The heart of the confetti cannon: a solenoid-activated water valve fitted with air hose connectors and attached to a wireless DMS dimmer. An air source (compressor) would be attached to the back end, while the barrel (full of confetti) would be attached to the front connector.

Everything is powered by two 9-volts ganged together (packaged and switched in the black box above). When the board op in the booth hits the cue, the board sends a wireless DMX signal to the dimmer, which opens to pass 18v through to the solenoid, which in response snaps the valve open, relieving 100 lbs of air pressure instantly into the barrel and thus ejecting the confetti to great cheering and applauding.