(CS-1000RGB MKII) SSP: £235.00 (SHOWEDITOR) There’s something special about a well-designed and executed laser show that can raise the energy level at an event through the roof. This is especially true if you perform at parties for younger clientele, such as school proms and 18th birthdays, or at weddings where the happy couple and their friends grew up in the clubbing era of the ‘90s and early ‘00s. 7744 While once only within the budget of the biggest of mobile operators, these days very affordable systems are available that not only create impactful effects, but offer complete creative control.

A great example is the CS-1000RGB MKII from Laserworld when used together with the company’s Showeditor software. Although, for many years, lasers have been used by mobile DJs at all levels, up until recently systems offering complete custom effects using the ILDA control standard have been out of the realms of possibility for most DJs. Not only were ILDA- compatible laser fixtures extremely expensive, but the necessary control hardware and software represented another significant expense.

Now, however, not only has laser hardware come down in price, but so has the control software, to the point that Laserworld’s CS-1000RGB MKII AND the Showeditor ILDA control system can be purchased for around £600. For this review, I’ll start by covering the CS-1000RGB MKII in its own right – as, of course, it can be used without ILDA control – and will then move on to discussing how the Showeditor system can be used to generate custom effects with the CS-1000RGB MKII (or any other ILDA- compatible fixture).

The CS-1000RGB MKII is a multi-colour laser projector which incorporates three laser sources: 200mW red (650nm), 70mW green (532nm) and 530mW blue (445nm). When comparing this to other products on the market it’s worth keeping in mind that Laserworld have a policy of stating ‘Guaranteed Power’ ratings. As there is some tolerance in the actual output of laser diodes, it is likely that the unit’s output will actually be higher. In fact, Laserworld quote the typical output power of the three diodes combined as 1000mW (1-watt), hence the ‘1000’ in the CS-1000RGB MKII’s name (the ‘CS’ stands for ‘Club Series’).

If you want more output and have a larger budget, there is also a CS- 2000RGB MKII model available offering a similar feature set, but more powerful laser sources, for an SSP of £685. In addition to laser power, the other important figure to look for when considering a laser projector is ‘scan speed’. The patterns generated by a fixture such as the CS-1000RGB MKII are created by repeatedly moving the laser beam in a particular shape so quickly that the human eye can’t detect the movement, but instead picks up an image of the whole pattern at once.

The faster LASERWORLD CS-1000TRHGEB AMRKTI IO &F SAHDOVWERETDISITINOGR Laserworld the scan speed, the more complex On the front, the patterns that can be created that can be without the movement of the lacover a portion ser beam becoming visible in the ture and locked form of flickering. The CS-1000RGB metal thumbscrews. MKII has a maximum scan speed of feature designed 30kpps (Kilo Points Per Second) at fixture’s potential a scan angle of 4-degrees, which avoid beams means that it is able to move is also useful around 30,000 points within a tion for the glass pattern each second.

While more the aperture advanced – and considerably more ing transported expensive – units can hit much other safety faster speeds, this is still a very facturers are good figure. It means that the unit have little value is capable of generating fairly comare all present plex shapes, animations, and even a connection simple text patterns. cut-off switch the power to the Although it can definitely be dejob), a key switch scribed as compact and lightweight, beam and a big the unit itself also has a distinctly Product’ warning solid feel.

The case is constructed from thick powder-coated metal Of course it and it is fitted with a substantial aware of safety hanging bracket, which can be ing laser displays. locked solidly into place at any dein to the sired angle using two plastic thumb powerful enough screws. As a whole, the fixture has to eyesight and an unmistakable feel of professionbe projected alism and robustness that belies its (the HSE very affordable price tag. minimum of LASERWORLD CS-1000RGB MKII & SHOWEDITOR CS-1000RGB MKII & Showeditor it has a metal panel undertaken suitable training and manually slid up to have the necessary tools to deterof the laser apermine that a given effect is within into place using the MPE (Maximum Permissible This is a safety Exposure) threshold and therefore to reduce the safe for ‘audience scanning’. scan range to hitting the audience.

It The unit comes pre-programmed for providing protecwith 200 varied animated patterns screen that covers which include a good collection when the unit is beof simple moving lines, waves, between gigs. The squares and circles which are ideal features – which manufor generating mid-air effects in a required to include but hazy atmosphere. The unit is also in the real world – supplied with a few more complex and correct. There is patterns and animations built-in, for an external safety which are suited for projection (although turning off on a wall or screen.

These include unit does the same a heart shape, that zooms in and to active the laser out, as well as the word ‘welcome’, yellow ‘Class 4 Laser which waves up and down. sticker. A set of DIP switches on the back of is important to be the fixture allow DMX addressing matters when usand mode selection. For a simple The diodes built ‘hands off’ laser show, the internal CS-1000RGB MKII are patterns can be set to cycle auto cause damage tomatically; either in ‘auto mode’, therefore should with the pattern changing every above head height few seconds, or ‘music mode’, with guidelines recommend a the pattern changes triggered by 3m) unless you have an internal microphone.

Master/ Slave operation is also possible, for synchronised effects across two or more fixtures. Of course to really create impact with a laser show, an element of control is required. Running the unit in auto mode all night long won’t be anywhere near as effective as saving it for later in the evening and then introducing particular effects synchronised with the music. For this, DMX control can be used.

The fixture requires channels, which can not only be used to select any of the pre-programmed patterns and laser colours, but also a variety of animation effects. These include rotation, zoom and ‘Pattern Buildup’ (a drawing effect), which provides a great deal of creative possibility for generating impressive laser shows. 75 Laserworld CS-1000RGB MKII The CS-1000RGB MKII is an I'm- (via a standard network pressive product that is ideally a laser fixture (using suited for mobile DJs.

