velvetkevorkian Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm currently doing research for my [url="http://interaction.dundee.ac.uk/"]Digital Interaction Design[/url] final honours project, and I'm interested in visuals for music, and how bands and performers might be able to control visuals more expressively. I'm interested in hearing from people playing at all levels to find out how they use or don't use visuals in their performance. I'd like to know[list] [*]What system do you currently use for visuals? (e.g. automated lights, premade projections, a dedicated lighting person, etc? [*]What do you like about that setup? What don't you like? [*]Is there something stopping you from using live visuals? Would you like to have them if you could? [*]Anything else about music visuals that you want to add. [/list] You can post any responses or questions here, PM me, or you can email [email protected] if you prefer. This isn't a commercial project, and responses won't be published without your permission. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I'll do my best to address them Thanks Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Good afternoon, Kyle... A few years ago now I spent a few years doing the lighting for a French ska/rock/punk band (Kiemsa, now defunct...). I quickly learned that, in order to give a regular performance, one either had to master each and every lighting console in circulation, or bring one's own. My solution was to use software on a laptop, with a usb/dmx converter. This gave me the same interface at each show, so as to better synchronise fx with the gyrations of the players. There was always 45 minutes or so to spend on adapting channel n°s, or modify colour settings, but it worked very well. Visuals are not, however, only lighting. The backdrop is important in many situations, and our 'tour de force' at the time was a series of over-life-size silhouettes which we placed behind the backline. These represented each player, and had the eyes cut out, replaced by tracing paper. When backlit, in an otherwise dark stage, they could be very menacing; the ultimate effect was afforded if we could get Pro400's behind, and change eye colour, or 'strobe' them. You can see some of the notion in the pics below; unfortunately I have no decent video of this effect (we were poor at the time; we still are..! ). [attachment=147201:Tennie_3.jpg] [attachment=147202:Tennie_4.jpg] [attachment=147203:Tennie_6.jpg] [attachment=147204:Tennie_8.jpg] [attachment=147205:Tennie_9.jpg] [attachment=147206:Tennie_10.jpg] One should really separate the notions of lighting designed to light something (ie: to see it...), and lighting for it's own sake as an effect (laser beams, gobos...). My reference points were taken from the style used for dance (lots of 'side' lights...) and were (for economic reasons...) a constant attempt to do both at once, using the lit-up surface as an effect (lighting from below, or from alternately one side then the other...). I would very seldom use 'standard' face-on lighting, as for TV work, or a 'normal' theatre play, which makes photography or video particularly difficult on a low (zero..!) budget. The effect is, however, very efficient for the 'live' observer. One should not, in these circumstances, underestimate the necessity of having a diffusive atmosphere (ie: smoke, or haze...) in these situations. It's very frustrating when it's not available, and makes everyone look like the idiot they really are, prancing about like that..! Hope this helps; good luck with the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Great stuff dad3353 (if that is your real name ). Lots of stuff to think about there. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 Bump for any more thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) With advances in DMX and LED technologies it's possible to light a pub/small club gig with four LED panels and a few colour changers. Gone are the days of baking under PAR lamps...thankfully!!! I use a pair of DMX LED panels either side of the stage for washes/fill and 3 colour changers behind the kit in a fan pattern - small, portable and all runs from a PC running free software. Each panel supposedly offers an 'unlimited' palette using RGB mixing but in reality there are a dozen or so usable variations but this is sufficient. Edited December 3, 2013 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 A few shots for you - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 [quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1386117902' post='2296182'] A few shots for you - [/quote] Note the effect of the smoke, or haze... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Agree - without haze the effects of any lighting source are diminished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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