Mixvibes Remixvideo — think Live but for visuals

Mixvibes continues to redefine its offering to the DJ world, and this time has created Remixvideo, a more clip based solution for DJs who use visuals.

Mixvibes remixvideo (11)

Mixvibes is going through something of a renaissance in recent times. After rebuilding their original DJ offerings into the Cross range, they’ve now started to explore other producer and performer areas outside of core DJing. Remixlive came along and offered a simpler alternative to clip and sample launching, and now they’re doing the same for video. Enter Remixvideo for Mac, their take on performing with video.

Let’s read the words first:

Mixvibes introduces Remixvideo for  Mac.

Mixvibes releases Remixvideo for Mac, an intuitive sampler to enhance one’s set with video playback. Running VST/AU and Ableton Link, it is the ideal add-on for live performers wishing to integrate video into their existing  setup.

Having pioneered VJing with Cross, we felt there was a gap for an accessible way to delve into the world of video mixing, especially when playing audio over the top. Hence the purpose of Remixvideo: breaking down the barriers between music and video to make the creation of audiovisual sets truly effortless.

Remixvideo is the weapon of choice for creative video mixing, with a slick grid interface that makes DJs/producers instantly feel at home. It offers two ways to enhance music performances with visuals: linking audio samples to video pads in standalone mode, or playing it as a video plug-in (VST/AU) within your favorite music software.

Acknowledged by world-class performers like Tiestö, Mixvibes’ 10-year video expertise has been refined into a professional – yet intuitive – mixing software.

Intuitive audiovisual performances

  • Play fully-synced video & audio samples on a grid of pads.
  • Tweak visuals instantly with video FX, mixing modes and real-time editing.

Seamless sync with music software

  • VST/AU plug-in: sync audio and MIDI inside any compatible music software.
  • Ableton Link: play in sync on several devices running Link-enabled apps.

Pro video content at your fingertips

  • Import video & audio samples: all main A/V formats & video codecs are supported.
  • Includes 72 video samples (in 404p, 720p & 1080p) & 36 synced HQ audio samples.

MAIN FEATURES

Audiovisual sampler

  • Play fully-synced video samples, link audio samples to video pads.
  • Modular grid: up to 8×8 pads.
  • 3 playmodes: loop, one-shot and gate.
  • Audio sample editor: quantize, gain, mute audio.
  • Video sample editor: hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, chroma key, position & scale.

Professional video mixing

  • 18 video FX & 7 mixing modes.
  • Built-in mixer: audio & video faders, bi-filter knobs, EQs, mute & solo buttons.
  • Live BPM control: time stretch included.
  • Touch Bar editing shortcuts on the new MacBook Pro.
  • Auto-Pilot: automatically plays a sequence of pads.

Video content and output

  • 72 royalty-free professional video samples.
  • Import samples: supports main AV formats & video codecs (avi, mov, mp4, mpeg, hap,…).
  • Live video input: play webcam or camera input onto a pad.
  • Generators: includes 12 lightweight and audio reactive video samples.
  • Record in MP4 and upload to YouTube and Dailymotion.

Hardware and software compatibility

  • MIDI Support: Novation Launchpad Mk2, Akai APC Mini & Livid Instrument Base 2.
  • MIDI Learn: quickly assign MIDI commands to any controller.
  • VST/AU plug-in.
  • Ableton Link support.
  • Syphon support: share video output with third-party software.

Watch the introduction video: https://youtu.be/izNC3ygFrnA

Pricing and availability

Remixvideo is available on the Mac App Store at a special introductory price of $99.99 (instead of $199.99).

Download: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1200409244
More  info: http://www.mixvibes.com/remixvideo

Mixvibes Remixvideo — think Live but for visuals

WHAT IS REMIXVIDEO?

Before I get to that, let’s look at the video scene, to give context to what I feel has driven the birth of Remixvideo.

Cast your mind back — video was supposed to impact ridiculously heavily on the DJ world. But it seems that the world wasn’t and largely isn’t ready to use conventional DJ gear for video DJing. Granted, there are some amazing people doing really cool work with turntables and video, but it’s much more of a performance thing rather than conventional A to B back and forth mixing i.e. people stop and watch rather than just listen. And there’s only so many scratched and stuttered videos people will stomach.

