Quartz VJ-ing
Now we’re talking!
This discovery was a joint effort. Allan White & Nick Rivero have been exploring various ways to incorporate LIVE Quartz compositing (like the iTunes visualizer) into a presentation program like ProPresenter. When I visited Allan in Portland a few weeks ago, he showed me his progress of successfully piping in the iTunes visualizer into ProPresenter (as a live feed) via CamTwist. Meanwhile, Nick and his friend Jason Norris started experimenting with this, and Jason took it one step further by adding a midi controller device that could manipulate a Quartz composition window. Nick used this method while VJ-ing for Kristian Stanfill at a recent event.
The next step is to figure out a way to send a live audio feed (ex. from a band, kick drum, etc) to the Quartz screen so that it reacts to the live music. Jason tells me he is working on this. I also need to figure out a way to change the live feed in PVP to CamTwist instead of iSight. I’m sure it’s easy…i just need to email Renewed Vision. And i’ll be ordering my Korg nano controller very soon!
Finally a use for the itunes visualizer. It’s such a pretty thing, but doesn’t have much use besides when you are not using your computer to look at something pretty. I can’t wait to see what this will enable once they have it work with propresenter. It seems like it could be really awesome..especially in-sinc with live bands/artists.
Brian Alexander on August 27, 2009
Correction, those pics of the Kiristian Stanfill event, it’s actually Jason running the Quartz Comp himself in those pics…
Nicholas Rivero on August 27, 2009
I love it!!!! I want one!!!
Camron Ware on August 27, 2009
That is amazing! We are using a similar process as Camtwist on the PC side to treat our MediaShout screen as a live feed that we can pull into Livestream for the internet feed. It allows us to switch between live video and the slides fairly easily. I absolutely love the idea of controlling a Quartz Composer directly via a controller! Might need to be a bit more passionate to the powers that be about switching to Mac!
Tim Owens on August 27, 2009
this rocks my face off! I so want to do it Sunday. We use triple head projection – wonder what that does to aspect ratios.
Awesome stuff!
Dave Anderson on August 27, 2009
Always an impressive display from the Norris/Rivero team. Great work.
Andy Brown on August 27, 2009
hey stephen,
got a link through ur twitter to this, im an irish vj and just finnishing the first book on quartz – http://www.vimeo.com/5616060
if you are after some comps etc hit me up, i have been working with quartz for vj performance for a few years and it might be nice to collaborate?
shakinda on August 27, 2009
i guess this post hit a nerve! haha
Jason, Nick & Allan are continuing to explore possibilities, and if you haven’t already, check out Shakinda’s website…as he an expert in Quartz composition and VJ-ing. http://shakinda.com
As fun as all of this is, let’s just remember that when it comes to using visual media in worship, it’s not for the personal satisfaction of the visual enthusiast. I fight this all the time. But man, what a cool, fun and creative way of expression. i hope i get to use Quartz & the Korg nano soon!
like Allan just told me, it’s just the beginning!
proctor on August 27, 2009
Thanks for putting it in perspective, Stephen. I really think that’s a key thing that you and the others are really adding to this space – aesthetics, purposefulness, and meaning to visuals in worship.
Lots to absorb & process, digesting it all at the moment. I wish I had the “canvas” to work on like you guys do. It’s limited to “fascinating hobby” status for me at the moment.
Allan White on August 27, 2009
Using Arkaos, I use a mic line in / mic feed and a setting for the reaction off of low frequencies to shift the images. Quartz can do this, too. Basically your audio frequency is a “trigger”, depending on which you choose to make the reaction.
I use an old UC33 midi usb controller to tweak with.
reece on August 27, 2009
quartz composer : audio input
http://vjkungfu.com/archive/quartz-composer-lighting-3d-cubes-and-moving-them-with-audio-input/
compliments of vjkungfu.tv
reece
reece on August 27, 2009
Very cool guys!
One suggestion…why don’t you change your CamTwist link in the story to the developers site…http://allocinit.com/index.php?title=CamTwist …instead of some download service.
knewhart on August 28, 2009
Stephen- Great article and video!
Totally a side-question: where is that music from in the video. It was mesmerizing! Seriously!
Secondly- I found this whole set up to be totally inspiring! Thanks for seeing this and sharing it with all of us! I can’t wait to see how this grows, and perfects, and works its way into worship environments.
I’m seriously impressed!!!!
everett
Everett Bowes on August 28, 2009
Hey guys, I just posted a new screencast, that expands on this concept:
Routing iTunes’ Visualizer into ProPresenter with CamTwist http://bit.ly/itunes_viz1
I’d love to hear what you think, and any suggestions you might have.
Allan White on August 28, 2009
Allan -
well, your “fascinating hobby” has moved this ‘conversation’ along more than you know. thank you for your continued exploration and input into this whole journey. i look forward to seeing more art from you.
and thanks for the screencast! COOL!
Reece – very cool setup. i’m aware of other programs like ArKaos and VDMX that allow for this (live audio input to Quartz); it’l be exciting to see the guys come up with a free solution!
by the way, Travis’ live DVD just came out and i you’re in the credits…thanks for your help that weekend! what a great experience!
knewhart – thanks for catching this…i posted this in the middle of the night, so was a little tired. i switched it the the correct link. can you check & make sure it’s the right one?
Everett-
hey bro! the music is from the band “The Album Leaf”…great music!!!
i’m excited about using this new way of VJ-ing…will probably attempt it at Deeper Still in Orlando next month. you coming?
life good? how’s the content creation going?
proctor on August 30, 2009
oh snap! travis just sold another 2. one for mom, of course ;)
thanks.
r
reece on August 30, 2009
I just started working with Quartz for song support backgrounds, using audio input plugins to create worship backgrounds that react to the music. I am amazed by the (overwhelming) complexity of the composer. Using other designs as a template, like those from WowLabs are a great way to learn. Thanks for the info on the Korg controller.
Patrick on September 1, 2009
Awesomeness, cant wait to try this! Thanks guys.
Richard Orr on September 2, 2009
and i am now the proud owner of a Korg nano kontroller. i went black instead of white….goes with the MBP better. :)
admin on September 5, 2009
Yeah, I got my KORG in today, playing around, I cant get QC to change values with the MIDI receiver. QC recognizes it, but the values just wont change. Anyone want to point me in the right direction?
Thanks all!
Richard Orr on October 23, 2009