diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/codec/CodecUtils.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/codec/CodecUtils.java
index bd512189b8..ba528b7a10 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/codec/CodecUtils.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/codec/CodecUtils.java
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package org.myrobotlab.codec;
 
+import java.awt.Color;
 import java.io.BufferedOutputStream;
 import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream;
 import java.io.FileOutputStream;
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ public class CodecUtils {
   private static final ObjectMapper mapper = new ObjectMapper();
 
   /**
-   * The pretty printer to be used with {@link #mapper} 
+   * The pretty printer to be used with {@link #mapper}
    */
   private static final PrettyPrinter jacksonPrettyPrinter = new JacksonPrettyPrinter();
 
@@ -964,9 +965,8 @@ public static String getSafeReferenceName(String name) {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Serializes the specified object to JSON, using
-   * {@link #mapper} with {@link #jacksonPrettyPrinter} to pretty-ify the
-   * result. 
+   * Serializes the specified object to JSON, using {@link #mapper} with
+   * {@link #jacksonPrettyPrinter} to pretty-ify the result.
    *
    * @param ret
    *          The object to be serialized
@@ -1095,12 +1095,13 @@ static public Message pathToMsg(String from, String path) {
       // path parts less than 3 is a dir or ls
       if (parts.length < 3) {
         // this morphs a path which has less than 3 parts
-        // into a runtime "ls" method call to do reflection of services or service methods
+        // into a runtime "ls" method call to do reflection of services or
+        // service methods
         // e.g. /clock -> /runtime/ls/"/clock"
         // e.g. /clock/ -> /runtime/ls/"/clock/"
 
         msg.method = "ls";
-        msg.data = new Object[] { "\"" + path + "\""};
+        msg.data = new Object[] { "\"" + path + "\"" };
         return msg;
       }
 
@@ -1483,7 +1484,8 @@ public static boolean isLocal(String name, String id) {
   }
 
   public static ServiceConfig readServiceConfig(String filename) throws IOException {
-    return readServiceConfig(filename, new StaticType<>() {});
+    return readServiceConfig(filename, new StaticType<>() {
+    });
   }
 
   /**
@@ -1629,4 +1631,58 @@ public static byte[] fromBase64(String input) {
     return Base64.getDecoder().decode(input);
   }
 
+  public static int[] getColor(String value) {
+    String hex = getColorHex(value);
+    if (hex != null) {
+      return hexToRGB(hex);
+    }
+    return hexToRGB(value);
+  }
+
+  public static List<String> getColorNames() {
+    Field[] colorFields = Color.class.getDeclaredFields();
+    List<String> colorNames = new ArrayList<>();
+
+    for (Field field : colorFields) {
+      if (field.getType().equals(Color.class)) {
+        colorNames.add(field.getName());
+      }
+    }
+    return colorNames;
+  }
+
+  public static String getColorHex(String colorName) {
+    Color color;
+    try {
+      color = (Color) Color.class.getField(colorName.toLowerCase()).get(null);
+    } catch (Exception e) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return String.format("#%06X", (0xFFFFFF & color.getRGB()));
+  }
+
+  public static int[] hexToRGB(String hexValue) {
+    if (hexValue == null) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    int[] rgb = new int[3];
+    try {
+      // Check if the hex value starts with '#' and remove it if present
+      if (hexValue.startsWith("#")) {
+        hexValue = hexValue.substring(1);
+      }
+
+      if (hexValue.startsWith("0x")) {
+        hexValue = hexValue.substring(2);
+      }
+
+      // Parse the hex string into integers for red, green, and blue components
+      rgb[0] = Integer.parseInt(hexValue.substring(0, 2), 16); // Red
+      rgb[1] = Integer.parseInt(hexValue.substring(2, 4), 16); // Green
+      rgb[2] = Integer.parseInt(hexValue.substring(4, 6), 16); // Blue
+    } catch (NumberFormatException | StringIndexOutOfBoundsException e) {
+      log.error("Invalid hex color value {}", hexValue);
+    }
+    return rgb;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/AudioFile.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/AudioFile.java
index 104db4dce0..3997f6960e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/AudioFile.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/AudioFile.java
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Random;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import java.util.stream.Stream;
@@ -44,17 +45,17 @@
 import org.myrobotlab.audio.AudioProcessor;
 import org.myrobotlab.audio.PlaylistPlayer;
 import org.myrobotlab.framework.Service;
+import org.myrobotlab.framework.interfaces.Attachable;
 import org.myrobotlab.io.FileIO;
 import org.myrobotlab.logging.LoggerFactory;
 import org.myrobotlab.logging.LoggingFactory;
 import org.myrobotlab.net.Http;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.config.AudioFileConfig;
-import org.myrobotlab.service.config.ServiceConfig;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.data.AudioData;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.AudioControl;
+import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.AudioListener;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.AudioPublisher;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
-import java.util.Random;
 /**
  * 
  * AudioFile - This service can be used to play an audio file such as an mp3.
@@ -128,7 +129,16 @@ public class AudioFile extends Service<AudioFileConfig> implements AudioPublishe
 
   final private transient PlaylistPlayer playlistPlayer = new PlaylistPlayer(this);
 
-
+  public void attach(Attachable attachable) {
+    if (attachable instanceof AudioListener) {
+      attachAudioListener(attachable.getName());
+    }
+  }
+  
+  public void attach(AudioListener listener) {
+    attachAudioListener(listener.getName());
+  }
+  
   public void setPeakMultiplier(double peakMultiplier) {
     AudioFileConfig c = (AudioFileConfig)config;
     c.peakMultiplier = peakMultiplier;
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/NeoPixel.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/NeoPixel.java
index e13daf273d..ee4f72177e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/NeoPixel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/NeoPixel.java
@@ -28,9 +28,11 @@
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
-import java.util.Random;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.concurrent.ArrayBlockingQueue;
+import java.util.concurrent.BlockingQueue;
 
