6 ways DJs can get organized during lockdown (you’ll thank yourself later)

We all feel it – the COVID-19 burnout is real. Many of us are itching to get outside, to play clubs again, to be back on a dancefloor, and to play on a big soundsystem again. Yep, we miss it too. But we’re not quite there yet – particularly in the United States. That’s why so […]

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Review: Pioneer DJ’s new Rekordbox 6 – is it worth subscribing?

With Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox 6 music management and DJ performance software, you can keep your prep your music files from multiple devices, sync changes seamlessly in the cloud, and hook up your set’s tracks from an iPhone to CDJs to perform. But is all that really worth the subscription price? Contributing writer Markkus Rovito tests […]

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Bluefish444 Announces video I/O compatibility with Aximmetry’s Virtual Studio Software

KRONOS K8 and Epoch SDI I/O for real time 3D graphics for broadcast and entertainment North Melbourne, Australia, 23rd June 2020 – Bluefish444, manufacturer of the professional video industry’s highest-quality uncompressed 4K SDI, ASI, Video Over IP & HDMI I/O cards and mini converters, has announced SDI I/O support for real time 3D graphics ands ...

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About Kusmos Live by Kuflex Lab

During these tough and uncertain times it has been inspiring to see so many audiovisual artists and events coming up with tools and formats to overcome the quarantine restrictions and social distancing.

A few weeks back the guys from Kuflex Lab reached out to showcase their latest tool that stands out among all the virtual/hybrid solutions we have seen so far. Kusmos Live allows to turn online concerts into interactive digital shows. Pretty neat uh?

Let’s dive in and explore how it works. Down to the nitty-nerdy-gritty Kusmos is a custom VJ software written on openFrameworks + VDMX5 + Syphon.

In spring 2020 Kuflex studio began an experimental project Kusmos Live. The purpose of the experiment was to upgrade the Kusmos system in order to create a interactive online home shows.

In 2018-2019 the Russian audiovisual studio experimented with the innovative tool together with SILA SVETA studio on the Therr Maitz concert, Caprices Festival 2018, Nina Kraviz experimental performance at Coachella 2019.

OK, really cool but how exactly does interactivity work? We gave some feedback to Kuflex lab with a few tricky questions to better understand the whole potential of this new audiovisual tool.

KUFLEX: The Tracker program receives depth-sensor data, calibrates a point cloud as we need it (we can rotate the cloud, cut off everything you don’t need keeping only the data of the artist oneself and merge point clouds from two sensors) and sends it to the renderer (UE4 scene).

Scene functions build a 3D model using the data provided by the Tracker and then we can layer all kinds of features with effects on the model and also transform and distort it according to the artistic concept. We also captured video from the laptop’s webcam and sometimes showed its picture. 3D scene acting as the artist surrounding, a set of virtual cameras for capturing from different viewpoints and visual effects were set up in advance in the Unreal Engine. Then the OBS program captures the video of the launched scene and sends it to the video streaming server.

During our second live experiment we tested some new features for the viewers interactive communication with the stream. While Leksha (Smolensk, Russia) was playing his ambient-set, a VJ (Moscow, Russia) was controlling visual effects with the use of commands via YouTube chat in real-time mode. Our team has implemented this function between the concerts and decided not to tell the viewers about it.

During the stream, noticing weird messages in the chat, some of the viewers started to realize that they could not only send a message to the chat but to even affect visualization. In the end the concert has turned into a digital quest. Some viewers picked up effect control by sending particular commands to the chat. We have yet to comprehend how to develop this function in the future.

 AVC: We think it’s a really interesting and innovative project responding to the challenges of the pandemic. In terms of appeal for VJs there is the risk of potentially being extremely limited for the audiovisual artists creativity, and the aesthetic I guess would always be the same.

It would be key for the tool to have a wider range of possibilities of customization for the artists otherwise they might get tired soon. I guess they all want to leave their unique mark in the scene.

KUFLEX: Kusmos is a universal software tool, with the possibility of variability of visual and interactive solutions. As a rule, our team creates a virtual stage specifically for the performance of the musician. Of course, we want to upgrade the program creating a database with different scenes, effects. In this case, the user will be able to construct the scene himself and combine the effects for his live/stream. 

AVC: It’s a bit unusual to keep promoting the idea of “God is DJ”. Is the DJ persona so relevant the viewer wants to watch during the entire show in a virtual environment?

