The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system for controlling strings of lights. This system can include a host controller, one or more strings of lights, and an effects modulator. Each string of light can include at least one LED light. The effects modulator can be operatively connected to the host controller and to the strings of light. The effects modulator can include a microcontroller and an inverter. The inverter can include a high side driver circuit and one or more low side driver circuits operatively connected to the high side driver circuit. Each low side driver circuit can be operatively connected to one of the strings of light. The microcontroller can be configured to receive one or more control signals from the host controller and control the strings of light via the inverter in accordance with the control signals. Related apparatus, methods, and techniques are also described.