In this quick video tutorial we'll be demonstrating how to create a hacker visual style that can be used to create still images or short video loops as source material for animated gifs to use for profile pics online in situations where you want to apply some digital processing on your face for privacy or for fun.
Read MoreUsing VDMX to generate images that are published to Twitter by Processing.
Posting Images to Twitter Using Processing and VDMX
Expanding on our previous look into using Processing along with VDMX, in this tutorial we will look at how to use Processing to post images received from VDMX to Twitter. This technique can be used at live events, as part of video installations, or to create simple bots.
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Using "Random Walk" to change the color of the output.
Making a custom “Random Walk” data-source plugin for VDMX with Quartz Composer
Though VDMX provides many plugins and built-in datasources to automate control of sliders, buttons and other interface controls, many people like to use their own algorithms to generate control information to use as part of their performance or installations.
In this tutorial we will look at using Quartz Composer to create a “Random Walk” value generator for VDMX. This composition can be downloaded and installed to be used as is, or as a starting point for your own more complex creations.
Read MoreAnimating Properties of GLSL Shaders in VDMX
When writing GLSL shaders that run as generators or are used as image filters, one of the most fun parts of the process is playing with different control functions to animate all of the various variables that you've created in the composition. Using the ISF specification, GLSL shaders can publish their uniform variables so that host applications can provide user interface controls that can be connected to MIDI, OSC, DMX or other data-sources for automation.
In this tutorial we will look at adapting an existing GLSL shader into ISF, publishing some of its variables as uniforms, and loading the composition into VDMX where we will animate its properties using a variety of different plugins and MIDI input.
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The classic zooming feedback effect
How To Create A Classic Music Video “Zooming Feedback” Style Effect With VDMX
One of the classic analog techniques for creating amazing visuals was to create video feedback loops. In previous tutorials we have covered the basic idea of how to reproduce this idea within VDMX by using groups and layer taps. In this lesson we'll look at how to take this idea to the next level by introducing composition with alpha channels and masking.
Read MoreBlair Neal's Survey of Alternative Displays
For anyone currently working in the field of live visuals, one of the most exciting areas of bleeding edge technologies is on the side of displays – the place where people look at to see the amazing imagery coming out of our computers. There are a lot of new – and ancient – techniques to learn about and along with that a lot of new information to take in – all of which our good friend Blair Neal covers in his recently updated blog post “Survey of Alternative Displays”
Read MoreHow to create a 100% generative “Stargate” in VDMX
Just as the many array of cosmological possibilities open up when pondering the vastness of the universe, so equally are the nearly infinite outputs when working with FX in VDMX. In this tutorial, Colin Evoy Sebestyen will explore creating a “Stargate” style effect. From Jupiter to beyond, get ready to traverse time and space!
Read MoreIntroduction To The Cue List Plugin
While the primary focus of VJ software like VDMX is live visual performance, often times parts of a show rely on tightly arranged events that happen at specific times. The Cue List plugin bridges the gap between these two worlds by allowing you to create pre-planned data-source events and clip triggers that can run in sync with timecode or musical temp.
Read MoreLoops – Performance, Production, and Progression
The heart of almost every VJ / Visualist performance is the loop. There are lots of techniques and training for the production of loops, but there are some common approaches and methodology of creating a “pack” that are explored in this guest tutorial by Colin Evoy Sebestyen. To demonstrate these ideas Colin breaks down a project he created with musician Nonagon for a performance series at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.
Read MoreHow to create a retro Halloween visual style in VDMX
Creating the right look for Halloween and other spooky themed events is one of those tricks that every visual artists needs to have in their go to bag of tricks. There are lots of different techniques that can be used and in this guest tutorial we are joined once again by Colin Evoy Sebestyen for a demonstration of how to use a combination of LUT based FX, real-time video generators and logo images to create a retro horror film graphic scene in VDMX. In particular this look is inspired by intro sequences like the one from The Gate and more recently Stranger Things.
