Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New Performance Laser Beam Harp for Stage Performing

New model for Stage Performances with a Laser Harp on Stage


We  have designed a new framed Laser Harp model that will not look "Framed", with the harp being all stainless steel in construction

The design has a waist high stainless steel control console, that is only four inches deep, by fourteen inches wide, by 5 feet long. The control console is supported by stainless support pieces that angle out as they stretch up to 10 feet above the players head, until they terminate at 12 feet wide at the top, where a connecting piece ties them together.

The 8 green lasers ( can be set up with Green or Red Lasers, or a mixture of both),  shine up in a fan shape from the control console, to terminate at 8 optic sensors on the top piece. The lasers also will produce visually pleasing 'over splash' of green laser light, flashing over the heads of your audience,  reflecting off the top Stainless Steel cross piece. 

The lasers are triggered by breaking the beams at any point in their transit to the optic sensors, triggering any type of media, audio or visual , in loops, sequences, single note/ sound, up to 70 times per second. The fully programmable software is installed in the compact lap top computer that is installed in the control console( removable for transport). The software includes a wave file editor and a built-in synthesizer. 

The lasers can also be reflected to additional optic sensors that are mounted in the control console surface, using the analog effect of changing voltage produced by different levels of laser light reflected to these sensors. This analog aspect of the software can produce variable pitch and volume change in the already triggered sounds and sequences produced by breaking the beams that shine at the top set of sensors, as well as additional variable sounds and image projections.
This reflecting can be done with just the bare hands, though reflective gloves can be worn to add to the effect and visual appeal. ( The low powered lasers used are considered safe by the US FDA, to interact with, with bare hands).The reflected green laser beams also will flash off the Stainless Steel control consul surface, adding additional flashes of brilliant green Laser Light.

There is in addition a set of four control buttons or pedals that can be triggered to change the programming of all 16 sensor channels to an entirely new set of music/ sounds/ notes/ video and still imagery.

Visual imagery and audio sounds can be triggered at the same time in all channels.

Imagine,..... eight Green lasers shooting up in a spreading fan of brilliant green Light,  to sensors overhead, and the stainless steel top rib reflecting and splitting the over-splash of the beams to shine all over and above the audience in a performing space...you break those beams, trigger waves of music chords, sounds of space and nature, while also with the same beams triggering visual projectors to display large images moving on the scrim at the back of your stage,...... while the Brilliant Green Laser Beams you are breaking are also being reflected to other sensors on your control console to trigger secondary programming, including volume /pitch change via the level of reflected Laser Light. All the while, the over splash form the Green Lasers is flashing off the highly reflective Steel. 

 All of this in a streamlined space-age very slim and low profile, stainless steel frame ! ;-)
The software we use has the capacity to respond to a break of a laser beam up to 70 times per second. You can program up to 60 events per 'song', with an endless number of possible 'song' combination of any type of audio-visual event, image, video, sound sampled wave files, etc. The software is fully programmable with an on-screen syntheses and wave file editor, available to pre-program an endlessVarietyy of sound and visual scapes of any type of audio or visual event file or element.. This Laser Light Harp model will have 16 channels available. Our software can control three LCD or other type of projectors from one lap top, computer when an extra video card is installed.

This all Stainless Steel, modular/foldable, compact for transport Laser Harp, with 8 Green and/or Red  lasers and 16 audio/visual trigger channels, fully equipped with laptop computer & software multimedia controller system, can be custom ordered for US$19,000. Shipping is extra.

New 'Plug And Play' Laser Beam Harp Installations for Science and Children`s Museums

For Science and Children`s Museums

 For installation in your Science or Children`s Museum, we can design a compact lap or floor sized laser harp that looks just like a harp. The cabinet and Harp are both constructed form very durable Rock Maple, finished with tough Poly finish, and can be colored with a wide range of colored stains or tints.

We can build for you a compact self contained unit of a beautiful hardwood  base cabinet that houses all the electronics, computer and stereo sound system, with a Laser Beam Light Harp mounted securely to the top. This option is all self contained, needing only a AC power jack in the floor below the cabinet ( either 110 or 220, a step down transformer will be supplied in the case of 220 power). This Laser Harp comes with full instruction/installation manual including photos, and is 'plug and play', with full functioning assembly taking only an hour or two.

The software we use has the capacity to respond to a break of a laser beam up to 70 times per second. You can program up to 60 events per 'song', with an endless number of possible 'song' combination of any type of audio-visual event, image, video, sound sampled wave files, etc. The software is fully programmable with an on-screen syntheses and wave file editor, available to pre-program an endless Variety of sound and visual-scapes of any type of audio or visual event file or element. The software comes with many pre-programmed 'song' selections, and is fully custom programmable for your needs.  

