Lightdiction KB2D User manual

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
Page 1/32
Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
KB2D Interactive Device
Laser Harp MIDI controller
The KB2D Interactive Device is a detection system working as a MIDI controller. It enables to send customizable
MIDI messages just by touching / interacting with lasers, and can be used with any scanning laser projector system
in order to create an interactive projection.
With the various detection modes available, it can be adapted to any show, from the easiest laser Harp system to
the most complete Interactive laser show. It also features laser tracking modes for laser Theremin for instance.
Thanks to an exclusive and innovative patented detection system and powerful algorithms, it is actually the most
compact, stable, competitive and versatile Laser interactive device on the market.
Footswitches or other external MIDI controllers can be used to improve the flexibility of the device during shows.

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
Page 2/32
Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
FEATURES
➢COMPACT AND LIGHT DESIGN,EASY TO USE
➢OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE INTERFACE
➢CROSS-PLATFORM INTERFACE (WINDOWS,MAC,LINUX).
➢CAN BE USED WITH EXTERNAL MIDI CONTROLLERS LIKE FOOTSWITCHES FOR INSTANCE
➢POLYPHONIC DETECTION
➢LASER HARP MODE WITH UP TO 16 NOTES WITH HEIGHT MODULATION
➢CONTINUOUS MODE FOR LASER TRACKING AND MODULATIONS
➢POWER AND COMMUNICATION THROUGH USB
oUP TO 4X MIDI IN AND OUT PORTS VIA USB
oLOW POWER CONSUMPTION
➢LASER SENSITIVE
oNOT SENSITIVE TO DAYLIGHT
oEXTREMELY RESISTANT TO PARASITIC LIGHTS
oPERFECT FOR USE ON LIVE SHOWS
➢HIGHLY VERSATILE AND FLEXIBLE SYSTEM
oCAN BE USED WITH ANY LASER PROJECTOR
oNO SYNCHRONIZATION OR COMMUNICATION WITH THE LASER
oPOSITION,HEIGHT AND WIDTH DETECTION FOR CUSTOM INTERACTIVE SCENES
oTHE SOFTWARE INTERFACE CAN BE CONNECTED TO ANY EXTERNAL MIDI DEVICE
➢VERY HIGH DETECTION RANGE WITH PROGRAMMABLE AMPLIFICATION FOR LONG DISTANCE INTERACTIVE SHOWS
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
➢LASER HARP
➢LASER TRACKING
➢INTERACTIVE LASER SHOWS
➢INTERACTIVE GAMES

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
Page 3/32
Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
TABLE OF CONTENT
I. Presentation of the device.......................................................................................................................................4
1. Technical specifications ......................................................................................................................................4
2. Setup of the KB2D ...............................................................................................................................................5
3. How does it work?................................................................................................................................................6
II. KB2D Laser Harp Interface .....................................................................................................................................7
1. Download and install ...........................................................................................................................................7
2. First start ..............................................................................................................................................................8
3. DESCRIPTION of the interface.......................................................................................................................... 10
Button bar.............................................................................................................................................................. 10
MIDI Ports Settings ............................................................................................................................................... 11
KB2D Ports............................................................................................................................................................ 12
Beam Angles configuration .................................................................................................................................. 13
MIDI Effects Configuration.................................................................................................................................... 14
Generic settings .................................................................................................................................................... 18
External MIDI Mapping ......................................................................................................................................... 24
Firmware Updater ................................................................................................................................................. 26
III. HOW TO QUICKLY SET A LASER HARP SYSTEM .............................................................................................. 28
1. Install The KB2D User Interface....................................................................................................................... 28
2. Place the KB2D ................................................................................................................................................. 28
3. Connect the KB2D and start the interface...................................................................................................... 28
4. Start your favorite DAW..................................................................................................................................... 29
5. Select the notes you want ................................................................................................................................ 29
6. Calibrate detection parameters ....................................................................................................................... 29
7. Calibrate angles ................................................................................................................................................ 29
IV. PRECAUTIONS AND RECOMMANDATIONS ON USE ........................................................................................ 30
V. COMMON ISSUES.................................................................................................................................................. 31
VI. Please read carefully: ....................................................................................................................................... 32
VII. Revision History................................................................................................................................................. 32

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
Page 4/32
Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
I. PRESENTATION OF THE DEVICE
1. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Parameter
Comment
Min
Typical
Max
Electrical Specifications
Vin
Voltage, USB Powered
4.5V
5V
6V
Iin
Current consumption
-
60mA
-
Detection Specifications
FPS
Frames Per Second on detection
(Set by User)
50
-
130
BW
Bandwidth on beam detection
(Works with scanning systems)
5 Hz
50 kHz
Ddet
Detection distance of interactions (*)
0.3m (1)
0.8m (2)
-
~10m (1)
~25m (2)
X
Detection angle (can be customized on demand)
-35°
-
35°
Angle accuracy
1 mrad

Wavelength detected - By default
320nm
-
1100nm

Wavelength detected –Optional
510nm
520nm
535nm

Wavelength detected –Optional
625nm
635nm
-

Wavelength detected –Optional
370nm
445nm
470nm
Maximum ambient light
1000 lux
Mechanical / Housing Specifications
L x W x H
Length x Width x Height (mm)
(Without the Handle)
100 x 32 x 58
msys
Weight
155g
IP
Ingress Protection
IP44
(*) When interacting with a Lambertian white target with ~80% reflectance
(1) With a 3W laser projector. Maximum is obtained using the x16 software amplification.
(2) With a 20W laser projector. Maximum is obtained using the x16 software amplification.