KUFLEX: Regarding Kusmos Live project, the Kuflex team is collaborating with various musicians. We wanted to support the performers. So this approach determined the emphasis on the figure of the musician on the virtual stage, under whose musical personality, sound we come up with a visual solution. We do not just shoot a video with a musician, as is often done in broadcasts, but create a digital avatar that changes depending on the script, music and VJ control.

At the same time, Kusmos Live is primarily a show, a kind of mix of live performance, a computer game and fantastic movie. The virtual camera can fly through digital space, we can switch to different visual elements of the scene and include additional visual effects to the music.

We try to achieve the effect of real interaction with the viewer as well. Our team is developing a function of interaction through chat – viewers’ comments fall into the scene, they can affect the content through certain chat commands. But Kusmos can be used by artists of other genres. In the near future we want to try to create a dance performance. Now we are discussing this idea with one Russian choreographer.

We will explore the topic of distances – where physical space ends, digital begins, the relationship of body and sound. Both dance and music will take place in live format.

Technically, the performer will find himself in different areas of camera scanning, on the screen we will observe how his digital avatar changes. Again, it will all be like shooting a movie in one shot and in real time!

AVC: We truly appreciate the viewers becoming active, participating and communicating with the stream. That creates a collective experience. Could people really tell if this was a live performance or not? It feels like the interaction should be more meaningful somehow, with a bigger impact to the overall audiovisual artwork.

KUFLEX: Our team worked on a concert from different cities. We thought about how best to organise remote control of virtual cameras and effects. And suddenly our creative director had an idea to manage content through Youtube chat. During the broadcast, he wrote commands like cam1 (switching camera 1), stars ( the star effect was launched).

We intentionally did not talk about this function in advance to get the quest. As a result, some viewers guessed and began to help in managing the scene. We explore different possibilities about other ways of interaction.

In the future we want to create a client application for connecting to the broadcast via a mobile phone, desktop PC screen or VR. We intend to develop Kusmos as an art tool. Our team believes in a power of collective interaction. We want to give a palette of visual solutions, effects. Let’s all together create beauty here and now! This idea is a sincere inspiration for us. 

AVC:  We would like to know more about how the collaboration you have done with Leksha where the viewers were controlling visual effects with the use of commands via YouTube chat in real-time mode.” How does the input of data modify the visuals? is it like a live coding or common human language and how it is related to the VR software?

KUFLEX: Usually in an offline format, we work like this: musicians play music, and VJ manages visual content live using MIDI controllers. Some effects are linked to the amplitude of the sound. But in a situation where we did not have the opportunity to be onsite will all team, we decided to make control through chat commands.

We wrote a special function for our software that receives data from chat on YouTube using the Google API. We came up with several commands, for example: cam1, cam2, skin1, skin2, electric noise, lasers and the like. And when someone in the chat wrote one of these words, then a certain visual effect or a corresponding camera was included in our program.

In general, we have an idea to expand the number of commands and their appearance, so that it looks more like live coding. For example, add numerical arguments to the commands, which will additionally specify the parameters of a particular visual effect.

As for virtual reality, we have plans to create our own application for viewers who can watch live broadcasts using VR devices, thus more deeply immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the digital scene and additionally receive personal effects. 

 AVC: Fascinating this idea of “universal tool” for content in real time and interactive show. We think it’s important now to dig more into the idea of how it can involve more people in the creative process. It opens new ways of investigation on how to make every audiovisual experience unique, not only in terms of the aesthetics of the piece but also regarding the narrative.

KUFLEX: Yes, this is the main object of research for us. Usually, a limited number of people can come to the offline exhibition. So we want to overcome any space frames. With Kusmos we don’t have any restrictions online! We can find ourselves in amazing digital worlds that are impossible in the physical world.

Now that Kuflex Lab and its creation Kusmos entered our radar we will most definitely keep following their progression, as always supporting innovation and creativity in the audiovisual art world.

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Sarah Deas joins Pixel Power to strengthen sales team

Cambridge, UK, 18 June 2020: Pixel Power, the global leader in graphics production and playout automation, has appointed Sarah Deas to its head office team. Deas will provide internal sales support to the sales teams in the Cambridge base and regional offices in North America, South-East Asia and the Middle East. “I am delighted to ...

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Calrec announces Andrew Munt as Software Manager driving the company’s development expertise

Hebden Bridge, 17th June 2020 — Calrec has invested in further expansion of its R&D department with the appointment of Andrew Munt as Software Manager. In this role, Munt will oversee all Calrec’s software expertise from architecting, design and development of all new and existing products, continuing to drive and expand Calrec’s renowned R&D output. ...

