Monthly Archive for November, 2008

How to: VJ: Hardware: Numark NUVJ

Published on November 30, 2008 in Art, How to, Reviews, Tech and Work. 0 Comments

After a ton of research I decided on the Numark NUVJ.  It was the cheapest combination of software and hardware controller that looked really promising.  Clip triggering with 18 buttons, effects dials, scratch wheels, crossfaders and pitch control all with integrated software that seemed to do all I wanted.  Awesome!  I went down to my local guitar center (haggled them down to 249 + tax).  Went home hooked it up, got started and promptly returned it two days later.  Much to the delight of the friendly and helpful staff at guitar center.  And now the why:

The Good:
Compact unit.  Sturdy build, seems like it could take some knocks.  Software works with PC/MAC – simple interface that matches the hardware perfectly.  Easy install on software and clips – more clips if you register (not worth it, at least the ones I got)  Dead simple to operate.  Plug and play.  Quick, does what it says it will on the box – and nothing more.  At all.  Ever.

The Bad:
Software looks dated.  Not always a problem, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  But this seems like software from 2006 because that’s when it was made…update nah, who needs it?  No more effects for video in the last two years from what I can tell – so they aren’t going all out there…On the website output resolution is described as “unlimited, whatever your graphics card can output”.  But they suggest 640×480.   Hmm…that’s kinda low.  I called up Numark.  A technical support rep told me on the phone, “You MUST run this on a Macbook Pro not a Macbook, if you want to have NO problems, the graphics card on the Macbook just won’t cut it. – oh and stick to 640×480″  Ok, so basically the marketing materials are total BS.  Not surprising, but disappointing.  I kept it and played around with it until I discovered that it doesn’t play nice with audio files by themselves – I’d have to convert to Quicktime movie files and even then not so hot.

The Ugly:
Not more than two layers.  Meaning no blending of more than two clips doing anything together at once.  You have Channel 1 and Channel 2 and a mixer between them.  This seemed more and more like my old tyme RCA video switcher but instead of using VCRs I was using a fancy looking interface and software to basically play, pause, rewind.  Less and less appealing.  Especially after seeing what all the other software based more advanced VJ programs can do.

The Verdict:
I took it back.  I am well aware of what talented people can do simple things, but basically this is a really cool looking two channel video mixer.  I’ll give you that it has dazzling effects properties and great hardware integration for the money but it is something that I outgrew in about 2 hours…You probably will too.

Save your bones for the software based VJ programs out there…but which one?

Still interested in the NUVJ?  Informational links below:
Numark – Product Page
Create Digital Music – Review and Midi Discussion
NUVJ Crash Course – Via VJKUNGFU.tv
NUVJ Crossfader Triggering – Via VJKUNGFU.tv

Next time on How to VJ: Software: Mac only.

Cavalcade of the Odd.

Published on November 29, 2008 in Art, How to, Life and Work. 0 Comments

This show was on Halloween – it Rocked.  I know this crazy guy – Tighe Swanson.  He breathes fire, jumps from ladders into piles of glass with his bare feet and produces rockus side show acts for events and theatres.  Rad stuff, truly.  One day we’re at lunch and he had this idea for a show, and got into a great space with it, but couldn’t figure out some production elements.

10 acts less than 2 hours, all I have for scenery is lights, there are quick changes and the acts are all over the map: daredevils, sword swallowers, clowns, burlesque – it’s nuts!  How about video backgrounds says I?  Brilliant! says he – can you do that?.  And so it began – my re entry the world of VJing and visual design.   When last I did this, it was an analog video switcher set up next to a bank of VCRs and a laser light controller – all set to the pounding techno beats of the 90′s…my how times have changed.  Long of the short, the show went great, not without a few difficulties, one or two missed cues, and the occasional software crash.  But everyone who came said it was fantastic.  Visual design is so fun, insanely time consuming but such a blast.

In the next couple weeks I’m going to put together some of my experiences with various products that I purchased and used (both software and hardware) under the title of How to VJ.  I hope anyone out there who’s looking to get into this, checks this out, as it will save you a ton of time and maybe a little money by not making the same mistakes I did.  And to everyone who was in Cavalcade of the Odd or who came to see it thank you so much.  And to Tighe, thanks for letting me be a part of an awesome show!  If you’re interested in shows like this check out Tighe’s site:

http://sideshowthrills.com

BUOY

Published on November 28, 2008 in Art, News and Work. 0 Comments

BUOY

So I have this bro, Jackson Bennett.  Great guy.  Talented.  Smart.  Ladies love him.  You get the idea.  So I get a call one day, he’s at a party in LA and he can’t fucking take it anymore.  If you’ve ever lived in LA you get this, if not imagine what you think LA is then think of the opposite and you’ll get it.  “But the weather!”, I said.  He laughed.  And in that conversation I heard change happen.  Actual change is an amazing thing to witness, profound really.

