User Guide © 2010 Beamz Interactive Inc.
Table of Contents Part I Beamz Player 1 1 Beamz ................................................................................................................................... Player controller overview 1 2 Quick Start ................................................................................................................................... 3 Getting everything ......................................................................................................................................
Beamz® User Manual Beamz Player controller overview Top Previous Next 3 The Beamz Player controller comprises four class 2 pulsing laser triggers, three control buttons and two toggle control buttons. The lasers have been carefully chosen to balance power requirements and reliability, while the pulsing operation insures minimal interference from ambient light. The following figure shows the Beamz Player controller assembled and ready to play: A. Control lasers (two to a side). B.
Beamz® User Manual Beamz Player controller base details Beyond the base control buttons, the only other port on the Beamz Player control unit is the USB port: A. Beamz Player controller USB port.
Beamz® User Manual Getting everything setup Top Previous Next 4 Before you start playing, you should take a few minutes to make sure your Beamz hardware is setup and properly placed for for easiest use. Place the console on a hard, flat, surface where you can play the beams with your hands and still easily see the Beamz Playing screen.
Beamz® User Manual Your first performance Top Previous 3 Next 6 Once you've got the Beamz software and music installed, and the Beamz controller is connected to your computer, you're ready to play. Launch the Beamz player Double-click the Beamz player icon on your Windows desktop, or click the Start menu, choose All Programs and find the Beamz program group and click the Beamz icon. In a few moments, the Main Beamz Player screen will appear.
Beamz® User Manual graphic on the screen. Pressing the center console button will Swap to the next set of instruments, but don't do that just yet. Play the instruments in the Unit 1 selection. Experiment with the Beamz controller by breaking the laser paths with your hands. Hold your hand in each beam for a while to hear the pulsing, then pass a finger thru each beam a few time to hear the individual notes. Do this one beam at a time to get a feel for what each one plays.
Beamz® User Manual Learning a Beamz song Top Previous 4 Next 7 Yeah, you can have lots of fun playing with the various songs and customizing beam layouts and such, but to get the absolute most out of your Beamz system, we recommend the following approach to "learning" a particular song: 1. Without the background melody running, trigger each laser in the first bank of sounds. When triggering a beam, experiment with breaking the beam continually and momentarily.
Beamz® User Manual Beamz Player windows Top Previous 6 Next The Beamz software interface is the mind of the Beamz music system. The interface mimics the actual physical interface of the Beamz music controller and lets you choose different songs, manage playlists of songs, and customize song configurations. Main Playing Window: The Beamz hardware controller always plays the selection of instruments shown in the main playing window.
Beamz® User Manual Multi Unit view Click on any of the four buttons in the corners of the screen to open window showing the other two units. Clicking again will close them. Each window can be resized and dragged anywhere on the desktop to suit individual needs. Mouse-over playing works in all windows.
Beamz® User Manual Beamz laser triggers and their display status on the playing screens. The Beamz console has 4 lasers located inside the center post, which are trained on a matching light sensor in the outer arms of the console. When you stop the laser from hitting the sensor by breaking it's beam, the sensor will trigger the instrument to play. The state of each laser trigger is indicated by it's color on the display screen. Red: Beam is armed and not being triggered.
Beamz® User Manual Playlists button Top Previous 9 Next 12 Clicking on the button will produce a menu of choices where you can choose a song to play, work with playlists, or visit the Beamz web site where you can buy more songs. Choosing a song To choose a song, from the Master Song list, and hover the mouse over Master Song List. Another window will open that displays all Beamz songs currently installed on your computer, sorted alphabetically.
Beamz® User Manual that is currently loaded. The list being used is indicated by a green button. In the illustration above, the song advance buttons will cycle thru the list of songs contained in the playlist named Jazz. Working with Playlists. Clicking on Manage Playlists... will open a window where you can create and edit your own playlists. See: Managing Playlists 12 Buying More Songs. Clicking on More Songs at the bottom of the Playlist Menu takes you to http://www. thebeamz.
Beamz® User Manual Managing Playlists Top Previous 10 Next 14 To create, edit, or delete playlists, click the Playlists button and choose the Manage Playlists command from the popup menu to display the Manage Playlists screen: On the left side of the dialog, you'll see all of your currently installed songs listed under Song Library. You can click the headings at the top of the Song Library to sort by Name, Genre, or Artist.
