Last week featured on CreateDigitalMusic we noticed the beta release of Gestrument Kinect, a simple Mac app that can be used to convert the camera depth data from a Kinect to MIDI for controlling music and VJ live visuals. Since it sends of standard MIDI, it only took a few seconds to connect it to VDMX for a quick demonstration on how it's data can be converted into gestures used to trigger movie clips and adjust video FX parameters.
Read MoreDJ Mixer EQ Style Masking FX for VDMX (with bonus X-Session Pro template)
In this technique tutorial we'll focus on two different ways the idea of a DJ style low, mid, high EQ control can be interpreted in the world of video as FX in VDMX as a means to mask out or adjust the gain level on separate discrete parts of a video stream for the purposes of blending video layers together.
The first example exchanges the low, mid and high levels for the individual RGB channels of the image for raising or lowering the intensity of each independently. The second qcFX uses a similar concept to a 3-band equalizer, breaking down the image into three different sections based on the luma (brightness) level of each pixel instead of its frequency ranges.
Read MoreThe Dual Mix 4 Layer Livid OhmRGB Slim Template
When compositing layers of video together in VDMX or another VJ application, one of the standard techniques for combining images is the use of “masking images” which black out parts of an image by setting its transparency (alpha channel) to less than 1.0, allowing it to in front of content behind it instead of simply blending the two together.
This template is a variation on the technique described in the four channel mixer example in which we have two groups of layers (left and right bus) set up making it possible to preview and transition between mixes on the fly. Here the idea is similar, but instead of two mixes that use separate sets of clips, in this template each bus shares the same set of four clips, each with different controls for layer opacity, FX and blend modes. For an added twist, the four source for this template is used as a mask overlay for each bus that can be used in a variety of ways to combine the two separate mixes together in the main output.
In this video tutorial we quickly go through the design of this template and how it can be used to mix two movie clips along with an audio reactive or LFO driven Quartz Composer composition as an overlay or mask.
Read MoreRemixing Seamless 360 Degree Panoramic Movies Shot with the Kōgeto Dot in VDMX
As part of our series on different techniques for VJs and visual artists to create their own content for performances and installations, today we are featuring the “Dot” camera attachment from Kogeto which lets you easily shoot panoramic video from an iPhone that can be loaded into a VDMX for real-time cropping and panning for adjusting the point of view as the movie plays back or is remixed during a live performance.
In this video tutorial we'll look at some tips for working with movie clips shot using the Dot in VDMX, including setting up seamless 360 rotational loops, syncing the POV angle to the movie time, and how to fade between two different panorama clips.
Read MoreBar graph visualizations with Quartz Composer and VDMX
Among the many uses of Quartz Composer, and perhaps one that is often overlooked, is the ability to make visualizations of data and other information. Since the compositions are rendered in realtime, when creating them for this purpose it can be helpful to make the patches reusable with published input values for use in other environments, or replicating within QC itself.
In this two part video tutorial we'll first create a composition in Quartz Composer that renders a simple bar graph data visualization with inputs for changing its labels and values that can be used in other applications. Once the patch is completed it can be loaded into VDMX and set up to respond to a variety of different inputs as a visualizer of tempo or audio levels as part of a VJ set, an on screen display of MIDI / DMX channels, or any other arbitrary data that you can get into your computer by OSC.
Read MoreThree Different Ways to use Audio Analysis (or other data-source) to Trigger a Movie in VDMX
In this quick tutorial we'll be looking at how to use the Audio Analysis plugin instead of the typical keyboard MIDI, OSC, or DMX shortcuts for triggering video clips in a media bin. This can be a particularly useful technique for using VDMX to run interactive installations that respond to sound and other inputs, or for automating and beat syncing parts of a VJ setup.