+import org.myrobotlab.codec.CodecUtils;
 import org.myrobotlab.framework.Service;
 import org.myrobotlab.framework.interfaces.Attachable;
 import org.myrobotlab.framework.interfaces.ServiceInterface;
@@ -38,58 +40,15 @@
 import org.myrobotlab.logging.LoggerFactory;
 import org.myrobotlab.logging.LoggingFactory;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.config.NeoPixelConfig;
-import org.myrobotlab.service.config.ServiceConfig;
+import org.myrobotlab.service.config.NeoPixelConfig.Flash;
+import org.myrobotlab.service.data.AudioData;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.data.LedDisplayData;
+import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.AudioListener;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.NeoPixelControl;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces.NeoPixelController;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 
-public class NeoPixel extends Service<ServiceConfig> implements NeoPixelControl {
-
-  /**
-   * Thread to do animations Java side and push the changing of pixels to the
-   * neopixel
-   */
-  private class AnimationRunner implements Runnable {
-
-    boolean running = false;
-
-    private transient Thread thread = null;
-
-    @Override
-    public void run() {
-      try {
-        running = true;
-
-        while (running) {
-          equalizer();
-          Double wait_ms_per_frame = fpsToWaitMs(speedFps);
-          sleep(wait_ms_per_frame.intValue());
-        }
-      } catch (Exception e) {
-        error(e);
-        stop();
-      }
-    }
-
-    // FIXME - this should just wait/notify - not start a thread
-    public synchronized void start() {
-      running = false;
-      thread = new Thread(this, String.format("%s-animation-runner", getName()));
-      thread.start();
-    }
-
-    public synchronized void stop() {
-      running = false;
-      thread = null;
-    }
-  }
-
-  @Override
-  public void releaseService() {
-    super.releaseService();
-    clear();
-  }
+public class NeoPixel extends Service<NeoPixelConfig> implements NeoPixelControl, AudioListener {
 
   public static class Pixel {
     public int address;
@@ -122,6 +81,7 @@ public String toString() {
       return String.format("%d:%d,%d,%d,%d", address, red, green, blue, white);
     }
   }
+  
 
   public static class PixelSet {
     public long delayMs = 0;
@@ -138,7 +98,7 @@ public int[] flatten() {
         ret[j + 1] = p.red;
         ret[j + 2] = p.green;
         ret[j + 3] = p.blue;
-        // lame .. using the same strategy as original neopix
+        // lame .. using the same strategy as original neopixel
         // bucket of 4 bytes...
         ret[j + 4] = p.white;
       }
@@ -146,19 +106,167 @@ public int[] flatten() {
     }
   }
 
-  public final static Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(NeoPixel.class);
-
-  private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
-
   /**
-   * thread for doing off board and in memory animations
+   * Thread to do animations Java side and push the changing of pixels to the
+   * neopixel
    */
-  protected final AnimationRunner animationRunner;
+  private class Worker implements Runnable {
+
+    boolean running = false;
+
+    private transient Thread thread = null;
+
+    @Override
+    public void run() {
+      running = true;
+      while (running) {
+        try {
+          LedDisplayData display = displayQueue.take();
+          // get led display data
+          log.error(display.toString());
+
+          NeoPixelController npc = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
+          if (npc == null) {
+            error("%s cannot process display data controller not set", getName());
+            continue;
+          }
+
+          if ("animation".equals(display.action)) {
+            sleep(100);
+            Double fps = fpsToWaitMs(speedFps);
+            npc.neoPixelSetAnimation(getName(), animations.get(display.animation), red, green, blue, white, fps.intValue());
+            currentAnimation = display.animation;
+          } else if ("clear".equals(display.action)) {
+            sleep(100);
+            npc.neoPixelClear(getName());
+            currentAnimation = null;
+          } else if ("writeMatrix".equals(display.action)) {
+            sleep(100);            
+            npc.neoPixelWriteMatrix(getName(), getPixelSet().flatten());
+          } else if ("fill".equals(display.action)) {            
+            Flash f = display.flashes.get(0);
+            sleep(100);
+            npc.neoPixelFill(getName(), display.beginAddress, display.onCount, f.red, f.green, f.blue, f.white);
+          } else if ("brightness".equals(display.action)) {
+            sleep(100);
+            display.brightness = (display.brightness > 255)?255:display.brightness;
+            display.brightness = (display.brightness < 0)?0:display.brightness;            
+            npc.neoPixelSetBrightness(getName(), display.brightness);
+          } else if ("flash".equals(display.action)) {
+
+            // FIXME disable currentAnimation ??? // save it ?
+            sleep(100);
+            npc.neoPixelClear(getName());
+            for (int count = 0; count < display.flashes.size(); count++) {
+              Flash flash = display.flashes.get(count);
+              npc.neoPixelFill(getName(), 0, count, flash.red, flash.green, flash.blue, flash.white);
+              sleep(flash.timeOn);
+              npc.neoPixelClear(getName());
+              sleep(flash.timeOff);
+            }
+          }
+          // start animations
+          // playAnimation(lastAnimation);
+        } catch (InterruptedException ex) {
+          log.info("shutting down worker");
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+          error(e);
+        }
+      }
+      running = false;
+    }
+
+    // FIXME - this should just wait/notify - not start a thread
+    public synchronized void start() {
+      running = false;
+      thread = new Thread(this, String.format("%s-animation-runner", getName()));
+      thread.start();
+    }
+
+    public synchronized void stop() {
+      running = false;
+      if (thread != null) {
+        thread.interrupt();
+      }
+      thread = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  public final static Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(NeoPixel.class);
 
   /**
-   * current selected red value
+   * maximum actions on the display queue
    */
-  protected int red = 0;
+  private final static int MAX_QUEUE = 200;
+
+  private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
+
+
+  public static void main(String[] args) throws InterruptedException {
+
+    try {
+
+      LoggingFactory.init(Level.WARN);
+
+      WebGui webgui = (WebGui) Runtime.create("webgui", "WebGui");
+      webgui.autoStartBrowser(false);
+      webgui.startService();
+
+      boolean done = true;
+      if (done) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      Runtime.start("python", "Python");
+      Polly polly = (Polly) Runtime.start("polly", "Polly");
+
+      Arduino arduino = (Arduino) Runtime.start("arduino", "Arduino");
+      arduino.connect("/dev/ttyACM0");
+
+      NeoPixel neopixel = (NeoPixel) Runtime.start("neopixel", "NeoPixel");
+
+      neopixel.setPin(26);
+      neopixel.setPixelCount(8);
+      // neopixel.attach(arduino, 5, 8, 3);
+      neopixel.attach(arduino);
+      neopixel.clear();
+      neopixel.fill(0, 8, 0, 0, 120);
+      neopixel.setPixel(2, 120, 0, 0);
+      neopixel.setPixel(3, 0, 120, 0);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(20);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(40);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(80);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(160);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(200);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(10);
+      neopixel.setBrightness(255);
+      neopixel.setAnimation(5, 80, 80, 0, 40);
+
+      neopixel.attach(polly);
+
+      neopixel.clear();
+      // neopixel.detach(arduino);
+      // arduino.detach(neopixel);
+
+      polly.speak("i'm sorry dave i can't let you do that");
+      polly.speak(" I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do");
+      polly.speak("I've just picked up a fault in the AE35 unit. It's going to go 100% failure in 72 hours.");
+      polly.speak("This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.");
+      polly.speak("I've got a bad feeling about it.");
+      polly.speak("I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.");
+      polly.speak("Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.");
+
+      // neopixel.test();
+      // neopixel.detach(arduino);
+      // neopixel.detach(polly);
+
+    } catch (Exception e) {
+      log.error("main threw", e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  protected final Map<String, Integer> animations = new HashMap<>();
 
