MixEmergency Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the MixEmergency (1.4.0) manual.

MixEmergency is an application designed to mix and scratch video and visualisations. It has the ability to be controlled externally by Scratch Live. MixEmergency is a visualisation application only and does not handle any audio processing.

You can download a demo version of MixEmergency from http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/. It is recommended to download and try MixEmergency on your system before you purchase a license key to ensure that it fits your needs and meets your performance requirements.

License keys can be purchased online from http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/.

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Minimum Requirements

Hardware

  • MacBook Pro or better
  • Video card (128 MB dedicated RAM)
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Storage space for media
  • DVI or S-Video output1

Software

  • Mac OS X 10.4.10
  • Quicktime 7.3
  • Scratch Live 1.8.22

1 For output to an external monitor
2 For external control

MixEmergency is a Universal Binary application. This means that it will run on both Intel and PowerPC processors.

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Registration

To fully activate MixEmergency requires a valid license key. This can be purchased online at: http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/

Once purchased you will receive your license key via email.

To register the application:

  1. Launch MixEmergency
  2. Select "Registration" from the MixEmergency application menu
  3. Enter the email and license key that you received
  4. Click the "Register" button

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Supported Media

MixEmergency supports mixing and scratching1 of a range of files playable in Quicktime. It is recommended that you extensively test your media files before performing live to avoid any unforeseen issues.

1 Requires external control via Scratch Live version 1.8 or greater

Video Files

MixEmergency officially supports and recommends the following video container formats: avi, m4v, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpg and the following video codecs: H.264, Motion JPEG A, Motion JPEG B, MPEG-4.

A limited range of other containers and formats will load1 and play2, but are not recommended for optimal performance and so are not officially supported (e.g. 3gp, dv, divx, xvid, vob, m2v, flv).

1 May require third party codecs to be installed.
2 Several formats are unable to be cached by MixEmergency, and so are not recommended if you require video to be scratched.

Image Files

MixEmergency can import most image formats recognised by QuickTime.

Quartz Compositions

MixEmergency supports the loading and playing of Quartz Compositions (.qtz files).

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Main Window

The main window of MixEmergency displays the channel and output preview views as well as several frequently used controls (described below). This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-1. You can toggle this window to float above all other windows by pushing the "pin" button on the top right of the title bar.

External Control

MixEmergency has the ability to act as a "plug-in" for Scratch Live. This allows Scratch Live to control aspects of MixEmergency such as play position, mix and current media.

The external control pop-up menu allows you to select either MixEmergency or Scratch Live as the controller for MixEmergency. A connection status indicator appears to the right of this menu when not connected to MixEmergency. The indicator will be coloured green when there are no connection problems, or red when there are. You can view a text message of this status in the indicator's tool-tip.

Panel Controls

The panel control buttons allow you to toggle several of MixEmergency's windows: the Control window, Media window, Output window, Messages window and Presets window. The Control and Media window buttons are MIDI assignable.

Full Screen Controls

The full screen controls allow you to toggle the output of MixEmergency between full screen and windowed mode. The output pop-up menu allows you to select the screen to use when the output is full screen.

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Control Window

The Control window contains the Transition, Effect and Transport controls of MixEmergency. This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, the Control window button on the Main window, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-3.

Transition View

The Transition view lets you control the output mix of your media sources.

  1. Crossfader - Controls the mix between the current media sources.
  2. Link Crossfader - Links the Crossfader of your mixer to the Crossfader control.
  3. Link Cuefader - Links the Cuefader of your mixer to the Crossfader control.
  4. Link Upfader - Links the Upfaders of your mixer to the Crossfader control.
  5. Transition Select - Selects the transition to use when mixing the media sources. A more detailed explanation of the transitions is available in the Transitions section of the manual.
  6. Transition Parameter - Allows customisation of some transitions.
  7. Autofade - Automatically moves the Crossfader to the opposite media source from the one displayed.
  8. Upfader Control - Controls the brightness of the media source.
  9. Upfader Link - Links the Upfader of your mixer to the Upfader Control.

Transport View

The Transport view is on the first tab to either side of the Transition view.

  1. Transport Controls - Allow you to restart, rewind, play backward, play forward or fast forward the media. These are disabled when controlled externally. When controlled by an external application, these buttons change to a Link with Audio button that can be used to link audio in the external control application with video or Quartz Compositions playing in MixEmergency.
  2. Media Progress - The current play position of the media (not displayed for Quartz Compositions). The progress bar will be coloured red if the file is not recommended for video scratching.
  3. Eject - Ejects the media from the deck.
  4. Capture Image - Captures an image from the current Channel Preview view to be used in the Media Bank.

Effect View

The Effect view, on the second tab to either side of the Transition view, allows you to apply effects to the media sources. These are applied before the transition effect.

