BPM, MIDI, audio visual synergy!

[reduxer]

Hi folks. I've been learning all I can by VJ'ing for a year now mostly with free content that I try to edit or using effects with old movies etc. Now though, I want to try and make a set up that really develops the relationship I have with my on stage DJ counterparts. At the moment we use an Allen & Heath Xone:92 for audio and my Numark AVM 02 (as well as laptop, dvd players and video cameras) for visuals.

We are heavily influenced by Pfadfinderei's relationship with Moderat, Modeselektor and the Bpitch crew, as well as Ali Demerils work with Minus, especially the Contakt tour. The way the shows are sync'd is brilliant, clearly taking months of work to organise.

I would like some advice on developing the link between the audio and visual parts of our show.

For example, how do you send BPM signals to your visual software? Microphone, MIDI, or simply set it with your ear? I had a gig once where we were supplied with an Edirol V-8 and I tapped in the BPM, but really I want more, I want to link up the audio mixer and the visual mixer and have them running as a pair. Obviously this takes lots of preparation Im just interested to know peoples methods.

I also understand from reading around here some people like to use Abelton or such like to connect audio and visual aspects. I want to know a bit more about how, why and where, and what kind of cables and hardware are used.

I have been thinking of investing in a V4 or V8 as I feel they will help unleash me!

Thanks in advance.
G

[reduxer]

p.s has anyone used the AVmixer pro 1.5 by VJfader, is MIDI mapping possible? If so what controllers have people found useful? I wonder if a controller designed for audio such as the Allen & Heath Xone10 would work, it has similar layout to Trakor Scratch.

I would also like to go from Arkaos to Modul8.

[PCProject]

Your xone:92 can send midi from various bits - for example the cross fader on my A+H sends midi to my V4 so when I cross fade the audio the video crossfader follows automatically

[reduxer]

nice one.

what about triggering clips to match the beat for a during a single track?

[PCProject]

now you are asking!

For my own AV stuff I generally make the clips to fit the tempo of the tune they will be used along with

If it a case of a simple VJ to something/somebody else then I do what needs must - retrigger with the beat/adjust the frame rate/a.n.other alternative

[fryup]

For BPM sync you want to use the MIDI clock from your DJ mixer or DJ software or live performing software (like Traktor or Ableton Live). Some mixers give an unreliable signal or you cant depend that the person handling the DJ mixer is sending out the right bpm (could be a problem with Pioneer's DJM 800) then you will have to rely on tapping or visual sync. Personally I like visual sync better at least for faster music. I mostly use Modul8 and it has a bliking square in the BMP (global) module. The eye / ear realation works best for me when nuging the visuals to the tempo of the music.

There are also external devices that will analyse the BPM and send out a MIDI clock signal (if your mixer or software can't handle it) but they tend not to respond to suddle changes and it could take a while for the device to automatically register a more massive change in tempo. So I wound't recommend these devices.

[reduxer]

cheers guys