   /**
    * current selected blue value
@@ -166,19 +274,19 @@ public int[] flatten() {
   protected int blue = 0;
 
   /**
-   * current selected green value
+   * 0 = off / 255 brightest
    */
-  protected int green = 120;
+  protected int brightness = 255;
 
   /**
-   * white if available
+   * name of controller currently attached to
    */
-  protected int white = 0;
+  protected String controller = null;
 
   /**
-   * name of controller currently attached to
+   * currently selected animation
    */
-  protected String controller = null;
+  protected String currentAnimation;
 
   /**
    * name of current matrix
@@ -190,12 +298,21 @@ public int[] flatten() {
    */
   protected int currentSequence = 0;
 
+  private BlockingQueue<LedDisplayData> displayQueue = new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(MAX_QUEUE);
+
+  /**
+   * current selected green value
+   */
+  protected int green = 120;
+
   /**
    * A named set of sequences of pixels initially you start with "default" but
    * if you can choose to name and save sequences
    */
   Map<String, List<PixelSet>> matrices = new HashMap<>();
 
+  private int maxFps = 50;
+
   /**
    * pin NeoPixel is attached to on controller
    */
@@ -212,34 +329,31 @@ public int[] flatten() {
   protected int pixelDepth = 3;
 
   /**
-   * currently selected animation
+   * current selected red value
    */
-  protected String currentAnimation;
+  protected int red = 0;
 
   /**
    * speed of an animation in fps
    */
   protected int speedFps = 10;
 
-  private int maxFps = 50;
-
   protected String type = "RGB";
 
   /**
-   * 0 = off / 255 brightest
+   * white if available
    */
-  protected int brightness = 255;
-
-  final Map<String, Integer> animations = new HashMap<>();
+  protected int white = 0;
 
-  public Set<String> getAnimations() {
-    return animations.keySet();
-  }
+  /**
+   * thread for doing off board and in memory animations
+   */
+  protected final Worker worker;
 
   public NeoPixel(String n, String id) {
     super(n, id);
     registerForInterfaceChange(NeoPixelController.class);
-    animationRunner = new AnimationRunner();
+    worker = new Worker();
     animations.put("Stop", 1);
     animations.put("Color Wipe", 2);
     animations.put("Larson Scanner", 3);
@@ -249,8 +363,58 @@ public NeoPixel(String n, String id) {
     animations.put("Rainbow Cycle", 7);
     animations.put("Flash Random", 8);
     animations.put("Ironman", 9);
-    // > 99 is java side animations
-    animations.put("Equalizer", 100);
+  }
+
+  private void addDisplayTask(LedDisplayData data) {
+    if (displayQueue.size() > MAX_QUEUE - 1) {
+      warn("dropping display task");
+    } else {
+      displayQueue.add(data);
+    }
+  }
+  
+  @Deprecated /* use clear() */
+  public void animationStop() {
+    clear();
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public NeoPixelConfig apply(NeoPixelConfig c) {
+    super.apply(c);
+    // FIXME - remove local fields in favor of config
+    setPixelDepth(config.pixelDepth);
+
+    if (config.pixelCount != null) {
+      setPixelCount(config.pixelCount);
+    }
+
+    setSpeed(config.speed);
+    if (config.pin != null) {
+      setPin(config.pin);
+    }
+    red = config.red;
+    green = config.green;
+    blue = config.blue;
+    if (config.controller != null) {
+      try {
+        attach(config.controller);
+      } catch (Exception e) {
+        error(e);
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (config.currentAnimation != null) {
+      playAnimation(config.currentAnimation);
+    }
+
+    if (config.brightness != null) {
+      setBrightness(config.brightness);
+    }
+
+    if (config.fill) {
+      fillMatrix(red, green, blue);
+    }
+    return c;
   }
 
   @Override
@@ -289,40 +453,15 @@ public void attachNeoPixelController(NeoPixelController neoCntrlr) {
     broadcastState();
   }
 
-  @Deprecated /* use clear() */
-  public void animationStop() {
-    clear();
-  }
-
-  @Override
-  public boolean isAttached(Attachable instance) {
-    return instance.getName().equals(controller);
-  }
-
   @Override
   public void clear() {
     if (controller == null) {
       error("%s cannot clear - not attached to controller", getName());
       return;
     }
-
-    // stop java animations
-    animationRunner.stop();
-    // stop on board controller animations
-    setAnimation(0, 0, 0, 0, speedFps);
-
     clearPixelSet();
     log.debug("clear getPixelSet {}", getPixelSet().flatten());
-
-    NeoPixelController np2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    if (controller == null || np2 == null) {
-      error("%s cannot writeMatrix controller not set", getName());
-      return;
-    }
-
-    currentAnimation = null;
-
-    np2.neoPixelClear(getName());
+    addDisplayTask(new LedDisplayData("clear"));
   }
 
   public void clearPixelSet() {
@@ -361,154 +500,165 @@ public void detachNeoPixelController(NeoPixelController neoCntrlr) {
     broadcastState();
   }
 
-  public void equalizer() {
-    equalizer(null, null);
+  public void fill(int r, int g, int b) {
+    fill(0, pixelCount, r, g, b, null);
   }
 
-  public void equalizer(Long wait_ms_per_frame, Integer range) {
+  public void fill(int beginAddress, int count, int r, int g, int b) {
+    fill(beginAddress, count, r, g, b, null);
+  }
 
-    if (controller == null) {
-      log.warn("controller not set");
-      return;
+  public void fill(int beginAddress, int count, int r, int g, int b, Integer w) {
+    if (w == null) {
+      w = 0;
     }
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("fill");
+    data.beginAddress = 0;
+    data.onCount = count;
+    data.flashes.add(new Flash(r, g, b, 500, 500));
+    addDisplayTask(data);
+  }
 
-    if (wait_ms_per_frame == null) {
-      wait_ms_per_frame = 25L;
+  public void fill(String color) {
+    int rgb[] = CodecUtils.getColor(color);
+    if (rgb == null) {
+      error("could not get color %s", color);
+      return;
     }
+    fill(rgb[0], rgb[1], rgb[2]);
+  }
 
-    if (range == null) {
-      range = 25;
-    }
-
-    Random rand = new Random();
-    int c = rand.nextInt(range);
-
-    fillMatrix(red, green, blue, white);
+  public void fillMatrix(int r, int g, int b) {
+    fillMatrix(r, g, b, 0);
+  }
 
-    if (c < 18) {
-      setMatrix(0, 0, 0, 0);
-      setMatrix(7, 0, 0, 0);
+  public void fillMatrix(int r, int g, int b, int w) {
+    PixelSet ps = getPixelSet();
+    for (Pixel p : ps.pixels) {
+      p.red = r;
+      p.green = g;
+      p.blue = b;
+      p.white = w;
     }
+  }
 