So it’s logical that video for DJs needs to be used in a way that keeps them dancing to music. And that would be to supplement the DJ playing music and to provide an enhanced vibe. And for me that’s what Remixvideo brings.

This is about visuals. The music speaks for itself, and Remixvideo is used to supplement the audio with a visual clip and sample based feast. I’m sure it’s quite possible to mix conventional music videos in Remixvideo, but the features lend themselves more towards creating a collage of video visuals.

Think of it if you will as Ableton Live but for video, where video clips can be launched — including synced audio loops — from the keyboard or connected controller, all in sync and via Ableton Link to other computers, and inside other suitable apps as a VST.

This lends itself to being used by the DJ playing the audio, and being able either to manually control things or to use some pre-made automation to make life easier. Alternatively, another DJ or VJ can support the DJ’s performance by themselves, which will create a more focussed and interesting performance. Each plays to their own strengths.

As a product, I think Remixvideo helps to move video from the awkward ill-fitting paradigm of two turntables into a perhaps more suitable format, one that might actually see video become a tad more widespread and accessible, and one that moves beyond the DJ format and into its own distinct scene.

SUMMING UP

I like the direction of new Mixvibes, and especially the Remixlive and Remixvideo products. Instead of making things complex, they’ve gone for simple and accessible. Remixvideo is cheap enough now for a while ($99 as opposed to $199), so if this looks to be something you could get into, grab it today. And before anyone asks, if it’s anything like Remixlive, it’s certain that Mixvibes will be working on iOS, Android, and Windows version.

GALLERY

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

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60 Comments

  1. When I think in Ableton Live for visuals Resolume, VDMX and Modul8 came to my mind… then I remember Ableton Live also does visuals (Vizzable, V-Module) and come back to my iPad with TouchWiz, Takete or ColorcodeVj and remember why I drop desktop/laptop machines (these still so called x86 cpus until Arm get inside them)

      • The whole iOS ecosystem is more convenient to me but also these desktop solutions fit better in my idea of Ableton Live for visuals. Link is ok but not enough.

          • Don’t worry Louis… I was fan of Mixvibes since the first dvs versions but since I go only iOS any desktop software (includding Ableton) makes me regret the jump. I don’t need these anymore, just find a bit exaggerated the comparision with Live which could be the center of any interactive installation with maxforlive (from Vizzie to OSC support, networking syncro (aside than Link with AUnet tools etc), arduino support…) and VDMX, Modul8 have similar approach with “modules” and scripting meanwhile Resolume has audio/video mixing plus mapping, live inputs and so. Not very popular at dj communities maybe but very well stablished in live cinema and mapping users.

            To me your app is more near to vidbox, TouchWiz, ColorcodeVj as I pointed before and it will be more interesting if it will have dedicated hardware as Novation apps. I love open apps but also optimized ones designed with dedicated hardware alongside. I use daily Blocs/Launchpadd apps and just bought a launchkey 61 mk2 for live gigs (as complement for my regular midi controllers…)

            • I totally get that, no offense taken :) It’s true that the mentioned software are versatile and don’t lack on connectivity features. Maybe the comparison with Live was meant as the performance software that made audio looping accessible to more people, especially those using Launchpad or Push. Similarly, someone could also achieve that for video looping, what do you think?

              • I hope it becomes such standard but nowadays Resolume or Touch designer (a different beast I know) seem the “kings” of the category. I will love to see this success since the price/fest set is very competitive. I don’t know if visual artist want these revolution that Ableton bring to linear sequencing but I find these pov a bit snoberish so it will be welcome imho for sure. Some new players will bring users more options and maybe new users to the artform. ITOH djing has changed from what it started and it make a gap between old/new (mainly drived by dvs and ableton) so not really sure about how “easy looping” will affect the scene itself… time ago I was obsessed with video scratching, nowadays I find more useful a generative tool (for growing visuals from realtime inputs like audio but also sensors) and in between any tool which could make easy a synced audiovideo is well recieved without doubt. That’s why I find important OSC integration to use my old iPhone 4 as remote controller for dancers/singers.
                I know I’m not the mainly target for regular apps ;)

                • I feel you on the “more players, more options”, there are a lot of different DAWs between FL, Pro Tools and everything that stands in between, so maybe different video software could appeal to different users. By the way which generative tool are you using? QC?As to the remote feature, we will surely keep it mind.

