Best FREE Software for Concert Visuals

These are my favorite FREE software for creating concert visuals, vj loops, virtual concerts, interactive installations, and more at incredibly high quality!
In my last video about The Best Software for Concert Visuals I shared the 5 applications I use the most in my work, but some of those applications are fairly expensive. These are five inexpensive options that you can get and use for free right now.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:44 01 - 2D & 3D Powerhouse
02:11 02 - The Rising Star of Realtime
04:32 03 - Hollywood Quality Editing and VFX
05:48 04 - Realtime Interactive Visual Coding
08:10 05 - Powerful Performance Tool
09:36 Conclusion
SOFTWARE LINKS
Blender: www.blender.org/
Unreal: www.unrealengine.com/
Resolve: www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...
TouchDesigner: derivative.ca/
SMODE: smode.fr/
SMODE Legacy: smode.fr/smode-studio/
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[@SeanBowes]

What other great FREE software should we try out?

[@bearroar]

I'm looking into making my own visuals both for live use and for music video. I was prepared to use at least a couple of hours on youtube in my search for videos on the subject. This video answered about 90% of my questions and it gave me a clear pathway on to which apps I should look into first. Thank you. Great content. I subscribed and I will check out your other videos when I start working on My video visuals.

[@SeanBowes]

Thank you! I’m so glad this helped you. Good luck with the video - follow me on Instagram and dm me your progress! I’d love to see what you come up with

[@flammasecutor]

Same here.

[@NavSrivas]

Awesome - superb guidance! Liked. Subbed. Love from Canada!🎌

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks Nav! Glad it was helpful

[@DJPeterJames]

Resolumes “wires” needs a shout out for live stage shows it is amazing for creating visuals that can interact live and be changed live with various inputs and of course it seamlessly links with resoulme. Apologies if you’ve covered wires before. When you create your own blender source videos with wires in mind you can really open up your source video and remix it live with effects or layers or of course it can be used to just run straight visuals. Its not so hard to learn if your already used to using nodes.

[@vendacious]

I gotta admit, I don't see people using Wire as much as I'd like. It seems really powerful. What file format do you send from Blender to Wire? I didn't know it does 3D...

[@vjkobra5261]

LOVEEE THIS

[@nevio___2290]

great video! wich software do you reccomend to link midi to launch visual clips?

[@miryamlalucha4989]

question : what lap top would work for a very small pub ( projector is close to the screen and the screen size is very small so i dont want to spend lots of money on gear ... which lap top ( cheap one - would work and which vj software that is not expensive would you recommend ? Thank you so much ! Greetings from Spain

[@IlayGuardia]

Hi i have a question, what’s the best setup to Dj a live show and control visuals?

[@trillcityvisuals]

Also a rather cheap version is Magic Music Visuals. it's a node based live compositor based on isf shaders, gsls shader language, and python expressions. It also takes in midi sources, and the parametors can be mapped to a midi controller. It's very similar to touch designer and resolume wire. I've used it to do the visuals for Prismo, Control Freak, Versa, Cyclops, Dj Micheal 5000 Watts, Dj Tennis and way more. The only software that i've purchased that i am happy i bought. 90 dollars us .

[@SeanBowes]

Awesome suggestion! I know a few people who love it as well. Definitely under-appreciated. Thanks for mentioning it!

[@vilmfilm]

Wait hold on... U did visuals for THE VERSA AND CYCLOPS??? so I would assume u recommend magic software? I downloaded touch designer today but it's gonna take some time to learn... I'm comfortable with blender except for animating cuz then I lose focus and confusing.

[@kagisonxedlana4580]

Thank you very much

[@D3NENT]

Hey Sean, wich programm is your recommendation for a DJ/Producer showcase/concert without having so much expiriance in programming those things ? I mean i know it will take me some time to get in to the software .. But wich one of them is your suggestion for doing it ?

[@SeanBowes]

Resolume is good for that type of thing and not too hard to get the basics. If you are a DJ yourself then maybe look into serato video. It’s a dj program with video functionality that you control with the decks.

[@legitisaac9872]

What software would you suggest for hard hitting dubstep / melodic dubstep? Looking for fun colors and shaking dynamics for harder videos

[@grahamgrafx]

Have you heard of Cycling's Max and Jitter? I built my own VJ (Resolume-esk) software, as you said someone else did with TouchDesigner. I'm just curious to know if anyone is just Max Jitter in the VJ space.

[@SeanBowes]

I have heard of it, but i haven't used it really, but there are a few people I know who use that sort of workflow. A bit more popular in the generative art community or AV music project community than the VJ community I think. But really there are no rules, whatever workflow you are attracted to and enjoy creating with is the right one! Thanks for sharing, I'd love to see what you're creating with it!

