The Beamz

Installation Questions

Q. Why won’t my Beamz turn on?
A. The Beamz software application must be installed and running prior to connecting the Beamz to your computer.

Q. Windows says that this application has not passed Windows Logo testing. (XP Users)
A. Rest assured that the Beamz USB driver will not harm your PC. Simply press “Continue Anyway” and the software will finish installing.

Q. I just installed the music files but I don’t see any songs.
A. You must either restart the Beamz software application or select the path to the new music from the tools/options page before you will be able to see the newly added music files.

Q. Can I use my Beamz with a Mac computer?
A. If you own an Intel-based Macintosh with a dedicated video card (such as a MacBook Pro or Mac Pro, but not an iMac or iBook) and WinXP is installed on your Macintosh, you can run Beamz using virtualization software such as Paralles Desktop 3.x or Vmware Fusion.

Q. My Beamz unit won’t light up.
A. First, make sure your Beamz player software is open and running; then make sure the Beamz arms are seated securely in the base. If the Beamz lasers still do not light up, check your USB cable connection. Make sure your Beamz unit is on a flat, stable, level surface and the controller arms are securely inserted into the Beamz base. Make sure there are no cables or other obstructions underneath either of the Beamz unit arms. Such obstructions can cause the Beamz unit to act unpredictable.

Q. When I plug my Beamz unit into my (USB hub, powered USB hub, keyboard, etc) my Beamz unit (turns off, behaves erratically)/my computer restarts.
A. The Beamz unit must be plugged directly into a USB port on the computer. Plugging the Beamz unit into any sort of hub may cause the unit to behave in an unpredictable manner.

Q. Why is there no sound coming from Beamz?
A. Check that your computer is not on mute and that the volume levels are appropriate. If you desire to listen via speakers, make sure that your headphones are not plugged into your laptop.

Q. What type of computer do I need?
A. To get the most out of the Beamz system, we recommend the following minimum computer system requirements. 1. A Pentium 4 processor. 2. A PC running Windows 7, Vista or XP. 3. A minimum of 512 MB of system memory (one GB or greater preferred). 4. Four GB of free hard disk space. 5. One free USB port. The Beamz controller will not function correctly if connected to a USB hub. 6. A monitor with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels or better. 7. A sound card and a speaker system or headphones.

Q. How do I install the songs I download from the Beamz web site?
A. After receiving your music file downloads you will need to make sure you double click on them and run the installer. During the install you may be prompted to specify the directory to install them on your computer. These songs must be located in the same folder where your other Beamz music is stored. If you are unsure of where to install the music to, you can view the “Music folder” you are currently using by opening the Beamz player application and then selecting the button on the left side of the screen labeled “tools” and then selecting options. In the “Beamz Options” dialog box there is a section for “Beamz Library” , this is the path that the Beamz is currently using for your music files.

Q. I just installed a song that I downloaded from the web site and it is not available in my master play list.
A. First, make sure the song was saved in the same folder where your other Beamz songs are stored. If the Beamz software is open, close the application, then re-open the Beamz application and the song should be available in your master list. If the song still does not appear in your master song list, close the Beamz software application and restart your computer.

Product Usage Questions

Q. How do I turn off the Beamz?
A. By selecting the power button on the application, the Beamz unit stops working. Closing the application causes the lasers to shut down.

Q. I am using the Beamz with a laptop computer and the power for my Beamz unit is shutting down between playing songs.
A. The Beamz draws its’ power from the laptop via a USB port. When you are running a laptop on battery power the laptop manages power consumption through power management settings to maximize battery life. Some laptop models have default power management settings to disable (i.e. turn off) USB ports after a specified time of inactivity. Simply unplugging and reinserting the USB cable to the laptop will restore power to the Beamz. You may also change the power management settings of your laptop to not disable inactive USB ports.

Q. The Beamz player software is frozen and is “stuck” playing some sounds continuously.
A. If you unplug the Beamz while playing a song, the player software will freeze and continue to play the last music clips associated with the beams triggered. Restarting your computer will reset the Beamz software application and communication to the Beamz controller when you reconnect the USB cable.

Q. I get an error that says “All pipe instances are busy.”
A. If you close and restart the software too fast, you will get an error that says “all pipe instances are busy”. Just click OK and the software will continue to load, but the Beamz unit will not come on. The software must be closed again and restarted.

Q. When I plug my Beamz unit into my (USB hub, powered USB hub, keyboard, etc) my Beamz unit (turns off, behaves erratically)/my computer restarts.
A. The Beamz unit must be plugged directly into a USB port on the computer. Plugging the Beamz unit into any sort of hub may cause the unit to behave in an unpredictable manner.

Q. My Beamz unit won’t light up.
A. Make sure the Beamz arms are seated securely in the base. If the Beamz lasers still do not light up, check your USB cable connection. Make sure your Beamz unit is on a flat, stable, level surface and the controller arms are securely inserted into the Beamz base. Make sure there are no cables or other obstructions underneath either of the Beamz unit arms. Such obstructions can cause the Beamz unit to act unpredictable.

Q. How do I control the volume?
A. There are three ways to adjust the volume of your Beamz: twist the round knob on the base of the Beamz; slide the volume bar on the User Interface; adjust the volume on your computer.

