The Best Software for Concert Visuals

[@SeanBowes]

NEW VIDEO: The Best FREE Software for Concert Visuals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJOalZiDbtCqibc

[@milesowens3273]

🎶"OUT IN THE STREET THEY CAL IT MURRDA"🎶

[@sirdabzmcgee]

My PC fears these programs

[@SeanBowes]

time for a new PC! haha

[@hypnno22222]

@@SeanBowes too late but buy one for him

[@-bar-code-]

This is my problem right now!

[@FourAlexia]

I like how straight forward this is, telling us the exact tech stack and industry preferences. Thanks! Do you have a recommended OS for all this software?

[@SeanBowes]

I moved to Windows so that I could build a custom PC with a decent graphics card. Thats essential for this type of work. Apple is making some changes, and software like Octane is starting to run on the cards they use, but I still think windows is the safe bet.

[@mikeexits]

@@SeanBowes So, Windows for visuals and Mac for music/sound. Got it. Wish my Windows PC running on Motu M4 didn't drop out the audio for a 1-2 second duration every 1-10 minutes unpredictably, or else I'd consider using it with Ableton for live performance.

[@DaveMerro]

1:38 scared the hell out of me with headphones on.

[@SeanBowes]

😅 sorry about that. N00b KZbinr problems. One of my first videos ever so it’s far from perfect despite the borrowed production space that makes it look like I know what I’m doing. I still don’t haha

[@uppedtrout]

rly gave me time to think at the start

[@SeanBowes]

You're welcome

[@turadiolatinamix]

Quick question! I'm trying to add visuals to our shows mainly music videos while we play the song in the video with my band, do you know If this videos can be triggered via MIDI by the sequence software? we are currently using SONAR for all our sequences and distortion changes with our midi pedalboards but we are looking for a software that can co-work or sync with sonar to be able to trigger the video of the song we are playing without having to have someone pushing the button... do you know which software could do this? thanks a ton new sub here! great videos! thx again and hi from Utah

[@SeanBowes]

Most media servers can take in midi triggers from a DAW. Resolume, Smode, Madmapper, Disguise, VDMX, Watchout. Could also look into devices like the 4CAST MVP

[@jlze23]

Thank you, this was helpful

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching John, glad this helped you out!

[@jordanlance886]

Great content man! Thank you so much! Liked and subbed

[@SeanBowes]

Thank you!

[@dealzvisualz]

dam all these fancy visual softwares, me over here using VN on a MacBook XD

[@SeanBowes]

There are lots of options! These are just a few that I use most. What is VN? I dont think I am familiar with that one.

[@Goldensuns]

Thanks for sharing man!

[@divyrajesharora2497]

Thanks man this was really helpful! Can you tell me which one of these software should I use to make animated music videos like with moving backgrounds and stuff?

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching Divy, glad it helped. Any of these tools could be used to create animated content, it really depends on what you are looking for. After Effects is great for 2D content using video, graphics, and effects. C4D and Unreal are both great for 3D animation Notch can combine 3D, 2D, and FX really well Resolume is great if you want to live-mix pre-made video and animation clips and effects. If you have an example of the end result you are looking for I can point you in the right direction!

[@divyrajesharora2497]

@@SeanBowes Hi and thank you for replying me! I want to make an animated video for my new song but I cant afford to hire someone to do it so I'm planning to do it myself :( Anyways, for the video I'm thinking something similar to this music video after 0:30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/anqrdY1qlJ2ihJI . Can you help me know which software should I use to get a similar result and how much time can it take assuming that I only have basic video editing skills?...... Thanks again for helping me out bro!!!

[@criminalbotanist]

Whats up man, i been animating in 3D for a while and i would like to experiment with reactive concert visuals. Is it possible to model and animate characters dancing in different ways and make them switch smoothly from one dance to another by reacting to the real time BPM the DJ is playing?

