# Home Built Laser Harp Light-Controlled Synth Harp in Action By Bianca | Published 2008-02-19 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-harp References: [ohgizmo](http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/02/18/laser-harp-is-frikkin-lasery/) & [stephenhobley](http://stephenhobley.com/blog/archives/114) Laser harps aren't necessarily new, but this is the first time I've seen a home built one. In the video, Stephen Hobley moves his hands over the [laser beams projected in the air](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laserabc-laser-show-projector) to produce music as the sensors gets blocked. My explanation of the [light-controlled synth harp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro) isn't great, which is why you'll have to watch the video. "The principle is deceptively simple; a reflection sensor watches the beams, and when one is interrupted, it signals a [MIDI routine to produce a tone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3tonic). Sliding your hand up and down the beam can bend notes, or do anything else that you feel like encoding into the MIDI protocol," Oh Gizmo said. It's wild to see, but the music is disturbingly creepy. Very Phantom of the Opera. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Laser Harps:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced laser harps with enhanced functionality and user-friendly interfaces. - **Home-built Instruments:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create DIY instrument kits that allow individuals to build their own musical instruments at home. - **Light-controlled Music:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new ways to integrate light-controlled technology into musical instruments for unique sound experiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Music Production:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate laser harps and other innovative musical instruments into the music production industry to enhance creativity and performance. - **DIY Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop DIY electronic kits for hobbyists and enthusiasts to build their own innovative instruments. - **Technological Innovations:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with technology companies to explore cutting-edge light-controlled music instruments for entertainment and performance industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Electronic String Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harmoni.md) - [Interactive Display-Equipped Synthesizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-x-lirona-synthboi.md) - [Hand-Sensing Musical Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-airwave.md) - [Sustainable Hand-Crafted Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/working-synth.md) - [Compactly Portable Theremins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/theremins.md) - [Kid-Friendly Synth Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourstep-sequencer.md) - [Visualized Music Display Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rhythm-light.md) - [Compact Bio-Synth Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-scion.md) - [Quirky Strummable Synths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electronic-synth.md)