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Virtual DJ 2021 released, adds dynamic stems / signal separation mixing

Who would have thought two different DJ softwares would release the ability to isolate parts of a track on the fly on the exact same day? Today, Atomix Productions has released Virtual DJ 2021, with a signal separation functionality that allows DJs to “de-mix” finished tracks into the individual components. They join Algoriddim, who announced […]

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PBT EU partners with Linxstream Media to provide localization services in Middle East

NEXT-TT forms the technology backbone of unique PixelSub platform –  PBT EU forms a strategic partnership with Linxstream Media to provide localization services across Middle East 5 June 2020, Dubai  – Well-established systems integrator PBT EU is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with leading post-production, localization, and entertainment company, Linxstream Media. The partnership launches ...

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Saudi Broadcasting Authority Selects Imagine Communications to Deliver Integrated Multichannel Networking and Playout Solution

  Compact, software-centric installation achieves efficiencies through centralized workflows DUBAI, June 4, 2020 – Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA), part of the Ministry of Media in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is replacing the playout technology for its main channels with an integrated solution from Imagine Communications. SBA, one of the most prestigious broadcasters in the ...

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KUFLEX

A Russian studio of interactive audiovisual art.

Kuflex Lab is formed by audiovisual artists exploring the newest ways of using video, sound and light, tracking technology and generative graphics to allow viewers to dive into that digital space and feel it to the fullest.

Kuflex large-scale interactive installations dismantle stereotypes of sensory perception. Immersive effect switches off rational evaluative perception and provokes spontaneous emotions of inner child.

A small team creates magic installations and art projects, exploring mechanisms of interaction and inter-influence of inter-subjective reality and its digital projection.

Interacting with constantly changing projection, the viewer enters meditative state, turns from a passive observer into a co-creator. Thus, in “Symbiosis” installation the viewer literally merges with the alien creature, becoming a digital avatar that can be controlled by him or her. 

Installations by Kuflex have been featured in many Russian and foreign exhibitions, festivals, museums, science and education centers in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Tyumen, Abrau-Dyurso, Netanya (Israel), Antalya (Turkey), Athens (Greece, ADAF), Las-Vegas (USA, CES), Beijing (China,China Science and Technology Museum), Manila (Philippines) and others.

Since 2018 the studio has been working on Kusmos software system for interactive visual content of online home concerts. In April 2020 it started  developing Kusmos live version thus turning any stream from home into a fantastic 3D show.

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Calrec provides online demonstrations of Assist UI for virtual mixing

Hebden Bridge, 20ththMay 2020— Expanding upon its online demonstration offers, Calrec is hosting virtual demonstrations of its Assist UI, a browser-based virtual console environment with multiple versions available for a variety of Calrec technologies. Calrec’s Assist Web UI provides users with a virtual desk, available on any device running Chrome as a browser, wherever in ...

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GB Labs qualifies ATTO 360 Tuning, Monitoring, and Analytics Software to achieve even faster performance

Aldermaston, UK, 18 May 2020: The leader in intelligent storage solutions, GB Labs, has announced a development partnership with ATTO Technology, Inc., a global leader of network, storage connectivity and infrastructure solutions, and has qualified ATTO 360™ Tuning, Monitoring, and Analytics Software with GB Labs CORE.4 operating system. A network built with ATTO FastFrame™ Ethernet ...

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Red Giant VFX Suite 1.5: Lens Distortion Plus More Tools for After Effects

Red Giant released a supercharged update to their VFX Suite which includes some very helpful new tools for editing in After Effects. Let’s check them out.

Best FREE Animation Software — Ready to Download Right Now

Let's take a look at the best FREE animation software that you can download and start using today, with over ten software options listed here.

Apple releases major Logic Pro X update with Live Loops, Step Sequencer

Apple’s Logic Pro X saw a huge update today – referred to as the “biggest update” to the production software since its launch in 2013, by Apple themselves – with its latest edition, 10.5. Some of the most notable additions to the software with this update: a new live loops feature, the Step Sequencer editor, […]

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EVS rachète Axon et concrétise la plus importante acquisition de son histoire

La société belge EVS va débourser 10,5 millions d’euros en cash et par endettement, et ajoutera jusqu’à 2,5 millions d’euros selon les prochains résultats d’Axon (earn-out). La marque Axon (CA 2019 : 17,5M€) sera absorbée par EVS au cours des prochaines semaines et son portefeuille de produits sera intégré dans l’offre globale EVS. « L’objectif est de reprendre tous les collaborateurs d’Axon et d’investir davantage dans leur technologie et leur expertise », indique EVS dans un communiqué.