[@SeanBowes]

Thats a really neat idea. I don't have an exact workflow for that because I havent tried it, but my initial thought is that unreal is probably your best bet for this. Model, rig, and animate your characters different dances in your 3D package of choice. bring them into unreal. Then you can use ShowKontrol or Ableton or Resolume or something to send BPM data to unreal via OSC or something probably. And then create some sort of blueprint in Unreal that switches the characters animation based on that input or some other input or combination of inputs. Hopefully that makes some sense and sets you on a path. Get in touch on socials if you end up making something! I'd love to see that in action.

[@criminalbotanist]

@@SeanBowes Appreciate it fam. Im not familiar with these programs but will sure research and try them. If anything cool comes out of it i will let you know:)) its a pretty simple idea but i havent seen anything close to it yet

[@andriusmalinauskas5732]

did you managed to make it? I'm a DJ and want to make visuals react to music BPM at a live club settings

[@whtatswronggio3202]

What do u call someone who does tour visuals?? I wanna get into it but i have no idea what people who work in that are called!

[@SeanBowes]

Great question. There are a lot of job titles associated with the creation of concert visuals. I might make a video about this! The people who create the animated content are usually called Motion Designers, Animators, Screen Content Creators, or Video Editors. Creative Directors or Art Directors might design the looks prior to animation. The people performing the visuals live are called VJs or Video Programmers If you specialize in a specific program you may be called a Cinema4D Generalist or Cinema4D Artist, a Notch Artist or Notch Designer, Unreal Artist or Unreal Programmer, etc. Shows can also involve Set Designers, Lighting Designers, Media Server Programmers, Directors, Screen Producers, Choreographers, Costume Designers and a whole bunch of other people focused on one of the many pieces of a live show. Lots of ways to get involved!

[@trozy2670]

VFX, VDJ are used in terms of club live perfomance

[@Ammeeeiizing]

@@SeanBowes great answer. Thank you!

[@christiaannagel5768]

If I wanted to have simple background visuals that syncs with specific songs played from serato, what would I use?

[@SeanBowes]

If you're already a serato user, look into Serato Video. Its an add-on for serato that lets you assign video clips to tracks and VJ as you DJ. That might be the simplest solution for your workflow

[@SRC503]

Hey Sean, can you give you a recommendation as a complete beginner which software to start with for concert visuals because you gave five options and I'm afraid I will not start with too many options.

[@SeanBowes]

It depends on your goals. If you want to make 2D style content, try After Effects or Blender. if you want to make 3D content, try Cinema4D or Blender or Unreal. If you want to make realtime content and effects, try Notch or Unreal. If you are more interested in live visual performance, try Resolume!

[@SRC503]

@@SeanBowes thanks Sean, I want to make visuals like in Excisions dj set. What they use please?

[@SeanBowes]

Cinema4D & Octane mostly. You could also use Blender too.

[@SRC503]

@@SeanBowes Thanks again for answering. When I'm given options I'll go into analysis paralysis and won't take action. I'll focus on one but in your profession, you have to learn all 5?

[@SeanBowes]

Not necessarily, but it is helpful to understand both sides (content creation, and performance). I personally mostly do content creation but sometimes perform because it is fun. Some people mostly perform and occasionally do content. Some do only one or the other. Some do 50/50 of both. All up to you!

[@Ammeeeiizing]

Thank you!

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching!

[@fabiosolis3614]

I guess all of them are used in Excision's visuals. Btw do u know how the artists behind them is? Or what's the specific name for that type of visuals? They always are sync with the music

[@SeanBowes]

Definitely. Mostly C4D with Octane, and After Effects from what I know about the artists involved. There are a lot of artists involved over the years, you can search and find some of their websites. Beama Visual, Fluxel Media, Alexey Romanowski, David Ariew, Ofer Zmora, Jonathan Watkins, WeAreMidnight, Martin Faragasso, John Federico, Brady Villadsen...the list goes on and I dont know about all of them. As far as what its called, im not sure if there's a name for the 'style'. It's mostly just different types of 3D animation. And what makes it so tightly synced with the music is that its timecoded, which means that an audio signal that has time information is sent from the DJ to the lighting and visuals and helps control what sequence of video or lighting programming is played and makes sure its all perfectly synced up to the same time source.

