FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

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1 FAQ Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the Beamz? Beamz Interactive, Inc. is an interactive music products company that develops innovative musical instruments and music entertainment products to enable people of all ages and skill levels to play music. Its premier product, the Beamz Player, is an affordable new musical instrument that allows people to make music without having to know how to read music. Powered by a computer through a USB port, the Beamz Player is easy to install and begin using. By passing your hands through the laser beams, you begin to trigger streams of musical notes to play with one of the 50 free pre-programmed song tracks you select. Each beam controls a different instrument, rhythm or sound, which works harmoniously with any of the preselected songs. There are over a hundred different songs, including original, top hits, kids songs and video songs, from many different music genres for purchase at the Beamz music library. The Beamz Player also comes with ShadowBeamz, an interactive musical game that allows users to sharpen their playing skills by mimicking prompted cues of when to play the beams. Beamz software also includes the option to easily record your music performances making your own songs for playback as a WAV or Windows Media File. Beamz Interactive s technology portfolio includes multiple patents, patents pending and trade secrets covering interactive music, software, laser-based controllers, gaming applications, and related designs and devices. The Beamz Player can be purchased through for $ How Does the Beamz Player work? The Beamz Player is a musical instrument that contains four lasers. Powered by a computer through a USB port, the Beamz Player is easy to install and begin using. This hardware comes with a PC-based software application to load onto your computer. The software responds to the players motions when their hand passes through any of the four laser beams. Players play the beams to a pre-selected song and arrange the musical sounds or instruments according to their own desires. Each pre-programmed beam works harmoniously with any song you select. Because each player-inspired performance is unique, the true number of arrangements is unlimited. Players can find over a hundred different songs online to purchase, including popular hits as well as kids songs and video songs. The way you interact with the Beamz Player is totally up to you. You can choose to sit back and listen; rearrange the song by interactively passing your hand through the laser beams you select; or actively experience music videos by adding a sound effect to a video while it s playing. Then, you can record your performances of Beamz songs right into the computer and save the music as a wave file (*.wav) or as a Windows Media file (*.wma) to share. The product comes with 50 top hits and original songs in a variety of musical genres including rock, jazz, reggae and classical, 5 video songs and the ShadowBeamz interactive music game. You can also choose to play the fun, interactive game ShadowBeamz, which challenges players to mimic prompted cues of when to break the beams. ShadowBeamz players can advance up three different levels and record and compare scores. Visit the Beamz Community to download more Beamz games and experience the next generation of gaming without a keyboard or mouse. Play it alone or with friends and family for a fun group experience. 3. Why would I want the Beamz Player? The Beamz Player appeals to amateur and professional musicians as well as those individuals, young and old, who have always aspired to play a musical instrument. Based on its ease of use and instant playability regardless of skill level, players can get jamming in minutes. It is a great new way to have fun with the family, and to share new compositions electronically with friends both near and far away. It is also a great addition to a DJ s toolbox, a wonderful therapy resource for children and adults with special needs and those recovering from strokes. Page 1 of 5 June 2010

