VJ Most basic equipment

[InfraRed]

Hi

I've done a couple of gigs and was interested in getting some more equipment but would like some advise on what to get.

Currently based on Pc's so would go for a laptop but, is one laptop enough? Is it possible for me to do large and long gigs (1500 people for 6 hours-biggest scenario) on one laptop with for example Arkaos? Or do I need to more eg 2 laptops, vision mixer etc??

I don't want to start promoting myself and find that my equipment is short of the mark. Or at least I would like to know the limits that I can realistically achieve with 1 laptop.

Any advise would be fantastic.

Take care

N

[wellREDman]

it is technically possible to do a large long gig with one laptop as long as you have the space on it to contain enuff content, but really with just one source of visuals you are really running a huge risk if your laptop fails, you will have no backup/standby,
i would recommend at least having a vcr with a tape of premixed stuff on standby, and ideally a video mixer and 2 computers/decks,
until youve played with a video mixer and multiple sources you havent experienced the huuge posibilities of visuals

[InfraRed]

Thanks for your reply.

When you said 'video mixer and 2 computers/decks' what do you mean by decks?

Would it also be possible to just use hardware on its own which footage can be loaded onto eg a Hippotiser? Do you know how much they cost?

I am full of questions so thanks for your time !!

Regards

N

[spark]

mwaaahaaaa 'until you have played with a video mixer and multiple sources you havent experienced the huuge posibilities of visuals'... au contrare mon ami, that gets very limiting! until you have explored software-based mixing the possibilities widen!!

...but we know each other too well on this one :D

anyway, back to the thread: you are ready to promote yourself when you feel your show is good enough. yep, i use one laptop for the max scenario you describe, but i feel i can pull out of it enough visual range for the whole night. so the laptop is a factor, but the mixing soft, my knowledge of it, my visual style and my content are all equally important.

on the arkaos note, i wouldn't like to do an allnighter alone with just that, but your mileage may vary.

as red said, a backup can be very good for your sanity, even if its a less demanding app on the same laptop.

the hippotiser is an option, but its still just a computer, so that or a laptop, its your call.

personally, this is my minimum equipment setup, which all has huge use beyond vjing, and can hold its own against any rig you're likely to encounter on the circuit...

apple powerbook top-spec. UKP 2500
dvcam (analogue in/out) UKP 800
vidvox vj software suite USD 400 (vdmx+prophet)
midi controller UKP 150

cheers,

toby

[wellREDman]

well actually comrade spark u do the mixer thing, u just do it in software so u can experience the possibilities, just sacrificing resolution for the option of using one machine rather than 3 :)
but to my eye your method isnt suitable for newbies, it takes considerable skill/experience to make a feature out of the low res pixelly stuff the way you do

inffra when i said decks i meant any form of playback device, vhs/svhs/dvd/dvd/

a hippotiser is more expensive than a laptop, about ?3k as far a i know

[disassembler]

Video mixer for sure.

[holly]

Start with a hardware mixer and one player (DVD, VCD, or tape ? it just depends on what you are capable of recording/burning to.) On the player you can have some pre-mixed visuals, like for example water flowing or highway driving or city lights blury and zooming all over. You could have 5 to 10 minutes of this type of "background" or ambient footage to use as a base, followed by another 5-10 minutes of a different ambient video, etc. Now use your software to run fast visuals and perform on top of the ambient visuals. With a good mixer you can get wonderful results by using a lumakey or by simply cutting between the PC and the player.

This way, you can think of the player as the accompaniment (back-up band), while you jam a jazz solo on the software. It gives you more freedom with timing and performance, especially with a triggering app like Arkaos. Having an ambient-background track in the player and immediate "pop" visuals in the PC-foreground gives you the best of both worlds in the smallest package. If the PC crashes or you need a short break or you want to switch to another VJ app, the ambient player will cover you.

Funk is what you don't play.
It's the space between events.
Funk is what you don't say.
It's the silence you don't fill.
Funk is when you stop
When you let your ego drop.
?The Stereonerds

[MoRpH]

Yep couldn't agree more, basic rig would be PC, mixer and another source (VHS,DVD,VCD or cam if enough is happening on it and its the right sort of style of party).

[naiveHQ]

until recently i played with only a lappie but i just got my first mixer. even if i wouldnt use the mixer all night(witch i do of course:) ) its worth having it there just for peace of mind. the
stress of "crash-fear" can really take the fun out of a gig. if the comp crashes i just switch to a backup on another source, reboot and im up and running without any one noticing a thing.

obviously, if you would use the extra source ONLY for crash-back
up you could arrange some sort of plain, cheap switch between sources but for playing a mixer is good fun.

[wellREDman]

a good trick for crash backup if you dont have a mixer, is use a vhs/svhs deck, (dvd/vcd players dont usually have an input) in line from your computer to the projector, ie the output from yr lappie goes to the input to the video deck, then the output from that goes to the beamer, then if you have issues with the puter all you have to do is press play on the deck (with a prerecorded mix tape in it) while u sort out the puter

[unjulation]

just remember tha for the above idea you need to have a vhs recorder with two scart inputs/outputs

or you can get a video switcher box from your local ellectrical store they normaly have 3/4 inputs and a couple of outputs though there is normaly a little delay useing these devices and as the name sergests you carnt actualy mix with them but very usefull for those emergancys

[InfraRed]

Yeah

thanks for all the imformation - excellent.

Because I work heavily on pc's, I want to really use a laptop but also to have a video mixer (any suggestions for an entry level one would be appreciated?). I also really need a laptop for marketing my ideas to clubs and promoters, take the visuals to them etc..

Unfortunately a 4 grand investment is not a good idea until I have definate gigs on the cards. In the mean time - get a craking demo reel of my work together and get the word around.

Regards

N

Ps Had a gig on sat - went down well !!

[psychodude]

Small addition to your rig would be an output-VCR (= VCR that tapes the output :)). If you tape your performances, you can evaluate afterwards, and more importantly, you have a start for a show-reel.

[SilentEclipse]

Originally posted by wellREDman
a good trick for crash backup if you dont have a mixer, is use a vhs/svhs deck, (dvd/vcd players dont usually have an input) in line from your computer to the projector, ie the output from yr lappie goes to the input to the video deck, then the output from that goes to the beamer

thankyou thankyou thankyou!! :)

btw, when I was AVIT Brighton, the edirol peeps were selling V4's at a reduced price.
Is this because there is a special deal between VJC and Edirol? and if so what is the UK price with the reduction?