-    fillMatrix(red, green, blue, white);
+  public void flash() {
+    flash(red, green, blue, 1, 300, 300);
+  }
 
-    if (c < 16) {
-      setMatrix(0, 0, 0, 0);
-      setMatrix(7, 0, 0, 0);
-    }
+  public void flash(int r, int g, int b) {
+    flash(r, g, b, 1, 300, 300);
+  }
 
-    if (c < 12) {
-      setMatrix(1, 0, 0, 0);
-      setMatrix(6, 0, 0, 0);
-    }
+  public void flash(int r, int g, int b, int count) {
+    flash(r, g, b, count, 300, 300);
+  }
 
-    if (c < 8) {
-      setMatrix(2, 0, 0, 0);
-      setMatrix(5, 0, 0, 0);
+  public void flash(int r, int g, int b, int count, long timeOn, long timeOff) {
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("flash");
+    data.action = "flash";
+    for (int i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
+      data.flashes.add(new Flash(r, g, b, timeOn, timeOff));
     }
+    addDisplayTask(data);
+  }
 
-    writeMatrix();
-
+  public void flash(int r, int g, int b, long timeOn, long timeOff) {
+    flash(r, g, b, 1, timeOn, timeOff);
   }
-  
-  public void onLedDisplay(LedDisplayData data) {
-    
-    if ("flash".equals(data.action)) {
-      flash(data.count, data.interval, data.red, data.green, data.blue);
+
+  /**
+   * Invokes a flash from the flashMap
+   * 
+   * @param name
+   */
+  public void flash(String name) {
+    if (config.flashMap == null) {
+      error("flash map is null");
+      return;
     }
-    
-  }
 
-  public void flash(int count, long interval, int r, int g, int b) {
-    long delay = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
-      addTask(getName()+"fill-"+System.currentTimeMillis(), true, 0, delay, "fill", r, g, b);
-      delay+= interval/2;
-      addTask(getName()+"clear-"+System.currentTimeMillis(), true, 0, delay, "clear");
-      delay+= interval/2;
+    if (config.flashMap.containsKey(name)) {
+      LedDisplayData display = new LedDisplayData("flash");
+      Flash[] flashes = config.flashMap.get(name);
+      for (int i = 0; i < flashes.length; ++i) {
+        display.flashes.add(flashes[i]);
+      }
+      addDisplayTask(display);
+
+    } else {
+      error("requested flash %s not found in flash map", name);
     }
   }
-
   
-  public void flashBrightness(double brightNess) {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
-
-    // FIXME - these need to be moved into config
-//    int count = 2;
-//    int interval = 75;
-    setBrightness((int)brightNess);
-    fill(red, green, blue);
-    
-//    long delay = 0;
-//    for (int i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
-//      addTask(getName()+"fill-"+System.currentTimeMillis(), true, 0, delay, "fill", red, green, blue);
-//      delay+= interval/2;
-//      addTask(getName()+"clear-"+System.currentTimeMillis(), true, 0, delay, "clear");
-//      delay+= interval/2;
-//    }
-    
-    if (c.autoClear) {
-      purgeTask("clear");
-      // and start our countdown
-      addTaskOneShot(c.idleTimeout, "clear");
-    }
-
+  public void flashBrightness(double brightness) {    
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("brightness");
     
+    // adafruit neopixel library does not recover from setting 
+    // brightness to 0 - so we have to hack around it
+    if (data.brightness < 10) {
+      return;
+    }    
+    addDisplayTask(data);
   }
   
-  public void fill(int r, int g, int b) {
-    fill(0, pixelCount, r, g, b, null);
+  // utility to convert frames per second to milliseconds per frame.
+  private double fpsToWaitMs(int fps) {
+    if (fps == 0) {
+      // fps can't be zero.
+      error("fps can't be zero for neopixel animation defaulting to 1 fps");
+      return 1000.0;
+    }
+    double result = 1000.0 / fps;
+    return result;
   }
 
-  public void fill(int beginAddress, int count, int r, int g, int b) {
-    fill(beginAddress, count, r, g, b, null);
+  public Set<String> getAnimations() {
+    return animations.keySet();
   }
 
-  public void fill(int beginAddress, int count, int r, int g, int b, Integer w) {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
-    
-    if (w == null) {
-      w = 0;
-    }
-
-    NeoPixelController np2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    if (controller == null || np2 == null) {
-      error("%s cannot setPixel controller not set", getName());
-      return;
-    }
-    np2.neoPixelFill(getName(), beginAddress, count, r, g, b, w);
-    
-    if (c.autoClear) {
-      purgeTask("clear");
-      // and start our countdown
-      addTaskOneShot(c.idleTimeout, "clear");
-    }
-
+  public int getBlue() {
+    return blue;
   }
 
-  public void fillMatrix(int r, int g, int b) {
-    fillMatrix(r, g, b, 0);
+  /**
+   * get the list of hex defined colors
+   * 
+   * @return
+   */
+  public List<String> getColorNames() {
+    return CodecUtils.getColorNames();
   }
 
-  public void fillMatrix(int r, int g, int b, int w) {
-    PixelSet ps = getPixelSet();
-    for (Pixel p : ps.pixels) {
-      p.red = r;
-      p.green = g;
-      p.blue = b;
-      p.white = w;
-    }
-
-  }
+  @Override
+  public NeoPixelConfig getConfig() {
+    super.getConfig();
+    // FIXME - remove local fields in favor of config
+    config.pin = pin;
+    config.pixelCount = pixelCount;
+    config.pixelDepth = pixelDepth;
+    config.speed = speedFps;
+    config.red = red;
+    config.green = green;
+    config.blue = blue;
+    config.controller = controller;
+    config.currentAnimation = currentAnimation;
+    config.brightness = brightness;
 
-  public int getBlue() {
-    return blue;
+    return config;
   }
 
   public int getCount() {
     return pixelCount;
   }
 
+  public Set<String> getFlashNames() {
+    if (config.flashMap == null) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return config.flashMap.keySet();
+  }
+
   public int getGreen() {
     return green;
   }
@@ -579,59 +729,102 @@ public int getRed() {
   }
 
   @Override
-  public void playAnimation(String animation) {
+  public boolean isAttached(Attachable instance) {
+    return instance.getName().equals(controller);
+  }
 
