Audio Mixing

[brandnu]

reading those threads i just wanted to add that i personally find audio mixing together with video an artistic breakthrough. i'm curently working with a DJ on "sync points" through the sessions when the sound of the movie i'm playing is mixed into the music (somebody talking ect.) it's true that most of the time you don't communicat with the DJ beforehand (if at all) so for freestyle jamming the DJ can just get an open sound feed from the VJ and just use it whenever he feels like it. and here comes the mixer part... you may want to be in control of your sound output, being able to switch on every output source seperatly (dvd, comp, vcr...) and monitor their level.... so... i use an old mx50 and get to play with the sound as well.

[sleepytom]

hmm yes
the mx50 (actually all video mixers) are shit for audio mixing though - they lack many important features such as EQ, PFL and decent VU meters

the only way to get decent audio control is to use a modifyed video mixer with an external crossfader that is attached to a DJ mixer

[Amukidi]

I was thinking along those lines myself sleepytom - don't spose you know of any diagrams/plans for this sort of mod?

[sleepytom]

depends what mixer you have..
I've a moded Av5 and i know someone with a av55 mod.

its really simple though and should work on all the panasonic mixers

i know someone in brighton who'll perform these mods for a modest amount of cash - if your confident in your ability with a soldering iorn it shouldn't be too much trouble to work out how to do these mods - just remember to put a switch in so you can still use the internal fader if you don't take the dj mixer with you.

[vjpixylight]

When doing VJing for DJ's that I have no clue as to there specific DJing styles, (which are most of them) I use a red sound audio to midi clock convertor which gives me 'close enuf for video' sync to those DJ's

[brandnu]

i don't think playing with the sound is nessesery for the VJ since this is the DJ'S departament... i was just talking about feeding the DJ with an additional sound source coming from the video which can be used to create a nice "sync" effect. for example: bob marley saying: "i know my rights..." or an american official from a 40's propaganda film saying: if you ever thought about taking the first puff from a marijuana joint.. don't do it!" for that kind of thing you don't need more than a simple audio output from your mixer.

[vjpixylight]

Originally posted by brandnu
i don't think playing with the sound is nessesery for the VJ since this is the DJ'S departament... i was just talking about feeding the DJ with an additional sound source coming from the video which can be used to create a nice "sync" effect. for example: bob marley saying: "i know my rights..." or an american official from a 40's propaganda film saying: if you ever thought about taking the first puff from a marijuana joint.. don't do it!" for that kind of thing you don't need more than a simple audio output from your mixer.

Thats fine except that the DJ playing the A/V sample needs to be able to drop it or mix it in on cue, and that is the VJ's
responsibility... I use that audio to midi clock convertor into the VJ soft, so that the DJ can mix in a A/V clip aready close enuf in sync with the beat.
All this can be done between a DJ and a VJ working together, but how many teams like that are there?

[brandnu]

true, not many... i'm wondering though about a simpler way of syncing... if the VJ runs (off air) a longer A/V on one of the outputs (say even an hour long) leaving the DJ the dessision when to mix it into the music. than when the VJ hears the audio he/she can mix in the visual... another option (better) is getting the Q from the DJ...
actually, the VJ-DJ relationship is an interesting topic isn't it?
i would love to hear your impressions/stories/advice...

[sleepytom]

the best tool for syncing av samples to the music is the ear and a instant reliable triggering software

you do need to have PFL and decent VU meters and EQ is very usefull (you have to be able to judge the level of a sample before playing it into the mix - headphones are essential for setting inpoints and getting levels right)

also by using a good audio mixer you will be able to have audio effects - a simple delay and reverb will help to mask badly triggered samples (korg kaos pad is very good for fx)

if you don't have a backround of DJing it is well worth learning to mix records - the skill of simple beat mixing will enable you to be far more creative when playing av samples

[JeSs]

I'm working on a project with a DJ. I will be sending samples in his mix using Pixelshox. But every sample will also trigger a video / image. The idea is really to use pixelshox as a sampler. Find the right sounds to blend in the mix and then work on the videos. I won't really be Vjing, I will focus on the sound, but still get the images.
Seeing your post as just made me realize how important my sound levels are going to be. I need to have a good EQ of some sort to check my sounds are not too loud.
And some good effects units plugged in the soundcard will help