One of the most powerful tools for working with MIDI and OSC control data is Max, which is widely known for its easy to use interface for “patching” and working with data streams. While Max does not yet support OSCQuery natively, it is a great example of how the free OSCQuery Helper and MIDI OSCQuery Helper tools can be used to publish OSC and MIDI parameters from Max patches so that they can be remotely accessed by other software like VDMX and the OSCQuery Browser.
In this set of tutorials we’ll look at the process for adding basic MIDI and OSC inputs in a simple Max patch and then creating a JSON file that describes the routings. Once those are prepared we can see how to access these parameters using other software in the OSCQuery ecosystem.
Read MoreThe OSCQuery Protocol is a new specification that allows live performance tools to automatically communicate its parameters for rapid setup and improvisation between performers. Along with native support within VDMX here at VIDVOX we have developed several useful utilities that make it possible for people to take advantage of these new capabilities with software that support MIDI and OSC.
In this introduction tutorial we’ll be looking at how to use the free (and open source!) MIDI OSCQuery Helper utility to publish parameters from an Ableton Live project so that they can be accessed as browsable OSC parameters from other software such as VDMX. The MIDI OSCQuery Helper also includes its own built in Interactive Web Interface which can be loaded in web browsers on desktops, laptops, smart phones and tablets to remotely control any published controls.
Read MoreThe NDI® protocol from NewTek is a way to publish and receive audio / video streams over a network as a way to share live feeds between systems. From within VDMX, any number of video streams can be both output to the network and input from other applications.
In this tutorial we'll looking at capturing NDI® video streams that are published from other applications on the network and use them as the source for a layer. More information can be found in the VDMX manual in the section on video inputs.
Read MoreThe OSCQuery Protocol is an extension to the OSC specification designed to make setup of communication between applications easier. Within VDMX this new protocol can be used in severals ways that we'll be covering in this tutorial. You can also read more about OSCQuery in the blog post announcing its official release.
Read MoreThe NDI® protocol from NewTek is a way to publish and receive audio / video streams over a network as a way to share live feeds between systems. From within VDMX, any number of video streams can be both output to the network and input from other applications.
In this tutorial we'll looking at taking layers in VDMX and publishing them for other NDI® enabled software to access. More information can be found in the VDMX documentation in the NDI® Output plugin section.
Tip: For a quick demonstration try the "NDI® Output Example" option from the Templates menu in VDMX.
Read MoreThe OSCQuery protocol makes it easy for software that supports OSC to access each others parameters for remote control, without a lengthy setup process. Within VDMX there are a few ways to take advantage of this and in this tutorial we will focus on using the OSCQuery Client plugin which can be used to browse the address space of a server and add UI controls that are automatically configured to send to it.
Read MoreThe Control Surface is one of the most widely versatile plugins in VDMX, making it possible to create sets of custom interface elements that can be used to control nearly any aspect of your workspace or send MIDI / OSC / DMX to other systems. The Control Surface plugin also has the ability to publish its list of parameters over a local area network using the OSCQuery protocol so that other software can remotely browse and control almost any aspect of your VDMX project.
In this video tutorial we'll be looking at the basics of using OSCQuery protocol from within the Control Surface, and three ways that those parameters can be accessed from software running on other devices: using our free OSCQuery Browser utility, another copy of VDMX and a web browser running on an iPhone.
Read MoreThe OSCQuery protocol makes it easy for software that supports OSC to access each others parameters for remote control, without a lengthy setup process. Within VDMX there are a few ways to take advantage of this and in this tutorial we will focus on using the built-in OSCQuery Browser window which can be used to browse the address space of a server, send OSC messages and add OSC sending elements to our workspace.
The built-in OSCQuery Browser Window can be opened from the Window menu or by using the cmd+5 keyboard shortcut. From this panel you can access, browse and search the namespaces of other applications. For each of the listed OSC address destinations at the remote server you can:
Use the provided interface control to quickly send test data.
Dragged the listed item on to UI elements in VDMX (such as sliders, buttons, and color wheels – this also works with the list of variables in the Cue List plugin inspector) to automatically configure OSC sending to the remote hosts.
Read MoreAlong with the basic controls of inverting values and applying basic math equations, number FX chains can used to adjust the values of data-sources before they are applied to sliders. In this example the 'Fall' FX will be applied to an audio analysis level to create a falling style before being applied to a VU meter generator.
Read MoreAlong with the technical tutorials on how to use VDMX and other software tools, one of the main focuses of this site are topics related to the field of performing live visuals. In this post we'll be looking at some of the techniques that are used to bring a show from an idea through to an actual production, covering the areas of:
Mood boarding: A primer, or “mood board,” is used to gather ideas for the overall style and palette for the visual design. This may include a collection of colors, graphics, textures, image references, screen grabs and sketches.
Mood boarding: A primer, or “mood board,” is used to gather ideas for the overall style and palette for the visual design. This may include a collection of colors, graphics, textures, image references, screen grabs and sketches.
Storyboarding: A storyboard takes the elements derived from the mood board and places them in time, typically matching up events such as style changes with important moments in other elements of the show production, such as the music or theater scene changes.
Pre-production: During pre-production any prepared material, such as video files, still images, interactive generators, custom FX, that are needed for the show are created and arranged in the performance software for rehearsals.
Technical riders: Technical rider documents are often created as a way to clearly describe the broad technical aspects of a show production, including details like equipment lists, wiring diagrams, stage layouts, venue requirements, and contact information for people involved.
Read MoreIn 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 MoreExpanding 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.
Read MoreThough 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 MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreOne 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 MoreWhile VDMX offers many ways to extend its capabilities with code by Quartz Composer, Vuo and writing your own custom interactive GLSL shaders, there are times when you may need to use a video generator, image processor, or data controller that for whatever reason require using another most extensive programming toolkit for some aspect of your live performance.
One of the most popular creative coding languages being used today is known as Processing, a free, open-source development environment with an extensive community of artists and technologists around the world. You can look online to find hundreds of examples and they provided wonderful educational materials to help you get started with learning how to write code to make art.
Read MoreFor 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 MoreJust 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 MoreWhile 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 MoreThe 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.
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