Laser Harp?

[Julian Nichols]

Just wondering if anyone out there (in Australia) has or has built a laser harp (of the sort used by Jean Michel Jarre, for example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DlwQJX3qag )?

It seems that the guy who sold the best plans for making one ended up signing to another company who hires them out, so you can't get hold of those plans anymore.

Anyhow before I go down the path of shelling out big dollars for an imported laser harp system (and a powerful laser projector to go with it), I'd be keen to have a chat with someone who has experience with them.

I'm a bit reluctant to start a DIY project, not knowing if it is going to turn into a real pain setting it up for live use. My skill in DIY is not great, but I've built a theremin so I can wield a soldering iron to some extent.

The laser harp is intended to be used for live electro industrial music incorporating projected visuals, live guitars, synths etc.

So anyone out there got one or built one?

[mylesgm]

You need to talk to Stuart Favilla and Joanne Cannon. Local Melbourne artists that have built some superb instruments including a light harp with the frame made from sculpted leather by the artist Garry Greenwood.
Interface is built from Max/MSP and is incredibly flexible as it simply outputs midi from a large variety of controls.

Here are some links:

http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om21300.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ ... 48727.html

http://home.mira.net/~favilla/instruments.htm

http://www.thenewinventors.com.au/index ... rt-favilla
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om21300.html

[Julian Nichols]

Very interesting, nice looking instrument. I've got a feeling that it will be very different to the type I'm considering though, ie one that extends from the ground up to infinity (or the roof of the club etc). There's no end point for you to use an LDR or whatever else you use for sensing when the beam is broken.

[mylesgm]

I'm sure there'll be a number of ways to affect the outcome you're looking for. The first port of call in making your own would be to explore the diy forums for the people building their own instruments that interface with a program like max/msp or similar. There are lots of premade devices for turning physical action into voltages which can then be interpreted by a voltage to midi converter. Working with light you could use something that shone a light beam that whenever it was broken with your hand it would reflect light down to a corresponding light sensitive cell. Or something. There will no doubt be lots of info over at:

http://www.cycling74.com/forums

http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Projects/ArduinoUsers

[Julian Nichols]

Thanks for the links... I felt a bit like a lay person trying to fathom a modular synth. So much to take in... I wouldn't know where to start with all of that. Looks really interesting though, I might delve into it some time when I have the time and concentration level.