2 4. What is new? At CES 2010, we launched our first gaming component to the Beamz, called ShadowBeamz. At the 2010 NAMM Conference, we announced key musical artists (Euge Groove, David Ellefson and Craig Chaquico) that are now embracing the Beamz, performing and creating interactive versions of their songs for their fans. At E3 2010, we announced our new Beamz Player product (MSRP $199.95) including 50 songs, 5 video songs and ShadowBeamz and the Beamz Adjustable Stand (MSRP $49.95). We also announced a distribution partnership with Dynaflex. At the 2010 Summer NAMM conference, we will announce the new Beamz Studio software skus bundled with Sony software, and the addition of an award-winning musical artist to the family of Beamz artists (Peter Erskine). 5. What makes the Beamz Player different from other instruments? The Beamz Player is unlike any instrument on the market. First, while it may look like a harp, it is more dynamic in its ability to play multiple notes, sounds and musical clips with the touch of each single beam. Unlike a digital piano or keyboard which features a variety of instrument sounds by assigning a single instrument sound for each key, the Beamz software allows Beamz players to play multiple sounds on one beam. And, the Beamz will always be in tune when playing any combination of instrument sounds in any given song. This harmonious quality makes creating music fun, easy and enjoyable. The Beamz Player also allows players to record and share songs with friends and family. Playing the Beamz Player is as simple as tapping on a drum, but the outcome and range of sounds and instruments goes well beyond any digital drum on the market. The depth of the Beamz software and music content puts this instrument in a class of its own. 6. What is the recommended minimum experience for the Beamz players? The Beamz Player can be played by anyone regardless of age or experience. You do not need to know how to read music and no training is required. As with all products, young children should be supervised. Accomplished musicians will especially enjoy exploring this new technology. 7. Can you play the Beamz Player with other instruments? Yes. The Beamz Player can be added to any jam session. It can be used to accompany a group of other instruments or it can be the centerpiece to any music performance, interactive or traditional. 8. Is playing the Beamz Player similar to playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band? No. The Beamz Player provides a richer music experience for consumers; the Beamz Player is a recreational musical instrument and music entertainment product that allows you to actually create or make your own music. By activating each of the four beams at the players discretion, players can change the course of any Beamz song. Just as a jazz musician will improvise and contribute a unique solo within a jam session, Beamz players control the destiny and uniqueness of each song played. Players can Be the Band, rather than pretend to be in the band -- and the video jam songs allow users to join the band and interact with original artist videos in an extraordinary music experience, unlike any other. 9. What is the difference between interactive and traditional music? Interactive music is creative, dynamic and spontaneous. Beamz interactive music is harmoniously designed and structured for players to perform interactive music with limitless possibilities. Unlike traditional music, where a musician plays a song by reading and performing to a defined musical score, interactive music is free flowing - there is no musical score to follow. Players are inspired to interact with the Beamz songs and create unique sounds different from any other type of instrument. 10. What comes in the box when I purchase The Beamz Player? Here's what players will find inside The Beamz Player box at purchase: The Beamz Player hardware device USB cable 1 DVD includes beamz player software, 50 songs & ShadowBeamz game Quick Start Guide 11. How much does the product cost? The Beamz Player costs $ This includes 50 top-hits and original Beamz composed songs. To purchase additional songs, visit for a complete selection of original, top-hits and kids songs. Each song costs $2.99 and video jam songs, available beginning August 1, 2001, costs $3.99. Page 2 of 5 June 2010

3 12. What do I need to get started? To get the most out of The Beamz system, we recommend the following: A PC with a processor greater than 1.3Ghz and 2GB RAM running Windows 7, Vista (service pack 2 or later) or XP, - Five GB of free hard disk space. - One free USB port. (The Beamz controller will not function correctly if connected to a USB hub.) Beamz customers may download updates for their Beamz Player and/or Beamz Studio Software from and While not required, external speakers or headphones are recommended to get the full Beamz experience. (These items are not included.) 13. Does the Beamz Player work with a Mac? The beamz player software may be used on a Mac computer using the boot camp software utility from Apple. We are in development of a Mac driver for the beamz player controller to communicate with music creation and playback applications including Garage Band, Traktor, Virtual DJ, Cerado and the like. We request that interested users send an to info@thebeamz.com and include Mac Interest in the subject line. We will be contacting these users in July 2010 with a development update. 14. Can I play Beamz songs without attaching the Beamz instrument to a computer? Yes, you can trigger the Beamz instruments in the Beamz player software by using the computer mouse with the virtual Beamz pictured on your computer screen. You may also use the A, S, D, F, G, H, keys (A = beam 1, S = beam 2, D = beam 3, F = beam 4, G = swap sounds, H = rhythm on/off). But we think you ll have more fun using your hands and whole body to get you into the rhythm. 15. How do you store the Beamz Player? The Beamz Player was designed for easy storage when you are not using it. Slipping it into the original box is the best way to store it when it is not being used. You can also secure the Beamz Player to a music stand to keep it accessible anytime. Information regarding which music stands may be used with the Beamz at Does the Beamz Player come with any games? Yes. ShadowBeamz was launched in January 2010 as a free download on and is currently bundled with the Beamz Player (model C4) How do I get more songs? The Beamz comes with 50 songs as part of the software package during original purchase. Visit to purchase additional original compositions and popular hit songs. 18. I noticed the top-hit songs are called Jams. What is a Jam? The Beamz composers have taken top-hit songs from popular artists and have created an interactive version or remake in the style of the original artist. By remaking and editing the original music into an interactive format, Beamz players can jam to these familiar songs, by pulling in a variety of music clips and sounds at the players discretion. This is the beauty of interactive music. Each player creates their own signature to playing a popular song. 19. What music categories or genres are available for use with the Beamz? The Beamz comes with original, top-hit, party favorites and kids music in 20 genres, including: jazz, blues, rock, classical, reggae, hip hop, Latin, dance, jazz and more. 20. Can I record with the Beamz? Absolutely. The Beamz Player is designed for novices and experienced musicians. You can record your performances playing any of the songs right into the computer. You can save the music as a wave file (*.wav) or as a Windows Media file (*.wma) to share with family and friends. 21. How many people can play the Beamz at one time? Several people can team up to play the Beamz Player. You can also connect up to two additional systems to play in tandem. Page 3 of 5 June 2010

