Syncing Up to Showkontrol: A Beginner's Guide
Showkontrol is a software application that syncs up your music with lighting and visuals. Imagine every beat of your track lighting up the stage in perfect harmony - that's what Showkontrol does!
Why Use It? Well, it takes your DJ set from just audio to a full-blown sensory experience. It's like being the conductor of a wild, rhythmic light show that keeps the crowd totally mesmerized.
One thing though - Showkontrol's a Mac-only deal, so make sure you've got a MacBook ready to roll.
Check out Lee Duck and Sean Bowes giving you a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up Showkontrol for fully timecoded shows!
Gathering Your Gear
Before we dive into the fun part, let’s talk gear. You’ll need a few things to get started:
Laptop with Resolume: This is where your cool visuals will come from.
MacBook with Showkontrol: The brains of the operation.
Pioneer CDJ Setup: Your trusty decks for spinning those tracks.
Lighting Console: We’re using GrandMA2 here for some awesome light control.
Ethernet Cables and Network Switch: For all your networking needs.
Audio Interfaces and Cables: Crucial for connecting everything up.
Step 1: Pioneer CDJ Deck Setup
Alright, let’s get those Pioneer CDJs ready to party!
Link 'Em Up: Connect all your CDJ decks and the DJ mixer to a network switch using Ethernet cables. This lets them talk to each other and to Showkontrol.
Check Your Settings: On each CDJ, dive into the utility menu and set your ProDJ link deck number. This helps Showkontrol know which deck is which.
Load Your Tracks: Pop your USB stick with your music into the CDJs and select the right source.
Step 2: Showkontrol App Setup
Now, let’s get Showkontrol up and running:
Launch Showkontrol: Open up Showkontrol on your MacBook.
Check Your Network: Make sure you’re seeing all your connected devices. You should see your CDJs listed there.
Set Your Tracks: Go to the setlist tab and add all your tracks. Remember to assign the offsets we talked about earlier!
Step 3: GrandMA2 Timecode Setup
Time to sync up those lights:
Connect the Dots: Hook up your GrandMA2 console to the MacBook running Showkontrol.
Timecode Settings: In GrandMA2, check your timecode settings. Make sure everything matches up with what you’ve set in Showkontrol.
Load Your Cues: Get your lighting cues all set up in GrandMA2. This will let you control the lights in sync with your music.
Step 4: Resolume Setup
Connect to Showkontrol: Make sure your laptop running Resolume is connected to the same network as your Showkontrol MacBook. This is crucial for the sync magic to happen.
Audio Input Device Settings: In Resolume, head to the preferences and make sure your audio settings are in check. Verify that the audio input device you have selected is the same audio interface you are using for timecode input. Then, check that you’re running the correct timecode framerate (30FPS for most North American productions, and 25FPS for European teams). Above all, use the same FPS that you’re planning on running all your video content at.
Linking Clips to Beats: Assign your visual clips to specific timecode offsets. To do this, change the particular video clip you have selected from Timeline playback to SMPTE. If you don’t see SMPTE listed in the options, then don’t worry. It’s because there’s an embedded audio file in the clip. See the pale red box that says audio information? Press the big X in the top right corner, and then you will be able to select SMPTE in the dropdown menu. Once SMPTE mode is selected, type in the timecode offset value you assigned to that particular song.
Conclusion
And there you have it! You're all set to put on a show that's not just about great tunes, but also about an amazing visual experience that'll have everyone talking. Remember, practice makes perfect, so play around with your setup and see what cool combinations you can come up with!
Have any questions? Need some help bringing your next set to the next level? Contact Duck Lights today!