Ok so I guess I am a bit of a VJ vigin

[JeffMills]

Second post on this site, and already you guys have help me so I was hoping you could all give me some pointers.

I project visuals at a club in MK called Sensoria. Sensoria (http://www.sensoria.co.uk)

This is my set up. I use a wins based PC that runs Arkaos, I also run some of the windows media visuals, some mpeg videos that I have recorded around the concrete city of MK.

This PC has a video out from a G Force graphics card, which goes into a video mixer, Panasonic WJ MX-10. Into this I have another 3 sources, a static camera over the DJ mixer, so you can see the DJ's cutting up and playing with their knobs, this is just cheap micro mark CCTV camera that I got on e-bay, not great quality but does the job. A video camera that I scan around the club and use the built in effects on the mixer to give it an edge. I also cheat and use a visual video, so that the whole evening has some flow. I then use a Fujitsu LPF4200 projector, not too sure on the ansi?

I then record the whole night onto another VHS recorder.

I also went to Maplin and purchased some audio switch boxes that have four channels on it so I can select which source goes to A on the mixer and which one goes to B.

What I really want to know is am I moving in the right direction. The 2 problems I have are the switch box I got through Maplin sometimes affects the source into the mixer, what professional switch boxes should I be looking at, are there any pro switch boxes? Also Arkaos is great but when I look at some of the stuff the more experienced VJ produces or the pro VJ video I use has more of a flow to it, rather then one effect then another effect and so on and so on. I just use the built in beat detector when running Arkaos rather than Midi.

Has anyone got any ideas on what VJ software I should be running, anyone got any gigs soon in the UK that I can come along and see your set up and get some tips. Anyone got a clue what I am going on about?

[PilotX]

Jeff, you've made no mention of what you do to the mpegs you have played from recordings around MK, so have you got Adobe After Effects /Premier or VirtualDub or another video editing/filtering suite? You've got a camcorder, so you can film and effect stuff to create you're own set of visuals.
Also, and I don't know much about this, have you at 3d editing suites (theres a thread around here somewhere about this...http://www.vjforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1336) or Flash/Director?
(I'm confident someone with more knowledge will jump in here if you are interested)

Sorry if this is not what you are looking for. Maybe I do understand what you are going an about, maybe not. ;)

Tom
Syzygy Visuals

ps: setup sounds like a good start, just play around until you find one you enjoy.

[JeffMills]

Cheers for your response, by the way my name is not Jeff, but I hope you catch my drift something to do with cockney slang?!?!?!?!

The mpeg's are just footage with no effects on them. I recorded them on a super 8 video camera and then save them to MPEG format from the input on a tv card. One is a camera in the middle of the shopping center in MK bit freaky really and the other is footage at night driving through MK while I was hanging out of the back of the Sharran. I ghost these onto the pro VJ video I use it gives a sense of a journey What I really I am looking for is another piece of VJ software to produce some graphics that relate to the club i.e logo the theme of the club etc etc

I will have a look at the other forums for some advice.

Cheers

Martin

[MoRpH]

Nah I would say your on the right track just keep your eyes open and keep experimenting.

As for your switch glitch issue, the MX10 takes sync for input 2 so you DON'T want to have a hardswitch/crunchbox (like you have) running into that input as it will affect the other channel when you switch (loose sync).

You can get pro switches that don't loose sync but an MX1 would prolly be cheaper and you get all the other functions too.

BTW have you done the Luma Mod on your MX10??? I highly recommend it as it gives you a very nice luma key to add to your shows.

As for software on the PC for dual head action (I presume you don't have a scanny) check out TZT or resolume, if you just want full screen check out VJamm (not that diff to arkaos) or VisualJockey.

[JeffMills]

That would explain the problem with the switch box then, I guess. So Santa needs to deliver me a new mixer for Christmas, is there any way of disabling the sync?

Apart from e-bay where else could I pick up a 2nd hand mixer. Also I have had a quick scan around the backstage section of the website but is there a projector that is the industry standard for VJ'ing?

I will take a look at the software you recommended.

Cheers

[JeffMills]

Originally posted by MoRpH
Nah I would say your on the right track just keep your eyes open and keep experimenting.

