I´ve a feature request. It would be very very helpful to organize the session.
Background:
We use VST Live for our backing tracks, lyrics, controlling midi events and for lighting control. For our stage lights we use the superscenes in Daslight 5 which are triggered via a Midi-Event in VST Live.
At the moment we are using “Songs” for the different steps in our show. Below you can see an example structure for two songs.
All songs have end markers. When the marker is reached the next song is “loaded” so that the drummer can press the footswitch to start the song.
Song 1: Turning on the front lights for moderation purposes
Song 2: Turning down/off the front lights before starting the song
Song 3: This is the song with backing tracks, etc.
Song: 4: Turning on the front lights for moderation purposes
Song: 5: Turning down/off the front lights before starting the song
Song 6: Next song with backing tracks, etc.
Song 7: Blackout after drum ending
Problem: It takes very long to do changes in the sequence of the songs in a setlist. As example: In “Song1” song there are additional control elements: as example muting reverb/fx from the vocals (midi control to the digital mixer), start heating of the sparklers, loading the sound for the guitar (Kemper) via midi. When i want to rearrange the songs I have also to take the previous and following “control songs” with the song.
I have tried to do it with parts. One Song with 3 Parts (Part 1: front light, Part 2: song, Part 3: blackout). Theoretically the right approach. But I can’t trigger the parts.
For songs I can tell VST Live to load the next song after reaching the end marker. That feature would be nice for the parts. If this works I can use the setlist feature for rearranging
Better imho to use MIDI tracks to drive the lights and external effects - with a slight twist…
You could put your lights on scene at the end of each Song but I would suggest that you use Layers in Part1 to set a known “start state” (lights on, effects cleared etc.). You’re probably already aware that the Layers in Part1 transmit their program changes as soon as the Song is activated. This way your Song is self contained and not relying on the previous Song to finish in a particular state. When you start the Song the MIDI track(s) can send the relevant messages during the count in.
I think this could work for the light before the songs (moderation/interaction ). I will try it.
After the songs I could be difficult because some of them have a undefined ending.
Undefined means as example a drum ending. The length is not fixed, it depends on the reaction of the audience. Usually during the ending I use chaos light and after it a blackout.
(After the blackout it takes a little time when the light turns back to “moderation” light.
The solution for the chaoslight is, that a midi cc on the end of the song triggers a 10min chaos light scene in Daslight. After triggering, the next “song” is loaded in VST Live. This song only contains a midi cc for triggering the blackout scene in Daslight. Start of the song is controlled via footswitch (drummer). Then the next “song” is loaded with only contains a midi cc to turn on the frontlights. The drummer can press the switch when he wants. (blackout times vary).
Can’t imagine how to do the endings with the layers. @Spork Any ideas?
I think this all would be much easier with part actions. Eventually integrated as a new feature called “pre-song area” and “post-song area”. And this parts should belong to the song, that the setlist feature is usable
@fkalmus and @CliveJ: here a example which where I use VST Live for:
trigger Daslight via Midi Scenes (moving heads, blinder, front light, pars, sparkler, co2)
lyrics on monitor for the singer and on the ipads for the other musicians
turning on/off channels and effects on our iem mixer
You can use blackout in the preferences with song stop (that could be an action). With switching to the next song you can choose a start setup of the light within the first part (1.1.1) with chase event on start for the moderation light and add the light show for the song shortly after 1.1.1., which become active when you press start.
Maybe at the end of the song, you could trigger your chaos effect and let the song stop or continue silently rather than go to the next one. Let the drummer then select next song which cues your known startup state using the initial layer triggers, then start at will.
Don’ forget, until @Spork make us the opt-out panel for non-intensity-channels, a simple “blackout” (1-512: 0) will reset eg moving-heads-positions too…. So just careful
You can assign a MIDI note to Pause/Continue in Actions/Shortcuts. Then use a MIDI track to send that note at the appropriate times(s) over Virtual MIDI. So when you hit start, your first scene is sent and then playback pauses, hit start again to trigger second scene and pause, rinse and repeat. That’ll save you a few songs and make reordering the set much easier - I’m all for containing everything in the Song.
I use this approach to activate effects in a Song that has a “freetime” solo piano intro.
