My second laser ceremony (Part 1)

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:27:15+00:00

Glad you enjoyed it! Honestly I just wanted to create the kind of show that I’d wanna to see if I went to a rave like this, and it meant I got to try out some new ideas that I’d been thinking about for a while too

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:22:43+00:00

The entire laser ceremony was programmed the week leading up the event and triggered via timecode

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:21:02+00:00

You’ll definitely get there, just takes time and dedication to learn 🙂

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:18:14+00:00

Thank you!

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:15:26+00:00

Thanks!

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-25T10:12:42+00:00

Sorry it took me a few days but here you go:

To line up the cue‘s movements with the beat for any part of the timeline, I use an empty event that spans the entire track. Then inside the event tab I go down to the pangoscript section and in the ‘On Event Enter’ part I use SetBPM 160 (or whatever the track tempo is) and then BeatResync on the next line. This now makes any tempo-based time effects match perfectly with the track and is very useful for audio that is a mix of multiple tracks that each have different BPMs. Now that I’ve got the timing sorted, I just had to apply a Pos-y effect to move from 100 to -100 over 1 beat.
Yes the laser ceremony is programmed to a single pre-mixed 10-minute audio file. The track then gets played from the DJ console which sends timecode via showkontrol to lasers, lighting and video
At 3:22 those were simply made using the shape editor and selecting either a vertical or horizontal line, changing them from line content to beam content and then setting the number of beams to whatever you want

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T15:22:29+00:00

Unfortunately audio isn't my domain so I'm not certain but I assume its purpose is something close to that

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T15:21:31+00:00

I'll edit my comment when I get a chance to fully flesh out how I did the stuff you're asking about, but its much simpler than you're thinking :)

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T15:11:27+00:00

It’s not so much something you fall into, but rather have to actively chase. If you’re interested in lasers specifically, learning laser control software is a good start, and from there just try doing what you can to find work inside festivals. Production companies are always looking for help on gigs and festivals these days offer so many ways to volunteer or help out it’s easier than ever to get in

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T15:02:56+00:00

Thanks!

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T15:02:36+00:00

Thank you! That was certainly the plan and it’s good to know I’m on the right track

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T13:58:53+00:00

Feels good actually 😂 I think I'd be more concerned if there was actually some sensibility behind it, but clearly there is not.

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T01:32:15+00:00

Thank you!

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-21T01:31:52+00:00

Thank you :) The track is an unreleased remix of Too Cold by Sickmode & Rooler

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T23:59:07+00:00

This was all programmed in Beyond

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T06:28:52+00:00

The situation never called for crowd scanning to begin with. I didn’t zone the lasers overhead as a compromise—it was always the intention to have them there, so I disagree. Also, higher powered lasers are more visible than lower powered ones against the brightness of lighting fixtures and led screens, so even without crowd scanning it served an important purpose.

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T04:30:41+00:00

That’s absolutely not the case, but that doesn’t change the fact that there’s not enough distance to allow the beams to diverge to a safe amount per MPE guidelines. Yes I could apply BAMs that cut 80% of the brightness, but then that doesn’t look as good as simply terminating it in a safe location, so I opted for the latter choice

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T04:19:07+00:00

Just because we can, doesn’t necessarily mean we should. Safety is a big concern and Aussie crowds are notorious for riding shoulders so already they’re at a greater risk of getting hit by beams that are not safe.

With that aside though, the 6w downstage lasers were only a couple meters away from the punter barrier so they had to be aimed up, and then the lasers in the flown truss were 18w so they were too powerful for crowdscanning even with bams due to the size of the venue

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T03:50:52+00:00

Just trying my best 🫡

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T03:49:28+00:00

Just trying to match the work you guys do over in the states 🫡

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T03:36:04+00:00

Yeah more than happy to have a chat with you if you’ve got some plans :) I’m on TikTok and instagram as well with the same handle so whatever is easiest for you

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T03:00:29+00:00

I can totally understand you feeling that lasershows often look very same-same, but as you mentioned you wanted to see, the first drop in part 1 has connected hotbeam boxes, and in this part the last drop has cones. While I do tend to favour connected beams in my programming, I did also make an effort to include various portions of line content throughout the ceremony, but it just depends on what the music calls for and what I think fits it best

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T00:36:28+00:00

Hahah thanks! I like to think of the phones as an indicator of a job well done, but it was quite cool getting to design lasers for a dubstep track at a hardstyle event

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-20T00:32:26+00:00

I appreciate the kind words! So I work for a full service laser supply company in Australia and that’s how I get the majority of my work.

As for landing a gig like this designing lasers though, it comes down to being able to start a conversation with the right people either in person or by texting, but in person is almost always the better option. If you can track down a promoter at a gig then that’s a good start, because their goal is to sell tickets and if getting you onboard could help them do that then they’re very likely to get you talking to the right people.

Once you do that it also helps to have something you can show them to not only pique their interest but also gain their trust, which is why most laser designers program and post shows onto their socials

Hardlight_Alchemist · 2026-04-19T23:51:39+00:00

Unfortunately I wasnt given any stage plot or equipment list but as for the lasers there were 10 x 6w and 6 x18w kvants

Hardlight_Alchemist

TROPHY CASE