Read MoreMixing, Adjusting and Generating Complementary Color Data-Sources in VDMX
While Quartz Composer is mainly used for creating interactive video sources and FX, one of of the other powerful ways it can be used in VDMX is to create your own custom plugins that can generate values or manipulate data-sources that can be used to drive other parameters in your setup. Another great thing about this feature is that once these compositions are created they can be shared and easily installed on different computers so that other people can take advantage of the new functionality.
For this tutorial we'll be looking at three very simple Quartz Composer compositions can be used within VDMX for manipulating color data-sources in particular.
Read MoreHow to do a NYE Countdown
One of the biggest nights for live visual performers is New Years Eve and in particular there is responsibility in particular that can be unexpectedly tricky to get right. That is handling the countdown to midnight. Often it can mean coordinating with other performers or workers at the venue. Depending on what is required of you during the show there are a few different approaches you may want to take when setting up your projects. It also helps to have an idea in advance of what your options are for running a visual countdown.
Read MoreStreaming the output of a VDMX VJ set to Twitch
For VJs with access to a fast upstream Internet connection one of the places that can be a place to perform is over the net by streaming the output of VDMX (or any other Syphon output enabled application) with Twitch. In this video tutorial we'll look at the basic steps involved in getting this set up.
Read MoreGuest Tutorial: Using Lumen and VDMX together with Syphon
Today we have special guest Wiley Wiggins bringing us a video tutorial showing off how to use the video synth Lumen alongside VDMX by connecting them over Syphon.
Read MoreIntroduction to The Timecode Plugin
When designing preplanned shows and working alongside other software, one of the common tasks is keeping the timing of everything in sync. Within VDMX there are two main ways of working with time – the Clock plugin which is used for working in measures and beats and the Timecode plugin which counts in SMPTE time.
In this set of tutorials we'll cover the basics of using the Timecode plugin which publishes several data sources in VDMX, and is capable of both receiving and sending SMPTE timecode in a variety of formats.
Read MoreUsing VDMX as a Syphon Mixer
One of the best things about being a VJ on the Mac these days is Syphon which makes it possible for all of the different tools that are available to work together in countless ways. Within VDMX it is possible to have as many Syphon inputs and outputs as your computer can handle, which allows for it to be used as a source, mixer, FX processor or final output for other software you may want to work with.
In this video tutorial we'll look at a simple use case for connecting several Syphon enabled applications to and from VDMX by creating a two channel mixer that fades between two Syphon sources and publishes back out for other applications to use.
Read MoreMedia Bins: Triggering Multiple Clips At The Same Time
One of the common things you may want to set up using media bin plugins is the ability to trigger multiple clips to different layers at the same time. Within VDMX this can be configured in a few different ways depending on your use case.
Read MoreAnalyzing multi-track audio from Live in VDMX using Soundflower
For musicians working in Ableton Live or other multitrack production software one of the most useful tricks for driving real-time visuals is to output each sound track on a different set of audio channels before they are mixed together to get more accurate results for each sound when performing audio analysis in VDMX.
Read MoreConnecting VDMX and Unity3D by Syphon
While mainly designed for cross platform game development many Mac VJs take advantage of the Unity3D engine for the purposes for creating 3D worlds and other real-time generated graphics for use in visual performance. By connecting these environments to other VJ applications like VDMX over Syphon and OSC we can control these worlds and mix, process and output the virtual camera signals from a scene like any other live media source.
Read MoreLuma Key Techniques for Layer Composition
One of the most powerful techniques for combining multiple layers of video into an output is the use of masking, also known as luma keying. With this process, two video sources are combined to create a "cut out" layer that can be composited over others image like a collage instead of simply blending them together. This style is commonly found in music videos, graphic design, and by VJs for live performance. Masking is also an important technique used when projection mapping video onto surfaces.
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