-    if (animations.containsKey(animation)) {
-      currentAnimation = animation;
-      if (animations.get(animation) < 99) {
-        setAnimation(animations.get(animation), red, green, blue, speedFps);
-      } else {
-        // only 1 java side animation at the moment
-        equalizer();
-        animationRunner.start();
-      }
-    } else {
-      error("could not find animation %s", animation);
+  /**
+   * Publishes a flash based on a predefined name
+   * 
+   * @param name
+   */
+  public void onFlash(String name) {
+    flash(name);
+  }
+
+  public void onLedDisplay(LedDisplayData data) {
+    try {
+      addDisplayTask(data);
+    } catch (IllegalStateException e) {
+      log.info("queue full");
     }
-    broadcastState();
   }
 
-  public void stopAnimation() {
-    setAnimation(1, red, green, blue, speedFps);
+  /**
+   * takes a scalar value and fills with the appropriate brightness
+   * using the peak color if available
+   * @param value
+   */
+  public void onPeak(double value) {
+    flashBrightness(value);
+  }
+
+  public void onPlayAnimation(String animation) {
+    playAnimation(animation);
+  }
+
+  public String onStarted(String name) {
+    return name;
+  }
+
+  public void onStopAnimation() {
+    stopAnimation();
   }
 
   @Override
-  public void setAnimation(int animation, int red, int green, int blue, int speedFps) {
-    if (speedFps > maxFps) {
-      speedFps = maxFps;
-    }
+  synchronized public void playAnimation(String animation) {
 
-    this.speedFps = speedFps;
+    log.debug("playAnimation {} {} {} {} {}", animation, red, green, blue, speedFps);
 
-    if (controller == null) {
-      error("%s could not set animation no attached controller", getName());
+    if (animation == null || animation.equals("Stop")) {
+      log.info("clearing animation");
+      clear();
       return;
     }
-    log.debug("setAnimation {} {} {} {} {}", animation, red, green, blue, speedFps);
-    NeoPixelController nc2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    Double wait_ms_per_frame = fpsToWaitMs(speedFps);
-    nc2.neoPixelSetAnimation(getName(), animation, red, green, blue, 0, wait_ms_per_frame.intValue());
-    if (animation == 1) {
-      currentAnimation = null;
-      animationRunner.stop();
+
+    if (animation.equals(currentAnimation)) {
+      log.info("already playing {}", currentAnimation);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (animations.containsKey(animation)) {
+
+      if (speedFps > maxFps) {
+        speedFps = maxFps;
+      }
+      
+      LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("animation");
+      data.animation = animation;
+      addDisplayTask(data);
+    } else {
+      error("could not find animation %s", animation);
     }
-    broadcastState();
   }
 
-  // utility to convert frames per second to milliseconds per frame.
-  private double fpsToWaitMs(int fps) {
-    if (fps == 0) {
-      // fps can't be zero.
-      error("fps can't be zero for neopixel animation defaulting to 1 fps");
-      return 1000.0;
+  public void playIronman() {
+    setColor(170, 170, 255);
+    setSpeed(50);
+    playAnimation("Ironman");
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public void releaseService() {
+    super.releaseService();
+    clear();
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  @Deprecated /* use playAnimation */
+  public void setAnimation(int animation, int red, int green, int blue, int speedFps) {
+    setRed(red);
+    setGreen(green);
+    setBlue(blue);
+    setSpeed(speedFps);
+    for (String animationName : animations.keySet()) {
+      if (animations.get(animationName) == animation) {
+        playAnimation(animationName);
+      }
     }
-    double result = 1000.0 / fps;
-    return result;
   }
 
   @Override
@@ -653,22 +846,32 @@ public void setBlue(int blue) {
   }
 
   public void setBrightness(int value) {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
-
-    NeoPixelController np2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    if (controller == null || np2 == null) {
-      error("%s cannot setPixel controller not set", getName());
-      return;
-    }
     brightness = value;
-    np2.neoPixelSetBrightness(getName(), value);
-    
-    if (c.autoClear) {
-      purgeTask("clear");
-      // and start our countdown
-      addTaskOneShot(c.idleTimeout, "clear");
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("brightness");
+    data.brightness = value;
+    addDisplayTask(data);
+  }
+
+  public void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) {
+    this.red = red;
+    this.green = green;
+    this.blue = blue;
+    if (currentAnimation != null) {
+      // restarting currently running animation
+      playAnimation(currentAnimation);
     }
+  }
 
+  /**
+   * can be hex #FFFFFE 0xFFEEFF FFEEFF or grey, blue, yellow etc
+   * 
+   * @param color
+   */
+  public void setColor(String color) {
+    int[] rgb = CodecUtils.getColor(color);
+    setRed(rgb[0]);
+    setGreen(rgb[1]);
+    setBlue(rgb[2]);
   }
 
   public void setGreen(int green) {
@@ -693,6 +896,19 @@ public void setPin(int pin) {
     broadcastState();
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public void setPin(String pin) {
+    try {
+      if (pin == null) {
+        this.pin = null;
+        return;
+      }
+      this.pin = Integer.parseInt(pin);
+    } catch (Exception e) {
+      error(e);
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * basic setting of a pixel
    */
@@ -718,7 +934,6 @@ public void setPixel(int address, int red, int green, int blue, int white) {
    * @param delayMs
    */
   public void setPixel(String matrixName, Integer pixelSetIndex, int address, int red, int green, int blue, int white, Integer delayMs) {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
     // get and update memory cache
     PixelSet ps = getPixelSet(matrixName, pixelSetIndex);
 
@@ -737,21 +952,8 @@ public void setPixel(String matrixName, Integer pixelSetIndex, int address, int
 
     // update memory
     ps.pixels.set(address, pixel);
-
-    // write immediately
-    NeoPixelController np2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    if (controller == null || np2 == null) {
-      error("%s cannot setPixel controller not set", getName());
-      return;
-    }
-
-    np2.neoPixelWriteMatrix(getName(), pixel.flatten());
-    
-    if (c.autoClear) {
-      purgeTask("clear");
-      // and start our countdown
-      addTaskOneShot(c.idleTimeout, "clear");
-    }
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("writeMatrix");
+    addDisplayTask(data);
   }
 
   public int setPixelCount(int pixelCount) {
@@ -770,67 +972,10 @@ public void setPixelDepth(int depth) {
     broadcastState();
   }
 
-  public void setType(String type) {
-    if ("RGB".equals(type) || "RGBW".equals(type)) {
-      this.type = type;
-      if (type.equals("RGB")) {
-        pixelDepth = 3;
-      } else {
-        pixelDepth = 4;
-      }
-      broadcastState();
-    } else {
-      error("type %s invalid only RGB or RGBW", type);
-    }
-  }
-
   public void setRed(int red) {
     this.red = red;
   }
 