                  • Well nowadays I left those and if I need some visualization then go for Touchwiz or Takete but in the generative garden I supose max7 will be my firts tool of choice since they had link, OSC and arduino support. QC will be great too but also 3D motion capture (aka kinects) like Zvector. I’m working with a little team lately and maybe we will go into this route but at the moment just making music and multicam video (recolive app for iOS). Video projection is not a priority at the moment but if it becomes I will keep an eye to your app for updates for sure ;)

                    • I’ll have a look at those solutions, thank for sharing them. Let see how Remixvideo evolves, always feel free to be in touch in this thread if you think of any other good additions feature-wise.

                      Sounds nice, may I ask you what kind of project is it? Would be cool to see some footage if you have some that can be shared :)

                    • Well I’m most active at AB forum but note taken ;)

                      ATM the project is on audio composition stage of the process. We are a small crew of musicians, art designers, videographers (small since these aren’t sepparated people lol) that we are getting into new material for grow in our music careers. Since I’ve expent the last years with interactive design (arduino, max and these crazy ideas) maybe we will implement some of them into live gigs when the moment arrive but due I don’t want to mess more than necessary solutions like v-module, isotonik xl maxforlive devices or ready to use apps like Resolume or yours could be the way to go. That’s why supporting things like OSC could be a +1 (for controlling visualization from a dancer or with sensors attached to people who has busy hands like guitarist, drummers…) and also generative tools to make every gig a full freestyle performance (and explore different paths related to the context: small venue, Art galleries, shops…)
                      Anyways we have lot of work with sharing channels like youtube so and so…

                      You could find me sharing some of these ideas with instrumentalist lately since I’m leaving 90% djing related stuff (and going more focused on launchkeys, talkbox, blocswave/Launchpad…) ;)

                    • We are on AB too, so see you there!

                      Sounds interesting, would be nice to have a sneak peek if it becomes available to the public, especially to watch how generative content is used in a live/jam context.

  2. I love Mixvibes as a company, Cross and Remixlive are awesome. I’ll want this as soon as it has a Windows client, it’ll pair up nicely with my desktop’s GPU and touchscreen.

  4. Just gave it a spin and seems nice. Only thing that is keeping me from purchasing is a feature to receive midi clock. I want to send the BPM via midi over the network via Wavetick.

  6. Neat product. I just don’t think video is the in thing – maybe high school dances, but at most clubs i’ve played at with video, nobody cared, the dance floor are usually too drunk to dance, add in another multi task item and there will be chaos!!

    • Showcases/concerts is the way to go for this set up or maybe a floor on a specialized festival… typical club crowd doesn´t even care if it´ s a real DJ playing as long as they can place their wishlist for tunes to be played. I´m done with this shit…

      • I feel you, however isn’t video part of entertainment that comes with a good club night/concert? People seem to feel the difference when visuals are added, aren’t they?

        • I guess it depends on the set up of the location. If you have a big screen + projector with good quality visuals (speaking more of footage not necessarily video output quality) then more people will pay attention but if you just have a few small screens somewhere in the corner most people won’t care.
          From my own experience people enjoy a mapped visual performance a lot more than some videoclips playing in the background.
          But for me as a light tech who’s doing a lot of concerts your programm is definitely interesting. Will the iPad version be out anytime soon?

          • I see Dubby’s point for bigger stages. Witnessing visuals being played on a regular basis in small/mid-sized venues must have influenced my perception, so it’s good to hear the other side of the story.
            I agree the quality of the footage is key, that’s something we want to keep working on and improve.
            No word for an iOS version yet, since PC is next, but I’ll let you know when we have something.

            • I tested the demo yesterday evening and I´m not quite sure if it´s the right thing for me yet. First of all it is a very nice concept, the quality of the footage is very good, the UI is intuitive and the program runs smooth like butter.
              The only thing I´m really missing is something like a video mixer, e.g. like the audio mixer would be nice so you could adjust the opacity per channel, solo or blackout a channel on the fly. Also video FX per channel would be nice instead of just on the master output,…maybe a toggle on/off function per channel so you can choose which channels run through the FX . When using own footage that is not animated (which is what I use mostly) it gets messy very quickly without a video mixer, especially when using more than 2 clips.

