Working musical duo suggestions?

[dannodanno]

I am in a in duo Vancouver, BC, Canada. I play guitar and guitar synth and use MIDI backing, with an eDrummer. How might we apply video to the tunes or in some other pleasing context in a live setting? We play pop, rock, country, jazz. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

I think I've settled on the Sharp QA-2500 and the Elmo HP-A305 Solar DX but again any ideas would be much appreciated!

Perhaps buying the VJ Loop Mega packs?

[ecin]

many of the VJ apps are midi driven so they can be chained to a sequencer, keyboard or other related midi gear. you could run your guitar synth or drums into a sequencer and then out to a laptop running arkaos or resolume. check VJ Central (link up top ^) for software reviews.

[dannodanno]

Much thanks, I assume arkaos or resolume are your faves?

Yes I have reviewed some but there is such a plethora of them and some seem kludgy and arcane that I thought perhaps there were one or two faves I could concentrate my efforts on?

Is there one that's easy to get up and going but deep enough not to quickly outgrow that includes graphics generation but allows room for video clips if you wanted at a later date. Is the Japanese Motion Dive a contender for hands off use?

[hamageddon]

i guess u have to find out for ur own, cause there is no shortcut to an ideal solution here, no bandinabox for visuals ;)
u have to plan midi events triggering visuals very careful
assigning every note would result in visual overload.

depends on your preferred visual style too, if u can deal with mididriven abstract computergenerated visuals, i might suggest touch101 from derivative inc. or visualjockey

[vjrei]

The closest choise would be Arkaos. Motiond Dive doesn't respond to midi.

Arkaos is easy to set up but it will not generate random graphics, you will nne to insert them and that is just another history.

What I would do is to find a software just like iTunes that respond to audio and generate graphics. I tunes doesn't do that and I do not know any soft in the mac world that can do that, may be in the PC library of soft there is one.

Motion Dive would be good but you will need to get clips or work the with the ones that comes with the soft (thos are the best in the market) and you can record sequences of clips and play them back togather with your songs.

Those are the two options I see, Arkaos VJ or Motion Dive 3.

Actually there is another version of arkaos that play pictures or something like that. I do not know if is midi.

[hamageddon]

nah,
considering clip triggering software there's 4 sure more than just arkaos or motion dive:

Elektronika
http://www.vjcentral.com/show/1749

MidiVid (free)
http://www.vjcentral.com/show/1458

Flowmotion
http://www.vjcentral.com/show/1380

Vjamm
http://www.vjcentral.com/show/434

Resolume
http://www.vjcentral.com/show/90

to name a few....

but again, it's up to u what kinda visual flavor to choose..
and how much time u want to invest on your show...
preparing movie clips is for for sure more time consuming
than going along with comp generated viz.

if u gots the bucks, why not consider the Edirol V4 Mixer
controlled by Midi, and using Videodecks as visual sources?

[dannodanno]

I really appreciate thoughtful input please keep it coming:

The idea is to complement & enhance the music and although I am somewhat reluctant to get into heavy video editing I thinki I also understand the limits of computer generated graphics. Unfortunately as it stands, I play guitar & synth, sing, and run a beastly MIDI rack of gear, plus have my electronic drummer partner to work with too! Also please understand the venues I play are smaller. 30 people would be a good sized crowd for me.

The budget is good, but is the issue of complexity and effort are tantamount. I already have lots and lots to do on stage. We already use a 3/4 ton van to haul all our stuff as we have a three way system with 18" subs and 15" and horns and lights etc. I don't want to go into gear overload.

Questions:

1) Any thoughts on using Sharp QA-2500 and the Elmo HP-A305 Solar DX versus the newer projectors?

2) If one had to choose an efficient system for small venues what would be the actual components to meet my needs?

3) How about the Sharp QA-2500 and the Elmo HP-A305 Solar DX versus newer projectors!

4) Any thoughts on the VJ Loop Mega packs?

5) I don't to have to have the software under MIDI control per se (although it would be nice) but if it was not then at the least it would have to have external audio triggering. Remember I cannot be hands on! Is there any software that responds to external MIDI and also responds to external (not internal MP3 or wav) audio?

6) If I used an "Edirol V4 Mixer controlled by Midi, and using Videodecks as visual sources" it would surely be too much gear and too much cost because as mentioned above I have too much gear already. What are the valid options when it comes to video decks for my purposes and how are they incorporated?

