Lasers are spectacular light effects that shoot thin, bright light beams across the room. Add a bit of smoke or mist with a fog machine and the laser-beams immediately become visible for a classic atmosphere-enhancing effect in clubs, at festivals or during gigs.
Laser Light Colours
Lasers usually feature one, two or three built-in colours: red, green and/or blue. By mixing these colours, other colours such as yellow and purple can be created, which is done by tiny built-in mirrors that blend the colours. The available colours and colour-mixing options differ from model to model.
Choosing the Right Laser
Since lasers come in various shapes and sizes, it's important to figure out what your primary use will be. If you're planning to perform on stage, you'll probably demand a more extensive laser than someone who wants to spruce up a house party. Also, if you're thinking about pro-grade laser shows, don't forget to set yourself up with a proper lighting controller.
ILDA Control
Lasers in the lower price-brackets can be easily controlled via DMX or work on the basis of sound-activation. More high-end models can also be controlled with a computer via ILDA control, which allows you to create custom shapes and patterns. Using ILDA software, it's even possible to do things like project animations and logos on projection screens.
Grating Lasers and Frost Filters
There are special lasers that can be equipped with grating lenses or frost filters. When grated, a laser beam is copied tens of times to create a room-filling, starry-night-sky effect. Frost filters, on the other hand, pull the laser beams apart, diffusing the light.
Party Lasers
A party laser is often an affordable bit of kit that's perfect for something like a house party. These kind of lasers typically feature a built-in sound active mode and, at the very least, RGB colours. To make the most of a laser, it's always recommended to get a smoke or fog machine on the side to highlight the beams. Without any smoke or dense mist, all you'll see are laser projections on the walls, floor and ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasers
How dangerous are lasers?
When used correctly, a low-power laser is absolutely safe. That said, looking directly into a laser beam should be avoided at all times. For more information, read our blog: Tech Talk: How Dangerous Are Show Lasers?.
What is laser short for?
LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
How does a laser work?
A laser is equipped with one or more laser diodes that shape a tight, narrow and coherent bundle of light that's then projected in a certain direction at a certain wavelength. Lasers come in the form of single-colour lasers and multi-colour lasers. When projected onto human skin, laser light is turned into energy and warmth.
What's the most powerful laser?
A green laser pen is extremely powerful. In fact, it's ten times as powerful as a red laser pen and it's fairly visible in daylight. Lasers with an output of more than 300mW can easily start a fire and blind people in seconds if they look directly into the light.