Beamz® User Manual 3. Select the songs you'd like to add to the new playlist in the Song Library on the left. You can add a song to the playlist in the following ways: 3a. You can double-click a song to add it to the playlist queue. 3b.You can drag a song from the song list to the playlist queue. 3c.You can select a song from the song list and click the button. 4. Once you're satisfied with the song list, you can fine tune the order of songs using the and buttons at the lower right or the dialog.
Beamz® User Manual Custom Layout Top Previous 12 Next The Custom Layout screen allows you to: 1. Re-arrange where the Instruments are located within the 3 possible Units to suite your playing style. 2. Make your own Mix of the song. 3. Change the playing speed (Tempo) for the song. Clicking on the Custom Playlist button on the Main Playing screenwill open this window. The left pane shows the DEFAULT LAYOUT for the song -- they way it was originally composed.
Beamz® User Manual The four laser beams and the center & right buttons. They each have their location in the custom layout screen as illustrated for Unit 1: Mousing over the Red beam display will play the instrument -- same as Main Playing screen. Click the Power button to turn them off if they get in the way while you're re-arranging instruments. Re-assigning Instrument Locations. There are two ways to change an instrument assignment in a custom layout: 1.
Beamz® User Manual without having to manually adjust the tempo setting each time the song is loaded. Use the Tempo slider at the lower right corner of the custom layout pane to set to the desired tempo, then save the custom layout. Note: Some Beamz songs are not meant to have their tempo adjusted. Tempo controls are disabled (grayed out) for these songs. Saving your Custom Layout.
Beamz® User Manual Tools Menu When you click the Top Previous 14 Next 18 button, the following menu is displayed: The commands available in the Tools menu let you customize the behavior of the Beamz software interface. Use Custom Preset If the current song has been customized using the Custom Layout 14 screen, the Use Custom Preset menu item will be checked. You can quickly toggle between a songs customized format and its default format using this menu item.
Beamz® User Manual Beamz Options Window Top Previous 17 Next 20 The Beamz Options window allows you configure how Beamz software works. To open, click on Options in the Tools Menu. In the AT STARTUP options, you can either load the last song played or load no song when the Beamz interface is launched. LEFT BEAMZ BUTTON The left button on the beamz console can be setup to provide three options.
Beamz® User Manual IMPORTANT NOTE - if you chose to move your Beamz song library to another location, take note that as you purchase additional songs and install them you will need to direct the installer to place the song to the folder location you specified in Options.
Beamz® User Manual Map Beamz to Keystrokes Top Previous 18 Next 22 The Beamz controller can be used in place of your computer's keyboard to trigger keystrokes. Mapping Beams To Keystrokes for a game. The Beamz controller can be used in place of your computer's keyboard to play games and optionally hear a Beamz song while you play the game. NOTE: The keystrokes you assign to beams must match the keystrokes used to control the game you want to play. 1. Launch the game you intend to play. 2.
Beamz® User Manual Here's an example of how to map the beams to play the Pinball game that is included with Windows XP. (A good Beamz song for this game is Death By Metal in the Beamz Master Song List.) Notes on Game sounds. To hear only the sounds made by the game, turn the volume all the way down on the Beamz screen. To hear only the Beamz song, use the player controls/options in the game to turn off its sounds.
Beamz® User Manual Help Menu Clicking the Top Previous 20 Next 23 button on the Main Playing screen opens the help menu. User Guide Clicking User Guide opens the Beamz Player Help files. Register Beamz Clicking Register Beamz will take you to the beamz web site where you can register your Beamz. About Beamz Clicking About Beamz opens a window showing your Beamz player version number and copyright information.
Beamz® User Manual Console Buttons Explained Top Previous 22 Next 24 The left console button can be set up to work three different ways. To change how the left button works, select Options from the tools menu and check the appropriate box on the Options Screen. This option is "Global" -- it will work this way for all songs. Option 1: Record Start/Stop Pressing the left button will start and stop recording a performance.
Beamz® User Manual Playing a Beamz song with the mouse and keyboard Top Previous 23 Next 25 Mouse Over Playing: Move the mouse over any beam to play it. Click on the buttons to "press" them. Drag the Volume and Tempo controls to change them. Keyboard Playing: You can play the Beamz by pressing these keys on your keyboard as illustrated below. The QWERTY keys will play Unit 1 instruments. The ASDFGH keys will play Unit 2 instruments. The ZXCVBN keys will play Unit 3 instruments.
