Ok, I just bought (still have to pay, but will pay tomorrow), this "30K" scanner: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170330436920. It is the laserpic z30 scanner. I don't really know much about scanners, but would want to set this up for CHEAP. I realize I need a DAC to control it, and as far as I know, the cheapest solution is a DIY Sound Card DAC using this: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15746 and this: http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_d...ection_Amp.php. I plan on using just my regular pointers for now (using a tripod mount), until I decide to make/buy better modules. Until then, I just want to get it set up. My questions are:

1. Just to see it working, is there anything else I'd need other than the DAC (op Amp correction + USB sound card), the scanners, and a laser (and comp)?

2. How exactly do I configure the Dr. Lava LaserBoy Correction Amp?

I'm sure I may have a few more questions, but until then, help would be appreciated

I'd like to second the very excellent questions above. I just finished building the correction amp and I'm waiting for the sound card, so it would be awesome to hear some input from anyone with some experience with the sound card DAC method. I'm planning on using spaghetti, but I figure there must be some other software that is handy to go along with it..

Yeah, I'm planning on using Spaghetti and LaserBoy. As far as my understanding, Spaghetti is a little easier to use, but can't do as much as LaserBoy could. LaserBoy is advanced, and (I'm afraid to say this) but CAN produce an amazing show that any other software can.. it's just harder to use.

Run on over to PhotonLexicon.com they will have all your answers... I think "Things" used the soundcard DAC on this Forum. But you best bet is PL.. Welcome to the world or scanners! your wallet willl hate you from now on.

Hi. I write the Spaghetti software. Spaghetti and LaserBoy are totally different things. LaserBoy is more of an application to create laser frames but it won't create laser shows. Spaghetti is an application to create and play laser shows that are synchronized to music. It is similar to applications such as Mamba Black, HE Laserscan, etc.

Personally, I don't even use LaserBoy. Spaghetti does all I need. LaserBoy is kind of like MS Paint and Spaghetti is more like Microsoft Movie Maker.

Also, if you want info on sound cards go to http://www.akrobiz.com/laserboy/forum/ PL is not really a good place to go for info on soundcards since neither I nor James Lehman(LaserBoy) post there anymore. We are both regulars on the LaserBoy forums, though. Hope to see you there and to answer all of your questions.

Also, if you would like a trial version of Spaghetti let me know. I can arrange that since I am the developer.

You need to tune the amp board's X/Y channels to swing +/-5v, and the blanking channels to 0-5v (best way to do this is with an oscilloscope)

If you have a computer, dac, amp board, the scanners, and a laser you should be ready to go

^Good stuff all! Especially thanks carmangary (I joined your google group, so you'll be hearing from me regarding a full version of spaghetti) and MarioMaster. Extremely helpful, both of you.

too late!!

damn, I always thought spaghetti was free, I guess I was wrong. I'll probably just stick with laserboy then for now... but in the future maybe i'll buy spaghetti. Anyway, so in order to set the sound card DAC correctly, is there a guide anywhere on how to do that? Or is there a manual or something which explains which pots control the x/y and which controls the blanking channels?

I don't have an oscilloscope, but I know my school has several old ones. I'll just have to ask my electronics teacher if he could help me one day either during my lunch period, or after school.

lol, I certainly hope not. I really want to build this as cheap as possible. I figured I got the scanner for around $160. Will hopefully get the soundcard DAC working for around $65. Will use LaserBoy (free), and will use pointers which I already have (no additional cost), so total would be around $225+ until I get a case (will try to use an old computer case), and then will probably want to add other color lasers than just green (that's where cost will probably start racking up, because then I'd probably need precise mounts if I use my own modules/will have to buy lab ones + will need expensive dichros w/ mounts).

http://laserpointerforums.com/laser_...ad.php?t=40349
cheap o-scope

Six soundcard (5.1) output channels are connected to the correction amp. If you look at the correction amp card you'll see that it has six inputs and outputs and six sections, each containing two resistors and two pots. Aside from having the grounds properly connected, I don't think it matters which soundcard channel goes to which correction amp section, just as long as you can keep track of where you decide to put them so that you know what outputs connect to which soundcard channels. (experts: correct me if I'm wrong..)