As for your switch glitch issue, the MX10 takes sync for input 2 so you DON'T want to have a hardswitch/crunchbox (like you have) running into that input as it will affect the other channel when you switch (loose sync).

You can get pro switches that don't loose sync but an MX1 would prolly be cheaper and you get all the other functions too.

BTW have you done the Luma Mod on your MX10??? I highly recommend it as it gives you a very nice luma key to add to your shows.

As for software on the PC for dual head action (I presume you don't have a scanny) check out TZT or resolume, if you just want full screen check out VJamm (not that diff to arkaos) or VisualJockey.

Is the MX1 made by videonics?

[MoRpH]

unfortunately there is no solution to the sync issue and unfortunately you can't change the sync source on the MX10 (or does it have external sync in, I don't think so) and way the point being why not just use a 4+ channel cruncher on input one, that will give you 5+ sources, just means you have to run a solid sync (eg PC output) into input 2 and mix to that each time you want to switch on input 1.......

The MX1 is made by videonics and is great little box, especially when used with another mixer or FX unit, check the review here http://www.vjcentral.com/hardware/show/54

[JeffMills]

Thanks Morph, I will have a go at doing that. Does that mean that if I just use the switch box on channel A I will not get a sync problem?

Oh by the way Happy Christmas, and a merry MX 1 to you!

[MoRpH]

Yes use a solid sync input on input 2 (eg PC output, full TBC mixer like an MX1, etc) and you can crunch away on input 1 as long as you are not mixed onto input 1 when switching

[PilotX]

Originally posted by JeffMills

Apart from e-bay where else could I pick up a 2nd hand mixer.

Try looking for a home video magazine (something like amatuer photographer but for video), failing that try a photography magazine. The classififeds might reveal some..

Tom

[JeffMills]

I hope everyone is getting as much out of this as I am, but I do have another question.

I like being able to control things by using knobs and buttons hence why I went for the MX-10 in the first place. Does the MX-50 by Panasonic have similar features to the MX1 from the photo's I've seen the MX-1 looks very rubbery like an old Sinclair computer, i.e. does the MX50 enable me to control and assign sources to each of the channels?

[MoRpH]

Also try other local online auctio outfits, also try local trading post/classified newspapers.

The MX50 does have more knobs and stuff than the MX1 (as the MX1 is more menu/keypad based). However the MX1 has more wipes and better FX (IMHO), also a better previewing system (see the review) and allows you to route your sources, which the MX50 doesn't. Also the MX1 is alot cheeper than the MX50, and has a MUCH smaller footprint.

With either of these mixers cascading into an MX10 with a 4 channel switch on input 1 will give you 8 sources to choose from which is where I think the MX1s montioring advantage would come in, they are ecpecially good for use as a live cam pre-mix b4 going into your main mixer (the MX10 in this case), personally I like the MX12 more than the 10, so I would prefer an MX1/MX12 combo rig, but since you already have the 10 to play around with (eg fast cuts, knobs and sliders for FX), I would recommend the MX1.

BTW as I said do you have your MX10 modded yet???

[JeffMills]

BTW as I said do you have your MX10 modded yet??? [/B][/QUOTE]

?!?!?!?!?!?!? What the hell does that mean, I reckon it must be easier to be an audio DJ!?!?!?!?! Move over Jules, Jeff Mills is about to take over!

Morp how do I mod? My MX-10?

[MoRpH]

http://sysx.org/vsv/MX10mod.html

it adds the ability to luma key, using your current key sliders and reverse button it keys to the other source rather than a flat colour like on the standard MX10. Also with these controls its far superior to the MX50 luma key

[JeffMills]

Interesting I will get my soldering iron out now. Morph do you know anyone that has done it, or has anyone got any photos of where they have mounted the switch on the casing etc?

[MoRpH]

I know the ppl that designed it, I know MANY MANY ppl with modded MX10s, and use the unit of a fellow VJ (spook) on a regular basis. The switch is normally mounted above the key select buttons (colour, white, etc) to the right of the key sliders, as these are the buttons it effects, when switch on the white button is replaced with the other source :)