Introducing Modulaser: the semi-modular laser synth

[RogerVolst]

Hi there, I hope it's ok to post this here on your most excellent forums.

Some background: We've been discovering laser abstracts for quite some time. Always liked the idea of visual laser synthesis, but the way software did this felt too limiting. At the time we were also discovering sound with modular synthesizers in eurorack. We found out it was possible to use this modular synth for ILDA projectors as well (using LZX Cyclops). We got really excited by the endless possibilities of modular laser synthesis using hardware. HOWEVER. This was unusable for performances. We couldn’t save patches, let alone transitioning between them. Also, it was crazy expensive hahaha...

Modulaser
That’s when the idea of Modulaser was born: a modular approach to digital laser synthesis. We used inspiration from various great apps to shape our own ideas into something useful. Some of the features we love are:

• Modularity: modulators like LFO's and audio can modulate pretty much anything
• Ableton Link (syncs bpm with other audio/visual software in the same network)
• Layering (and easily transitioning between them)
• MIDI support (for knobs, triggering clips or just syncing BPM)
• Audio input
• 6 Waveforms (sine, square, sawtooth, triangle, line and noise) with slope control
• ILDA file record
• DAC output (currently EtherDream, LaserDock and Helios, Pangolin Beyond coming soon)
• Perspective mapping
• Mac and Windows

Download
There's a free trial that you can download right away:
https://modulaser.app

P.S. because it's still a somewhat early stage, feedback is super important to us! If you have any requests or questions, don't hesitate to let me know

 

[lasersbee]

Would be nice if you introduced yourself to the
Forum members and told us a little about your
self and interests in the Welcome section...

Jerry

 

[CDBEAM777]

Yes....do give us some background !!

Now...THIS is interesting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Programe Demo now loads....with Chrome as Browser. FB3

OK...My DAC is Pangolin Quick Show....Will it work with this ??? If Not....I will purchase a DAC from you !!!

This is exactly what I have been working on with Audo linked to Lumia ( Solar Prominence Project )....But..I Like this MUCH better.

Such a product as this will allow anyone with a laptop and a Laser Projector....to really jump into Laser Abstract projection...
well...at least I think so !!!!!!!!!

Perfect timing….as I have been tinkering with Eurorack modules for some time....But then...NO waste there....as I can feed the VCO into this programe !!!...or Audio.....What an inexpensive way to get your feet wet !!!!…..$ 68.00 USD......That is what it costs for a movie and popcorn for the family !!!

PM me....I have many other questions....and cannot wait to get started !!! Guys....This is really a Game Changer......

You may ask....Which Laser Projector......OK...I really recommend X-Laser....and go with a 3 Watt output....Good for indoor venue...NOT outdoor !!

Disclaimer....I have no ties to these guys....I just think....they got a winner here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CDBEAM

 

[RogerVolst]

Thanks for your review CDBEAM

Jerry, will post an introduction, thanks for your suggestion!

Roger

 

[CDBEAM777]

I'm tell'in ya....THIS software ..." Is Da Schizzz ".....OK.....Laser beams are beautiful....YES.....Laser Beam shown are amazing....but....well....for me....er....ah....limited !! Producing Laser Graphic Vector shows....Looks good....BUT...at least for me....I am WAY to Lazy to do this !! So...WHAT is left ?????

1) Laser Lumia projection
2) Laser Abstract....Ocillator generations or linked to Audio ( Music) imput

SOOOooooo...I am a fan of Laser Lumia....but....while Laser Lumia is Organic and Non-Linear in nature.....well....it is also limited.

Now...Laser Abstract Generation....AS A FUNCTION of MUSIC.....Now....HMMMMM....THAT synergy offers....thousands and thousands of combinations of Sight/Sound Linked presentations !!!!! A real avenue for expanding the application of our most beloved coherent light !!!!

Try it out...... I still have a great luv for Handhelds......and will continue to push that envelop......But....If yer look'in for a new, Undiscovered Country......THIS is it !! Thanx Modulaser !!

