26 SPONSORED CONTENT Size doesn’t matter Discover how flexible media server set-ups are making scalable show design the new industry standard D oes venue size matter? Not anymore. Whether you’re working on a private DJ set or string of stadium dates for a show. By using solutions like Disguise’s X range, you can simply plug a USB license key into your laptop to access, edit and playback all live show video files, without “Using X1 made life easy,” he explains. “We could pack light, ease the burden of transporting kit and essentially just open up a laptop and be ready to go as soon as we arrived at the venue.” Disguise X1 provided the team with
global pop star, today’s video technology makes it easy to create live event visuals fans won’t forget. Starting small Growing audience expectations means even the smallest shows need to deliver visual impact. But thanks to portable solutions that pack a punch, video teams can put on a show to remember, even if venue size is restricted. If you simply need to map and playback video from one or two 4K outputs, your laptop could be powerful enough to design and control your entire
needing a high-performance server. You’ll be able to integrate real-time content from Notch or TouchDesigner, trigger effects from MIDI, DMX or OSC devices, busk live shows with Disguise’s Sockpuppet workflow for lighting consoles as well as keep everything locked to the beat – all while putting on an intimate show. Off the back of a string of arena dates in Europe, video programmer Alex Loftie utilised Disguise X1 to programme and power a run of smaller North American shows on Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness World Tour , scaling the visuals down to fit onto a single 4K canvas. For Alex, prioritising portability and keeping costs down for these small shows was key.
more flexibility, letting them scale shows down for smaller gigs and back up for server-powered arenas. If changes were made to song visuals at the small venues, they could be used again on larger arena shows without having to re-programme. Middle ground Mid-scale shows often suffer from a case of the middle-child problem: needing to output more than a laptop can handle, but potentially lacking the budget for a top-spec server rack. A powerful solution is to cluster servers to create a tactical advantage. By grouping mid- range media servers like Disguise’s EX machines together in a single session,
Central Cee (below) and Brand New (right) used Disguise products on tour
ALEX LOFTIE
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