  1. Effect select - Selects the effect to apply.
  2. Effect mix - Controls the mix between the original source and the effect.
  3. Effect Parameter 1 Control Select - Selects the control for Effect Parameter 1.
  4. Effect Parameter 1 Knob - Sets the first effect parameter when the parameter is controlled in Internal mode.
  5. Effect Parameter 2 Controls - These control the second effect parameter (not available for all effects).

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Media Window

The Media Bank is a place to store media that you may use often or for ambient video/Quartz Compositions (there is an option in the Preferences to load these automatically when a song without a video is loaded in Scratch Live). You can toggle the display of the Media window from the Window menu, the Media window button on the Main window, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-4

To load media into the Media Bank simply drag and drop files from the Finder onto the desired position. You can drag in an entire directory to load more than one clip at a time.

Clicking on an entry in the Media Bank will load the media to the deck that is not currently displayed on the output window. This is a feature to avoid situations where you may accidentally load media onto the wrong deck. You can also drag and drop media from the Media Bank directly onto a deck to bypass this safety feature.

You can assign MIDI controls to individual media entries by following the instructions in the MIDI section of the manual.

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Presets Window

The Presets window can be used to store and recall effect and transition settings. You can toggle the display of the Presets window from the Window menu or by using the Presets window button on the Main window.

Each effect preset panel can store six banks of twelve presets (i.e. 72 presets in total).

  1. Preset Bank - Selects the current preset bank.
  2. Preset Trigger - These buttons can be used to trigger an effect preset.
  3. Preset List - This list displays the presets currently assigned to the bank. Selecting these will not trigger a preset, but allows you select preset slots to either save or delete a preset to.
  4. Save Preset - Clicking this button will save the settings of an effect or transition as a preset from the currently mapped channel into the currently selected preset slot.
  5. Delete Preset - Clicking this button will delete the preset from the currently selected preset slot.
  6. Preset Channel - This control allows you to select the target for effect presets.

The Preset Channel control is only available for effect presets. It has five options:

  1. A - The first media channel (left) is selected for presets.
  2. B - The second media channel (right) is selected for presets.
  3. Mid. - The middle channel is selected for presets.
  4. Safe - The channel that is not currently visible on the output is selected for presets. A lighter selection colour will also indicate which of the channels (A, B or Mid.) is the current target.
  5. Actv - The channel that is currently visible (or active) on the output is selected for presets. A lighter selection colour will also indicate which of the channels (A, B or Mid.) is the current target.

Saving Presets

To save an effect preset:

  1. Select the desired settings for the effect preset using the effect controls on the Control window.
  2. Use the Preset Channel control to select the channel that you have used to set up the effect settings (i.e. A for the left channel, B for the right channel, or Mid. for the middle/output channel).
  3. Select the slot to save the preset to using the Preset List.
  4. Click the Save Preset button.

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Output Window

This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, the Output window button on the Main window, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-2.

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Scratch Live control

To control MixEmergency from Scratch Live:

  1. Launch Scratch Live
  2. Launch MixEmergency
  3. Set MixEmergency's external control selector to Scratch Live
  4. Check that the external control indicator is coloured green
Controlling MixEmergency from Scratch Live is as easy as loading videos in Scratch Live, or dragging Quartz Compositions onto MixEmergency and linking them to the currently loaded audio file in Scratch Live.

Note: To import videos into your Scratch Live library you need to download and install Video-SL and check "enable Video-SL plugin" in the plugins tab of Scratch Live's setup screen.

Serato Audio Research does not approve, endorse, test or support MixEmergency.

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Transitions

You can choose from a range of transitions to mix between your media sources. Currently there are 30 transitions available.

