Technical Update Regarding Soundlazer
Shipping Status
Now that many of you have received your reward levels, I wanted to give you some important information regarding setting up your Soundlazer. If you haven't received yours yet, keep an eye out in the mail for it because they are on the way. Obviously, International backers will have a longer wait as they travel further, clear customs, etc. 99% of all packages have shipped. Believe it or not, I still have a few people that didn't fill out their surveys or give me their address. If you are one of those remaining few, you only have a couple of more days until this project is officially closed.
Using Soundlazer for the first time
When you first open the box, with the switch set to middle position, connect your iPhone / iPod, etc and power plugged in, you may think the Soundlazer works like a regular speaker. If you move your head away from the beam, suddenly you will notice that the sound almost completely disappears. The effect is one of the most interesting aspects of parametric speakers and one I hope you guys will experiment with the most. Beam forming, horns and other tricks should produce some interesting results.
Try pointing the Soundlazer at a hard surface across the room and suddenly you hear the unique properties of ultrasonic waves.
Remember, if you don't have an audio source handy, just change the switch to the right position (test tone).
Firmware, case design files and other technical information can be found HERE
Note: Some people have noticed a low volume tone produced by the ultrasonic array. This is a result of the ultrasonic transducers “ringing” when they are in perfect tune. This tone is simply a subharmonic frequency of the 40KHz signal (20kHz, 10kHz, 5kHz, 2.5kHz, etc). To eliminate this tone follow the instructions on this Soundlazer Adjustment Post
Comments, Ideas, etc
Many of you have already contacted me and complimented the work I have done on this project. I appreciate all the kind remarks and I am leaving this post as the official publicly viewable one so that you guys can express your excitement, share ideas and simply leave a nice comment about Soundlazer. Please note, that I am asking for nice comments here. If you have any issues with shipments, etc, please email me directly using the Kickstart email contact system.
It has been very rewarding hearing all the nice compliments. Once again, thank you to everyone for supporting me.
I hope to see you guys again for my next project.
Richard Haberkern
612
Backers
$126,473
pledged of $48,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Mar 20, 2012 -
May 19, 2012
(60 days)
- 2 created · 16 backed
- Richard Haberkern 156 friends
- Website: lumapad.com
Pledge $25 or more
49 backers
For pledges of $25.00, we will send you a blank circuit board as a token of our appreciation. All schematics and a parts list will be provided along with setup and other instructions. It won't have any components on it but you can build one yourself the same way I did. This board will also make an attractive conversation piece to display proudly. Shipping to US addresses is included.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $50 or more
24 backers
Get two (2) Soundlazer blank circuit boards along with a nice stand to display on your desk or shelf. Use the other board to add components and build your own Soundlazer. All schematics and a parts list will be provided along with setup and other instructions. Shipping to US addresses is included.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $175 or more
111 backers
While we have done our best to get the cost of the Soundlazer down to the lowest amount possible, the ultrasonic transmitters and DSP are all expensive components. Pledges of $175.00 will receive a fully functional Soundlazer “kit”. Even though we are calling this a kit, it is actually a completely assembled and working Soundlazer without the aluminum case. All cables and power supply are also included. Shipping to US addresses is included.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $195 or more
49 backers
Soundlazer Kit with International Shipping - While we have done our best to get the cost of the Soundlazer down to the lowest amount possible, the ultrasonic transmitters and DSP are all expensive components. Pledges of $195.00 will receive a fully functional Soundlazer “kit”. Even though we are calling this a kit, it is actually a completely assembled and working Soundlazer without the aluminum case. All cables and power supply are also included. Shipping to UK, Europe, Asia and most of parts of the world.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $275 or more
211 backers
Pledges of $275.00 will receive a fully functional Soundlazer in its beautifully Red anodized aluminum case with black stand. Depending on the success of this project, other color choices may be available. All cables and power supply are also included. Shipping to US addresses is included.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $300 or more
79 backers
Soundlazer with Aluminum case and International Shipping - Pledges of $300.00 will receive a fully functional Soundlazer in its beautifully Red anodized aluminum case with black stand. Depending on the success of this project, other color choices may be available. All cables and power supply are also included. Shipping to UK, Europe, Asia and most of parts of the world.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $500 or more
21 backers
Pledges of $500.00 will receive a fully functional Soundlazer in its beautiful red anodized aluminum case with black stand. These backers will also receive fully licensed Analog Devices Sigma Studio software along with the USB programming cable. These developer tools will allow custom sound processing, waveform generation and other functions to be experimented with via the Soundlazer microprocessor. All cables and power supply are also included. Free shipping to US addresses.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
Comments
Creator stephen bachelor on October 31, 2012
Received mine, and it works great. Ever since encountering a parametric speaker at a tech event years ago, I've wanted one of my own to play with. Now that I've got one, it's just as bizarre, otherworldly, and fun as I hoped it would be. Thanks for the unique project, Richard.
Creator Richard Haberkern on October 30, 2012
Hugo, it is people like you that make this project worth while. Thank you for the nice comments.
The ringing sound is a harmonic caused when the ultrasonic transducers are perfectly tuned. If you don't like it, you can adjust it like Hugo says. Here is the link explaining what you need to know:
http://www.soundlazer.com/…
Creator Hugo St-Onge on October 30, 2012
I received my SoundLazer earlier today, and had the chance to fiddle / adjust the carrier/modulator frequency to reduce the "ringing" effect, and set it to "low power" mode.
All I can say so far, is that it is an amazing little device. The audio performance is beyond what I expected, and the build quality of both the board and case is spotless.
You, sir, deserve many thanks from all of us.
Creator Richard Haberkern on October 30, 2012
If you need to contact me directly, use the Kickstarter contact link or email richard(at)soundlazer(dot)com
Creator Richard Haberkern on October 30, 2012
If it worked before something got broken. If you need assistance in getting your unit repaired, you must email directly. I will be happy to help anyone that emails me.
Creator ghiribaldi on October 30, 2012
I got mine, and it does not seem to work. I plugged it in to charge it and it made the tone you mention above, but will not play anything when connected to my iPhone. It no longer even makes the default tone, and I have changed the bottom switch to test all three positions with no luck.
Creator Bryan Kilian on October 25, 2012
Got mine, it's awesome! A word of warning though, keep well away from pets. Both my cats and dogs did _not_ like the output, just attaching the power supply with no audio caused my cats to run away in terror and the dog panicked and hid behind my wife.
Creator Richard Haberkern on October 24, 2012
Thank you Matt. And Worf, I will still be here to answer questions and work with people experimenting with Soundlazer.
Creator Mathew Beall on October 24, 2012
Great product! played around with it - very interesting the effects you can do! I did not however realize how sensitive I would be to the ultrasonic sound.... set the jumper immediately to "L" and have to be careful so I don't get a headache... (as you note on the device!)
Great job! My first kickstarter product!
Creator Worf on October 23, 2012
Yeah. I might want another when mine arrives... and I hope there's a way to still communicate - I mean it looks like mine only got shipped very recently and may arrive after it's shut down...
Creator Corey Panno on October 22, 2012
Congratulations, Richard.
Beautiful top notch work.
A very rewarding project to be a part of. I am looking forward to your next project.
Corey
Creator Richard Haberkern on October 22, 2012
Thanx Mark
Creator Mark on October 22, 2012
Richard, This truly is a great thing you have done. Now I wish I had supported you with at least one more kit so I could project stereo. (I you have any unclaimed ones?) Now my mission is to help you fulfill your mission to get this into experimenters hands. As a neophyte I will do my best!
Mark