will work — the amp mixes stereo input down to mono automatically.

RF Remote Pairing v1

The 433MHz RF Remote that ships with your Actor Helper Controller can be paired in under 30 seconds. Watch the full step-by-step tutorial below:

Need a second remote? Multiple remotes can be paired to a single controller — perfect for haunts where multiple actors need to trigger the same scare. Order an additional 433MHz RF Remote →