  • Dissolve - Smoothly dissolves between media sources.
  • Difference - Transitions through the difference between media sources.
  • Multiply - Transitions through the multiplication of the media sources.
  • Minimum - Transitions through the minimum of the media sources.
  • Maximum - Transitions through the maximum of the media sources.
  • Fade To Black - Transitions through a fade to black.
  • RGB - Transitions through the red, green and blue colour channels. Transition parameter controls the channel order.
  • Luma Key Black - Transitions based on the brightness of the media sources (darker colours are mixed first). Transition parameter controls how smooth the transition is.
  • Luma Key White - Transitions based on the brightness of the media sources (lighter colours are mixed first). Transition parameter controls how smooth the transition is.
  • Slide - Horizontally slides one source in, and one source out.
  • Wipe H - A horizontal wipe effect. Transition parameter controls the smoothness of the transition edge.
  • Wipe V - A vertical wipe effect. Transition parameter controls the smoothness of the transition edge.
  • Iris - An opening iris transition. Transition parameter controls the smoothness of the transition edge.
  • Squeeze H - Distorts both media sources horizontally.
  • Squeeze V - Distorts both media sources vertically.
  • Cube - Projects the media sources onto a rotating cube. Transition parameter controls the 3D perspective.
  • Flip H - A horizontal 3D flipping transition. Transition parameter controls the 3D perspective.
  • Flip V - A vertical 3D flipping transition. Transition parameter controls the 3D perspective.
  • Grid - Displays a 3 by 3 grid that randomly transitions between the media sources. Transition parameter controls the grid size.
  • Grid 2 - A variation of the Grid transition. Transition parameter controls the grid size.
  • Grid 3 - A variation of the Grid transition. Transition parameter controls the grid size.
  • Strobes - Strobes between both media sources. Transition parameter controls the strobe time.
  • Switch - Switches instantly to the opposite media source at the center position of the crossfader.
  • Cut - Cuts instantly to the opposite media source as soon as the crossfader begins fading.
  • Hold - Holds the current media source until the crossfader has completely transitioned to the opposite media source.
  • Stay - Stays on the currently displayed media.
  •  
  • Random - Randomly selects a transition when new media is loaded.
  •  
  • Background Left - Moving the crossfader to the left shows the background.
  • Background Right - Moving the crossfader to the right shows the background.
  • Background - The output window transparency is controlled by the transition parameter.

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Effects

You can choose from a range of effects to apply to your media sources. Currently there are 27 built-in effects available. More effects can be added by installing effect plug-ins.

  • Invert
  • Hue
  • Saturation
  • Brightness
  • Contrast
  • Gamma
  • Posterize
  • Sepia Tone
  • Color Tone
  • Crop
  • Scale
  • Strips
  • Film Projector
  • Strobe
  • Edges
  • RGB Offset
  • Rotate
  • Tile/Rotate
  • Bump
  • Circle Splash
  • Pixellate
  • LED
  • Zoom Feedback
  • RGB Delay
  • Motion Blur
  • Zoom Blur
  • Kaleidoscope

Most effects have either one or two effect parameters that can be adjusted. The adjustments of these effects can be assigned to one of the following controls (this varies depending on the source of the effect).

  • Internal - The effect parameter is controlled by the main effect parameter knob.
  • Position - The effect parameter is controlled by the current position (time) of the media.
  • Velocity - The effect parameter is controlled by the velocity of the media.
  • Bass - The effect parameter is controlled by amount of bass in the audio for the media. Note: This option is not available when using MixEmergency as the controller.

Using these controls you can quickly and easily add effects that react dynamically to mixing and scratching.

Position control

When controlling the effect parameter with the Position control, the knob that appears to the right controls the rate of the effect.

Velocity control

When controlling the effect parameter with the Velocity control, a mapping graph will appear to the right. The vertical range corresponds to the effect parameter, and maps directly onto the range of the effect parameter knob. The second range corresponds to velocity, and maps the velocity of the media. This is an advanced function of the program, and may take some time to get used to.

The mapping graph has three parts: two mapping points and a mapping indicator. The mapping points can be repositioned by dragging the points around the graph. The mapping indicator is a blue dot that will automatically move to show the currently mapped position on the graph.

The effect parameter (vertical) range is from 0 to 10 (i.e. the same as the range on the effect parameter knob) and controls the range of the effect to control.

The above examples show:

  1. Mapping from 0 to 10.
  2. Mapping from 5 to 10.
  3. Mapping from 10 to 0.

The velocity (horizontal) range is from -2 to 2 and controls the range of the velocity to affect the control. At -2 the media would be playing backwards at double speed, 0 would be stopped, 1 would be playing forwards at normal speed and 2 would be playing forwards at double speed.

The above examples show:

  1. Mapping -2 to 2 - all velocities in this range will affect the parameter.
  2. Mapping 0 to 2 - only positive velocities (moving forwards) will affect the parameter.
  3. Mapping 0 to -1 - only negative velocities (moving backwards) will affect the parameter. This can be useful if you only want the effect when scratching.

The blue dot on the mapping graph gives an indication of how the current velocity is mapped.

The above examples show:

  1. Velocity is 2 x reverse, mapping the effect parameter to 0.
  2. Velocity is 1 x reverse, mapping the effect parameter to 2.5.
  3. Velocity is 0 (stopped), mapping the effect parameter to 5.
  4. Velocity is 1 x forward, mapping the effect parameter to 7.5.
  5. Velocity is 2 x forward, mapping the effect parameter to 10.

Once you understand how these controls work, you will be able to quickly and easily create effects that compliment your video scratching.

Bass control

The bass control mode graph is similar to the velocity graph. The only difference is that the horizontal axis represents the time since the bass triggered the effect parameter. When the bass triggers the effect parameter the blue mapping indicator will jump to the left of the graph and slowly move towards the right.