[@Veescape]

Hi Sean GREAT informative vids! But I need some more advice plz I wanna sync up stuff for live shows for my electronic band - Idiom Flesh: Video files from Windows laptop to Projector or LED screen. Syncing a Drum Machine as well. Entire 1 hour set to be in Sync, no improvising with visuals Question: Is Resolume the way to go? Using SMPTE? OR ? I've watched several of UR videos and others, but I'm not getting it Vee

[@SeanBowes]

Hey Vee, yeah smpte with resolume could be a good solution. How does your band work live now? Is there a click or a playback component involved?

[@Veescape]

@@SeanBowes We're not using the visuals now. The Drum Machine is just run pressing play. Keyboards played live. I'm just thinking to have laptop on stage with software and midi. Wanna present like this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6W6opt5mqalbac

[@maggiejackson6443]

Hey Sean! Question- which software would be the best to track a dancer and turn their motions into a visual? and then add music to it. Touch Designer?

[@SeanBowes]

Touch is a great option. Notch could also work for something like this. Maybe unreal or unity as well

[@maggiejackson6443]

@@SeanBowes Awesome. Thanks so much for the informative video and for answering my question. Greatly appreciate it!🙌

[@mthewhistler1421]

Hello, and thank you for making this video. I am looking for a video player/mixer for video performances of my live electro band. Just humble on a beamer in the back of the stage. I followed the link to smode legacy but I only get to the comercial version. Has this expired or am I doing something wrong. Thanks you so much.

[@SeanBowes]

Bummer, it looks as though they may have discontinued access to the legacy version finally. You can still get a demo for free, but to save and output from smode will cost $$ now. Tooll3, VVVV or PureData might be interesting alternatives for you to check out

[@mthewhistler1421]

@@SeanBowes Thank you for your answer and the hints. These programms seem a bit intimidating, maybe I am too anxious. I stumbled over VPT8 and will try this but will also have a closer look at your recommendations. I am not into programming/scripting. Was just looking for a humble video player for background video mixing.

[@malkomalkavian]

Thanks, Fella

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching!

[@creationism]

Love this tysm!

[@liefpribicevic6416]

Which is the best out of these that include audio reactive abilities. I already have ableton and know I can do it with resolume but even Avenue is quite expensive. Would I need an external Soundcard or video recording card on top of what my mid-range laptop has?

[@liefpribicevic6416]

I have an APC40 mk2 as a controller, if that makes any difference. But that is just a USB powered midi device. But yeah, the key is that I want audio reactive visuals to accompany my jungle/dnb mixes

[@SeanBowes]

SMODE or TouchDesigner are probably best for that purpose out of this list. They can both take in live audio input and use that data to manipulate video effects or 3D scenes.

[@liefpribicevic6416]

@@SeanBowes That's awesome, thanks for replying. Your "Interviews" series has been keeping me going through lockdown 🤙 I'm looking forward to the potential VJ crib format where guests will go through their show/Production rigs and file setup

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks! I appreciate that. I am excited to make a few of those too, hopefully soon!

[@UsmanKhan-tb7ll]

@@SeanBowes Is Smode Really Good Choice Of Software, While seeing No Active Community nor tutorial ⏳ What are your 2Cents On It ? Ps - I also liked Touchdesigner But It Lacks VisualUi Experience that im used to or should i go for it For Context Im beginner

[@RDYC]

Smode will not output content so it can't be used other than for learning. It will output a test pattern to extended desktop (2nd monitor) but no content. Uninstall.

[@maximomarcuso8178]

Hi Sean, I sent you a couple of messages but haven’t heard back from you. I am planning to put together a EPK using virtual concert program. Are you interested? Please let me know. Btw can you please advise me what is the best free program i can use to enhance a video resolution. hope hearing from you and thank for your support.

[@josephcastardo4289]

Is there a free visualizer for resolume?

[@SeanBowes]

Try the Slice Importer plug-in for Unreal Engine! That’s what I use for pre-viz

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

1:42 Ducky rules!

[@anonymous_friend]

Anything for ipad pro?

[@lucky-mk7bc]

5 software names please sir

[@SeanBowes]

watch the video or read the description and you will find the information you seek young padawan

[@MG-ok9mn]

TD is the best

[@acidtears]

Which license are you using and how much is it?:)

[@SeanBowes]

It has been brought to my attention that Blender Guru has said and written some problematic things over the years. You can read more here: twitter.com/devonko_/status/1347630835235573761?s=21

[@SeanBowes]

If you're interested in learning blender from someone else, here's a list of other blender educators to check out: twitter.com/devonko_/status/1347282073371901953?lang=en