[@sasuke7371]

What is the Format file.. mp4?

[@jeremiah3278]

Question lad do you need a beefy pc for this??

[@SeanBowes]

It helps. But you don’t necessarily need to max it all out. Check out my Best Computer for VJs video for help figuring out what will work for you and your budget.

[@jessenunez9655]

thank you

[@jasongaretthatcher]

So is resolum the software I could use to start different videos at the beginning of each song during a performance?

[@SeanBowes]

That is correct

[@jasongaretthatcher]

@@SeanBowes is there a free version or free alternative? I’m just getting started.

[@strawbryminiwheats]

legit homie, thanks

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching!

[@arv7611]

Can you please tell me where to download these software .I am a beginner please please please help fast

[@SeanBowes]

Google the names, find the websites, hit the download button. There are other comments here that talk about prices and demos that are available.

[@SeanBowes]

I added links to the description for you

[@arv7611]

Do we have to pay for these or they are free?

[@arv7611]

Also how to use that because no where they are saying download or use ?

[@certainlyjoel]

What about touch designer?

[@SeanBowes]

Touch Designer is great. Not part of this video because it is not part of the tech stack I see being used most in the industry. That is changing though as realtime becomes more mainstream. See my update to this video ;)

[@quisttttt]

Came to the comment section to see who is gonna say something about Touchdesigner. Nice save with the new video though. Touchdesigner is the number1 when it comes to live (live=realtime rendering) shows. Should be above Resolume for sure. Also works great(best) for data linking between all other software

[@daandahoid]

Hey Hey, thanks a lot for these Informations. I'm missing the links where I can find "Art effects". I asked Google But I only find deep Art effects.

[@SeanBowes]

Hey ReneHell! Thanks for watching. Do you mean After Effects? www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html That is the first program I mention in the video. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@daandahoid]

@@SeanBowes yap😍 Thanx a lot mate. 😎

[@WibuSableng]

thanks for sharing sir

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching!

[@WalrusesAreTheOne]

The issue with Notch is they want me to buy an expensive license to be able to project the output. I wish they allowed projector output for the free trial. I get that there has to be limitations, but why not just do a watermark so people can at least test how the projections will look.. lol

[@SeanBowes]

Their licensing is pretty hardcore. Definitely a barrier to entry for a lot of people and one of its unfortunate downsides.

[@Anna-gm9dg]

Hi! When making visuals using AE and Cinema 4d, how do you project them to go with the music? Is there another software needed for that, or do you just play them as videos?

[@SeanBowes]

I use Resolume for that. Its a software made for playing back videos, mixing and layering them, adding effects, and mapping them to different screens or projection surfaces. There are others out there like VDMX, MadMapper, GrandVJ, and tons of others, but most VJs use Resolume in my experience.

[@Anna-gm9dg]

@@SeanBowes thank you for sharing your knowledge! You’re awesome!

[@michaelshemesh3141]

Are there major advantages to Unreal over Unity?

[@SeanBowes]

I dont have much experience with Unity. At the more basic level either is fine and I have seen really cool realtime content, virtual venues, and animation created with both. My reasons for going with Unreal are the access to high quality assets through their marketplace, and the amount of money and research they are putting into development in the live events space. They are working with companies like Disguise, one of the top media servers used at large events and the leader in XR technology, to create integrations with Unreal that make it useable in a large event pipeline.

[@michaelshemesh3141]

@@SeanBowes so what role does unreal play in the pipeline? I imagine at a basic level it's a 3d scene that responds to button presses from a controller. You'd want it to be beatmatched so that's another input you'd need to get - I'm sure the vj software can send that. Do you have any good examples for inspiration? My last attempt with unity was a chromakeyed background with a dancing model that did different animations with midi signals.