Beamz® User Manual Recording a performance Top Previous 24 Next 27 Beamz software allows you to make a recording of your performance, play back your recorded performance, and then save it in .wav or .wma format. You'll notice at the bottom of the Beamz player is a strip of DVD/VCR-like commands: Until you have made a recording, the Play and Save buttons are not available. To Start Recording: Click on the Record button . It changes to while a recording is being made.
Beamz® User Manual IMPORTANT NOTE: You can only play or save a recording with the Beamz software immediately after recording it. If you make multiple recordings, only the last one is available. When you switch to a different Beamz song or shut down the Beamz player, the recording will be lost.
Beamz® User Manual Beamz trigger types Top Previous 25 Next 29 Once you finish messing around with the Beamz and seeing what a cacophonous mess you can make with the metal songs, you'll start to notice that in various songs, the lasers react in different ways. The technical term for the Beamz lasers is trigger, and when you break a Beamz laser, you are said to be triggering its corresponding instrument. All triggers are not created equal, however, and Beamz songs use different ones.
Beamz® User Manual Momentary/Stop triggers Momentary/Stop triggers work the same way as Start/Stop except it loops only while the Beam Trigger is held on. Momentary/Pause triggers Momentary/Pause triggers work the same way as Start/Pause except it loops only while the Beam Trigger is held on. Advance triggers Advance triggers allow you to advance the melody of the currently playing song to the next "section" of the song.
Beamz® User Manual Working with Beamz loop songs Top Previous 27 Next 30 Imagine an endless tape running in a never-ending loop. Then imagine that you add instruments to that loop at different locations and for different durations. The loop will run and run triggering the instruments at the point where they were recorded to the limit of their duration, continuing endlessly. A Beamz loop song (such as Minimaloop or Loop De Loop) works in exactly the same way.
Beamz® User Manual Swap and Hold Top Previous 29 Next 31 Swap and hold is cool feature that lets you "stick" a particular beam in a continuous trigger mode without needing to keep the beam broken. To hold a particular beam, break and hold the beam while simultaneously pressing the Swap button on the Beamz controller's base. The beam will continue to trigger (and will remain a steady green) until you switch back to it using the Swap button and break the beam again.
Beamz® User Manual Adjusting a song's tempo Top Previous 30 Next 32 You can adjust the speed at which a particular song plays by changing its tempo using the tempo control. The number being displayed is the current tempo. Drag the ball left or right to adjust the tempo setting. Click Reset to restore to original tempo. Note 1: Some songs do not permit tempo to be changed. For these songs, the Tempo controls will be darkened and unavailable.
Beamz® User Manual Checking for software updates Top Previous 31 Next 32 From time to time, we'll release new software updates to add features or improve performance. You can check for new versions of the Beamz software by visiting http:// www.thebeamz.com/ and clicking on the Support tab. Beamz product support Top Previous 32 Next To view the latest list of frequently asked questions (FAQ), please visit http://www. thebeamz.com/support/technical-faq.
Beamz® User Manual Software License Agreement Top Previous 32 Next 38 Software License Agreement This Software License Agreement (this “License”) is by and between you, the individual who has clicked on the “I Agree” button below (“You” or “Your”), and Beamz Interactive, Inc.
Beamz® User Manual 1.3 Reservation of Rights. Nothing in this License shall restrict or limit any rights, titles or interests of Beamz or Beamz’s third-party licensor in and to the Software. You are not entitled to make any uses of the Software other than those limited uses expressly provided for under Section 1.1 of this License. 2. Confidentiality. 2.1 Non-disclosure.
Beamz® User Manual the termination of this License; (y) all rights and obligations under Sections 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this License; and (z) any and all other rights and obligations under provisions which by their terms, conditions, nature or implication are expressly stated to, or are intended to, survive the termination of this License. 5. Support Services.
Beamz® User Manual services provided or to be provided under or in connection with this License. 9. Representations and Warranties. You represent and warrant to Beamz that: (a) You are a natural person; (b) You have read this License in its entirety; (c) You have the full right and authority to enter into and abide by the terms and conditions of this License in its entirety; (d) and You voluntarily accept and agree to the terms and conditions of this License in its entirety. 10. Miscellaneous. 10.
