Video software for performance

[McK]

Hey all!

So I've been VJ'ing with Resolume 2 for a couple years now, and the time has finally come for an upgrade. I want a preview window! I want more than 3 channels of video and effects! But even after downloading several demos, I'm a little unsure what's the best thing to pursue, so I wanted to solicit opinion here.

In performance, I'm a very, very active player of the video. I'm constantly fading between clips, bringing effects in and out, and moving the playhead in time with the music, using sliders on a MIDI controller for more organic and responsive shifts. I also go through lots of clips---I usually work my way through 20 decks (groups of 20 clips, for those of you not used to Resolume) in a two-hour session. You can see some samples of my work at www.vjfuzzybastard.com , to clarify what I'm doing.

So for VJ software, I need something that allows both frequent interference in the playback, and easy swapping in and out of clips. Something that takes kindly to me futzing with speed, effect intensity, and playhead position more or less constantly, and will let me do it with smooth analog MIDI control.

I looked at Modul8, but the fact that it only let me control a fade between A & B banks, and not within a bank (bringing in clips could only be faded on a counter) ruled it out for my purposes. It also seemed very difficult to analog-control plugin intensity.

So it's between Resolume 3 or VDMX (with CoGe suddenly appearing as a dark horse candidate).

VDMX's customization is impressive, but I wonder---is it really made for/capable of the kind of real-time shifts that I want? Or is it more algorithmic---you're supposed to set up parameters, and let it do its thing?

Resolume 3 is the obvious choice, but I'd love to tap into the power of VDMX. The learning curve is scary, but if it'll ultimately let me do anything, it's worth it. But if it won't---if it's really more for installations and detached performance than what I do---then I'd rather not go through the arduous learning process.

Any thoughts people can offer would be welcome!

D

[mowgli]

Originally Posted by McK

Hey all!


I looked at Modul8, but the fact that it only let me control a fade between A & B banks, and not within a bank (bringing in clips could only be faded on a counter) ruled it out for my purposes.

D

What do you mean by this? You can use the layer faders to fade anything in and out.

[asterix]

You can definately do multiple layers in vdmx. Isadora is worth a shot if you want to create your own custom interface. I've built my own mixer in it which I'll be releasing shortly.

Have you checked out coGe?

[McK]

Originally Posted by asterix

You can definately do multiple layers in vdmx. Isadora is worth a shot if you want to create your own custom interface. I've built my own mixer in it which I'll be releasing shortly.

Have you checked out coGe?

Just discovered coGe---will be taking a look at it very soon.
D

[Liquidmetro]

Have a look at this video: http://www.garagecube.com/modul8/index.php?c=tut&p=tut3

Anyone of the layers can be reduce in opacity to reveal the one below like photoshop. For example, I only tend to use the top 5 layers on bus A and mix with them. Then prep another 5 on bus B. Once I'm done with the clips one bus A I then enable the main fader to cut buses and repeat....

With Modul8 you do only have one window to preview layers and output. You don't see all tiled onscreen at once.

[McK]

Originally Posted by Liquidmetro

Have a look at this video: http://www.garagecube.com/modul8/index.php?c=tut&p=tut3

Anyone of the layers can be reduce in opacity to reveal the one below like photoshop. For example, I only tend to use the top 5 layers on bus A and mix with them. Then prep another 5 on bus B. Once I'm done with the clips one bus A I then enable the main fader to cut buses and repeat....

With Modul8 you do only have one window to preview layers and output. You don't see all tiled onscreen at once.

Oh crickey! I see where it's done now!

Hunh---now I wonder if I can use Pete's Plug-Ins in Modul8. And if so... Hmmmmm....

[McK]

Originally Posted by mowgli

What do you mean by this? You can use the layer faders to fade anything in and out.

Layer faders? I see the Group fader, for fading between groups A & B, but are there faders I'm missing that let me fade individual layers in and out?

D