Edirol V4+PCR30 question??

[trotskythecat]

General note regarding MIDI + V4
I just got an Evolution UC-33 and I love it.
It's got MIDI out and USB out, so the MIDI goes to the V-4, giving me easier access to my effects, and the USB goes to my computer to control Flowmotion, Grid, Isadora, etc. Very nice being able to control 2 interfaces with 1 piece of hardware like that

[unjulation]

I have a question, is it really OK to recommend a V4 to a newbie?

yes, why not? its not exactly hard to use so wether your a newbi or not becomes irelivent, and if you can aford it, get 1, but its all opinions in the end

[akira_k]

Originally posted by trotskythecat
General note regarding MIDI + V4
I just got an Evolution UC-33 and I love it.
It's got MIDI out and USB out, so the MIDI goes to the V-4, giving me easier access to my effects, and the USB goes to my computer to control Flowmotion, Grid, Isadora, etc. Very nice being able to control 2 interfaces with 1 piece of hardware like that

The PCR-30/50/80 line of controllers from Edirol has the same, USB and MIDI Out, so you can send commands to both at once (you just have to press the V-Link button)

Unj: I'm getting at the money point here. It can be scary to most to have to buy shitloads of things to start up. As I said I dont have my own videomixer yet either, but I have tested many by renting and I'm about to purchase a V4 to finally have my own. But I would have never spent teh cash at the beginning just to start up.

[syzygy]

It can be scary to most to have to buy shitloads of things to start up.

If any new VJ is thinking in terms of 'having' to buy certain things then they are approaching VJing in completely the wrong direction in my opinion.

I started with an AVE5 and two home VHS decks.

I have seen people do amazing work using older kit that clearly didn't cost the earth - it's all about how you use the kit.

The V4 is better than the AVE5 in many ways (but not all - you can't use it to synch 3 unsynched signals like you can with the AVE5) Mainly, I think it's better because it opens up more possibilities. I would recommend the V4 to new VJs who can afford it because it is simple to use and keeps plenty of options open if they're not sure what sort of work they want to do.

An AVE5 is absolutely fine for mixing two sources , but I honestly think that most VJs will want more than two sources pretty soon after they start gigging. Getting an AVE5 is a false economy if you need to get another mixer after a few months because you are not happy with only 2 inputs.

But don't get a V4 (or an AVE5, or an MX50) just because some guy on a forum says you should. THINK about the work you want to create. RESEARCH the tools that can help you create that work and then DECIDE for yourself which to invest in.

If you don't understand what the difference is between the various mixers then find out. The information is all available online. The mixer is the VJs main tool so if you are buying a particular one for fashion or because you can't be arsed to find out more about the options, you won't get very far.

(none of this directed at anyone at particular, but at anybody considering which mixer to buy)

Dan.

[akira_k]

Originally posted by syzygy
If any new VJ is thinking in terms of 'having' to buy certain things then they are approaching VJing in completely the wrong direction in my opinion.

I started with an AVE5 and two home VHS decks.

That's just where I'm getting at. I get the impression that over here there's a lot of consideration into gear, and if you don't have X or Y equipment, you're out of the league. If when I started someone told me I would have to dish out 5000 dollars in equipment, I would have never got into it.

I still rent a lot of my video gear, like the mixer, and I do hope to buy a V4 soon, but on my budget this is very hard and I probably have to say the whole year to get it. But since my main concern right now is getting another notebook, I guess the V4 will have to wait one more year, unless my economy grows exponentially because of something

If I was starting up I would rent a myriad of gear to get to know which one I'm more comfortable with. Then use that one for a while, and then purchase it. I got a deal with some chaps who charge me a fixed rate for a screen and projector, and everything that goes with it is included in that price, so I can test loads of things.