Laserharps Pre-order!

[Bradfo69]

The circuitry isn't really designed for running stepper motors, so they probably won't work at all.

The galvo's do not need to be expensive, the cheap 20K sets you find on eBay for like $70 occasionally will do fine.

Thanks. Let the search begin!

[Carl B]

OK, just an update. Got the application working pretty well last night, and I was happy with the operation of the laser harp code. The kits will ship EMS to csshih tomorrow, so they should be in your hands very soon!

It's not added quite yet, but we will also be adding a feature that will let you set the play velocity as well It has already been programmed onto your microcontrollers, and I can tell you how to set it manually if you need it right away, but I intend on adding it very soon anyway.

Here is a view of the simplified GUI



Cheers,
Dan

That set of note banks look familiar.

Carl

[Things]

They are now on their way to csshih

I'll post links to the manual in a few days, just need to redo the section about updating note banks.

Also, there is going to be a second batch. So, anyone that didn't make the first one, is welcome to hop on the next batch

You may pre-order for the 2nd batch at any time.

Cheers,
Dan

[Stoney3K]

Can you sell us blank, unpopulated boards with a bill of materials so we can source materials locally?

Should save up considerably on shipping, since a set of PCB's in an envelope can go through regular snail mail, where a bag of components might need to go through package post.

Aside from the fact that there may be some good suppliers on the other end of the world who have free shipping already.

[Things]

The problem with that is, I'd still need to supply the microcontrollers with the code on them

The chances of you getting the materials locally any cheaper are pretty slim. Since ordering in large amounts like I am, you start getting some pretty decent quantity discounts. For example, the light sensors start at around $3 a pop in single quantities, but when you buy over 30 of them, then you start getting discounts like $1.40

[GoolGaul]

Q: Is there an option/way to do more than 10 notes? I need 12 for a few tunes...
if not, how long does it take to switch between preset banks? Does the laser do anything visible during that time or is the only indication the RGB led?

also a note on notebanks.

If you're going to be using almost any kind of software as your MIDI device, you will be able to set up note assignments.
If you are using sequenced material along with your live playing, you can possibly do assignment changes live (like with Ableton Live)

Some Midi modules will also do some of that fun stuff as well.

[Things]

Hi, yeah, so far there are only 10 beams, however, switching between banks is instant, and there is no visual effect. However, if you are holding a note and switch the bank, that note will probably end up stuck on.

And yes, note assignment can be done in software most of the time as well, so you could set up for a certain beam to move the whole octave up/down and a heap of other fun stuff. It's just your standard run of the mill MIDI device

[Stoney3K]

The problem with that is, I'd still need to supply the microcontrollers with the code on them

I may not be the only one on here who has a complete AVR development kit and some spare, blank AVR processors lying around. New ones are about $5 a pop for ATMEGA16's, so that's cheaper than using an Arduino every which way. So we don't need any programmed or bespoke components, although a binary (or source) file of the AVR code would be useful.

[csshih]

If all goes well the kits will be in my hands tomorrow (and shipped shortly thereafter).

Craig

[csshih]

They have landed.


ah, purpley color traces are from my monitor's reflection.

Shipping will commence in a few hours. I have class.

Craig

Edit: finished packing up everything but missed the post office deadline for today. sorry!