-  public void startAnimation() {
-    startAnimation(currentMatrix);
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * handle both user defined, java defined, and controller on board animations
-   * FIXME - make "settings" separate call
-   * 
-   * @param name
-   */
-  public void startAnimation(String name) {
-    animationRunner.start();
-  }
-
-  public void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) {
-    this.red = red;
-    this.green = green;
-    this.blue = blue;
-    if (currentAnimation != null) {
-      // restarting currently running animation
-      playAnimation(currentAnimation);
-    }
-  }
-
-  @Override
-  public void writeMatrix() {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
-    
-    NeoPixelController np2 = (NeoPixelController) Runtime.getService(controller);
-    if (controller == null || np2 == null) {
-      error("%s cannot writeMatrix controller not set", getName());
-      return;
-    }
-    np2.neoPixelWriteMatrix(getName(), getPixelSet().flatten());
-    if (c.autoClear) {
-      purgeTask("clear");
-      // and start our countdown
-      addTaskOneShot(c.idleTimeout, "clear");
-    }
-    
-    
-  }
-
   /**
    * extremely rough fps
    * 
@@ -849,155 +994,51 @@ public void setSpeed(Integer speed) {
     }
   }
 
-  public void playIronman() {
-    setColor(170, 170, 255);
-    setSpeed(50);
-    playAnimation("Ironman");
+  public void setType(String type) {
+    if ("RGB".equals(type) || "RGBW".equals(type)) {
+      this.type = type;
+      if (type.equals("RGB")) {
+        pixelDepth = 3;
+      } else {
+        pixelDepth = 4;
+      }
+      broadcastState();
+    } else {
+      error("type %s invalid only RGB or RGBW", type);
+    }
   }
 
   @Override
-  public ServiceConfig getConfig() {
-
-    NeoPixelConfig config = (NeoPixelConfig)super.getConfig();
-    // FIXME - remove local fields in favor of config
-    config.pin = pin;
-    config.pixelCount = pixelCount;
-    config.pixelDepth = pixelDepth;
-    config.speed = speedFps;
-    config.red = red;
-    config.green = green;
-    config.blue = blue;
-    config.controller = controller;
-    config.currentAnimation = currentAnimation;
-    config.brightness = brightness;
-
-    return config;
+  public void startService() {
+    super.startService();
+    worker.start();
   }
 
-  @Override
-  public ServiceConfig apply(ServiceConfig c) {
-    NeoPixelConfig config = (NeoPixelConfig) super.apply(c);
-    // FIXME - remove local fields in favor of config
-    setPixelDepth(config.pixelDepth);
-
-    if (config.pixelCount != null) {
-      setPixelCount(config.pixelCount);
-    }
-
-    setSpeed(config.speed);
-    if (config.pin != null) {
-      setPin(config.pin);
-    }
-    red = config.red;
-    green = config.green;
-    blue = config.blue;
-    if (config.controller != null) {
-      try {
-        attach(config.controller);
-      } catch (Exception e) {
-        error(e);
-      }
-    }
-
-    if (config.currentAnimation != null) {
-      playAnimation(config.currentAnimation);
-    }
-
-    if (config.brightness != null) {
-      setBrightness(config.brightness);
-    }
-
-    if (config.fill) {
-      fillMatrix(red, green, blue);
-    }
-
-    return c;
+  synchronized public void stopAnimation() {
+    clear();
   }
 
-  public String onStarted(String name) {
-    return name;
+  public void stopService() {
+    super.stopService();
+    worker.stop();
+    clear();
   }
 
-  public static void main(String[] args) throws InterruptedException {
-
-    try {
-
-      LoggingFactory.init(Level.INFO);
-
-      WebGui webgui = (WebGui) Runtime.create("webgui", "WebGui");
-      webgui.autoStartBrowser(false);
-      webgui.startService();
-
-      boolean done = true;
-      if (done) {
-        return;
-      }
-
-      Runtime.start("python", "Python");
-      Polly polly = (Polly) Runtime.start("polly", "Polly");
-
-      Arduino arduino = (Arduino) Runtime.start("arduino", "Arduino");
-      arduino.connect("/dev/ttyACM0");
-
-      NeoPixel neopixel = (NeoPixel) Runtime.start("neopixel", "NeoPixel");
-
-      neopixel.setPin(26);
-      neopixel.setPixelCount(8);
-      // neopixel.attach(arduino, 5, 8, 3);
-      neopixel.attach(arduino);
-      neopixel.clear();
-      neopixel.fill(0, 8, 0, 0, 120);
-      neopixel.setPixel(2, 120, 0, 0);
-      neopixel.setPixel(3, 0, 120, 0);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(20);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(40);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(80);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(160);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(200);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(10);
-      neopixel.setBrightness(255);
-      neopixel.setAnimation(5, 80, 80, 0, 40);
-
-      neopixel.attach(polly);
-
-      neopixel.clear();
-      // neopixel.detach(arduino);
-      // arduino.detach(neopixel);
-
-      polly.speak("i'm sorry dave i can't let you do that");
-      polly.speak(" I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do");
-      polly.speak("I've just picked up a fault in the AE35 unit. It's going to go 100% failure in 72 hours.");
-      polly.speak("This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.");
-      polly.speak("I've got a bad feeling about it.");
-      polly.speak("I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.");
-      polly.speak("Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.");
-
-      // neopixel.test();
-      // neopixel.detach(arduino);
-      // neopixel.detach(polly);
-
-    } catch (Exception e) {
-      log.error("main threw", e);
-    }
+  @Override
+  public void writeMatrix() {
+    LedDisplayData data = new LedDisplayData("writeMatrix");
+    addDisplayTask(data);
   }
 
   @Override
-  public void setPin(String pin) {
-    try {
-      if (pin == null) {
-        this.pin = null;
-        return;
-      }
-      this.pin = Integer.parseInt(pin);
-    } catch (Exception e) {
-      error(e);
+  public void onAudioStart(AudioData data) {
+    if (config.audioAnimation != null) {
+      playAnimation(config.audioAnimation);  
     }
   }
-  
-  public boolean setAutoClear(boolean b) {
-    NeoPixelConfig c = (NeoPixelConfig)config;
-    c.autoClear = b;
-    return b;
-  }
 
+  @Override
+  public void onAudioEnd(AudioData data) {
+    clear();
+  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/config/NeoPixelConfig.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/config/NeoPixelConfig.java
index c2ad476697..c343d0dddf 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/config/NeoPixelConfig.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/config/NeoPixelConfig.java
@@ -1,20 +1,136 @@
 package org.myrobotlab.service.config;
 
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import org.myrobotlab.framework.Plan;
+
 public class NeoPixelConfig extends ServiceConfig {
 