Within a month, he’d fired his agent, manager, broke up with his girlfriend, packed up all his belongings in his bitchin’ Camaro and moved.  To Austin.  Yeah – Austin, Texas.  I didn’t get it either, it had something to do with the music scene.  Forgot to mention – a fucking genius, this guy and lyrics.  So anyway I talk to him about once a month hear about what’s going on.

Putting a band together.  Great! I say, when can I hear you play?  Soon.  Scratch that, some band member fucked another band member and now I need a new bass player.  This drummer is a dick, he quit.  They won’t practice.  And finally, FUCK these jackass kids.  Screw it.  I’m just gonna do it myself.  At this point I start to get interested.  This is the can do American Spirit that our Grandfathers had.  You want something done right, do it your God Damn self.  That simple, Oh Rah.

So he just teaches himself how to do it all. The bass, the drums, the keyboard, sampling, recording – you name it.  And after a year of grinding a shit day job, and working his ass off every night, he births this thing.  A work.  A work of visionary genius.  TV on the Radio meets Bowie meets Philip Glass meets 50′s do whop meets The Killers.  Then he calls me up, and says, “I wanna get this out there.” and so we do.  I build the site – and because of his politics, it’s available for download, Pay what you like.  Download it for free!  if you like it, make a donation, or not, whatever you feel. It’s about the music getting out there – NOT RECORD COMPANIES KILLING EVERYONE’S WALLET!

Support local artists, blah, blah, blah.

Take a listen you may like it.  If not it cost you zippo so what did you really lose?

http://jacksonbennett.net

Ruminations on myspace

Published on November 26, 2008 in Opinion. 0 Comments

Recently I got an email from a client regarding whether he should take a media course being offered that extolled the benefits of setting up your own myspace page for your business.  He also wondered whether he should join myspace at all, to network online to generate leads for his business.  This was my response:

Dear Sir,

myspace is the devil.
The internet is forever.

In about 6 months people are going to avoid these sites like the plague after they figure out that it never goes away – and everything they say or do online can’t be shredded, and is watched by watchers on myspace.

As for the course, the descriptor reminds me of the guys I used to know who worked over at RED HERRING magazine in the 90′s.  They’re gonna be tweeting about something they just got called a “pink slip, whatever that is…” while that herman miller areon chair is yanked from under their ass and they sit on the floor confused and “OMG – totally annoyed“.  Seriously, it goes like this:

1. New technology comes on the scene, kids and bleeding edgers adopt it and make it cool.
2. Spreads like wild fire among the youth demographic until it reaches tipping point.
3. Corporate America sees it as the next big thing – buys it for a billion dollars – it’s gonna change the world!  With a little tweaking…
4. RESTRICTIONS GET THROWN DOWN - Kids catch on that it’s gone Corporate spend less time on it – start looking for the next thing.
5. Company Looses stock value.  Oh my god what do we do?!?!?!
6. Company realizes it overspent on not such a cool thing, so they try to resurrect it to a wider more moneyed audience (corporate adults).
7. Find a panel of “MEDIA MOGULS” to push it in and say: “Hey suits, get cool like the kids, everyone’s doing it!”
8. Remaining kids leave the room on their skateboards bemoaning the futility of adults trying to be cool.
9. Company collapses or just turns into a GIANT FLASHING BILLBOARD FOR CRAP.

That is where myspace is now…a GIANT FLASHING BILLBOARD FOR CRAP. but hey look where I am, what do I know – one man’s opinion.

MY ADVICE? publish your own stuff – in your own venue.  You’re a hell of a writer.  Leave myspace to the folks who want to jockey for a prime strip club location in Vegas.

“Really?  Another one?” – says Joe.  Yep.  Another one.

Less Sizzle, More Steak.

So I finally got this thing running.

Published on November 25, 2008 in News. 0 Comments

It took a while, I’ve been busy.  Honestly we all have.  We elected a new President here in the US.  Got some difficulty with the economy, and I think we’re still fighting a two front war.  I digress.  It’s long overdue but here it comes in all it’s glory.  Tastyville Part Deux.  The older stuff will get transfered when it gets transfered, but for now lets get some new stuff going.  As always thanks for stopping by.