Beamz® User Manual 10.8 Contact and Notices. Please direct any questions or comments You may have about the Software to: Beamz Interactive, Inc. Attention: Customer Relations 15354 North 83rd Way, Suite 102 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 E-mail: sales@thebeamz.com Copyright © 2010 Beamz Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BEAMZ®, and PLAY THE LIGHT® are all registered trademarks of Beamz Interactive, Inc., and may not be used without the express written consent of Beamz Interactive, Inc.
Beamz® User Manual Song License Agreement Top Previous 33 Next 43 Song License Agreement This Song License Agreement (this “License”) is by and between you, the individual who has clicked on the “I Agree” button below (“You” or “Your”), and Beamz Interactive, Inc.
Beamz® User Manual and trade secrets) is the sole and exclusive property of a third party who has licensed the same to Beamz (with this License being a permissible sublicense thereof). Your right to use the Song is not coupled with an interest. In no event shall You own, have or retain any rights, titles or interests in or to the Song or any elements or derivatives thereof other than those limited rights expressly provided for under Section 1.1 of this License. 1.3 Reservation of Rights.
Beamz® User Manual bargain. There are no warranties (express, implied or other) that extend beyond the description on the face of this License; the Song and any other goods and services provided or to be provided under or in connection with this License are provided on an “as is” basis. 5. General Release and Waiver.
Beamz® User Manual 8.4 Governing Law. This License shall be governed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona and applicable federal law of the United States, regardless of the place of its execution or performance and any conflicts of law analysis. For the avoidance of any doubt, The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this License.
Beamz® User Manual Island Publishing Corp. No Rain Blind Melon (C) 1992 EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. and HEAVY MELON MUSIC All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission.
Beamz® User Manual Legal and safety notices Top Previous 38 Next 49 The Beamz Player laser based musical instrument uses low power laser beams to sense the motion of your hands while performing. These lasers are designated as “Class 2”. This is the same level of laser light used for standard grocery store scanners. The lasers are of such low power that they cannot cause any harm to skin. Additionally, the laser power is so low that eye injury is not possible unless someone stares in the beam source.
Beamz® User Manual Regulatory Requirements FDA/CDRH 1. Hazard Warning Symbol and Explanatory Label 2.
Beamz® User Manual Laser Safety Label Location Diagram The manufacturer’s identification label & certification statement are located on the bottom of the product as shown above. Maintenance Maintenance is limited to cleaning the housing. Prior to cleaning the housing, disconnect USB cable. Clean housing with damp soft cotton cloth. Do not use solvents or cleaners. If a laser fails, contact the manufacturer. No service is possible or allowed by the customer.
Beamz® User Manual Certification No maintenance of service is required to keep unit in compliance with US and International Laser Regulations. This product complies with US Laser Product Safety Requirements. Under 21 CFR 1040.10 & .11. This product is also compliant with International Laser Safety Standards “IEC 60825-1” via the terms of US Laser Notice No. 50. Beamz is a US certified Class 2 laser product.
Beamz® User Manual Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity We declare under our sole responsibility that the Beamz Player C4, to which this declaration relates, is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents: CE Mark: • EN55022 Class B (EMC) • EN55024 - (Immunity) • EN60950 - (Safety) • This product complies with European Directive 1995/5/EC.
Beamz® User Manual Manufacturer's Disclaimer Statement The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor. No warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to the quality, accuracy or fitness for any particular purpose of this document.
Beamz® User Manual Trademarks and warranty information Top Previous 43 Please make sure that you read all instructions in this user guide prior to operating the Beamz product. Copyright 2010 Beamz Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Beamz and Play The Light are registered trademarks of Beamz Interactive, Inc. No trademark of Beamz Interactive, Inc. may be used without prior written permission. Marks and brands are property of their respective owners. Warranty BEAMZ INTERACTIVE, INC.
Beamz® User Manual such Products are so covered, you shall obtain from Beamz a return merchandise authorization (“RMA”) number and shipping instructions prior to any shipment of such Products to Beamz, and shall include such RMA with any corresponding Product shipment. All shipments shall be in the original retail carton with interior foam. 4.
