Help Migrating from Arkaos Media Master?

[DMWarner]

Hello Everyone,
I just purchased a Resolume license for a multi output media server controlled via Hog 4.

I grasp how to use the Advanced Output option but I'm missing where to find how to fully utilize the output screens and clips.

To be specific. I am planning on running 6 projectors. I want each projector to be an individual "screen" in advanced output with one slice per each screen(for now, to keep my example simple). I'm planning on loading my entire library into all 6 layers since it appears that a "layer" in resolume is like a "folder" in arkaos and a "clip" is a "file" and I cannot figure out how else to run this software(AFAIK, I can only run one clip in a layer, so Folder and Layer aren't exactly the same thing). Keep in mind I want to control this by a Hog, so Folder/File/Output are the common terms that I'll have to use when I program. I know loading my library 6 times seems incredibly redundant, but I can't seem to figure out another way to make it work the way I need. Rather than Using multiple folders(like in Arkaos) I'll just load upwards to 100 columns per layer?

So I am able to run any clip in my library to any projector at any time, no problem...The problem is that I don't know how to play two layers to one output at one time. For example, Projector 1 and 2 will play clips 10/11 while projectors 3 and 4 will play clips 1/2 blended together and projector 5 will play clip 4 and projector 6 will play clip 8. I can't do this unless I make my slice source the composition, which then also plays all other active layers. I'm completely missing how to truly take advantage of the advanced output but I'm not seeing where these options are located.

I tried using Routing, but that seems to be a bit roundabout and I still don't think it would accomplish what I'm trying to do.

I'm certain there are people on this forum who are as familiar with Media Master as I am, and I'm hoping to find help making the jump. I'm sure in time I will get a hang of this software, but there seems to be a steep learning curve as this is more "VJ" software than "Server" software that can easily be controlled by a lighting board. I can't really move forward into building a custom profile for Arena until I can figure out how to change the output of my file and output two files to the same screen for blending and whatnot. I do look forward to wrangling this beast at some point!

Thanks for the help.

[najrock]

Hello there lighting friend,

You hit the nail on the head when you said resolume was more of a vj software than a sever. If you attempt to rationalize why things work the way they do in resolume vs whatever you are used to you will soon find yourself fashioning a noose with your cat5 cable.

I have attempted more than once to use arena as a server the way you are describing... It can be done, but it is annoying... You will not be able to run a stable show with 600 clips in one deck... You will also not be able to run a stable show mirroring layers in the same deck... Multiple iterations of the same clip confuses resolume for whatever stupid ram cache reason and the question is not if you will crash it is when.

I honestly would have to tell you that unless you are interested in vj work and would like to play around with video creatively that resolume is not the best option for a lampy to push those pixels.

I think that if you are used to media master you should build out a custom PC server for it and buy Arkaos 4. It integrated a clone of the advanced output in arena which is actually more powerful and does not constantly suffer from new and highly detrimental bugs in literally every single incremental update of the software...

Media master is made for lighting designers who need video integrated... It is a rock solid program and you can call the hog dudes and get profiles for your console made the way you need them to work and generally they will get them to you within a day or so.

Also Arkaos has a great pixel mapper

Now really in my opinion you should ditch the hog all together and spend some time with the ma2...that desk plus Arkaos 4 will be like driving a Benz

A hog and arena will make you want to cry

If you are on Mac and are looking to do more vj style work I would get vdmx...

Butttt for building shows that are rock solid night to night I am sorry to say you are barking up the wrong tree

[Joris]

As an official reply, Najrock does have a point when mentioning that one software's workflow does not necessarily translate 1:1 to another's. Especially when coming from an light designer's perspective, transitioning to software that requires a VJ skillset, can be a big switch. However, there are a few tips that can help you with the transition.