+  /**
+   * when attached to an audio file service the animation to be
+   * played when audio is playing
+   */
+  public String audioAnimation = "Ironman";
+  
+  /**
+   * pin number of controller
+   */
   public Integer pin = null;
+
+  /**
+   * Number or pixes for this neo pixel ranges from 8 to 256+
+   */
   public Integer pixelCount = null;
+
+  /**
+   * color depth 3 RGB or 4 (with white)
+   */
   public int pixelDepth = 3;
+
+  /**
+   * default speed (fps) of animations
+   */
   public int speed = 10;
+  /**
+   * default red color component
+   */
   public int red = 0;
+  /**
+   * default green color component
+   */
   public int green = 0;
+  /**
+   * default blue color component
+   */
   public int blue = 0;
+  /**
+   * the neopixel controller
+   */
   public String controller = null;
+  /**
+   * the current animation
+   */
   public String currentAnimation = null;
+  /**
+   * initial brightness
+   */
   public Integer brightness = 255;
+  /**
+   * initial fill
+   */
   public boolean fill = false;
-  // auto clears flashes
-  public boolean autoClear = true;
-  public int idleTimeout = 1000;
+  
+  
+
+  /**
+   * Map of predefined led flashes, defined here in configuration. Another
+   * service simply needs to publishFlash(name) and the neopixel will get the
+   * defined flash data if defined and process it.
+   */
+  public Map<String, Flash[]> flashMap = new HashMap<>();
+
+  public static class Flash {
+
+    /**
+     * uses color specify unless null uses default
+     */
+    public int red = 0;
+
+    /**
+     * uses color specify unless null uses default
+     */
+    public int green = 0;
+    /**
+     * uses color specify unless null uses default
+     */
+    public int blue = 0;
+    /**
+     * uses color specify unless null uses default
+     */
+    public int white = 0;
+
+    /**
+     * time this flash remains on
+     */
+    public long timeOn = 500;
+
+    /**
+     * time this flash remains off
+     */
+    public long timeOff = 500;
+    
+    
+    public Flash() {      
+    }
+    
+
+    public Flash(int red, int green, int blue, long timeOn, long timeOff) {
+      this.red = red;
+      this.green = green;
+      this.blue = blue;
+      this.timeOn = timeOn;
+      this.timeOff = timeOff;
+    }
+
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * reason why we initialize default for flashMap here, is so we don't need to
+   * do a data copy over to a service's member variable
+   */
+  public Plan getDefault(Plan plan, String name) {
+    super.getDefault(plan, name);
+
+    flashMap.put("error", new Flash[] { new Flash(120, 0, 0, 30, 30), new Flash(120, 0, 0, 30, 30), new Flash(120, 0, 0, 30, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("info", new Flash[] { new Flash(120, 0, 0, 30, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("success", new Flash[] { new Flash(0, 0, 120, 30, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("warn", new Flash[] { new Flash(100, 100, 0, 30, 30), new Flash(100, 100, 0, 30, 30), new Flash(100, 100, 0, 30, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("heartbeat", new Flash[] { new Flash(210, 110, 0, 100, 30), new Flash(210, 110, 0, 100, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("pir", new Flash[] { new Flash(60, 200, 90, 30, 30), new Flash(60, 200, 90, 30, 30), new Flash(60, 200, 90, 30, 30) });
+    flashMap.put("speaking", new Flash[] { new Flash(0, 183, 90, 60, 30), new Flash(0, 183, 90, 60, 30) });
+
+    return plan;
+  }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/data/LedDisplayData.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/data/LedDisplayData.java
index 92ce88ba38..b46ab5e862 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/data/LedDisplayData.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/data/LedDisplayData.java
@@ -1,28 +1,67 @@
 package org.myrobotlab.service.data;
+
 /**
- * Class to publish to specify details on how to display an led or a group of leds.
- * There is a need to "flash" LEDs in order to signal some event.  This is the
- * beginning of an easy way to publish a message to do that.
+ * Class to publish to specify details on how to display an led or a group of
+ * leds. There is a need to "flash" LEDs in order to signal some event. This is
+ * the beginning of an easy way to publish a message to do that.
  * 
  * @author GroG
  *
  */
 public class LedDisplayData {
 
-    public String action; // fill | flash | play animation | stop | clear
-    public int red;
-    public int green;
-    public int blue;
-    //public int white?;
-    
-    /**
-     * number of flashes
-     */
-    public int count = 5;
-    /**
-     * interval of flash in ms
-     */
-    public long interval = 500;
-    
-    
+  public String action; // fill | flash | play animation | stop | clear
+
+  public int red = 0;
+
+  public int green = 0;
+
+  public int blue = 0;
+  
+  // public int brightness = 255; 
+
+  // public int white?;
+
+  /**
+   * number of flashes
+   */
+  public int count = 1;
+
+  /**
+   * interval of flash on in ms
+   */
+  public long timeOn = 500;
+
+  /**
+   * interval of flas off in ms
+   */
+  public long timeOff = 500;
+
+  public LedDisplayData() {
+  }
+
+  public LedDisplayData(int red, int green, int blue, int count, int timeOn, int timeOff) {
+    this.red = red;
+    this.green = green;
+    this.blue = blue;
+    this.count = count;
+    this.timeOn = timeOn;
+    this.timeOff = timeOff;
+  }
+
+  
+  public LedDisplayData(String hexColor, int count, int timeOn, int timeOff) {
+
+    // remove "#" or "0x" prefix if present
+    hexColor = hexColor.replace("#", "").replace("0x", "");
+
+    this.count = count;
+    this.timeOn = timeOn;
+    this.timeOff = timeOff;
+    this.red = Integer.parseInt(hexColor.substring(0, 2), 16);
+    this.green = Integer.parseInt(hexColor.substring(2, 4), 16);
+    this.blue = Integer.parseInt(hexColor.substring(4, 6), 16);
+
+  }
+
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioListener.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioListener.java
index 8b5257f8d5..7ff481dc88 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioListener.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioListener.java
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 package org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces;
 
+import org.myrobotlab.framework.interfaces.NameProvider;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.data.AudioData;
 
-public interface AudioListener {
+public interface AudioListener extends NameProvider {
 
   public void onAudioStart(AudioData data);
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioPublisher.java b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioPublisher.java
index 1e1a1bb9b8..533ce91e72 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioPublisher.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/myrobotlab/service/interfaces/AudioPublisher.java
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 package org.myrobotlab.service.interfaces;
 
+import org.myrobotlab.framework.interfaces.NameProvider;
 import org.myrobotlab.service.data.AudioData;
 
