Twitter'in M8

Week by week a link floats around where busy bees find new ways to use modul8 without any signal from us other then modul8 itself... as is. The latest chapter in this thread comes from Flash designer Erik Kateborg who has designed a Flash based application that can load twitter feeds into modul8.

The project has two parts. One file that can be dropped into modul8 that will display the twitter feed texts and the other, an external one that allows you to interact with the flash file in modul8 keeping the interface out of view.

Thanks to Le Collagiste for the link to this. At the time of his posting the app was not yet finished but as of yesterday it is available for download.

I recall way back in 2005 when one of the VJs invited to the first edition of the Mapping Festival had an application that allowed people to send text messages that would be incorporated into his live set. This is essentially the same thing but now you can just have access to all of the twitter feeds out there or just have your own tweets displayed. Maybe when you take a break in the back stage you can tell the audience how many shots of vodka you are drinking?

I can also imagine just loading a random twitter feed and then improvising live based on the loaded text by either drawing or downloading images from the internet providing there is a connection where you are doing your gig.

I have a Drum & Bass party coming up and I am looking forward to giving this a swing myself.

Laser beams. No sharks but still happy.

. modul8 v2.6(beta) DMX test from a nomad on Vimeo.

Each and every modul8 user in his dark cavern, with access to lighting gear and midi controllers are starting to experiment with DMX. This just today off of the forums from user anomad (aka James, aka VJ 2c) who pulled out his lasers.

VJ DONKIE...

VJ DONKIE MODUL8 2.6 BETA TEST, PLAY, VJING from vjdonkie on Vimeo.

Never heard of this person before but quite obvious are two things: First that he did not waste any time and was probably the first person to upload a video that used the new beta and the second is that he has a special affection for the modul8 interface.

Modul8 v2.6 Public Beta

Hello everyone,

GarageCUBE has released a public beta of modul8 v2.6. It includes several new features and fixes as well as compatibility with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

This public beta is free for testing to all registered users and will expire at the end of this month.

The final release will be a paid upgrade of 49 euros. For users who purchased modul8 within the last year the upgrade is free.

DO NOT USE THIS VERSION OF MODUL8 FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES.

Features and changes
- Compatible with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
- Irresponsive and blurred module buttons in Snow Leopard.
- Screenshot of preview/output.



- Sound Analysis Configuration panel accessible using 'Edit > Sound Analysis.'
- Apply sound analysis through the Animation FX menus.
- New function for modules: modul8.getSoundBands() returns the 23 bands (20:low, 21:mid, 22: high)
- Adjusting the sound input level within modul8 changes the default input level in System Sound Preferences.



Layers / Media
- Increased live video feed to 4 simultaneous streams. Cameras can be assigned to the inputs available in the Special Media panel using the QuickTime preferences panel in the Video Capture preferences.
- Dragging and dropping a folder with images into the media set creates a sequence that can be controlled like a movie. Adding and removing images from the folder will dynamically modify the sequence within modul8. The maximum pixel size of movie folder can be set in the preferences under the Misc tab.

Blend Modes

- Additive and subtractive blend modes made available for all layers.
- Wacom tablet input is available in the module system. The Paint module has been modified to take advantage of this feature.
- Sound balance can now be controlled in the Opt. tab of the main layers interface.

DMX

- DMX support available exclusively using the Enttec DMX USB Pro device.
Using the module system it is now possible to control modul8 using DMX and to control DMX devices using modul8. Fully functional and sample DMX modules are currently available.
- DirectEvent returns a new type: DMX (universe, channel, value, timestamp).
- DMX functions for modules: getDMXUniverseList, sendDMX, getDMXValues.

MIDI / Keys

- Automatic scan of MIDI devices when they are connected or disconnected.
- Added the option to filter MIDI devices. The filter is located in the preferences panel under the Key/MIDI Mapping tab.
- Import/export of MIDI and key mappings.

New module keywords:
direct_snapshot_mainOutput
direct_snapshot_previewWindow
direct_preview_position_z
direct_media_bilinearFiltering (write only)

Preferences
- The preview window can now be customized to any pixel size. This option replaces 'free mode.' Also added is a preset for 16/10 aspect ratio.
- Rendering size of Quartz Composer file can be set in the preferences under the Misc tab.

Bug fixes
- Added missing and or incomplete descriptions to the keyword browser.
- Modul8 was not receiving data from Korg nano kontrol when two controls were used simultaneously.
- In a specific instance the alpha IN/OUT buttons in Transformer/Particles were not updating.
- In some instances preview tabs disappeared when playing back a Logical Record.
- In the module system some values were returning incorrect values or the value could be misinterpreted.
- Logical Record not recording time position, not displaying counter accurately and Layer Logical Record not recording with Logical Record and hide/show of layers.
- Invert Output, Add Output colors and Trace not rendering when using a large Clip in Advanced Output.
- Double clicking on module icons, pressing command + Q on launch causing modul8 to crash.
- Search for missing files could produce memory leak.
- In some instances QuickTime movies in photo-jpeg codec could cause crashes.
- In modules using drawView, fillrect not erasing and filled canvas with color causing color to invert.

Freeframes plugins are now searched in:
"directory of Modul8"/Plug-Ins
/Library/Application Support/FreeFrame
~/Library/Graphics/FreeFrame Plug-Ins
    /Library/Graphics/FreeFrame Plug-Ins

If you have not received a message directly from us and would like to participate in the Beta release please contact me at support [at] garagecube [dot] com and I will provide you with the info for downloading it.