4 22. How can I recreate the same song after I played it the first time? Recreating the same song requires practice. Players should record a song first, and then determine which beams were triggered to achieve the instrument sounds and timing. 23. Where can I purchase this product? The Beamz can be purchased online at Check the website for some retail outlets to purchase the Beamz. 24. When playing the Beamz Player, does the placement of your hand affect the sound that you create? The sound is generated by the touch. So the amount of time you place your hand in front of a beam will determine the amount of sound you will produce from that beam s designated instrument. The placement of your hand from left or right doesn t change the sound. It is the placement of your hand through the beam that impacts the production of sound. 25. Are the lasers safe? Yes. To ensure the safety of Beamz players, the product has successfully met all safety standards after undergoing testing by a professional laser compliance consulting service which helps companies meet national and international standards. The Beamz emits a class 2 laser, which is the same as the lasers used in grocery store scanners. While the lasers are very safe, no one should stare directly into the path of the laser beams. 26. How can I use my own MIDI, WAV and/or MP3 files in Beamz songs and/or assign my music files to play with specific beams? Beamz Studio software provides Beamz users the capability to import MIDI, WAV and/or MP3 files into the Studio application. Studio software enables users to edit any aspect of a Beamz song and provides the means to compose interactive music songs of their own. The new Beamz Studio Premium Bundle Edition includes full versions of Sony s ACID Music Studio and Sound Forge Audio Studio to create a comprehensive studio solution suite for original song creation, audio recording, MIDI production, studioquality mixing, effects processing and audio mastering. ACID Music Studio and Sound Forge Audio Studio each retail for $ However, when bundled with the Beamz Studio application, consumers receive a $140 value for an incremental $50. Beamz Studio Software is available now from for $ For the Beamz Professional model C6, which features 6 laser beams, you can purchase the Beamz Studio Premium Bundle Edition separately for $149.95, or bundled with the model C6 hardware for $ Can I change the positioning of the instruments assigned to the Beamz Player in a specific song? Yes. In the Beamz Player software users may edit the beam assignment of the instruments, adjust volume settings for each instrument and modify the overall tempo of the rhythm. 28. May I use the Beamz Player with an instrument stand? Yes. Beamz Interactive just launched a new Adjustable Beamz Player Stand for $49.95, which can be purchased at Additionally, Beamz is reselling a mounting bracket option ($24.95) which may be used with the ProLine GMS80A Conductor Sheet Music Stand which retails for $ The ProLine conductor stand is readily available from multiple online retailers and national music instrument retailers. 29. Are there any wireless options for the Beamz Player? The current Beamz Player product requires a USB connection from the instrument to a computer. We are exploring wireless options for future products. 30. What are video songs? The Beamz Player includes a whole new way to experience making music with the addition of 5 new video jam songs, which are interactive versions that use original master recordings and videos licensed from EMI Music Services. Beamz Interactive is also in dialogue with other labels and publishers to rapidly expand its video jam song library. Additional video jam songs will be available for purchase for $3.99 each from beginning August 1, Interacting with video jam songs provides consumers a rich and unique music entertainment experience this dynamic new content for the Beamz Player goes beyond traditional music gaming products. Page 4 of 5 June 2010

5 31. What are the differences between the new Beamz Player with 4 laser beams and the Beamz unit with 6 laser beams? The new Beamz Player is a smaller in a sleek design with the consumer in mind to play at home and to easily play with family and friends. The Beamz Player is bundled with 50 songs and the ShadowBeamz game in the box, and the new design includes a record button for players to easily capture the great music moments. The Beamz interactive music system with 6 beams includes 30 original beamz songs and includes a display for song numbers within the beamz player software playlists that consumers may create. 32. Who should buy Studio software? When would the new Beamz Studio Premium Bundle Edition make sense for someone to purchase? Beamz Studio software transforms the Beamz Player (4 beam, model C4) or the Beamz (6 beam, model C6) devices into an interactive laser controller for your music with dynamic and revolutionary music making possibilities. The Sony applications provide consumers a complete solution suite for original song creation, audio recording, MIDI production, studio-quality mixing, effects processing and audio mastering. 33. What other type of applications beyond music are available to work with the Beamz Player? Beamz Interactive will be releasing a software developer s kit in Q3 for application developers to create games or other applications to use the Beamz Player as a laser controller. Page 5 of 5 June 2010

Beamz Interactive To Feature Demonstrations of its Interactive Laser Controller by Top Artists at NAMM Conference Booth #6110

Beamz Interactive To Feature Demonstrations of its Interactive Laser Controller by Top Artists at NAMM Conference Booth #6110 Craig Chaquico, David Ellefson, Euge Groove, Tommy Bolan and Beamz Inventor