7) What is wrong with using the VJ Loop Mega packs with a DVD a player, laptop for MIDI or audio inputted graphics, and a video switcher? (Remember I have to sing and play and all that as well)

[hamageddon]

6) If I used an "Edirol V4 Mixer controlled by Midi, and using Videodecks as visual sources" it would surely be too much gear and too much cost because as mentioned above I have too much gear already. What are the valid options when it comes to video decks for my purposes and how are they incorporated?

> if you're using preproduced stuff with the right bpm u could
> set the edirol "automated" to the same bpm and add some
> live controllers on top. btw the edirol is far from being much
> gear, but sure some money, but with a setup like this u
> won't need a computer, which is in my experience
> a) "too much gear" (cpu/monitor) or b) "too much cost" (notebook) :p

[dannodanno]

1) How would you suggest I "add some live controllers on top" when as a musician I am singing and playing guitar and synth and entertaining the audience? My entire body is busy!

2) What live controller(s) would work in this context on top of pre-produced stuff that do not require my ongoing input?

3) The Edirol V4 Mixer is $900.00. I have 1000 MHz celreon Toshiba 1800 I could dedicate to video use if needed, but again I would rather keep thing simpler if possible. Is the Edirol V4 Mixer superior is some fashion to my Toshiba 1800?

4) Could I not avoid a mixer altogether and or use a simple vid switcher between tunes? There is no need to have it continuos as most VJ's might. There is time between each song as we are live musicians singing and playing.

5) Also not all the tunes I do have a definitive discernable audio pulse so an audio BPM detection may not be very accurate, MIDI clock input would be much superior. Is there is such a creature that responds to MIDI clock?

6) The tunes I play are from Pop, Rock, Country, R&B, Blues Jazz and are much more varied that the low frequency predominance of most VJ based music hence the potential for audio BPM triggering issues as mentioned.

Let me know what you think :)

[dannodanno]

I should add:

Would it not be virtually impossible to have "preproduced stuff with the right bpm" given that:
a) I don't to play the same tunes in the same order every night?
b) some tune have no drums or bass and are just acoustic?
c) the tempos of the tunes can vary a huge amount from song to song?

I am not a DJ but I am in a duo and we play our instruments with a variety of tempos and styles so......

[WordVirus23]

Originally posted by dannodanno
1) Is the Edirol V4 Mixer superior is some fashion to my Toshiba 1800?


yeah, it's not a computer, and hence, won't crash, hang, freeze, glitch, etc... because computers know JUST when they shouldn't do these things, and then do them out of spite. damn, you're running a lot of technology for a Pop/Rock/Country band... as for a hands-off approach during shows... Arkaos VJ is SUPER simple to setup, is relatively stable, easy MIDI setup (especially if you're already using a midi keyboard/controller) it also features audio analysis and automation. I must also note that MIDIVID is free and triggers clips from MIDI. you lose the fancy automation and sound reactivity, suppose that depends on your style tho...

as far as not needing visuals during your whole show (ie. between songs) this is exactly when you want to run adverts for your band, the bar, upcoming shows, etc... the people aren't focused on you/the music, yet the lull in input begs for something.

Ever thought of bringing a VJ into the band? sounds like you've got quite a plate full already... an in-band VJ allows the visuals to be much more suited to song themes, and will know the nuances of your performance. and he'll have the free hands to twiddle knobs and faders... oh yeah, he'll probably have gear too ;)

..james...
Pilot/Director
N:VP
Central California

[dannodanno]

"damn, you're running a lot of technology for a Pop/Rock/Country band" What can I say we love it, Roland V drums, vocal hamonizers, guitar synth, midi lights and........I'll stop.

Your suggestion to use a VJ crossed my mind but I'm not convinced the venues can support a VJ from a financial perspective. "the venues I play are smaller. 30 people would be a good sized crowd for me"

I shall look further into your suggestion of Arkaos VJ, much thanks.

As to "not needing visuals during your whole show (ie. between songs) this is exactly when you want to run adverts for your band, the bar, upcoming shows, etc" Not so sure about that as those are the times I commune with the audience on a direct level through humorous little skits, or other jokes or personalized conversions or monologues and I would think the videos would clash during these moments, at least a things stand now. No?

"MIDIVID is free and triggers clips from MIDI. you lose the fancy automation and sound reactivity, suppose that depends on your style tho..." I downloaded it but it's not doing anything as I have no content (yet). I must admit I really am interested in automation and sound reactivity as that would suggest to me the most hands off, no? Can I use any content with Arkaos VJ such as Brice stuff (Iove it) or VJ Loop Mega packs or parts of movies?

How might I have abstract sound reactivity on demand with parts of movies (or other real video material) on demand?

[dannodanno]

Thanks to all who have replied so far and any other input would be much apreciated!