Dancing Laser Light

 

Laser speaker setup

There are many types of images a LASER can produce. Here are some simple examples you can try out with a laser pen. Please note, as a rule lasers are not toys, they can be dangerous if care is not taken.

Please read any instructions that came with your laser-pen or laser unit. By trying out the experiments shown here you do so at your own risk.

When using lasers for displays, people should be at least one meter away from the beam, and Not allowed look directly into the beam, i.e. project your masterpiece onto a high wall or a ceiling. Have fun :-)

 

Requirements.

  1. Laser pen
  2. Sound system
  3. iPod/ MP3/ Record player
  4. Open speaker
  5. A good taste in music :)
  6. A small light mirror
  7. Tabletop tripod
  8. Glue / Blutak
  9. A strip of cardboard
  10. Packing/ masking tape

Dancing Laser

 

To begin, any sound source will do, you don't have to have the best in modern sound equipment.
The key element is an open faced speaker, i.e. you can see the speaker cone. Its probably best to salvage a speaker from an old appliance, because depending on your enthusiasm you may damage your good speakers.

I would recommend an old tv speaker to start with, this has a broad range of frequencies.
Start by placing your mirror onto the loudspeaker. This can be done in various ways, the way you "stick" the mirror to the speaker will determine the overall "shape" and "speed" of the projected image. 

 

Method one

Glue the mirror directly onto the speaker cone, about two thirds away from the centre. If this is done on the bottom part of the cone, the mirror will be angled towards the ceiling. Next point the dot of your laser onto the mirror. For best result and safety "fix" your laser to something solid and take aim. Play your favourite piece of music and watch the laser dance to music

Method two

To get a broader pattern of dancing laser light, fix the mirror to a strip of cardboard, the length and width of the cardboard will depend on the size of the speaker. The idea is to allow the mirror to bounce up and down, in and away from the speaker.

 

This gives a better response to the music and allows more complex patterns to emerge. As the mirror bounces back and forth the laser will project a continuous pattern which will be made by the combination of music and bounce.


Red laser out put on a wall
Click here to see laser videos
(requires broadband and flash).
Mirror on speaker with reflected green laser light

 

As light is faster than sound, echo's of the previous images will overlay one another and create an effect that's is unique to the parameters of your sound system, your bouncing mirror and of course the music that your playing. Its a bit like a 3D oscilloscope.

Tip: wrap the length of cardboard in masking / packing tape, this will strengthen the cardboard. Make sure the mirror is stuck firmly to the cardboard, particularly if you  enjoy loud bassy sounds. I've seen mirrors shoot off these devices in the past, you don't want to be hit.....