Little Boots Laser Harp

**shobley** · 12-15-2009, 11:04

I just finished the laser harp controller for Little Boots in the UK
(www.littlebootsmusic.co.uk)

It's basically an ILDA controller and detector in one.

This is the first picture of her using it on stage in Leeds...

Now if only JMJ would let me build one for him...

**Jem** · 12-15-2009, 11:39

Hi Steve

Nice

Are you building these commercially now?, if so, can we have an idea of price. PM me if you don't want to go public.

Did you get any further with the multi-colour one with modulation as you slide your hand up and down the beam?

Cheers

Jem

**shobley** · 12-15-2009, 11:49

I'm still very much testing the water, but yes I have am making them - still one at time though - no mass production yet.

...and yes this one can work with RGB/RGY projectors, and produce custom color effects.

...the wiimote tracking works, but I still need to make a PCB and find a way of getting the sensors - other than wrenching them out of a wiimote

(Just to clear up any potential confusion - the sensor does *not* include the WiiMote part yet, I'm still working on it - but getting very close to a production board)

I'll PM you...

**andy_con** · 12-15-2009, 13:03

i could be interested in purchasing a fully built one also

**Carl B** · 12-15-2009, 14:34

I would be very interested as well. How much are we looking at for a complete ready to use controller and how is a note assign to a beam as I have Chronologie 3 and Oxygene 7 and the beam to note assignment differs between these two tracks.

Carl

**shobley** · 12-15-2009, 14:38

The harp controller currently has 3 assignable banks of up to 10 notes per bank.

Another feature that I'm going to add is control of the second axis to produce a curved harp, or other 3d configurations of beams.

You can change bank with a footswitch - I'm currently toying with the idea of adding the rapid open/close effect that Jarre uses in his latest harp when changing banks.

Here are some movies of the harp in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L84q6pwLIAg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArPwxPxbEc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh18J8WWUU8

I'll PM you...

**Carl B** · 12-15-2009, 16:30

If you search for "Littleboots 12.12.09 Earthquake" on Youtube you can see her using the harp at the beginning and at the end of the song.

Carl

**andy_con** · 12-15-2009, 16:33

if your doing this for little boots does that mean your in the UK?

**soforene** · 12-15-2009, 17:28

Originally Posted by Carl B

If you search for "Littleboots 12.12.09 Earthquake" on Youtube you can see her using the harp at the beginning and at the end of the song.

Still not got the hang of links yet, Carl?

**shobley** · 12-15-2009, 17:59

I'm still based in the US - I had to work quite closely with the tour crew over Email/Skype etc. to get the project completed.

Youtube was useful as well...

**Dr Laser** · 12-15-2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by shobley

The harp controller currently has 3 assignable banks of up to 10 notes per bank.

Another feature that I'm going to add is control of the second axis to produce a curved harp, or other 3d configurations of beams.

You can change bank with a footswitch - I'm currently toying with the idea of adding the rapid open/close effect that Jarre uses in his latest harp when changing banks.

Here are some movies of the harp in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L84q6pwLIAg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArPwxPxbEc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh18J8WWUU8

I'll PM you...

Looking your videos this came up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nx-9xCzM

**soforene** · 12-16-2009, 02:25

Originally Posted by Dr Laser

Looking your videos this came up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nx-9xCzM

Oooohhhh.. I bet somebody got their arse kicked over that one.

**haymaker** · 12-16-2009, 02:55

Looks a very interesting bit of kit, I would also like to know the cost of a fully built unit.

thanks.

**cyberb0b** · 12-16-2009, 16:28

Nice..

And then controll livepro with it

**mccarrot** · 12-16-2009, 16:57

Wow very very nice, I want it also

Whats inside of the detector? I think the detector is the most tricky part.

**QUAZAR** · 12-17-2009, 07:54

Originally Posted by haymaker

Looks a very interesting bit of kit, I would also like to know the cost of a fully built unit.

thanks.

Me too.

I hope they're gonna give you some free tickets if she tours the USA.

**shobley** · 12-17-2009, 10:11

>Free tickets.
Yeah it would be nice...

I did get a signed album.

**lasersbee** · 12-17-2009, 21:15

Hey shobley...

Yesterday I sent you a PM about that Nice case that you are using...

Hmmmm... Still would appreciate a reply...

Jerry

**shobley** · 12-17-2009, 21:21

Hi,

I sent you a reply soon after I got it.

They're made by PACTEC and you can get them online from Electronic Goldmine.

Steve

**lasersbee** · 12-18-2009, 08:03

Originally Posted by shobley

Hi,

I sent you a reply soon after I got it.

They're made by PACTEC and you can get them online from Electronic Goldmine.

Steve

Hey Steve..

OOpps... I missed it.... Sorry..

Thanks for the enclosure info...much appreciated...

Jerry

**allthatwhichis** · 12-18-2009, 09:57

You suck!!! Cause now I want one of these... I want to see one in full RGB.

So the ILDA port connects to a projector correct?

**shobley** · 12-18-2009, 10:01

Yes it does, hooks right up - I have a full RGB running down in my basement, but I used a cheap RGB projector and it's not very good

But I would luuurve to see it running with a good one.

Steve

**allthatwhichis** · 12-18-2009, 12:02

Originally Posted by shobley

But I would luuurve to see it running with a good one.

Steve

You need to come to SELEM then. You have to be closer to Newton, NC than I am. Or you could send me one to... review, and I can take a lot of pictures and video, assuming I can play it.

**danielpower** · 07-05-2010, 10:54

It looks light a projector.

**buffo** · 07-06-2010, 13:49

Originally Posted by shobley

But I would luuurve to see it running with a good one.

Originally Posted by allthatwhichis

You need to come to SELEM then. You have to be closer to Newton, NC than I am.

Aaron has a good point. Steve, you really should come to SELEM and bring one of your harps. There would be plenty of projectors you could connect it to. We'd also have a kick-ass sound system for you to use.

Google-maps says you're about 9 hours from the SELEM venue. That's closer than anyone from the Orlando area... Come on - make the trip!

Adam

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Little Boots Laser Harp

Very nice work Steve!

Good idea!

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