Q. Why won’t my USB port fit into the base of the Beamz?
A. The USB port on the Beamz base unit is actually inverted with the rounded edges pointing down instead of up.

Q. What songs should I play first?
A. We created a playlist called Easy Play… any of the songs in there are great starters!

Q. How do I start a song?
A. Once the song loads, the Beamz unit will switch to ready to play mode. Click the large right button on the Beamz controller base and the rhythm accompaniment will begin.

Q. Are the lasers dangerous?
A. The lasers used in the Beamz music system are very safe. The beam emits a class 2 laser, which is the same class as the lasers used in grocery store scanners. Laser pointers sold in stores for cat toys are five times stronger than the lasers used in the Beamz. To ensure the safety of all Beamz players, the product has successfully met all safety standards after undergoing testing by a professional laser compliance consulting service which helps companies meet national and international standards.

Q. Why is there no sound coming from Beamz?
A. Check that your computer is not on mute and that the volume levels are appropriate. If you desire to listen via speakers, make sure that your headphones are not plugged into your laptop.

Q. How long will it take me to learn to play the Beamz?
A. The Beamz can literally be played by anyone regardless of age or experience – you do not need to know how to read music. The product includes a instructional DVD for getting started and an introduction to advanced playing techniques.

Q. What is the recommended minimum experience for the Beamz players?
A. The Beamz can literally be played by anyone regardless of age or experience. You do not need to know how to read music and no training is required. As with all products, young children should be supervised. However, don’t be fooled by its simplicity. The Beamz can also be used by experienced musicians who wish to perform and record their performances.

Q. I do not have separate computer speakers. Can I still play the Beamz?
A. The Beamz can be played through the speakers built into your computer, however it is recommended players use speakers that can produce a more robust sound. Good quality free-standing computer speakers may satisfy many players.

Q. Can I play the Beamz without the hardware attached?
A. Yes, you can trigger the Beamz instruments by using the computer mouse and the virtual Beamz pictured on your computer. You may also use the A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K keys (A = beam 1, S = beam 2, D = beam 3, F = beam 4, G = beam 5, H = beam 6, J = swap sounds, K = rhythm on/off).

Q. What is the difference between “interactive” and “traditional” music?
A. Interactive music is creative, dynamic and spontaneous. Beamz interactive music is harmoniously designed and structured for players to perform interactive music with limitless possibilities. Unlike traditional music, where a musician plays a song by reading and performing to a defined musical score, interactive music is free flowing – there is no musical score to follow. Players are inspired to interact with the Beamz songs and create unique sounds different from any other type of instrument.

Q. Why does everything (every beam) sound like a piano?
A. If you’re hearing piano from every beam instead of the instrument/sound that is shown on the computer display, first try changing songs then returning to your desired selection. If that doesn’t work, shut down the Beamz app – restart – and reload your desired song.

Q. Why does the sound not ‘pulse’ or not continually play a sequence of sounds/notes when I block the beam?
A. You may be playing a type of beam we call ‘one shot’ or ‘advance’. A ‘One shot’ will play a single beat or short ‘riff’ and then end. In order to continue to hear sounds you must pass your hand through the beam after each completion of the ‘riff’. Another type of beam found on some songs is called a ‘conductor’ beam which may or may not have any sound on it. Passing your hand through this will advance the song to the next section/chord.

Q. I noticed the top-hit songs are called “Jams”. What is a “Jam”?
A. The Beamz composers have taken top-hit songs from popular artists and have created an interactive version or remake in the style of the original artist. By remaking and editing the original music into an interactive format, Beamz players can “jam” to these familiar songs, by pulling in a variety of music clips and sounds at the players’ discretion. This is the beauty of interactive music. Each player creates their own signature to playing a popular song.

Q. How can I recreate the same song after I played it the first time?
A. Recreating the same song requires practice. Players should record a song first, and then determine which beams were triggered to achieve the instrument sounds and timing.

Q. When playing the Beamz, does the placement of your hand affect the sound that you create?
A. The sound is generated by the touch. So the amount of time you place your hand in front of a beam will determine the amount of sound you will produce from that beam’s designated instrument. The placement of your hand from left or right doesn’t change the sound. It is the placement of your hand through the beam that impacts the production of sound.

Q. How can I use my own MIDI, WAV and/or MP3 files in Beamz songs and/or assign my music files to play with specific beams?
A. Beamz will be releasing a Studio version of our software which will provide users the capability to import MIDI, WAV and/or MP3 files into the application. The Beamz Studio software will also provide users the ability to edit any aspect of a Beamz song and provide a means to compose interactive music songs of their own.

Q. Can I change the positioning of the instruments assigned to the Beamz in a specific song?
Yes. In the Beamz player software users may edit the beam assignment of the instruments, adjust volume settings for each instrument and modify the overall tempo of the rhythm.

Q. May I use the Beamz with an instrument stand?
Yes. The base of the Beamz unit has four screw threads to use with a drumKAT Mounting Bracket (DKB) which may be used with the Kat DK-1000 stand. Here is the link for more information regarding these items: http://www.alternatemode.com/drumkat_stands.shtml.

Q. Are there any wireless options for the Beamz?
A. The current Beamz product requires a USB connection from the instrument to a computer. We are exploring wireless options for future products for potential release in 2010.