[@SeanBowes]

It is another option for content creation, and it can create both pre-rendered content and real-time content. It has been used in VMAs, Americas Got Talent, Billie Eilish livestream, Infected Mushroom set at AMF, CouchLands, and News and Sports broadcasts.

[@ollihoschie990]

The renderer and n-display to sync multiple mashines to get more outputs in realtime

[@davecal1991]

Thank brotha!!

[@SeanBowes]

Thanks for watching!

[@shlomobowe5266]

Love it

[@vemo-va8125]

peace

[@weezerfan911]

Do any of these cost money

[@SeanBowes]

Yes, most of them do, but all of them have a free trial or demo version available for learning and testing before you buy. There are also free alternatives to most of these, but these are the industry standards. After Effects - $20-50/mo depending on plan. Cinema 4D - $60-120/mo depending on plan. $3500 perpetual license. Notch - $79 Learning license $125-260ish /month for Builder Unreal - Free! Unless you make a hit game, then they collect royalties. Resolume - $350 for Avenue, $950 for Arena. 50% off on Black Friday.

[@SahithNayudu]

What about blender?

[@SeanBowes]

Blender is great! I chose Cinema4D for this video because it is used most by studios that I work with in the concert visuals space so being aligned with their workflow can be important. If you are an independent artist, that is not a factor.

[@laloweed]

Anyone here after Excision?

[@SeanBowes]

step one: throw your X up

[@SONIDOTEQUILA2000]

Is he reading a script or from some screen 😂😂😂 wait 😂😂😂😂

[@SeanBowes]

you caught me! i read things sometimes, usually poorly. welcome to my channel! thanks for the comment!

[@deadmusik9969]

Learn C for unreal, you forgot that

[@SeanBowes]

I actually dont know C at all really which is why I didnt include it. Not entirely necessary to make animation. just sequencer and some light blueprinting will get you pretty far in the mograph side of things. Of course the deeper you go the more options you have!

[@deadmusik9969]

@@SeanBowes 100 percent

[@invaderx3]

Watch at 1.5x speed, thank me later

[@SeanBowes]

Great tip! 1.5x always

[@francoestrubia6503]

No TD, you're out.

[@SeanBowes]

deleting my channel now goodbye

[@victorlucas2776]

This WAS like asmr edit: this vid was so akward

[@SeanBowes]

lol sorry Victor, I hate ASMR. so uncomfortable.

[@victorlucas2776]

Sean Bowes Lmao no worries, good vid btw

[@RohitSingh-yo2yl]

One dislike from blender user.

[@SeanBowes]

Haha no hate for Blender, I just dont see it in studios yet. Great program though and I'm seeing lots more artists using it every day!

[@freakinhotchilli]

Do you know if you can audio or midi sync any of these to music?

[@SeanBowes]

Resolume and Notch can take audio, midi, and OSC in to drive effects and parameters live in real time. After effects and cinema 4D can use an audio file to drive effects and parameters for rendered content.

[@cilidric]

@@SeanBowes im going to expand on this persons question. I have already dabbled with all the software but notch, and my end goal is to make 3d animated nature clips that react to the audio in real time. Im aware i can build a scence in C4D unreal and use audio file to drive mograph functions, but i want to be able to create an environment that will react with the music live, is this achievable between resolume/C4D? the Audio reactive controls for resolume kinda suck, and a FFT in wouldnt drive the effects im trying to create cause that would need to be made in C4D or some other 3D app. any insight on this would really help, ive been spinning in circles for months trying to figure out what way is best to create truly LIVE audio reactive enviroments.

[@charlesmuchiri4231]

What about Touchdesigner?

[@SeanBowes]

Touch is great! I'm just dumb and dont know it so I don't talk about it much lol. Starting to learn though so maybe I'll make an update soon :)