              I hope there will be some more functions in the future. It´s a very good start though and Ableton Link is a big plus of course.

                • Thanks for the reply, guess it slipped my attention that the faders in the mixer section are also for the videos. That gives me enough trust now that this program will become a good tool for my job. You got yourselves a new customer ;)

        • Not really and usually the first budget get drop in most places. Others with automated installations don’t care about news or big names (like Richie Hawtin) have their custom tools with include dmx control so and so.

            • Visuals in small venues or clubs are invested after light fx, usually to play videoclips (or sports) with random stuff and in the best situation drove by the “dj” (when it doesn’t means the owner itself to cut dj cost). Just go around a take a look (even other comments could show you how is going in your area)
              In the oppossite range like Richie Hawtin a dedicated person (o crew) takes care of the visual aspect in the show and use special setups based in tools like TouchDesigner, Maxmsp, openframeworks or similar. My statistics in this last field is based in experience and sectoring knowledge since one of my friends was the person who managed the Enter Ibiza Richie’s events on thursday and he asked me when need help to understand what the Richie’s visuals guy ask for (midi, max and dmx)
              He also ask me about a guy chatting with Richie about a interactive table here and there… Ean Golden? Was my answer… ;)

              I can tell you more examples if you want and obviously my authority isn’t enough (it will be a fallacy), also I talk from my experience and context… maybe where you are placed or in the meantime things have changed (even Space closed since then) but IMHO it’s what I saw, mate.

    • “I just don’t think video is the thing” << That's what I call a primitive statement.

      Not every environment has a bunch of drunk people falling over each other and not knowing their a$$ from a hole in the ground. There are sophisticated party scenes where all of the artistry is admired by different aspects of the audience. The first thing to realize is that video is just another part of a light show. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand why light systems are installed in clubs.

      • If you are talking about underground, alternative festivals or so… maybe but then ou have dedicated tools (aside max/pd) like Vdmx, modul8 or Resolume which fits better the live cinema or mapping 3D niche and make another history themselves (since most of them doesn’t like the term vj)
        I can talk you about this field too if you want…

        • Not sure what your point is @dubbylabby:disqus. My comment was in response to the statement that suggests that video is insignificant. To what I think is your point, I *don’t think* this product is geared toward big productions that already use “big production” tools.

          • Me neither that’s why I stated at my very first comment “don’t compared it to Ableton since there are more professional tools well stablished” ;)

  8. I like it (at least I think I like it) However, I’m a dumb guy who plays music for people to dance to with Traktor. How would I incorporate this in my set – 2nd MacBook and projector?

    • You might want to test before how both software (Traktor and Remixvideo I assume) react to high CPU usage when running on the same Mac. That said, the best guarantee is probably to use two devices for safety.
      As to the projector, I would recommend reading the dedicated threads of the VJing subreddit (such as this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/vjing/comments/4l20qh/budget_projector/). The guys there definitely know their stuff.
      Finally, you could use Ableton Link to keep visuals in sync with the music. If you give it a try please let me know how it went.

  9. I use Serato DJ and Mix Emergency. 2 residency per week I do videos. One bar is just normal music videos and loads of FX so folks are not staring all night long.

    Second gig is mostly visuals and even though I use the media bank in mixemergency for that purpose it still requires manual triggering of video FX. It also does not have an override function ie I have some video tracks that I will like to play as audio only but mixemergency will play it as a video irrespective.

    The Remixvideo on paper seems like the media sampler to do that job for me. I tried the demo which is featured but with some quirks ( the 30mins limitation on a 15 day trial)

    Went ahead and purchased the full version on the app store and will be putting it through its paces.

    Great product especially for an amateur visual guy like me.

    I hope you plan to release more visual packs.

    • Thanks for the feedback, feel free to let us know what you think of it once you have tried the full version in a gig context. If any issue you can let us know on Facebook or at support(@)mixvibes(dot)com.

      I concur with your opinion on the demo limitations, I have reported that and we might change it in the future.

      Definitely more packs coming, we are working on it at the moment.

  10. Not sure if this thread is still active but I’m yet to see anyone elaborate on how to drive the video effects from an
    external or alternate audio source. Isn’t this what most DJs/VJs would
    be interested in doing? Is there full documentation somewhere on how to use the product? (demo)

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