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
2. SETUP OF THE KB2D
The KB2D is a detection system that can be used with any scanning laser projector. The KB2D is not
communicating with the projector, so there is no direct dependency between the KB2D and the projector.
To create a laser interactive scene, you only need:
➢A laser projector to project the pattern you want to interact with.
➢The KB2D interactive device with a USB (A –B) cable.
➢A computer with Windows 10 or above with the KB2D Laser Harp Interface. The last KB2D setup can be
downloaded at https://lightdiction.com/Ressources/ .
Fig. 1: Typical installation of the KB2D interactive device for a laser Harp application.
•In order to improve the accuracy, the KB2D should be aligned with the (virtual) cross of the beams.
•The length of the KB2D device must be parallel to the plane formed by the beams.
USB (A –B)
2
D
KB2D
Laser
Projector

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User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
3. HOW DOES IT WORK?
The KB2D is detecting the position angle of each incident light interaction. With the help of a complex algorithm,
it can then precisely separate each laser beam from parasitic light source, and send a MIDI signal associated with
a specific interaction. Multiple interactions can be detected simultaneously (so it is possible to play a “polyphonic”
laser Harp for instance).
Interactions can be detected in a 3D environment, but position measurement is in 2 dimensions with the KB2D.
The X (angle) and Z (distance) variables correspond to the coordinates of the interaction. The “Width” variable also
gives an information on the width of the interaction.
Fig. 2: The 2 dimensions on detection with KB2D.
Every interaction in the blue plane will have the same “Position” coordinate. The “height” coordinate is determined
in function of the luminous power received by the KB2D, which is directly correlated with the distance between the
interaction and the KB2D module. Thus, it can introduce a variation on Z height coordinate if the laser source has
not a constant emission power.
The KB2D also detects the width of each interaction, and can send a MIDI signal varying in function of the width.
As the KB2D is measuring the angle and not just detecting light (or laser) interactions, it does not have to be
synchronized with the scanning system of the laser source.

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
II. KB2D LASER HARP INTERFACE
1. DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL
The latest version can be found here:
https://lightdiction.com/Ressources/
The KB2D Laser Harp interface is an open-source software. The code can be found here:
https://github.com/Lightdiction/KB2D_Interface_V3
It is recommended to always use the latest version of the Firmware and of the KB2D Laser Harp Interface, to
benefit from all the performances and options available. If the computer running the KB2D Laser Harp Interface
is connected to the internet, all available firmware and software updates will be automatically proposed at the
start of the software.
To install the software, simply start the setup file.

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
2. FIRST START
Connect your KB2D on your computer, it will automatically install the standard MIDI Driver. Once your KB2D is
connected and the driver installed, you can start the KB2D Laser Harp Interface.
If your KB2D is connected and correctly recognized by the interface, it should show an information window at the
start of the interface, showing some information like the Serial Number and firmware version of your KB2D
controller.
Fig. 3: Information window when we start the interface with the KB2D connected
If for some reason the KB2D is detected but the ports are not available, you will see this kind of warning window:
Fig. 4: Warning window if MIDI ports are detected but are not available
This generally happens when another software took the control of the KB2D. For instance, if your DAW is started,
it may have taken the control automatically. Simply deactivate the reserved ports in your DAW, so the KB2D Laser
Harp Interface can connect to these:
The reserved ports are the following:
-MIDI IN 2 –KB2D Interactive
-MIDI OUT –KB2D Interactive
Or you can also close other MIDI software then start the KB2D Laser Harp Interface in priority so it takes the control
of the port.
Then, the interface opens and read all parameters in the KB2D. It should look like this:

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
Fig. 5: KB2D Laser Harp Interface when the device is detected and successfully connected
If no device is found, the interface is almost empty like this:
Fig. 6: KB2D Laser Harp Interface when no device is found

Lightdiction
User Manual
KB2D
05/09/2015
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Lightdiction SAS
KB2D User Manual
March 2022 rev 2.0
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERFACE
Button bar
At the top of the interface, we have the button bar:
Fig. 7: Button bar
Button
Description
Start / Pause
Enable or disable the detection of the KB2D. When the KB2D is started, we see a light
on the button next to the USB connector on the KB2D.
We can also manually go to Start state by pressing this same button on the KB2D device.
Restart
Force the KB2D to restart. If parameters are not saved in the KB2D, changes will be lost.
Restore Defaults
Restore defaults parameters, except the number of MIDI ports.
Save in KB2D
Save all parameters in the FLASH memory of the KB2D. So, the KB2D will restore these
parameters after a restart or a loss of power.
Detection
Assistant
Opens the detection assistant window. This helps to set the detection threshold and
Speed parameters automatically (Min interaction time, Max interaction duration).
Calibrate Angles
Opens an assistant to calibrate automatically all the beams by interacting with the first
beam and the last beam. All intermediary beam angles will be deduced from this.
Learn One Angle
Calibrate one beam in particular. Click on this button, then select the number of the
beam you want to learn to measure its position angle. This enables to have a better
accuracy for intermediary beams, in comparison with “Calibrate angles”.
Learn All –One by
One
Equivalent to click on Learn One Angle for all beams. This is recommended to calibrate
all the beams in laser harp mode, with a very good accuracy.
Invert X Notes
Invert all angles, so the notes and position variables
MIDI Ports
Settings
Opens a window to access and customize all MIDI connections: KB2D Ports, External
Mapping Ports, and MIDI Bridge to connect an Input port to an Output one.
About
Show some information about the version of the software.