Beamz
Encyclopedia
The beamz is a laser
-based music device, similar to a Theremin
. It is a W-shaped table-top optical control device with several laser beams. Users operate the device by using their hands to interrupt the beams.
, who began working on the device in 2001. Riopelle built the original prototype
with PVC pipe and lasers, and later refined it by working with interactive music pioneers Todor Fay and Melissa Jordan Grey to develop the software that controls the device.
via USB. Each laser beam corresponds to an instrument or sound that the user plays by interrupting the beam. When the player removes his or her hand the sound stops. Even though the player’s interaction with the lasers is random, the device
ensures that the music will always be harmonious.
Six laser triggers and two button-controlled triggers activate up to 64 independently controlled sequences of musical notes or events. When a laser beam is broken, the software program plays a musical note, event, or musical phrase that is always harmonious to the other sounds being played at that time.
, Serato, and Traktor
, Beamz has been used by DJs and musicians, including Tommy Bolan, Craig Chaquico
, David Ellefson
, Vinyl Station, Euge Groove
, and Peter Erskine
.
with the note that using Beamz was fun and a "great way to involve special ed students in music making." The Phoenix Union School District, as well as the Phoenix Children's Hospital, have used Beamz in special education settings. In addition, therapists have used Beamz as a way to engage their patients.
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
-based music device, similar to a Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
. It is a W-shaped table-top optical control device with several laser beams. Users operate the device by using their hands to interrupt the beams.
History
The product was created by musician and record producer Jerry RiopelleJerry Riopelle
Jerry Riopelle is a musician and record producer raised in Tampa, Florida, and known primarily for his hard rock performances and for his record production.- Early career :...
, who began working on the device in 2001. Riopelle built the original prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
with PVC pipe and lasers, and later refined it by working with interactive music pioneers Todor Fay and Melissa Jordan Grey to develop the software that controls the device.
How Beamz Works
The Beamz system connects to a computerComputer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
via USB. Each laser beam corresponds to an instrument or sound that the user plays by interrupting the beam. When the player removes his or her hand the sound stops. Even though the player’s interaction with the lasers is random, the device
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
ensures that the music will always be harmonious.
Six laser triggers and two button-controlled triggers activate up to 64 independently controlled sequences of musical notes or events. When a laser beam is broken, the software program plays a musical note, event, or musical phrase that is always harmonious to the other sounds being played at that time.
DJs and Musicians
Because of its compatibility with industry standards like AbletonAbleton
Ableton AG is a Berlin-based music software company that produces and distributes the production and performance suite Ableton Live and a collection of related instruments and sample libraries.- History :...
, Serato, and Traktor
Traktor
Traktor is a DJ software package developed by Native Instruments. The most recent version, Traktor Pro, offers seamless looping, effects, automatic beat-gridding of tracks, advanced beat detection and Sync Lock for automatic synchronization of tracks, a 4-channel mixer, emulating the Xone:92...
, Beamz has been used by DJs and musicians, including Tommy Bolan, Craig Chaquico
Craig Chaquico
Craig Chaquico is an American guitarist of Portuguese and Native American descent. He has had over thirty years of success in a variety of genres: in the 1970s with the post-Summer of Love Jefferson Starship, in that band's 1980s incarnation, Starship, and in the 1990s and 2000s as a...
, David Ellefson
David Ellefson
David Warren "Dave" Ellefson is a bassist and founding member of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He also goes by "Junior." He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona...
, Vinyl Station, Euge Groove
Euge Groove
Steven Eugene Grove , better known as Euge Groove, is an American smooth jazz saxophonist with a strong Top-40 background....
, and Peter Erskine
Peter Erskine
Peter Erskine is an American jazz drummer and composer. He has enjoyed a long and successful career as a session drummer, recording and touring with many famous jazz and rock artists, including Steely Dan and Weather Report...
.
Educators and Therapists
In August 2010, Beamz was listed among the Best Tools for Schools by the National Association of Music Merchants at the NAMM ShowNAMM Show
The NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center...
with the note that using Beamz was fun and a "great way to involve special ed students in music making." The Phoenix Union School District, as well as the Phoenix Children's Hospital, have used Beamz in special education settings. In addition, therapists have used Beamz as a way to engage their patients.
Related links
- The Beamz Official Website
- Beamz Community
- Beamz Player Selected for The 2010 Toy Insider Hot Holiday Toys List
- Laser harpLaser harpA laser harp is an electronic musical instrument consisting of several laser beams to be blocked, in analogy with the plucking of the strings of a harp, in order to produce sounds. It was invented by Bernard Szajner and popularized by Jean Michel Jarre, and has been a high profile feature of...
- Music visualizationMusic visualizationMusic visualization, a feature found in electronic music visualizers and media player software, generates animated imagery based on a piece of music...
- Music therapyMusic therapyMusic therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their...