Calling all VJ's!!!

[jayElastic]

Hi guys -

You might have seen my prior post about the possible release of my inhouse tool called PLASM. I'm trying to get a sense of what people are looking for so I can give everyone an excellent first release and as a result have whipped up a little survey for you to take. Any questions you should decide to answer would be appreciated as they will give me some idea as to where I should focus my efforts. You don't have to know anything about my software, they are just general questions which relate to VJ'ing.

You can mail me your answers @

jay@elasticvisuals.com

or just reply in this forum - it might be interesting for others to see what we all think...

thanks in advance guys!!


1. What do you feel is more lacking in the available VJ software - Realtime live jamming or sequencing for a slicker end product? Which do you feel is more important?

2. Are you more likely to bring software to a gig and jam live, or do you prefer making your visuals before a show?

3. What is your favourite method of controling your VJ software - Keyboard/Mouse, Joystick, Midi or DMX controller?

4. If you had a choice between more premade hardcoded presets and less flexibility, or more flexibility and less premade presets which would you choose?

5. Would you be more likely to use premade presets that come with the software (assuming they were of a very high quality) or would you rather make your own visuals given a set of tools geared toward that purpose?

6. Is a text engine or titling important to you as a VJ?

7. When a piece of software has an Expert mode (full access to everything) and a Normal mode (lots of options disabled that may confuse the user) which are you more likely to use?

8. Are you more likely to use a piece of software that is video based (AVI,MOV,MPG etc), macromedia FLASH based or output that is rendered realtime in 3D?

9. How important is high resolution output? do you usually project at over 640*480 res or are you outputting to a low res projector (640*480 or less) or television?

10. Do you feel that beat sensing is an important part of VJ software, or are you content to use the more common method of tapping the beat? Is syncronization even important to you?

11. Do you use a dual monitor setup on your visuals rig? Is second monitor support important to you?

12. Would you use a scripting system if offered?

13. Is your graphics card openGL compatible?

14. Briefly describe your visuals hardware - OS,Memory,Graphics Card etc..


**Thanks again for answering any or all of these questions. If you missed the other post and wanted to check out the feature list for PLASM, go to

elasticmediaproductions (http://www.elasticvisuals.com)

and navigate to ' services / custom software design ' and then click on the 'realtime visuals generation tool' link.

:jason

[HuoLong]

1. What do you feel is more lacking in the available VJ software - Realtime live jamming or sequencing for a slicker end product? Which do you feel is more important?
- both in same program. but more live jamming, and ofcourse recording live jamms for use in sequences...

2. Are you more likely to bring software to a gig and jam live, or do you prefer making your visuals before a show?
- both... (+ look q5)

3. What is your favourite method of controling your VJ software - Keyboard/Mouse, Joystick, Midi or DMX controller?
- all of those, but mostly midi...

4. If you had a choice between more premade hardcoded presets and less flexibility, or more flexibility and less premade presets which would you choose?
- more flexibility and less premade presets...

5. Would you be more likely to use premade presets that come with the software (assuming they were of a very high quality) or would you rather make your own visuals given a set of tools geared toward that purpose?
- depends how "lame" the audio is :) but mostly own visuals...

6. Is a text engine or titling important to you as a VJ?
- YES ! (and if with TTF you can easily use large amount of symbols)

7. When a piece of software has an Expert mode (full access to everything) and a Normal mode (lots of options disabled that may confuse the user) which are you more likely to use?
- expert (or performance & edit mode)

8. Are you more likely to use a piece of software that is video based (AVI,MOV,MPG etc), macromedia FLASH based or output that is rendered realtime in 3D?
- i'm a 3D junkie ;) and i love videos as texures on 3D objects...

9. How important is high resolution output? do you usually project at over 640*480 res or are you outputting to a low res projector (640*480 or less) or television?
- 640 is enough for me @ the moment...

10. Do you feel that beat sensing is an important part of VJ software, or are you content to use the more common method of tapping the beat? Is syncronization even important to you?
- Sync IS important ! but i would do it with midi (less cpu) or internal clock an correcting by tapping...

11. Do you use a dual monitor setup on your visuals rig? Is second monitor support important to you?
- i prefer scanconverter with zoom, but second monitor for controls would be better...

12. Would you use a scripting system if offered?
- yes

13. Is your graphics card openGL compatible?
- yes

14. Briefly describe your visuals hardware - OS,Memory,Graphics Card etc..
- w2k, duron1.2, 512mb, gf2mx/64mb, onboard sound shit...

cheers

[holly]

Screenshots look interesting....

1. What do you feel is more lacking in the available VJ software - Realtime live jamming or sequencing for a slicker end product? Which do you feel is more important?
??If it's a trade-off between medium-quality live with little or no audioreactor and highest quality pre-recorded, I'd go with pre-recorded playback from disc/tape. If the live element isn't truly spectacular or rez/frame rate is lacking, I wouldn't consider the app for live use. I'm always looking for new ways to quickly create interesting footage to mix though, so I think a sequencer is a good idea if it can be plotted out on a beat/timeline. Most live apps depend on scripting or presets anyway so their configurability during performance is usually limited. I guess most VJs wouldn't agree with me, but I prefer best quality over live effects. (Both would be ideal, but....)