Read MoreGuest Tutorial: 4 ways to sync VDMX and Ableton Live with Mattijs Kneppers and Studio Rewind
Over the last few years artist / programmer Mattijs Kneppers has been developing “Livegrabber,” a set of plugins that can be used to easily sync Ableton Live with other applications by echoing out actions in Live over the OSC protocol. For the release of the newest version of the plugins, we're joined by Mattijs and Studio Rewind for a demonstration of how to use the Livegrabber plugins with VDMX.
Read MoreIntro to Making Audio / Video Loops for DJs and VJs
For this A/V performance technique lesson we'll be taking a look at some of the introductory tools that are used by musicians and DJs to make music, followed by creating video loops from scratch. To top it off the two separate tracks will be combined into a single A/V movie file for use in VDMX or other VJ software for live remixing.
Guest Tutorial with Shakinda of iLoveQC
Since it was started about a year ago the iLoveQC website has become one of the top resources and community sites for Quartz Composer developers and Mac VJs using the node based language. If you haven't already taken the time to check out the site, they've got some great interviews with artists, tutorials to get started, FX for download and even Final Cut Pro plugins for non-realtime video production. For this guest tutorial we're joined by iLoveQC founder Graham Robinson, also known as Shakinda who has been part of the in the VJ community for quite some time and is an all around QC guru.
Read MoreMulti-display video mixing with VDMX on a Retina MacBook Pro
Along with being able to work with more layers at higher resolutions, faster computers and more powerful graphics cards make it possible to output to multiple projectors or monitors from a single machine. In particular, the new 15" Retina Macbook Pro features a combination of a fast SSD hard drive along with two Thunderbolt and one HDMI port making it possible for a VJ to power 2 or 3 different HD displays from a single Mac laptop.
In this video tutorial we'll walk through the basic steps of preparing VDMX projects with a double-wide and triple-wide design to output with separate source layers for each display.
Read MoreCreating Video Feedback Loops on a Mac with VDMX
One of the most powerful techniques used to create real-time visuals and computer graphics going back to the early days of video is the use of feedback loops - the method of taking the current output and using it as a source frame in part of the next rendered frame. This incredibly useful process is particularly useful for Mac VJs and other graphic artists looking to find a unique look or style for their visuals, and is easily simulated within VDMX by using layer groups.
Read MoreUsing Waveclock to send MIDI clock to VDMX
Beginner Quartz Composer tutorial with guest Minuek
For this guest tutorial we're joined by Jim Warrier, aka Minuek, who has been sharing his awesome Quartz Composer compositions and VDMX tutorials on the Vidvox forums for the past few months, to the point where we had to invite him to do a guest tutorial with us featuring some of his work and to help other people get started with Quartz Composer. Read More
How to do the Deadmau5 End of Year Tour visuals by Momo the Monster
Thanks to guest poster Momo The Monster currently on tour with Deadmau5 for a special round of holiday shows in North America to take the time to make a blog post and tutorial with us from the road.
Read MoreThe ECLECTIC METHOD REMIX, Part Three - Working with Ableton Live
In part three of our series looking at how to make an Eclectic Method remix with Jonny Wilson we'll be looking at using Ableton to control video triggering using MIDI notes.
Read MoreThe ECLECTIC METHOD REMIX, Part Two - Jamming
This is part two of a series with guest instructor Jonny Wilson of the Eclectic Method. You may want to start with the introduction post covering the overview of the workflow and the first topic on creating A/V samples.
In this tutorial we'll be looking at loading movie clips into VDMX and jamming on them using a MIDI controller.
Read MoreThe ECLECTIC METHOD REMIX, Part One - Making Loops
In the introduction of this series we went over the big workflow steps involved with making an Eclectic Method Remix. For part one we'll start with a more in depth look at how Jonny goes about cutting up and preparing his A/V samples using Sony Vegas.
Read MoreHow to do an ECLECTIC METHOD REMIX, The Overview.
This guest technique post is brought to you by Jonny from the Eclectic Method who was nice enough to share these videos about his process for making A/V remixes in this three part series.
Read More