The secret to an international career

[Anyone]

...is focusing on content

speaking from experience, with the current restrictions on air travel baggage
and the airlines' constant mishandling of check-ins (i've lost luggage 4 times in 3 months)

I say the only way forward is for an overwelming majority of VJs
to all start working with exactly the same hardware and software,
or in the worst case, a choice between max 2 solutions.

I'm not interested in hearing from peeps that disagree with this fact,
I know there are many of you oke:

What I'd like this thread to focus on is to question
what would be the hardware of choice for delivering your VJ performance abroad

so we all can put the same thing on our rider,
and share the world's clubs and festival together
providing a consistent experience to punters
between all of us

[Anyone]

to kick things of, I'd like to know about lappies,
would you like to be provided with a laptop
so you could simply come to the club with an external hard drive?

[ToddGraft]

LOLGASM
I totally agree
is anyone else new to all this

Dell 1710 and 9100 are my weapons of choice - but surely the above scenario would be the completely wrong thing to have.
Softs, plugins, and patches - one would want to utilise a system that you know at least works, and has the paremeters you know will deliver the content you have made.
Actually I would rather have the promoter pay for excess baggage so I can deliver something that the punter does not consistently experience

[Liquidmetro]

Personally I would always want to use my own laptop as I trust it not to let me down, I've optimised and configured it for live performance and setup the way I like it. If you are bringing an external HD, you would have a bag, so I'd take the laptop anyway.

I would be happy to use a supplied MIDI controller, but it could take too long to set up as I like it, so I would probably also want to bring my own.

Other than this hardware/software setup, I would be happy for the club to provide all other hardware such as dist amps, mixers, monitors etc.

I use a mac, so would say MacBook Pro with 4GB ram. I guess this would mean the club would need mac and a PC until the mac can output to second monitor when booted in windows mode.....

[Bokonon]

I think the concept is a good one, much like the DJ paradigm, you just provide media and skills and the venue provides the playback methods. The problem I can see, which you have clearly alluded to, is that there is already a diversification in playback methods and people become particularly attached to their method - and many people experiment with playback methods rather than coming in and using a standard set up.

That said, I've used three different bits of VJ software, (Arkaos, resolume and Modul8) and managed to do my first gig with modul8 having not actually practiced with it at all, as I received my laptop on the friday, transfered all the media accross that evening, set up the computer went out with the kids during the day Saturday and did a gig Saturday evening - most VJ software has a lot of similar traits and concepts and its generally not hard to work it out - no more difficult than different types of CD players or mixers for DJ's I would say.

I think there would need to be a couple of options available, much like the possibility to play vinyl or CD's - perhaps a DVJ set up and a laptop?

Personally I'd personally prefer a Macbook pro with Modul8, but I'm not sure how standard this is - perhaps VDMX might have a larger userbase but personally I don't think i'd have any issues switching to VDMX or even resolume or arkaos or anything else to be honest.

I think if there was any kind of trade association or agency that dealt with bookings etc then this would be easier to implement, because you would be an easy to book VJ who could just turn up with minimal set up time. Certainly within the publishing industry free lance proof readers etc. all have the versions of the software they use next to their names and the editors assistant go down the list picking out the ones with the appropriate version for the project.

I can certainly see the argument from the other side - but as you say what is more important in this thread is what would the set up be if it were standardised? I've made a suggestion, but I don't know enough peoples methods in depth to make any kind of judgement.

[thomase]

Hmm I would always love to bring my laptop myself - just as DJs using laptops usually do. But thinking of the DJ paradigm: A V4 or two and preview monitors should be there as well as at least one DVD player (maybe even a dvj) which you could use either as a backup system or - in case of a dvj - to use as another source in the mix. With contollers, I don't think that's such a great a idea, this is like asking a guitarist to play with the guitar that's already there. While it's certainly possible, most people will prefer the instrument they're used to...

[deepvisual]

putting VJ kit on a rider is asking for trouble.
buy yourself a Peli case, get direct flights with a regular airline, check in early and have an easy life.

I always carry-on one master pyuta that can get through the whole show if everything else goes missing.
the only thing the locals supply is a table, mains power and a BNC cable to their system.

[Motionreactor]

This would suit some, but not everybody. Why no discussion of viability if I may ask?

[SilentEclipse]

Hardware of choice would be

V4 and/or MX 50

a powerful computer that was cleansed and maintained on a regular basis....this is so improtant. it needednt be a lappy...and could be some kind of media server system..but i dont know much about them.

Dual boot system for both mac and pc users, maybe a linux option too

The software issue is a hard one...maybe just use a usb soution and boot ure soft from that.

2 high spec'd dvd players

a mini dv player

Preview screen...I dunno which one..

Take a look at the set up in the big chill house, its very close to being the perfect solution.

[deepvisual]

sending a rider means you have to assume the promoter can read/write and is well organised.

the conversations you can expect will go along the lines of:
.. we didn't have any DVJs but we have 2 CDJs instead...
....is VHS ok?
etc etc.


i once specced a 3 phase 16 amp supply and the local electrician turned up with a travel converter/adaptor for an electric razor.