-public interface AudioPublisher {
+public interface AudioPublisher extends NameProvider {
 
   public static String[] publishMethods = new String[] { "publishAudioStart", "publishAudioEnd" };
 
diff --git a/src/main/resources/resource/NeoPixel/NeoPixel.py b/src/main/resources/resource/NeoPixel/NeoPixel.py
index c0b128198a..8b1df273ab 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/resource/NeoPixel/NeoPixel.py
+++ b/src/main/resources/resource/NeoPixel/NeoPixel.py
@@ -2,86 +2,108 @@
 # NeoPixel.py
 # more info @: http://myrobotlab.org/service/NeoPixel
 #########################################
-# new neopixel has some capability to have animations which can
-# be custom created and run
-# There are now 'service animations' and 'onboard animations'
-#
-# Service animations have some ability to be customized and saved,
-#   each frame is sent over the serial line to the neopixel
-#
-# Onboard ones do not but are less chatty over the serial line
-# 
-# Animations
-# stopAnimation       = 1
-# colorWipe           = 2
-# scanner             = 3
-# theaterChase        = 4
-# theaterChaseRainbow = 5
-# rainbow             = 6
-# rainbowCycle        = 7
-# randomFlash         = 8
-# ironman             = 9
-# Runtime.setVirtual(True) # if you want no hardware
-# port = "COM3"
-port = "/dev/ttyACM0"
-pin = 5
-pixelCount = 8
-
-# starting arduino
-arduino = runtime.start("arduino","Arduino")
-arduino.connect(port)
+# Example of controlling a NeoPixel
+# NeoPixel is a strip of RGB LEDs
+# in this example we are using a 256 pixel strip
+# and an Arduino Mega.
+# The Mega is connected to the NeoPixel strip
+# via pin 3
+# The Mega is connected to the computer via USB
+# Onboard animations are available
+# as well as the ability to set individual pixels
+# [Stop, Theater Chase Rainbow, Rainbow, Larson Scanner, Flash Random,
+# Theater Chase, Rainbow Cycle, Ironman, Color Wipe]
+# There are now pre defined flashes which can be used
+# [warn, speaking, heartbeat, success, pir, error, info]
+
+from time import sleep
+
+port = "/dev/ttyACM72"
+pin = 3
+pixelCount = 256
+
+# starting mega
+mega = runtime.start("mega", "Arduino")
+mega.connect(port)
 
 # starting neopixle
-neopixel = runtime.start("neopixel","NeoPixel")
+neopixel = runtime.start("neopixel", "NeoPixel")
 neopixel.setPin(pin)
 neopixel.setPixelCount(pixelCount)
 
 # attach the two services
-neopixel.attach(arduino)
+neopixel.attach(mega)
+
+# brightness 0-255
+neopixel.setBrightness(128)
 
 # fuschia - setColor(R, G, B)
 neopixel.setColor(120, 10, 30)
-# 1 to 50 Hz default is 10
-neopixel.setSpeed(30) 
 
-# start an animation
-neopixel.playAnimation("Larson Scanner")
-sleep(2)
+# Fun with flashing
+print(neopixel.getFlashNames())
+
+for flash in neopixel.getFlashNames():
+    print('using flash', flash)
+    neopixel.flash(flash)
 
-# turquoise
-neopixel.setColor(10, 120, 60)
-sleep(2)
+# clear all pixels    
+neopixel.clear()
 
-# start an animation
-neopixel.playAnimation("Rainbow Cycle")
-sleep(5)
 
-neopixel.setColor(40, 20, 160)
-neopixel.playAnimation("Color Wipe")
-sleep(1)
+# 1 to 50 Hz default is 10
+neopixel.setSpeed(10)
 
-neopixel.setColor(140, 20, 60)
-sleep(1)
+# Fun with animations
+# get a list of animations
+print(neopixel.getAnimations())
+
+for animation in neopixel.getAnimations():
+    print(animation)
+    neopixel.playAnimation(animation)
+    sleep(3)
 
+# clear all pixels
 neopixel.clear()
 
-# set individual pixels
-# setPixel(address, R, G, B)
-neopixel.setPixel(0, 40, 40, 0)
+neopixel.fill("cyan")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("yellow")
 sleep(1)
-neopixel.setPixel(1, 140, 40, 0)
+neopixel.fill("pink")
 sleep(1)
-neopixel.setPixel(2, 40, 140, 0)
+neopixel.fill("orange")
 sleep(1)
-neopixel.setPixel(2, 40, 0, 140)
+neopixel.fill("black")
 sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("magenta")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("green")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#FFFFEE")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#FF0000")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#00FF00")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#0000FF")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#cccccc")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#cc7528")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#123456")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#654321")
+sleep(1)
+neopixel.fill("#000000")
 
-neopixel.clear()
-neopixel.setColor(0, 40, 220)
-neopixel.playAnimation("Ironman")
-sleep(3)
+# if you want voice modulation of a neopixel this is one
+# way to do it
+# mouth = runtime.start('mouth', 'Polly')
+# audio = runtime.start('mouth.audioFile', 'AudioFile')
+# audio.addListener('publishPeak', 'neopixel')
+# mouth.speak('Is my voice modulating the neopixel?')
 
-# preset color and frequency values
-neopixel.playIronman()
-sleep(5)
-neopixel.clear()
+print('done')    
+    
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/js/NeoPixelGui.js b/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/js/NeoPixelGui.js
index 05f67ef4ea..c527bcd0e1 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/js/NeoPixelGui.js
+++ b/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/js/NeoPixelGui.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ angular.module('mrlapp.service.NeoPixelGui', []).controller('NeoPixelGuiCtrl', [
     $scope.pins = []
     $scope.speeds = []
     $scope.types = ['RGB', 'RGBW']
-    $scope.animations = ['No animation', 'Stop', 'Color Wipe', 'Larson Scanner', 'Theater Chase', 'Theater Chase Rainbow', 'Rainbow', 'Rainbow Cycle', 'Flash Random', 'Ironman', 'equalizer']
+    $scope.animations = ['Stop', 'Color Wipe', 'Larson Scanner', 'Theater Chase', 'Theater Chase Rainbow', 'Rainbow', 'Rainbow Cycle', 'Flash Random', 'Ironman']
     $scope.pixelCount = null
 
     // set pixel position
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ angular.module('mrlapp.service.NeoPixelGui', []).controller('NeoPixelGuiCtrl', [
             $scope.pin = service.pin
         }
 
-        if (!$scope.state.controller) {
+        if ($scope.service.controller) {
             $scope.state.controller = $scope.service.controller
         }
 
diff --git a/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/views/NeoPixelGui.html b/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/views/NeoPixelGui.html
index ec43324484..d3cef04291 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/views/NeoPixelGui.html
+++ b/src/main/resources/resource/WebGui/app/service/views/NeoPixelGui.html
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ <h1>{{address}} {{color}}</h1>
                 <td>pixel count </td>
                 <td>&nbsp;</td>
                 <td>
-                    <input type="text" class="form-control" ng-readonly="service.controller" id="pixelCount" ng-model="pixelCount"/>
+                    <input type="text" class="form-control" id="pixelCount" ng-model="pixelCount"/>
                 </td>
             </tr>
         </table>