Instead of duplicating the clips, you can use the Active Layer triggering mode. This allows you to load every clip once, and trigger it into a certain layer simply by first making that layer active. More info can be found here: http://resolume.com/manual/en/r4/clips#triggering_clips

Blending slices is indeed not an option in Resolume. Instead, blending is done on the composition level. A possible approach to blended layers on separate screens, is to divide the composition in several parts. For instance 8 layers can be divided over 4 corners of a composition, so each 2 layers are blended together, and then each 4 corners are selected to be sent to a discrete output. Admittedly this may not be as straight forward as you are used to, but different softwares do things differently, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

As to stability, Resolume is being used worldwide on shows ranging from low profile art performances to festival stages with 50000+ attendees, night after night, and if handled correctly, is very much rock solid. If any user experiences differently, we hope that they contact us and work with us to solve 'stupid ram cache' issues or other 'highly detrimental bugs', instead of using our own forums to recommend other software options.

[najrock]

As to stability, Resolume is being used worldwide on shows ranging from low profile art performances to festival stages with 50000+ attendees, night after night, and if handled correctly, is very much rock solid. If any user experiences differently, we hope that they contact us and work with us to solve 'stupid ram cache' issues or other 'highly detrimental bugs', instead of using our own forums to recommend other software options.

I happen to be one of the Resolume users that brings your software with me when I go to work at these 50k person plus festivals... I also use resolume night after night depending on the budgets of the tours I am on... I have programmed resolume to serve video from hogs, chamsys, ma1 and 2... all of my clients are headlining the festivals they play... the last time I used resolume live it was running two full HD outputs addressing over 200 panels of LED in front of 40k people for a 3 and a half hour set. Arena never dropped under 54FPS and my whole rig fit in a backpack.

so if you are implying that I am trying to sell another software you are mistaken... as I am an everyday user of arena for everything from content creation to broadcast and live visuals... I have plenty of positive posts about resolume and on other forums I have plenty of negative posts regarding my gripes with their tools.

I also am a lighting designer and systems architect and in my opinion Arena was not the tool for this users job... I have gone down his road and only because I have used resolume since launch was I able to make it work... a new user especially someone who has only used arkaos will not appreciate its eccentricities nor will it help their show in any way.

this is a forum on the internet... it is not an arena free advertisement blog... as a visual artist I feel the need to openly comment on shortcomings I see in the tools I use in hopes that the development team will address the issues...


With the right variables resolume is my go to.

earlier this year I asked a question on these forums only to be met with a snarky answer from your team regarding the resolution of Arena on retina displays...

I have submitted crash reports MULTIPLE times to your support email with NO response...

Before I learned the hard way to run new iterations for at least a month before taking it live I met all sorts of ridiculous problems that just kind of appeared... like osc input causing crashes

is this something I would recommend to someone who just wants to cue videos from a lighting desk??? Resolume is used as a professional server by vj's... people who live in video world all the time and have the time too deal with the problems that arise there...

for me its great 80% of the time and I will keep my licenses in hopes your team puts out a gamechanger with 5...

in situations where I need more flexibility and better routing and audio analysis I use something like vdmx...

if i need to do more complex mapping and scanning i syphon into madmapper...

my tools change with my project as should every artists. Arena is the seat of my pants no pre programming software...

it cant properly loop a video... it is not crisp on a retina display... it does not offer velocity assignments in its midi out...

i can go on in both directions...

my point is that I AM using Arena on a massive scale and i HAVE tried to contact your support multiple times...

when you dont call your clients back they move on

[bart]

We spoke to najrock privately and apparently some of his emails have not arrived.

We try to offer the best support possible so if you sent us an email and do not get a reply within a couple of days then please call us or try sending your email again.

[disconappete]

I was brought in to save the day for a show in Colorado Springs for the USOC. They had a 3D mapped setup for their Pre Olympics meeting that supposed to be done with an Arkaos system. The brand new Arkaos system, failed during setup, (playback issues, crashes). They ordered another one from a rental company, failed (playback issues, crashes). I live in Denver and I got into doing visuals to help my musical friends (who are not famous) increase their production value and have a bit of fun myself at the same time. I brought my Resolume Arena setup down to the springs, set the show in one try, and wowed the client. I can see how an Arkaos system is more geared to lighting designers, but having Resolume's clip section was the greatest during the show, the clients would constantly change their minds about event placement and it was just so easy to drop and drag everything where it needed to be. This set was 3X 1080p blended, I had about 300 full HD clips, 8 layers, the show was 3 days long and there wasn't a single glitch!