Uploaded November 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
dscript.org/fire-fountain-diy-music-laser-show-wateroilpump
So here is a cool Analog Music Laser design I have been using for a few months. Finally got some time to post a quick DIY video. The design is simple to replicate and there are tons of ways to vary the specifics and customize it and the effects produced.
There are 3 main "intensity layers"
1.Bubbles of Water suspended in Oil - There is a layer of oil above the water layer mineral baby oil works great, I also like to "pollute" it with a bit of vegetable oil to add more "effects". The water pump sucks from the water and pumps it through a small hole into the oil layer. The pump is run by the music signal so between beats and pulses, bubble like to "snap closed" creating an effect that dances to the music with a "smooth snappy" effect.
2.Water Spurt Stream - When the pump pressure exceeds a certain threshold the stream of water will burst out of the oil layer and stream up into the air in an arc. The laser passes through this space so the stream will create a vertical stream effect in the center of the display.
3.Droplet Catcher - When the stream becomes strong enough it will shoot far enough that the water, plus some oil, will hit the wire strands hanging from the support bar which are used as "droplet catchers". droplets will slide down, and fall off or hang on. the laser cuts through this space as well, so the droplets and downward flowing water crate cool effects as the splash and settle. the water and oils will separate into "bubbles on bubbles" creating some cool slow moving effects. Technically this stage can be divided into 4 intensities:
Hitting the catcher
Hitting the bar and sliding down onto the catcher
Hit the bar and sliding down the back, again into the catcher
Going right over the bar and coming down in front of the laser
Multiple bars with multiple catcher could be added allowing for various intensities of catchers.
Looks even better if you use something to delay the audio signal to the speakers, the physics of the system seem to put it about 1/3 to 1/2 second behind the music. Less if you switch the DC power with the signal, more if you switch the AC supply to the DC adapter, obvious I know, but some people ask such questions
This on is alot of fun, I highly recommend it, as it can be personalized in Oh SO Many ways
Example videos
youtube.com/watch?v=BoQijEtSNCk&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
youtube.com/watch?v=6VzoJOfrBcg&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
Here is one where the intensity is super low so that it only creates bubbles in the oil layer.
youtube.com/watch?v=y8K-dVqqYoE&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
dscript.org/fire-fountain-diy-music-laser-show-wateroilpump
So here is a cool Analog Music Laser design I have been using for a few months. Finally got some time to post a quick DIY video. The design is simple to replicate and there are tons of ways to vary the specifics and customize it and the effects produced.
There are 3 main "intensity layers"
1.Bubbles of Water suspended in Oil - There is a layer of oil above the water layer mineral baby oil works great, I also like to "pollute" it with a bit of vegetable oil to add more "effects". The water pump sucks from the water and pumps it through a small hole into the oil layer. The pump is run by the music signal so between beats and pulses, bubble like to "snap closed" creating an effect that dances to the music with a "smooth snappy" effect.
2.Water Spurt Stream - When the pump pressure exceeds a certain threshold the stream of water will burst out of the oil layer and stream up into the air in an arc. The laser passes through this space so the stream will create a vertical stream effect in the center of the display.
3.Droplet Catcher - When the stream becomes strong enough it will shoot far enough that the water, plus some oil, will hit the wire strands hanging from the support bar which are used as "droplet catchers". droplets will slide down, and fall off or hang on. the laser cuts through this space as well, so the droplets and downward flowing water crate cool effects as the splash and settle. the water and oils will separate into "bubbles on bubbles" creating some cool slow moving effects. Technically this stage can be divided into 4 intensities:
Hitting the catcher
Hitting the bar and sliding down onto the catcher
Hit the bar and sliding down the back, again into the catcher
Going right over the bar and coming down in front of the laser
Multiple bars with multiple catcher could be added allowing for various intensities of catchers.
Looks even better if you use something to delay the audio signal to the speakers, the physics of the system seem to put it about 1/3 to 1/2 second behind the music. Less if you switch the DC power with the signal, more if you switch the AC supply to the DC adapter, obvious I know, but some people ask such questions
This on is alot of fun, I highly recommend it, as it can be personalized in Oh SO Many ways
Example videos
youtube.com/watch?v=BoQijEtSNCk&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
youtube.com/watch?v=6VzoJOfrBcg&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
Here is one where the intensity is super low so that it only creates bubbles in the oil layer.
youtube.com/watch?v=y8K-dVqqYoE&feature=share&list=PLmSUTHzWYMaPmASEWUB1CFT5eCU5nq2w1
