Laser Harp Fully Functional

http://www.stephenhobley.com

Now you can build your own laser harp:

http://www.stephenhobley.com/store

Finally got the bugs worked out with the sensor. The harp is driven by an Arduino (Boarduino varation) and connected to the impOSCar VSTi software synthesizer, the TAOS sensor array sits on the floor in it's own stand. The array above the harp i is just made up of fs mirrors for added p'zazz.

Can the laser harp be topped?
http://www.stephenhobley.com/blog/201...

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Paul Boulet]

Hey again.  Thanks for responding to my last comment so quickly. I have another question. Where did you get the laser sounds? My friend and I have tried to find a computer program that would generate harp sounds, but have been unsuccessful. If you could tell us where you got the sounds that would be very helpful.

[shobley]

The sound is made by an Elka Synthex - but I got mine from a sound font file (sf2) that I found on the web many years ago. The initial sound is from a "Distorted Reality" sample CD, and the opening sound is actually the sound of the TARDIS doors from the 70's version of Doctor Who (as some people have noticed ;-) ).

[shobley]

(...although as I've just noticed the initial/opening sounds were not mapped in this video)

[Paul Boulet]

Hey, my friend and I are in the process of building a laser harp and were wondering if you used a diffraction grating to split your beam or something else. Please tell us what you used because we're not sure if a diffraction grating will work well.

[shobley]

This is a galvanometer - a very fast moving mirror that gives the impression of multiple beams. A diffraction grating will work too.

[austinlikestea]

I think a more appropriate name is "laser theremin"

[shobley]

I was told that it's actually a "laser lyre"

[jbergs22]

how was this not in Tron Legacy somewhere

[shobley]

Deleted scene :)

[Brent Sancken]

Is there any chance of releasing plans or even a parts list?? or not yett?..

[Paul Boulet]

Hey again I was wondering if an XILS LAB Synthix Virtual Elka Synthex Synthesizer Plug-in VST RTAS AU Mac/PC would work for the sound? Is it compatible with the arduino board? Also, I couldn't find the sf2 file. I was wondering if you could show me a website where you could get it. Thanks so much.

[Paul Boulet]

Thanks for telling me where you got the sound. I wasn't able to find the file though. I was wondering if you could please tell me where you got the file or if you could recommend something else my friend and I could use for the laser harp.  Thanks for all your help!

[David Pessotto]

It was made in 2008 (;

[Paul Boulet]

Thanks. We haven't gotten a chance to test out the diffraction grating because our laser still has not come in the mail yet. However, it's nice to know that it will probably work, and if not, we can get the galvanometer.