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Laser and Light beam MIDI Harps
  
The Laser beam Harps shown above are from left to
right: A custom 28 Laser Beam harp with both Red and Green Lasers. Shown
with theatrical haze
The middle harp, and the detail at right are
both of a custom carved laser harp, with 8 red lasers, created for the
'Strong National Children`s Museum of Play', in Rochester NY. It was
created to be "The Giant`s Harp", from "Jack and the Beanstalk"
I custom build very special MIDI harps that have red or green laser beams instead of strings. These lasers shine onto optic sensors, located on the "sound board" of the harp. The lasers are located in the neck of the harp, shining down on the "string rib". The lasers are generally set about 2 to 3 inches apart, ( the spacing can be customized, depending on how you wish to use the harp). I can also build the same type of system using narrow beam visible colored lights, with optic sensors. The limitation of using these visible light beams is that they tend to spread out more than do the highly focused and narrow laser beams. The visible light beams will spread out to about 3 inches in diameter in any distance further than about 3 feet, or one meter. So the laser beam harps can be larger and more harp-like in shape and size than the visible light beam versions. The most important thing with an Laser Harp, is that the frame that supports the lasers and the optic sensors must be perfectly stable, in order to maintain the perfect aim of each laser to it`s optic sensor. I use micro adjustable aiming fixtures, to allow the lasers to be easily adjusted to be on target to the sensors. These harps are usually designed and built to be in a harp-like shape, but almost any possible shape or style, size or configuration is possible. Let me know what design, or concept you might have in mind! I can custom design the height and size of your own Laser Harp, to fit your individual playing style and travel needs. Please inquire with me about your needs and ideas ! I can design and build for you a custom laser or light beam harp, with or without the midi controller and software. You may already have a midi controller and software program to use with my harps, or may wish to find and assemble your own such system. I give you the option of choosing my "plug and play" system, or for you to provide your own!
How Do They Work ?In its simplest form, a Laser or Light Beam MIDI Harp, is a light controlled switch. When a beam is interrupted or broken, a signal is created, which activates previously selected events. When the laser or Light beams are broken by your hand passing through them, a signal is sent to your computer (lap top or desk top computer running windows XP), which serves as your controller unit. The windows XP software I supply , can be programmed to produce a variety of different sound and visual effects when you break any of the laser beams with your finger or hand.
Here is a run down of the specs of the Mountain Glen Harps-OptiMusic MIDI controller system that I supply with each of my Laser Harps.
This system is a simple 'plug & play' on a winxp PC or laptop.
The Mountain Glen Harps- OptiMusic MIDI controller system consist of either a PC card and the OMPC1-AV software that you install in your WINXP PC computer, or a USB control cable/ box, with the OMPC1-AV software, that you connect to your WINXP laptop computer. The software works the best when used with two computer screens.
This beam interaction can trigger sound, lighting, visual images, video, special effects, smoke, pyrotechnics and other digital applications - all in real time. In practice, variations of this simple example are what give the Mountain Glen Harps-OptiMusic MIDI controller system its power and versatility.
All systems come with many presets and libraries to choose from that require little or no setting up and no special technical knowledge.
Remote Control
Mountain Glen Harps-OptiMusic MIDI controller systems are supplied with a User Button Box to control and change settings, sounds etc.
Play Modes
* Trigger Mode In this mode, breaking a beam always triggers the event, sound (a sample, loop or MIDI note), image or video that that particular beam has been preset to trigger. Each beam will always trigger its own preset event when broken. e.g. If the beam number one is set to play a bass drum and beam two a snare drum; then one will always play a bass drum and two a snare.
* Sequence Mode In this mode, breaking any of the beams plays a preset melody or song one note at a time. Familiar tunes may be played by the breaking the beams in time with the song. Little or no musical ability is required to play a tune. Similarly, a sequence of images could be displayed or an image could be built up one part at a time.
* Event Mode When broken, a beam set to 'Event Mode' can change octaves, sounds, songs or programmed settings for any or all of the beams.
Switch Modes
* On-Off A sound will play only while a beam remains broken. The sound stops when the beam is unbroken.
* Play to end Once triggered, a sound will play to the end regardless of when the beam is unbroken.
* Toggle Mode Breaking a beam the first time triggers a sound which plays to the end (or loops) until the beam is broken a second time.
All beams do not have to be set to the same Play or Switch Mode - each beam may be set up differently.
The system can interface with most existing lighting control systems (via MIDI inputs to your lighting board or controller.)
I build my laser harps in three basic sizes, with 8, 16, or 32 lasers. Custom sizes are possible, please inquire.
They come standard with all Red Lasers, but all or some of the Red Lasers can be replaced with Green ones, at additional cost.
Laser Harp Prices
These are prices for basic harp-like configurations. Custom carving and shaping of your laser harp may be more, and will be quoted on an indivual bases. For prices on my non-laser Light beam harps, please email me for current price information. These prices include: - One OptiMusic USB Data box module w/USB cable, (8 OptiBeam or 8 channels). This box can be daisy chained to 3 more boxes to control 32 beams. You connect this USB Data box to your laptop computer. ( There is also the option of a PC card for your PC computer) And we can also supply you with a PC computer set up with card and pre-installed software, with duel monitors w/ duel monitor card installed, at additional cost. Please inquire for more information about this option.
- For the 16 and 32 laser beam models, an USB extender unit for each additional set of eight lasers is included.
- A button Box for users to scroll through settings (4 Buttons).
- And the OMPC-AV Version 4.0 software for Audio (Wav + MIDI) and Visuals (Pics and videos).
- A AC/DC power supply for each set of eight lasers.
My prices that are for systems without the midi
controller and software do include the AC/DC power supplies that are
needed to run your lasers, as well as the type of cable jack you wish to
connect to your midi controller, USB or multi-pin computer type.
For an Eight beam Laser Harp , with all Red Laser beams.................$11,000
Without midi controller and software.................................................$6,000
For an sixteen beam Laser Harp, with all Red Lasers........................$18,000
Without midi controller, and software................................................$10,000
For an Thirty two beam Laser Harp, with all Red Lasers...................$28,000
Without midi controller and software.................................................$16,000
For each Green Laser, please add ......................................................$100
Shipping and handling is extra.
Payment can be made with cash check, or money order, Visa or Master card, and now with Allegro Acceptance.
Warranty on Mountain Glen Laser and Light Beam Harps
The constructed and carved wood parts of my Laser Harps, is warranted by Mountain Glen Harps LLC, for a period of Five years from the time of delivery. Warranty does not cover misuse, accidental damage, abuse , or exposure to weather or humidity extremes.
The AC/DC power supplies are also warranted for Five years. Warranty does not cover damage due to , power surge, misuse, accidental damage or exposure to weather extremes.
The Lasers are warranted by Mountain Glen Harps LLC, for a period of One year from delivery. ( The normal life expectance of the laser diode modules is usually at least Five years, according to the manufacture.)
This page is under construction, and will have a totally new look, with pictures, very soon, to all my pages. Please email me for more information, and photos. Glenn Hill December 2007
Please visit our other web sites for highest quality Markwood Heavenly Strings & Cases and Cambria Harp Kits & Plans.
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