Laser Mapping

We call this technique laser mapping, which is a process where we align lasers directly to content on a screen. This allows us to create scenes where lasers and screen visuals react to each other or stay perfectly in sync. We began this research with a small test setup to explore different possibilities and understand which visual combinations work best.

The first live test of this system took place at the Awakenings festival during ADE in the Netherlands. In a multi screen environment, we mapped the lasers beforehand and created a workflow where the laser operator and the VJ could work together. By sending masks from the laser system to the VJ, we could align the content so that the laser movements revealed specific parts of the video. The goal was to create a setup where both operators could work together seamlessly.

We have since extended the system beyond sending masks to include custom made content that fully synchronizes the lasers and screens. Currently, we use this advanced setup for the ongoing Awakenings shows as well as the Carl Cox Evolution tour. This is ongoing research as we find new ways to sync different media into one coherent experience.