2. Are you more likely to bring software to a gig and jam live, or do you prefer making your visuals before a show?
??Both, but polished visuals before the show is more important to me (70-80%). I like using a live element too (20-30%) if it doesn't slow down the framerate or crap out the rez. A really great live app could change that opinion....

3. What is your favourite method of controling your VJ software - Keyboard/Mouse, Joystick, Midi or DMX controller?
?? Keyboard, I guess. I prefer audioreactive and (programable) autopilot modes, too. Midi has greatest potential but I haven't found the right controller for video. Tap sync is very limited, imho.

4. If you had a choice between more premade hardcoded presets and less flexibility, or more flexibility and less premade presets which would you choose?
??Lot's of presets, but room for customization by adding/combining more presets.

5. Would you be more likely to use premade presets that come with the software (assuming they were of a very high quality) or would you rather make your own visuals given a set of tools geared toward that purpose?
??Same as q4. The easier the customization tools the more likely I'll do it, but honestly, I'll spend more time tweeking in aftereffects than I would scripting a VJ plug-in. More likely I'll just look around for another app that does what I want. It's a ratio of my free time vs learning curve vs potentially interesting results.

6. Is a text engine or titling important to you as a VJ?
??Only if I can choose the font. Arial don't cut it. If the choices aren't there I'll use graphic text instead.

7. When a piece of software has an Expert mode (full access to everything) and a Normal mode (lots of options disabled that may confuse the user) which are you more likely to use?
??Expert. The more options on hand the better.

8. Are you more likely to use a piece of software that is video based (AVI,MOV,MPG etc), macromedia FLASH based or output that is rendered realtime in 3D?
??Filters and effects on live-feed input is tops! Otherwise: video, flash, 3D. Would prefer: 3D, video, flash, but haven't seen too many realtime 3D that look good enough.

9. How important is high resolution output? do you usually project at over 640*480 res or are you outputting to a low res projector (640*480 or less) or television?
??640*480 is necessary for live. (320*240 is unacceptable.) Minimum 720*480 for sequencer, but all ratios supported would be nice.

10. Do you feel that beat sensing is an important part of VJ software, or are you content to use the more common method of tapping the beat? Is syncronization even important to you?
??The best implimentation of audiorective is when you can select (at least) bass or treble as a controlling parameter. That way somethings can react to the low/beat (constant throbing) and some can react to the highs (erratic and skitzy). Audio reactive over tapsync anyday (unless the computer is too slow, I guess). It's nice when the computer can follow the DJ's breaks and stuff. Not all music styles are constant 135bpm....

11. Do you use a dual monitor setup on your visuals rig? Is second monitor support important to you?
??Yes, option of dual monitor is necessary. I use too many softs to always remember the key combos for everything, and prefer a seperate control screen. Most VJ soft uses a second monitor, so switching between progs can be consistant and seemless. (Setting up a scanny in-flight? No thanks.)

12. Would you use a scripting system if offered?
??Maybe a simple one for a truely desired effect, but I don't consider myself a programmer and don't want to be. Plug-n-play, drag-n-drop is prefered, even if it means less control in performance. I'd rather spend more time creating my videos than programming the app that plays them.

13. Is your graphics card openGL compatible?
??yes

14. Briefly describe your visuals hardware - OS,Memory,Graphics Card etc..
??Various Macs. Top machine: dual processor G4 tower with nVidia4 card, os9 or X, 1Gig mem.

[phax148]

1. What do you feel is more lacking in the available VJ software - Realtime live jamming or sequencing for a slicker end product? Which do you feel is more important?
--> realtime live jamming :) maybe a sequence option of your pre-recorded set like in motion dive3...?


2. Are you more likely to bring software to a gig and jam live, or do you prefer making your visuals before a show?
--> mixture between both. jamming live my video files (or better -> pix from capture device) and use presetted effects - maybe overlays - reacting to sound :) these overlays could be moving plasma screens changing their colors and speed on sound - or danicng circles or whatever.


3. What is your favourite method of controling your VJ software - Keyboard/Mouse, Joystick, Midi or DMX controller?
--> at first keyboard for triggering videos. for effect-control i use my DIY midi-controler :). will never miss that feature!!!


4. If you had a choice between more premade hardcoded presets and less flexibility, or more flexibility and less premade presets which would you choose?
--> def. less premade sets and MOST flexibility! if i would use more premade hardcoded presets-> i would use winamp-plugz...

5. Would you be more likely to use premade presets that come with the software (assuming they were of a very high quality) or would you rather make your own visuals given a set of tools geared toward that purpose?
--> 2nd one, but for some tuts the 1st one would be great :)

6. Is a text engine or titling important to you as a VJ?
--> def. YES. maybe a built-in "XARA-3D" :)
i like the "text engine" at motion dive3 - a solution like resolume with dynamic textareas premade in flash is also very fine

7. When a piece of software has an Expert mode (full access to everything) and a Normal mode (lots of options disabled that may confuse the user) which are you more likely to use?
--> must have full access to everything. "lots of options disabled that may confuse the user" --> make a good help-file - maybe a tut. :)

8. Are you more likely to use a piece of software that is video based (AVI,MOV,MPG etc), macromedia FLASH based or output that is rendered realtime in 3D?
--> mixture between all 3 would be very nice :) but now i just play AVI-files and/or map them on 3ds-Objects.

9. How important is high resolution output? do you usually project at over 640*480 res or are you outputting to a low res projector (640*480 or less) or television?
--> i always use 320x240., because of may matrox :) unless im working with tiny fonts.

10. Do you feel that beat sensing is an important part of VJ software, or are you content to use the more common method of tapping the beat? Is syncronization even important to you?
--> YES it IS! look at that tiny prog "mocha" - then you will never ask such a question again *LOL* i love it. and a mix between mocha and (for example) resolume would bring me a real orgasm :)

11. Do you use a dual monitor setup on your visuals rig? Is second monitor support important to you?
--> matrox dual head --> i always deactivate dvd-max function and use dual-head-zoom thing. so i dont need a 2nd monitor :)

12. Would you use a scripting system if offered?
--> YES!

13. Is your graphics card openGL compatible?
--> YEP:)

14. Briefly describe your visuals hardware - OS,Memory,Graphics Card etc..
--> uuuh - i feel ashamed describing my hardware :(
only a p3 550mhz, 500mb ram running on a windows2k with a matrox g450 MAX

sorry for my bad english and i hope i help you / US a little bit.
i have tons of ideas in my brain - but im an artis, not a programmer - so i cant transform my ideas to a working prog. if you need some ideas -> just say "hello" :)

phax148 @
[ - = G R O B : / / : K O R N = - ]

[AetherPan]

1. What do you feel is more lacking in the available VJ software - Realtime live jamming or sequencing for a slicker end product? Which do you feel is more important?

//Realtime Live jamming

2. Are you more likely to bring software to a gig and jam live, or do you prefer making your visuals before a show?

//Making short Visuals before then mix them new up.#

3. What is your favourite method of controling your VJ software - Keyboard/Mouse, Joystick, Midi or DMX controller?

//Keyboard Mouse (Joystick ??:confused:)

4. If you had a choice between more premade hardcoded presets and less flexibility, or more flexibility and less premade presets which would you choose?

//more felxibilty + less premade presets

5. Would you be more likely to use premade presets that come with the software (assuming they were of a very high quality) or would you rather make your own visuals given a set of tools geared toward that purpose?

//own visuals

6. Is a text engine or titling important to you as a VJ?

//sure

7. When a piece of software has an Expert mode (full access to everything) and a Normal mode (lots of options disabled that may confuse the user) which are you more likely to use?

//bad idea. You should always be able to do everything

8. Are you more likely to use a piece of software that is video based (AVI,MOV,MPG etc), macromedia FLASH based or output that is rendered realtime in 3D?

//macromedia flash

9. How important is high resolution output? do you usually project at over 640*480 res or are you outputting to a low res projector (640*480 or less) or television?

//640*480 is okay

10. Do you feel that beat sensing is an important part of VJ software, or are you content to use the more common method of tapping the beat? Is syncronization even important to you?

//For me beat sensing is not important.

11. Do you use a dual monitor setup on your visuals rig? Is second monitor support important to you?

//yepp

12. Would you use a scripting system if offered?

//no (too bad scripting skills >me)

13. Is your graphics card openGL compatible?

//dunno

14. Briefly describe your visuals hardware - OS,Memory,Graphics Card etc..

//pfff, 450 Mhz k6, 64RAM (:D) Graphic card = Nonameshit



Aetherpan

[komart663]

1.Real time Live jamming
2.twice ( doing a gig with material done with the same software )
3.midi keyboard ,hardware sequencer ,midi controller
4.more flexibility but ability to get open source plug-ins ( like aestesis )
5.my own visuals
6.oh yes !
7.well ,the pro ,but it's not a good thing to give 2 versions as usually the pro is more expensive and people who don't get the money will be frustrated
8.video based and macromedia flash
9.640*480 and less
10.Synchronisation may be important
11.yes and yes
12.why not
13.yes
14.win 98 ,celeron1.3 ,320 mo ram ,matrox g450 ,Doepfer Pocket Dial ,Miditech keyboard ,MC50 Roland sequencer

[wondergirl]

1. realtime is most important, but an offline hires render possibility is much apprechiated, something which can use live recorded control sequences.

2. live jam is what i prefer.

3. @ the moment it is keyboard & mouse, but midi fader box would be nice.

4. more flexibility.

5. i like to show my own visuals.

6. @ the moment no, but if it has variable fonts / effects..

7. expert mode.

8. 50% video, 20% mixed in pix, 20% 3d, 10% flash.

9. i always use 640*480 live. more would be nice.

10. beat sensing is for me not important. but i like bpm generators, when i feel like it. sync is not so important.

11. dual monitor is very important for me.

12. yes.

13. yes.

14. 98/XP, athlon 1ghz, 256mb, gforce 3 ti 200

ur plasm looks like av great thing !
u need beta testers?

ciao
w.g. :)