Your feedback is very valuable to us. If you find a problem please send contact support [at] garagecube [dot] com with your serial number, a clearly outlined description of the problem, your system profile and your crash logs if they are available.

A section of the forum has also been created for sharing your feedback with the community.

Happy testing!

Kind regards,
Modul8 Team

Mar-K.os launches Visual Drugstore with VJ workshops

The all around VJ Mar-K.os has started up his initiative, Visual Drugstore with a full 2 day, in depth VJ workshop to bring his 10 years of experience to a new generation of aspiring live video enthusiasts looking to soar to new heights.

Focus of the first day will be set to the production of visuals ranging from 3D and 2D to a whole night of studio production at the Visual Drugstore Studio including different camera types (from Panasonic HD Cam, Canon 5D Mark II to regular HD cams), models, dancers and a make-up artist.

The second day will deal with VJing in general, software training on the special Software "Modul8", which allows you to create live performances and real time videos and mixing skills on Edirol`s V8 / V4 and a selection of Midi-equipment.

During both days the Visual Drugstore staff will take care of our ongoing professional VJs regarding workstations, studio equipment, catering/ dinners and of course the party on Friday night at the all new P1 Lounge & Club opening. All participants will be able to show their recently acquired skills at my new state-of-the-art VJ setup with 4 giant 15K Screens, loads of LED and a videoskulpture consisting of 8 projectors ­5 VJs will be able to mix at the same time. We will also use this workshop to scout new talents for our Visual Drugstore VJ-label, so pack up your gear and get ready.

When: 19.20.11.2009
Time: 19.(13:00 - about 02:00), 20.(11:00 - about 02:00)
Location: Visual Drugstore Studio Munich

For further information have a look.

From the forums: Nestor aka NextVj

VISUALIZA from NextVj on Vimeo.

I have previously included the work of Nestor although I apologize for the fact that I am unable to track down that post at the moment.

Nestor appears to be very active in generating some buzz for the 'custom projected image.' You'll note that at some point during this video that the space this party is occupying is in a museum. This can be seen from a sped up shot where you can see gallery walls of 'static' art on display. You then turn a corner and the room is illuminated. At some point there is also an acrobatics act.

I grabbed the text from the vimeo page and ran it through Babel Fish, cleaned it up a bit to be able to convey approximately what is going on.

"Encounter of VJ´s and bands multimedia, realized in the Argentine North. First of a series of events projected at National level with the purpose of to (introducing?) the position of the VJ (as a) Visual Artist and central figure of the spectacle. The encounter carried out in the Museum of Means and of Resistance, Contacted by Subt Multimedios and with the support of the Institute of Culture of the Chaco."

Of course I am not sure about the VJ as the central figure. I like to think about it as more collaborative. And I am guessing that Nestor would probably agree with me on this point in that I am taking 'central figure of the spectacle' literally. The reason I think Nestor would agree is evidenced by the following video that is a documentation of dance performance.


Aerial acrobatics, theater and live video from NextVj on Vimeo.

I asked him a little bit about this project on vimeo and I am quoting it here:

m8.us:
"Was this a good learning experience working with a dance company? Can you elaborate a little bit on the process of how the imagery for the production was decided on?"

NextVj:
"Thanks, this is the third time working with this company. First they decided the visual moments. Not all the time, just interventions.
Water, fire, air and land (mapping on the circular screen)
I made the textures. Modul8 let me give freshness to the show, mixing in real time according to the performance of the artists. Without prior testing, just follow the script.

The program also allowed me to do, with the circular mapping, images of films in the first place and space background.
The combination of arts, enhances the visual effect.

Something to mention. I did not get pictures of air, but thanks to the courtesy of Vimeo and john stiltwalker can download their excellent images of the sky and complete my work.

I am fascinated by these exchanges before impossible."

Legoman strikes again!

I first met Legoman at the first edition of the Mapping Festival back in 2005. Even back then he already demonstrated a dissatisfaction with the screen and 'simply being a vj.' He knew there could be more to it.

After he finished his studies he left Geneva and by the time I returned for the 2007 edition of the Mapping he was living in Brussels, slicing up materials and creating unique installations where the emphasis on 'image' was more focused on the images created by the eye in comprehending the transformation of space.



His installation at Mapping 2007 was called 3destruct. It featured a room filled with thin strips of the famous gauze like material with 3 projectors and an audio system. The images of the video hinted at some kind of claustrophobic, techno armageddon. It was an illuminated forrest of metal, clicks and glitches.

Since then he has been collaborating heavily with the Anti-VJ collective. And just the other day, thanks to facebook (see, its useful for something) he posted some really nice images of a collaboration with a music group called the Stray Dogs.



It is REALLY, really important for me stress several things. Firstly, we receive a lot of questions regarding mapping projections based on photos and videos. If by the work of Anti-VJ, Exyzt or a host of other artists working in this area. What I need to stress is that the technique is really very simple. Put a projector in front of an object, map it using your favorite graphics editing software, make video with this as a template and drop it into modul8.

This is really simple. Even simpler with this installation is the usage of rather inexpensive materials. It appears that there was not even a need to hang anything with a drill and screws. What is hard is getting the content and documentation right. DSLR cameras are pretty cheap these days and a few extra for a decent wide angle lens and the return on the investment is self evident. I don't even really need to see video. Would be nice though.

Would like to see more of this. Keep up the good work Legoman.