This system with 8 red and/or green Lasers, comes fully equipped, ready to 'plug & play', for US$14,800 . Shipping is extra, but with a compact shipping crate, can be easily shipped worldwide.

 
www.laserharps.com

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This is a new custom caved 30 string nylon harp under construction, the "Jewel Harp", to be decoreted with precious gem stones.

This is a new custom caved 30 string nylon harp under construction. It is being built from Myrtle wood. tech carved parts will have various gem stones , some with gold settings, as part of the carved shapes, and flowing whirls of wood. The stones include diamonds, amethyst, citrines, rubies and sapphires.

In these first  shots, I have just laminated the extra wood needed to allow me to carve the final shapes from. teh last two pictures show the carving part way done.

New Design for Framed Laser Beam Light Harp, all Stainless Steel construction.

I have designed a new framed Laser Harp model that will not look "Framed", with
the harp being all stainless steel in construction. The design has a
waist high stainless steel control console, that is only four inches
deep, by fourteen inches wide, by 5 feet long. The control console is
supported by stainless support... pieces that angle out as they stretch up
to 10 feet above the players head, until they terminate at 12 feet wide
at the top, where a connecting pieces ties them together.

The 8 green lasers shine up in a fan shape from the control console, to terminate at 8 optic sensors on the top piece. The lasers are triggered by breaking the beams at any point in their transit to the optic sensors, triggering any type of media, audio or visual , in loops, sequences, single note/ sound, up to 70 times per second. The fully ... See More programmable software is installed in the compact lap top computer that is installed in the control console( removable for transport). The software includes a wave file editor and a built-in either. The lasers can also be reflected to additional optic sensors that are mounted in the control console surface, using the analog effect of changing voltage produced by different levels of laser light reflected to these sensors. This analog aspect of the software can produce variable pitch and volume change in the already triggered sounds and sequences produced by breaking the beams that shine at the top set of sensors. There is in addition a set of four control buttons or pedals that can be triggered to change the programing of all 16 sensor channels to an entirely new set of music/ sounds/ notes/ video and still imagery. Visual imagery and audio sounds can be triggered at the same time in all channels.

This Laser Harp model is available by custom order, for $18,000 . 

Cherry Red Electro-acoustic harp

Here are some pictures of a 36 string Cherry Red electro-acoustic harp I am working on currently.Here below you can see the drawings for the sound board paintings. The paintings will be over the natural Spruce, framed by it, with the whole sound board then being lacquer over the acrylic paint.

Photos of JCM Laser Harp under construction

Here is the JCM Laser Harp in it`s first stage of construction. This Laser Harp will have 7 low powered green lasers shinning onto optic sensors, with the laser beams looking like harp strings. The Myrtle wood will be carved to look like it was carved form the trunk and branch of an Olive tree, complete with small branches with leaves and olives ! ;-)

Photos of JCM Laser Harp under construction

I am just completing the assembllyof a Laser Harp I am building for the Jewish children`s Museum in Brooklyn NY. I will add more wood to create the main body part and then start to carve away all the wood that dose not look like a Lyre made from part of an olive Tree. It will have small branches with leaves and olives ...with Gilding, all made from Myrtle wood, with 7 green Laser beams to trigger music 'played'.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Completed Cambria 34 Harp, Cherry wood, Spruce Sound board, full set of Camac levers.

This is a completed Cambria 34 Harp, built from all solid Cherry wood, with a solid Spruce Sound board, and a full set of Camac sharping levers.
The strings are nylon, with wrapped metal base strings, with a note range from fifth octave -C, up to A.. The string tension is medium-high, typical of most of the lever harps being played today. The string spacing is a comfortable spacing that any harpists can play easily, not too wide or too narrow.

We sell these harp models in three sizes, 22, 29 and 34 strings, and the 22 string model is also available in a wire strung version. The 29 and 34 string models are available in four different stages of construction, as well as just blue prints and instruction manuals. The 22 string models are just available as Stage I kits, which consist of everything a builder needs but the wood. The 29 & 34 string kits are also available this way. A Stage I kit can be easily sent anywhere in the world, since the package is very compact.

The Stage II kits for the 29 & 34 have all the wood supplied, with some of the hardest parts done. All the pieces are cut out, and the sides of the sound box are glued to the end blocks.

The Stage III kits come to the builder almost finished, with only two small glue joints to assemble. All the hardware and string holes are pre-drilled and tested. All the rough sanding is finished for you, with just the fine sanding and clear lacquering to be done, along with the hardware and string installation. The fully complete Cambria 29 & 34 models are our Stage IV kits, ready to be played!

Please see our Cambria Harp Kits & Plans website for more detailed information ! :-) http://www.markwoodstrings.com/cambri...

Here is a video I just uploaded to Youtube, of me playing this harp ! :-)

Thursday, February 25, 2010


I currently have  a custom Electro-acoustic 36 string harp, one completed custom Laser beam harp, and two Custom Wire Strung harps available for sale and ready to be shipped.

Custom Black Walnut Acoustic-electric 36 nylon Strings
 One of my clients has let me know that he needs to sell an electro-acoustic harp I built for him a few years ago. It is 36 nylon strings, with medium to high string tension, built from Black Walnut, with a solid spruce sound board. It has a full set of Loveland sharping levers.
The decoration, as you can see, is designed in a Bamboo style, with Bamboo shaped back sound joles, relief carving on the side of the pillar. There are also mini partially pierced sound holes/ carvings with black detailing, on the sound board.
The sound system is dual output stereo/mono, using the individual RMC string transducers. This is the same system that Lyon & Healy uses on their electric harps.

It is for sale ...for $4,900 plus shipping from the SF bay region of Northern California. 

Please contact me for information on how you may contact the owner, to talk to him, or to see and play this harp in person, if you are in the area.

Custom Carved Myrtle wood Laser Harp with 8 green Lasers. 
This is a Carved Myrtle wood Laser Harp with 8 green Lasers. Here shown both with fog and the lasers running, and with no fog and the lasers turned off.

I rarely build a Custom Harp that has not been commissioned. But this is one I just built in the fall of 2009 to show at a Science and Technology Center Conference in Texas. It is styled a bit like one that I am building for the 'Jewish Children`s Museum' in NY, NY. That commissioned project will be carved to look like the harp was carved from an olive tree trunk/branches , with lots of Organic detail.
This harp is about 38 inches tall, designed to be installed on the top of a display cabinet or counter, about four high. The supplied software and midi controller will respond to breaks of the laser beams up to 70 times per second. Up to 60 sound or visual 'events', can be programmed for each laser beam, and their is a supplied four-button control box, that can be mounted with the harp, that allows museum patrons to scroll through as many different programs as you desire, or both sound and visuals. The system can control up to three LCD or similar type projectors, via a computer, to allow the lasers to trigger still or video images. With three projectors you can create almost a full immersion experience.

The lasers and sensor as both mounted in such a way that they are protected from damage via exploring fingers or other objects.
Please see my Laser Harp page for specs on all the midi/multimedia control equipment and software that is included with this Laser Harp.
It is currently for sale and available for $15,000, complete with software and all multimedia control equipment, ready to hook to a Laptop computer and sound system.
Thirty Three strings, Rock Maple Bronze wire strung harp
  
Maple wire harp, 33 stringsMaple wire ,33 string harp

his harp shown above  is a wire strung harp built from Birds eye Rock Maple with a solid Spruce sound board a full set of Loveland levers. these is also colorful Celtic designs painted on the sound board. It is in Brand New condition.

 This unusual wire strung harp is built from Rock Maple with Solid Spruce sound board. It also has a complete set of 33 Loveland sharpening levers. The note range is from Fourth Octave C, up to First Octave A.
The combination of the spruce sound board with the rock Maple sound box, gives this harp a bright bell-like sound, but without too much over ring, that you can have from a hardwood sound board. The Loveland levers work perfectly for Bronze wire strings, and This harp has a beautiful five sided staved sound box, with the highly decorative wood grain that Birds Eye Maple wood is know for. Bird`s Eye Maple is highly figured, with many different shades and tones of golden-white and brown.

This harp was built to be comfortable to be played with the finger tips or nails. the string spacing is perfectly placed for either playing style. There is a solid Spruce sound board, made from Old Growth Engelmann Spruce, with very tight growth rings. This marvelous tone wood has been air- dried for at least twenty years. The Spruce was used to balance with the Maple, for a sound that is bright and carries well, but that does not have excessive over-ring.

The full set of Loveland levers give you a fully levered bronze wire strung harp, for the most flexibility in playing any type of music. The Loveland Levers work extremely well on bronze strings, when the lever set is designed and installed properly. They are very gentle on the bronze strings, since they do not force the strings in pushing direction. Instead these levers gently cradle the strings, producing a solid tone when engaged, giving you all the normal key changes that lever harps are able to do.
The sound board is beautifully painted with Celtic designs, in a tasteful blend of Red, Green and Blue colors. this harp comes with a custom Blue colored soft padded case, and a custom shaped tuning key, also made from figured Maple.

Please call or write me if you would like more information on this harp!

 

 Regular  Price: $4,800.00
Sale Price: $3,000.00
Shipping cost to be determined at time of purchase.
Location of harp is Southern Oregon, near Ashland & California border.