CDBEAM

 

[CDBEAM777]

Well.....If you EVER want more than beams....try this program !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just received my " Helios DAC " on Tuesday. DAC = Digitial Analogue Converter ( A small box about the size of a pac of smokes ). SO...Digital Output from your laptop....while running the Modulaser software....is converted into an Analogue signal.....which is then supplied to Laser Projector. The DAC does the conversion !!!
A Laser projector can be just one color, Red, Green or Blue.....but is typically a RGB mix !! IIRC 16 million colours are available !!
When the Modulaser software is routed through a DAC.....then on to the projector....BOY....CAN THIS THING COOK !!!! Just Beautiful Abstract patterns are displayed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The patterns one can generate....are....almost endless !!! You can download a trial program for FREE !!!! The Free software has the record function disabled !!! ALL other features work !!! Try it out !!! CDBEAM

 

[Meoweth]

How does this compare with the laseros app for lasercube?

 

[hakzaw1]

THANKS OP

 

[RutgerVolst]

How does this compare with the laseros app for lasercube?

LaserOS can launch many apps/programs, like games, visuals, text and even a clock. One of its apps is 'Abstracts', which uses frequencies to draw a line in 3 dimensions: x, y and z. These frequencies create abstract visuals.
Modulaser doesn't let you draw a clock or games, instead, its a dedicated abstract generator. Our app shares the same base as the abstracts-feature, but its simply much more advanced. It cannot only do more, but we also focussed on making the program very simple to understand.

Compare LaserOS with a smartphone: it does everything (calling, browse the internet, flashlight, e-reader, take photos) and we love it for that.
Modulaser would be a professional DSLR-camera: it does one thing very well and you have full control over everything that is happening.

A notable difference between the two is that Modulaser is modular: you can link sources like frequencies, audio or MIDI sources to any parameter. Let's say you want to change the color of a visual as you make noise. You can then just hook up the audio-input to the color hue. Because its so easy, its a lot of fun to explore what happens when you connect things to each other.

I think it's best to see for yourself, Modulaser has a free trial that you can hook up to your LaserCube!
If you have any questions let me know

 

[RogerVolst]

We've just launched version 1.5!


Features

• MIDI clock BPM sync! If you have a device that sends MIDI clock signals, we can now calculate the BPM from it! Enable it first in the preferences.
• Mixer modulator; this is an advanced modulator to mix multiple signals together, invert them and apply smoothing to your inputs.
• Blackout button; for when you want to really quickly toggle the laser output without disconnecting your DAC. Tip: use esc on your keyboard to toggle!
• Press spacebar multiple times to sync the BPM.
• Precise sequencer values; you can now enter an exact value for each sequence bar instead of only being able to drag the bars.
• Duration between clips when using auto-play is now configurable in the preferences.
• Double-click on a projection map name to change it.

Bugfixes

• For some DAC's you had to press the "start DAC" button twice before it would actually send laser output.
• The Laserdock DAC would only work for the first time, when you would start and stop it again there would be no laser output.
• Fixed a weird issue with disappearing clips after a second file is opened.
• Changing the BPM by typing a new BPM in the text field was nearly impossible.
• Many bugs with ILDA recording have been fixed.

 

[RogerVolst]

We've released a new version of Modulaser; 1.9.0. Please head on over to our chagelog to see what's been added and fixed!

Features

• Added Phase Speed BPM sync. Requested by a lot of users. This one's really awesome!
• Added a global speed modifier. With this you can temporarily increase or decrease the speed of your visuals.
• Added a Sequence Generator to the Sequencer. With this you can crease precise sequences without much hassle!
• Hold Shift while clicking BPM increase or decrease to change it in steps of 10.
• Improved the Default Template.
• It’s now much easier to see which clips are empty.
• You can now duplicate projection maps. Right-click on a mapping to duplicate it.

Bugfixes

• Increased the BPM increase/decrease button sizes.
• Phase Speed animations are now smoother during dropped frames.
• MIDI connection improvements.

All the best,
Roger