As far as which soundcard outputs control which part of the scanner (X,Y TTL/Analog blanking, etc..) I expect that will be decided by your software..

Thanks for the help^^. I think I understand everything now. I guess I'll order the correction amp and the usb sound card soon (my paypal limit was reached, I'm in the process of getting verified so that I can send money).

Alex... I just sent you a PM.

one thing to consider that i had forgotten about when i was getting ready to build my laser show was: blanking, blanking is when you draw out text all of your letters will not be connected, when you dont have blanking you will see your text is more like cursive. basically blanking eliminates joined lines. this will describe it better then i did: How Laser Shows Work - Scanning Systems - www.LaserFX.com

so the only way out of this situation is if you bought a module that supports TTL banking: Industrial TTL Green laser Module 50~60mW£*>5¡«500mW green laser module£*>Laser&lighting products£*>www.0-like.com

and that is then hooked up to your dac

May I mention, as Gary mentioned, laserboy is like a MS paint, you can't output to your laser from it, you would have to write to a .wav audio file and play it. I would recommend buying Spaghetti, it is a great program, and you are supporting Gary, who is very helpful

Tuning the Correction Amp:

Connect it to your computer, make sure it's properly installed and set on 6 or 8 channels in it's config (Doesn't matter which), and also your default sound device.

Don't play anything through the card, just let it idle while connected to USB, but connect your DMM/o'scope to output 1 and a G on the correction amp. Adjust the OFFSET pot untill it's at 0V, then move onto channel 2 and do the same thing (You can just use the same ground each time).

Then go back to channel 1, and play this file http://files.getdropbox.com/u/203420/max.zip in any media player AS LONG is it supports multi-channel output (most do).

Adjust the GAIN pot on channel 1 until you get 5V, then do channel 2 etc.

Then your done, maybe put a little blob of glue on the pots so they don't move accidentally, although sometimes if you switch computers, your voltages may change slightly, but the tolerance on components used are enough to allow this minor difference.

WHAT !!!! ????

I realize this comment is old, but COME ON, MAN!

LaserBoy certainly CAN produce a whole laser show!!!

From the very beginning, I have put a lot of effort into making LaserBoy a complete system. It might not be the easiest way to do it, but it can do everything you need to make a whole laser show ~ with a sound track!

James.

How does that work? Does it save the audio into the wav file along with the laser frames, and sends it out on the 2 spare soundcard DAC channels, or ?

Yes!

To be fair.... as I said, it's not the easiest way....

You make a 6 channel wave of laser signals in LaserBoy and you splice a stereo audio wave with it to make an 8 channel wave (also in LaserBay). You need to pay attention to the sample rates of both to be the same.

No. There is no time alignment editor or anything like that..... yet.

I'm still working out every last stinkin' sample that is necessary to make the most perfect optimization I possibly can. Once I have all of that, from beginning to end, I can work the numbers backward and make a laser show piece exactly the same number of samples as a segment of music.

It is also possible to use the free and OS independent Audacity to visually edit waves together and save them as a single 8 channel wave.

Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder (Super useful tool!)

Thanks for asking!

This was my goal for a target device for LaserBoy from the very beginning!

8 Channel USB sound device for LaserBoy

This hardware arrangement is also perfect for showing hard drive transcriptions of ADAT shows (saved as 8 channel waves).

BTW: ANY laser show produced with ANY DAC can be digitally recorded and turned into a wave. Wave is the Grand Unification of laser display signals!

James.

@ Things

What is this file ?, thanks

[QUOTE=Things;604124]
this file
http://files.getdropbox.com/u/203420/max.zip

^It's a .wav file that maxes out the audio channels on a sound card DAC so that it can be properly tuned. With the channels maxed, you can then set the max output voltage on each channel. Once that's done the DAC is tuned and ready to go.