Despite its cable). affordable price, it is capable of producing stunning multi-coloured The idea is that mid-air beam effects as well as ShowNET interface intricate pattern projections and next to the laser. It is animations. Its output is ample for a protective cover, medium-sized community centre describe as a bit like halls and hotel ballrooms, where This has slots cut the majority of mobile DJ work nections at either side takes place, and its robust build allow it to be attached makes it ideal for a life on the road. lighting stand (probably ple Velcro straps as No doubt this will be enough for The package also many DJs, who will be content with D-sub cable and an running the unit in Auto Mode or RJ-45 network cable. triggering its internal patterns D-sub cable should via DMX.

However, it is capable as long as you can of much more thanks to its com- ShowNET very close patibility with the laser control you’re likely to need protocol ILDA. This means – when cable to run down connected to a dedicated control your booth. Fortunately, system – the fixture can be used to readily, and cheaply, create custom patterns, text, and animations. The Showeditor supplied as part of Laserworld’s Showeditor software/ CD, although this is hardware package is an ILDA conas a ‘fall-back option’ trol system that is ideal for use by the Quick Start Guide) mobile DJs as not only is it affordup-to-date release able and powerful, but it is also is always available on very easy to use.

It comprises the tor website. I Showeditor software as well as latest version, which a ShowNET interface which confile, so fairly quick to nects between a control computer half-decent broadband. 76 & Showeditor cable) and As we all tend to, I ignored the a 25-pin D-sub instructions and got stuck straight into installing the software and hooking up the laser as soon as I you mount the unboxed the Showeditor package. up on your rig However, after initially connectprovided with ing everything up, I kept receiving which I can best a message in the software telling a pencil case! me to plug in the ShowNET inout for the conterface (which I already had).

So, and loops to I then set about carefully reading to a truss or through first the manual and then using simthe website tutorials in an effort it is very light). to troubleshoot my problem. I beincludes a short gan to get frustrated and was just equally short about to admit defeat and contact While the Laserworld for help when I read be adequate, that Windows Firewall can prevent position the communication between a comto the laser, puter and the ShowNET interface, a longer RJ-45 and, sure enough when I disabled from your rig to the Firewall and rebooted both the these are software and interface it worked available. just fine. software itself is At the heart of the Showeditor the package on software is the Figure Editor.

This only intended allows custom patterns to be cre- (according to ated, saved, and edited using a colas the most lection of drawing tools. Uniform of the software shapes (line, rectangle, hexagon the Showediand circle) are easy to create and downloaded the manipulate, while a freeform tool was a 90MB allows irregular shapes to be easily download on drawn. A colour wheel then makes LASERWORLD CS-1000RGB MKII T&H SEH EOAWRLEYD DITAOYRS Laserworld CS-1000RGB MKII it equally easy to select different terns can be created colours for the individual lines and wide variety of laser dots that make up an image. setup at your fingertips!

Simple animations are also easy to Showeditor is an create. All you have to do is draw software and I’ve two or more ‘key frames’ and then able to scratch the the software’s ‘Morph’ tool can be it can do in this used to fill in a series of frames if you’re interested between them to create smooth more about how it animations. There are also a variety you commit to buying, of automatic effects – such as roversion is available tation, zoom and movement – that from the Laserworld can be applied to static patterns to though I think it’s quickly create animated effects. as its quite a complex does take a while For quickly generating custom with, however I logos, the software can load vector series of tutorial images from Adobe Illustrator .ai available on the files and there is even a very usewere very helpful. ful tool that will ‘trace’ a .jpg image.

After spending a little time tweaking the settings I found this worked extremely well, although the laser scan speed of the CS-1000RGB MKII meant that complicated logos didn’t look right as the movement of the laser beam became too noticeable. However, for icons and symbols it is an incredibly useful tool that would be great for corporate gigs. Once you’ve created a series of patterns, Showeditor offers two different tools for integrating them into a live show.

The first is the Timeline Editor which is ideal for creating laser shows synchronised to a particular song. It allows patterns, and also effects, to be arranged in chronological order using a simple grid-based interface. The second tool, which is perhaps more suited for mobile DJs, is the Live Window. This allows patterns to be assigned to a series of slots representing the keys of your keyboard.

At a gig, all you then have to do is touch the corresponding key to call up that pattern. The F keys can then also be used to switch between different sets of assigned patterns, which means that up to twelve full keyboards worth of pat- 78 & Showeditor allowing for a The CS-1000RGB MKII on its own is effects to be an affordable, powerful and robust laser fixture, ideal for use by mobile DJs. Showeditor, meanwhile, is a extensive piece of versatile, user-friendly, and keenly only really been priced ILDA control package that surface of what makes complex laser show creation review.

However, easily accessible. Together, these in finding out two products offer a complete mulworks before ti-colour laser package for a fraca free trial tion of what this would have cost to download just a few years ago. It means that website. Even mobile DJs can not only incorpopretty intuitive, rate pre-programmed laser effects package, it into their shows, but create fully to get to grips custom effects including corporate found that the logos and monograms.

What more videos that are is there to say but, “reach for the Laserworld site lasers”! LASERWORLD CS-1000RGB MKII T&H SEH EOAWRLEYD DITAOYRS See the new White versions of the SDXv2 booth and PS1 podiums, new DJS1 DJ Screens, extended ightcase range and many other new products at: