I just converted from dj to vj, I need info

[EDHEAD]

Hello my name is Chuck, I just ordered the full system from promo-only. I have been a mobile dj on the weekends for 10 years, and just converted to a vj. Dont laugh but I sell John Deere tractors as my regular job. Anywhey, I have a vj gig on the 18th, I hope the system shows up in time, I am planning on just playing music videos, not running any cameras. Do you have any suggestions for a first timer. Thanks!:nod:

[eXhale]

what is the "full system from promo-only"?

[dedhedgehog]

he might meen this

http://www.djzone.net/pg/0208/vd020801.shtml

[WordVirus23]

Originally posted by eXhale
what is the "full system from promo-only"?

is it just me or does that look suspiciously like a MX-PRO nestled into that box?

[eXhale]

?It?s really just a case of no one stepping up to the plate,? said Promo Only director, Jim Robinson of the product?s launch. ?Today, despite the surging demand from those who offer music video, VJs are still being forced to deal with cumbersome and expensive video equipment simply because there?s been no alternative ? until now.?:p

well $2899 for a mixer, 2 dvd players and 3 monitors seems a bit expensive... prefer to put money in a laptop.

[LEVLHED]

This is one case where the term "VJ" gets confusing....I assume that system (and their use of the term VJ) is for those that play actual MTV-style music videos....we've had people coming here before like this....wonder if we should put up a specific forum for these guys yet?

[michaelheap]

again what the F*** is that?

i guess pure comedy purposes i guess thats what you might use, i will stick to an mx50 a laptop running md3 & a tower runnin vjamm with a couple of vcd players.

[DJRobB]

I'm also a DJ/VJ that shows the MTV style Videos.

BUT?

Over half of my show is ambient and live cam stuff. As I learn more about some of the software out there the more I am getting into visuals and less in playing the videos.

Plus over half of the music videos out there you just can play at most parties.

I would like to se you start a forum for the MTV style VJs.

[LEVLHED]

A seperate forum would need someone to host it, ideally someone who is familiar with all the pertinent issues involved in that style of VJ...

"MTV VJ"...a mobile DJ that also plays all the latest music videos as part of the entertainment! Not exactly what we've focused on here, but they surely have some of the same interests as "us"..

[DJRobB]

LEVLHED said,

"Not exactly what we've focused on here, but they surely have some of the same interests as "us".."

True:D

[holly]

Wow, guys, that's certainly the way to welcome a new member to the forums.:confused: Ignore these oafs, Chuck. They are all college computer geeks who believe their way (laptops running 3-second clips and animations) is the only way.

No real advice here. That system should work right out of (inside?) the box and do exactly what you expect it to. From DJ to VJ with this rig seems pretty straight forward for playing music videos. After your first gig is over, you might pull the mixer from its box and check to see if you have some more inputs, what kind of effects it can do, if it can lumakey another layer ontop of your music videos, etc. Eventually, you might want to add an abstract/logo layer (something generated live and audioreactive from a computer) or have a third and fourth discplayer to cut to custom video content while a song is playing, just to keep things fresh and interesting from video to video. If the mixer doesn't have additional inputs you can always pick up a couple of video switchboxes from RadioShack to patch them in.

Looks like a nice system and I like the roadcase. Maybe it could have been put together from scratch for cheaper, but with the 3 monitors and the custom case...? I doubt it.

enjoy.
HOLLY

[eXhale]

yeah sorry i think i was just turned off by this lame press release. but all press release are kinda lame i guess.

[DJRobB]

Put them both togather and Make it a music video/Karaoke forum.

I'll Bring over some friends.

I think this new forum could be a win win thing for all.

[LEVLHED]

kommy was being a smart-ass w/ the karaoke suggestion...we'll have to think about a seperate "MTV-VJ" forum...maybe come up with a better name too...not sure if we want to get into this stuff here, as I'm sure there are other forums dedicated to that line of work already...no reason "mtvVJs" can't still come here and soak up knowledge still....

[holly]

from DJRobB
Make it a music video/Karaoke forum. I'll Bring over some friends.

If there's beer, I'll join in. I sing a mean Blondie cover ? but I suppose I should call it "sampling" to get respect around here!:D

This is me singing ?> :eek:

[DJRobB]

For the record..... I hate karaoke. :mad:

[holly]

kommy is a big weenie, but I still like the idea of combining a "musicvideos" or "MTV-style" VJ with a video Karaoke forum. Maybe RobB could host since he already knows a thing or two...? How 'bout it Rob? What are you afraid of Lev, being tainted by those who cater to a different crowd? Think of it as an interactive installation! I bet it could be a hit with the over 30 crowd. A whole new cross-over business with wedding video and bar-mitzva planners! It couldn't be less popular than the "talk with vjs" forum, who ever that's supposed to help....

My boyfriend bought this K machine for his kid that doesn't play videos but it outputs the lyrics to a TV. Could you imagine keying the lyrics over some real-time audiovisulizer that is jamming to the singer's voice? Or maybe mixing in the livecam of the singer or her friends at the table? I smell drunk yuppies spending money!

[eXhale]

hahaha

i'm not against creating new specific forum but i really wonder if there is a need for it. yes every once and a while some "mtv vjs" come here to ask questions but i don't feel it's going to be a very active forum. there are tons of other forums i could add but i don't create them all at once to avoid an overload of inactive forums (the quickest way to kill a message board). why not just post your questions/messages on the existing forums (the technique and content ones are fine for this) and if there starts to be enough posts about it, i'll start a new forum just for it, ok?

[LEVLHED]

Originally posted by holly
What are you afraid of Lev, ?

Absolutely nothing! You obviously don't know that I am also a wedding DJ who often caters to the 30+ crowd...in fact I include myself amongst the 30+ crowd (at the ripe old age of 31)...and I HATE karaoke too...there is absolutely nothing entertaining about a bunch of drunk mofo's who can't sing anyway on a mic...

the concerns eX mention are the only ones I have also...I agree, lets not dedicate a forum to it just yet...

[mjz55]

I am both a club and wedding dj for over 25 years, and I also do karaoke. Not that I exactly like it but, and a big but, it makes money. It opened doors for me for daytime and private parties that I never would have done. PLUS, I do my karaoke all with my PC over one sound card while my regular dj music program goes over the other. I really want to get the mtv music video thingy going, but with my computer, and not with dj power either. I thank Holly for her help and also levlhed, both gave me program ideas. If I can conquer this feat, I will then do the video feeds and who knows what else. I think a separate forum for KJ's or VDJ's would be cool, especially with all the knowledge on this board. All us DJ's would have to do is figure out how to incorporate it into our operation.

[sofarok]

that looks liek an interesting piece of kit, i spy an external crossfader for a start, hoping to case my similar set up like that soon...

[DJRobB]

mjz55,

I followed your lead from DJchat.

Thanks for the lead, I love this site.

[DJRobB]

EDHEAD,

Come over to DJchat. There's a forum just for DJ/vjs there.
Although no one there knows anything about what this site has to offer.

heres the link ....

http://www.djchat.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=101

See ya there.

heck.. set you all there....

[kommy]

Originally posted by *****


midi Knobs? where ya getting that from?
The site mentions it
its the one u audio mixer.

G

oh damn, wishful thinking (or maybe too much crack) i didnt bother to read the site i was just looking at the pretty picture

[MoRpH]

Interesting looking bit of kit. Still would like to see @ least one PC in there for the abilites and it also sort of requires you to have a DVD burner @ home if you want to use your own created material. Still seems to have a good purpose..... nice one. Also this looks good for the acceptance and gradual pervasiveness of video, I mean if mobile DJs are using video in their setup, there is no excuse for the big promoters not to have it @ their party (even if it is a totally different sort of video, eg not MTV clips).

[mjz55]

That's a good idea *****, you got my thinkin' wheels moving.

[EDHEAD]

Wow 3 pages of post's in less than a day, I have learned a few things reading them. Thanks for the insight. I am not much of an artist, I just don't have the time to be these days, and I think that is the main difference between what I am doing and what most of you are doing. I just sit back with a beer and play music videos, what you guys are doing takes allot more practice and creativity.

[MoRpH]

Cool ED, glad you can see that, RESPECT mate :)

Unfortunately I feel that maybe some of the snippy comments @ the start are the result of a bit of a agressive cloud hanging over VJF @ the momment (and no we are not going to start discussing it here), but I'm glad your here and have gotten some help, my apologies for any negativity.

Any one else out there moving over, or not posting yet???

Also just want to say to everyone please post even if you fear you might get negative responses from ppl as we all grow in the process :) and we can deal with getting it out of the way and down to the help and sharing that VJC/F is all about :)

[holly]

Mmmmmm. Beer.

[kommy]

Originally posted by EDHEAD
Wow 3 pages of post's in less than a day, I have learned a few things reading them. Thanks for the insight. I am not much of an artist, I just don't have the time to be these days, and I think that is the main difference between what I am doing and what most of you are doing. I just sit back with a beer and play music videos, what you guys are doing takes allot more practice and creativity.

damn i wonder if he's gettin paid more than me?
he's drinkin and im workin the crossfader like theres no tomorrow
hmmm.... whos smarter here?

[MoRpH]

http://www.2020site.org/remedies/beer.gif ahhhh my favourite topic :p

Mate you can drink a beer and still work it mate (I know I do) but its one way of getting ppl off the boring old t-bar cut to the beat..... beer/t-bar, beer/t-bar..... :p

[kommy]

hey i'll go head to head with anyone on my" tbar cut to the beat" style any day of the week and kick their booty out of the water, i know you think its boring cause youre so used to using an mx1 but i got a pana baby, and im a percussionist sos i gots rhythm and i tell you my show TRuely follows the music, every little beat baby.

edited to say: granted my arm gets pretty damn tired after 6 hours of workin the tbar, but you know the ladies like it

[MoRpH]

Hahaha, I have used MANY MANY pana's I was even the first to get to grips with the fact that the MX12 is *slightly* faster on the bus switch than the 50, so i'm not stranger to fast switching. Just saying I think there are better ways to do it, and more creative ways to mix than that boring old standard.

Think outside the box (t-bar)

[kommy]

so how do you match the beat better than crossfader manipulaton vjedi master? i want to know. i am ready.

[MoRpH]

This has gone completely OT, start a new thread over in another forum and we can chat about it there :)

Now back to your scheduled programming :)

[DJRobB]

pana's, MX12, t-bar ....

Wa wa what? Your Losing me.

I?ve got a lot to learn.

[kommy]

ahh typical jedi, well remember there is 2 sides to the force yin & yang
avoid the question now, we will get you somewhere else

[MoRpH]

RobB, read and you will learn... there is MUCH info here and on VJC for you to absorb :)

Kommy, nah I'm more than happy to dicuss it mate just somewhere more approprieate than Rob's thread :)

[DJRobB]

It's not my thread it's EDHEAD thread!!!! LOL

[kommy]

i see thru your ploy youre trying to lure me into your area, but i wont have it, we'll meet here on neutral newbie soil, i feel the force to be equal here.
so whats your secret weapon mate, give me your best shot

[MoRpH]

Hahaha sorry about that Rob.

:alien: OK kommy whatever, actually it wouldn't fit into either of the forums I run :)

/me takes away Kommy's crack pipe

[kommy]

damn it you found my weakness,
i'll be back, i'll be back damn you

you avoided it for now............

[kommy]

plus i heard it can cause blindness and make your palms hairy, although i havnt noticed these yet

[mjz55]

How is the Adobe Premirer program? Will it work for mtv video dj's?

[DJRobB]

"How is the Adobe Premirer program? Will it work for mtv video dj's?"

No.


It's a editing program.

[holly]

A DVD recorder like this Philips (http://www.vjcentral.com/show/2974) might be more useful for compiling your best musicvideos onto fewer discs. It respects CSS and Macrovision so you will have to find a workaround or a modified/Chinese disc player to play the videos onto your personal use compilation DVD. Good for anyone who is VJing from a DVD source (if your player is compatable).