Grâce à l’intégration du portefeuille de produits (Neuron, Cerebrum, Synapse) de son cousin néerlandais Axon, EVS offrira à ses clients une infrastructure de production pour les tournages vidéo en direct très complète, une gestion optimisée des ressources, une plus grande évolutivité et un déploiement plus rapide sur les lieux de tournage lors des opérations en direct à distance (remote production). Les clients d’EVS pourront également mettre en œuvre des solutions clés en main pour faire migrer en douceur leur infrastructure vers l’IP et la production à distance.

Les acquisitions sont rares pour EVS. La plus récente concernait Scalable Video System GmbH (SVS) au début de 2015, qui est aujourd’hui le mélangeur Dvyi dans le portefeuille d’EVS. Précédement, EVS avait acquis Open Cube Solutions (toolkit MXF) au début de 2010.

SuitelifeSystems’ New Monitoring & Management Platform For Broadcasters

  The content a broadcaster creates is determined not only by the focus of the content. It is also determined by the visual presentation. How well a creative working in the broadcast industry reaches and potentially builds an audience, is determined by how well presented their brand is, which is why monitoring it is essential. ...

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Primestream’s End-To-End IP Stream Workflow Provides High-Quality Content Integration

  The content a broadcaster produces has to be of the highest quality in terms of creativity, and how it is distributed depends on how well it is integrated. As the broadcast industry continues to grow and expand, so does the amount and variety accompanying the content creatives make. With so many diverse forms of ...

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Latest disguise software update powers the next level of Augmented Reality experiences for home and live audiences

The new release includes significant AR and usability improvements and launches in a week when disguise also made its Designer software free for six months

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ZIXI TO STREAM VIRTUAL EVENTS AND NEW CAPABILITIES AS ALTERNATIVE TO NAB

Zixi, the industry leader for enabling dependable, live broadcast-quality video over any IP network, today announced that in the wake of the cancellation of the NAB Show 2020, the company will be conducting a two week virtual showcase.  This series of video meetings and webinars will present Zixi’ s latest innovations and announcements including industry ...

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Net Insight Acquires Aperi Corporation’s IP Product Portfolio

  Net Insight will be an exhibitor at the 2020 NAB Show this April, and as part of its strategy to grow the core Media Networks business, the company has just acquired Aperi Corporation’s innovative product portfolio. The acquisition will complement and strengthen Net Insight’s media offering. Over the last few years, the Aperi products ...

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Innovation & Tech Today’s Interview With SoundWhale Founder And CEO

  Years ago, getting a musical project meant assembling friends at a certain time and place (generally a garage or basement) to play some tunes. At least until the neighbors started complaining about the noise. This has changed greatly in the age of the internet, with numerous online avenues allowing for collaboration no matter where ...

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Crystal Vision’s 2020 NAB Show Exhibit Delivers Their Newest IP Video Processing Apps

  This April, at the 2020 NAB Show Booth # SL7409, Crystal Vision will be showing the latest picture processing software apps for its MARBLE-V1 media processor hardware, all of which can work with IP, with SDI or with both IP and SDI at the same time. The functionality offered by these apps, which support ...

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Rock Paper Scissors’ SoundWhale Solution

  SoundWhale operates as a remote collaboration solution for audio post and music production that allows users to create content and exchange ideas during a session. This solution is meant for clients and collaborators that cannot be in the same room. Users can connect over the network and listen to the same audio, communicate, and ...

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Globecast hails Infrastructure as Code as a cloud gamechanger and initiates deployment

Paris, 25th February 2020 — Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, is hailing the emergence of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) as a gamechanger for the media entertainment industry and has begun deployment of the technology. IaC is the process of creating and managing cloud-based technologies using scripts – hence code – to do so. ...

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Bitcentral Will Showcase Oasis Asset Management System At 2020 NAB Show Exhibit

  Every content creator operating within the broadcasting industry understands that the value of good content is measured in the value of the programming implemented in its presentation. High-quality content isn’t a rare gem to be discovered, but that goes differently for something as unique as high-quality programming. A creator’s content must not only embody ...

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VisualOn’s Partnership With KDDI Pioneers Use Of Ultra Low Latency CMAF And Multiple Camera Angles For Live Sports

  Last year, VisualOn Inc., the industry-proven video streaming solutions provider, announced that KDDI was utilizing the VisualOn Media Platform (VMP) to revolutionize the live sports experience to stream the FIVB Volleyball World Cup Japan 2019, broadcast by Fuji Television Network, Inc. KDDI delivered the first live sports stream in Japan utilizing Ultra-Low Latency CMAF ...

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