Custom 20 wire strings Myrtle Wood Harp
This little wire strung lap harp is designed to be comfortable to be played with the finger tips and/or fingernails. There is a full set of Loveland sharping levers, which work very well with the bronze strings. The sound board is Engelmann Spruce, which matches very well with the Oregon Myrtle wood sound box, neck and pillar. The Spruce give a very nice sound that does not over-ring, sounding much like the ancient Willow wood wire strung harps of Ireland. The Loveland levers work well as they are set up to have just a gentle but clear, one point contact to the wire strings, which prevents crimping. The decoration on this harp consist of a spray of carved leaves on top of the harp neck, and an inlayed and engraved Star pattern of Koa and Holly wood veneers, with Celtic knot work inside the design. The harp is equipped with a Myrtle wood display cradle to rest in. 
This harp is for sale for  $1,500, not including shipping. 
It is currently located in MA, on the American East Coast, and will be shipped form there. If you are in that area of the country, and would like to see this harp in person, I can put you in contact with the owner to make arrangements.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Working on new Pentatonic Harp design in my shop today

I am creating a design/drawing for a client today in my shop, for a large Double  Pentatonic harp. It will have 5 octaves, with 60 strings in total, set up with the longest string in the middle, and then with two identical string sets in one line going out from that middle string, like a mirror image of each other. These nylon and composite metal strings will be set into an oval neck frame, with the sounding box at the bottom of the harp. It will be about 68 inches tall. the tuning pegs will be in the top of the neck, along with bridge pins. There will be no levers, since the tuning is to be only played pentatonic.

I am not sure if this one will be built, as the clinet has nto yet decided which way he wants to go, with a more typical double harp, or with this approach! :-)

Sunday, January 10, 2010

New Mountain Glen Custom harp page on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=name&id=1647122326#/pages/Mountain-Glen-Harps-LLC-Custom-one-of-a-kind-Harps/397266495566?ref=mf

Facebook | LaserHarps LLC, Custom one-of-a-kind Multimedia Laser Beam Harps

Facebook | LaserHarps LLC, Custom one-of-a-kind Multimedia Laser Beam Harps

New web site up and running !! New photos of harps under construction too !



OK, got my Totally new web sites up and running, a couple days ago, both www.laserharps.com, and wwwmountainglenharps.com

If you catch any typos, please let me know !! :-)

And here are a couple of shots of two harps on my workbench that are almost finished!

One is a 34 string Cherry wood harp that will be nylon strung, with Camac levers.


The other is a Carved Cherry wood 33 string nylon strung acoustic-electric-midi harp, that is also set up with 6 green lasers. This is a first of a kind hybrid string/laser harp that anyone has built. It has the capacity for each string to send out a midi signal coded to the string`s pitch, that can allow the harp to play any sounds to go with the strings, in harmony with those notes generated by the strings. There is a set of 7 triple slide switches , that act as 'midi pedals' to sharp or flat all the midi signals for all the C`s, D`s, ect, so that the midi signals are the same pitch as the strings are when their levers are flipped up.


The lasers will allow the triggering of any back ground musical or natural sounds, and /or projected video and still images, to go with the music being played. This harp is a custom creation for a Harpists who plays Nature oriented Celtic music. So for example she might be playing Celtic music while she is triggering back ground sounds of ocean waves, while one-to-three LCD projectors are showing video of a seas shore scene.

The multimedia controller that goes with the Lasers actually has 12 channels available , with 6 being used by lasers, and the other 6 being used in this harp by a multi-channel midi pedal. the Harpist will be able to use this pedal to capture and trigger loops of music she has just played, to accompany herself. The triggering can be via one of the lasers beams, that can have up to 60 sequences of sound or images programed on it. The Lasers will also react to their light being broken, to trigger sound or video, up to 70 times per second.

When this harp is finished, I will be posting videos of it being played, with haze to illuminate the lasers. There are two green Lasers that shoot up the soundboard, to sensors hidden under the carved leaves that you see in the picture. Those beams will reflect off the lacquer of the soundboard to give the harp soundboard a green glow, to go along with the gold of the Spruce soundboard. The harp has cared cherry wood leaves all over the carving, which when finished will have touches of mother-of-pearl based green paint to highlight their veins and edges. So the finished harp will be Rich Red Cherry wood with iridescent green highlights in places, with a gold Spruce sound board and with a green halo to the whole instrument, when the lasers are lit!! :-)

Monday, January 4, 2010

New Photos of my latest Laser Harp



I have been deep in the depths of HTML code, working on my web site , that is only three years behind !! But........ it should be up tonight. Right now we are having a problem with FireFox Not showing the background color, but if you use Internet Explore, you can see it right now at this address: www.mountainglenharps.com/index.htm

Meanwhile here are a couple of photos of this latest Laser Harp: