Qlab Syphon Output

[madsmeskalin]

On my next project, a theatrical production, we decided to give Qlab a try, as light, sound, and visuals have to synced as tightly as possible. We would have loved to use Resolume for it, but there is no surround option there.

But after setting up some ques, we see that the mapping ability of Qlab is very limited. I read an old thread about the possibility to make a Quartz Composer Patch with a Syphon node, and then import it into Qlab. Has anybody got this to work? Are there other options?

Best wishes!

- Mads

[deepvisual]

I think there is a thread on the qlab forums. syphon virtual screen being the fix.

you are going into a world of pain if you think you can run everything off the same machine..
I'd run the show from timecode or MIDI and have resolume running the video and qlab the audio as Qlab doesn't chase to timecode, it only triggers.

[lotech]

IMHO Qlab is a revolution in small to med sized theatre productions.
The two theatre productions I've worked on this year have run on a single 13" MacBookPro running both sound and video cues. With a connected firewire sound desk you can do not just surround but positioned audio.

To work with mapping on the last show I followed this process -
1. Create content based on technical plans of set
2. During production week playback previs / tweak via Modul8 & MadMapper - tweak colours, contrasts.
3. Do changes then playback via MadMapper, record output via syphon recorder.
4. Trim & Loop in FCP
5. Export as ProRes quicktimes for QLab

[deepvisual]

clever work around.. well done..

[madsmeskalin]

Thanks for the workaround!

I guess I could also use the spacial scanner feature in Madmapper, create all mappings beforehand and playback the file itself. How does qlab work with multiple outputs and/or triplehead?

[lotech]

QLab will output to any connected displays and can set playback locations/sizes on a per clip basis. That side of things is really well done.
It's good if you want one clip to be projected one one surface and another elsewhere - but don't literally need to map the whole stage.

Heres a shot from The Gift which followed those steps I listed before. We also mapped on to the back angled wall for particular scenes as well.

[MoRpH]

Nice one mate

[madsmeskalin]

As I´ve been looking into Qlab, I´m starting to get more inclined to just use Resolume instead. Then I could run everything from one program (dmx, video, audio) and wouldnt have to learn a whole new interface. Is this a really stupid idea? We will playback prerecorded files, but could be pretty nice to change some things real-time.

[lotech]

'Change things up in reel time?' unless its in someway interactive the last thing you want is variance performance to performance. No director or operator wants something different every night (unless thats the point). Qlab is all about keeping to the script and cues.

Resolume would probably be fine but the show op won't know how to use it other than what you show them and if theres a problem you'll be getting a call - and probably only 20mins from opening the doors. No fun.

[madsmeskalin]

As an update to this thread we are left with two workflows, each with their pros and cons. We are going on a small tour over 17 days, 3 shows each day, different place everyday. We have rented a blackout tent, and a truss rig, and have several objects to map out. Its impossible to setup the projectors pixel perfect each time, so we require a certain degree of flexibility when it comes to mapping/masking. We will use Qlab for everything, use 2 or 3 projectors and are left with two options regarding mapping.

1. Output Qlab output to Syphon Virtual Screen. Tried it out, and works like a charm so far on my 15 retina macbook pro. The pros are that corrections go fast, very fast. The cons is that maximum input resolution in MadMapper is 1280 x 1024 (Syphon Virtual Screen limitation) which is not that much when divided by two or three projectors.

2. Use the Spacial Scanner feature in MadMapper to get a scan of the room for each day. Then move/distort the media in motion/after effects and render out the show. Pros is that there is less software running simultaneously, and better resolution. Cons is that it takes more time, and have next to no options to tweak things if the actors accidentally bumps into the stage setup during performance.

What would you do? I´m a little bit concerned about syphon virtual screen. Anybody had experience with that?