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Plug-Ins

MixEmergency supports effect and transition plug-ins. These can be used to extend MixEmergency with new effects and transitions.

Plug-ins are in a format created exclusively for MixEmergency and use the same high-performance graphics technologies used in MixEmergency.

Installation

To install a plug-in for use withing MixEmergency.

  1. Double-click on the plug-in.
  2. MixEmergency may prompt you to replace the existing plug-in. If so, then click "replace".
  3. Re-launch MixEmergency.
  4. Check that the plug-in is now be available in either the effect or transition list.

Plug-in files have the extension "plugin" and are installed in the folder ~/Movies/MixEmergency/Plug-Ins/.

Removal

To remove a plug-in previously installed with MixEmergency.

  1. Close MixEmergency.
  2. Delete the effect or transition plug-in from the folder ~/Movies/MixEmergency/Plug-Ins/.

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Overlay Window

The Overlay Window can be used to display static or scrolling text, images, or Quartz Compositions over the output of MixEmergency. This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-5.

Text Overlay

The Text overlay can be used to display static or scrolling text over the output of MixEmergency..

  • Enable - Toggles the text overlay.
  • Text - Text to display.
  • Font - Displays a standard font panel.
  • Height - The height of the font.
  • Opacity - The opacity of the text overlay.
  • Rate - The scroll rate of the text overlay.
  • Position - The vertical position of the text overlay.
  • Color - The colour of the text overlay.

The Text Overlay Window is useful for adding short text titles or advertisements over the output.

Image Overlay

The Image overlay can be used to display a static image over the output of MixEmergency.

  • Enable - Toggles the image overlay.
  • Image - Drag and drop image files here to set them as the current image overlay.
  • Opacity - Sets the opacity of the image overlay.
  • Scale - Scales the image overlay.
  • X - Positions the image horizontally.
  • Y - Positions the image vertically.

The Image Overlay Window is useful for adding titles, logos or advertisements over the output. It supports most image file formats that Quicktime can open.

Quartz Composition Overlay

  • Enable - Toggles the Quartz Composition overlay.
  • Quartz Composition - Drag and drop Quartz Compositions here to set them as the current Quartz Composition overlay.
  • Opacity - Sets the opacity of the Quartz Composition overlay.

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MIDI

MixEmergency supports MIDI control of almost all controls available on screen (such as the faders, transition select menu and loading media from the media bank). You can easily use a MIDI capable mixer to control MixEmergency.

To assign a MIDI control to an on-screen control:

  1. Make sure that your MIDI device is connected
  2. Option-click the on-screen control
  3. Move or toggle the MIDI control

To clear an assigned MIDI control:

  1. Option-click the on-screen control
  2. Click the clear button at the top-left of the control window that appears

Note that some controls require MIDI sliders/knobs (such as the Crossfader), whereas others require a MIDI trigger (such as the play and eject controls).

MIDI Window

The MIDI Window displays information about the current MIDI sources and the data received from these sources. This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-8.

This window can be used to verify that your MIDI device is communicating correctly with MixEmergency. When the Log MIDI Messages check-box is enabled, MIDI data received by MixEmergency will be logged in the lower text view.

It is recommended that you use the MIDI logging function only if you encounter problems assigning MIDI controls within MixEmergency. During live performance we recommend that MIDI logging is disabled.

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Preferences

The preferences panel can be accessed through the application menu or the keyboard shortcut apple-,

General

Main Window

Opacity - This sets the opacity of the main application window. This can be useful if you need to monitor another application while using MixEmergency.

Forward keyboard events - When this option is checked MixEmergency will forward any keyboard events (not including short-cuts used by MixEmergency) to the external controller application. This can be useful if you don't want to switch between the applications.

Disable conflicting shortcuts - When this option is checked MixEmergency will disable keyboard shortcuts that conflict with the application currently controlling MixEmergency.

Transition

Reverse MIDI fader - This reverses the direction of any MIDI control assigned to the Crossfader.

Smooth fader - This enables Crossfader smoothing.

Random Transition includes - Use this to choose which transitions will be selected from when using the Random transition.

Auto-fade duration - This sets the duration of the auto-fade control.

Auto-fade Hot-key - This can be used to assign a global hot-key to the auto-fade button.

Effects

Automatically load effects - Enables loading of previously saved effects when media is loaded.

Automatically save effects - Enables saving of the last used effect preset per media.

Display

The Display preference panel allows you to control aspects relating to the output of MixEmergency.

Output

Quality - This adjusts the quality of the rendered output level. If you're experiencing low frame rates on full-screen then you may need to lower this setting.

Scaling - There are four types of output scaling: Fit, Letterbox, Zoom and Stretch.

  • Fit - This adds black bars either horizontally or vertically to fit the full video into the output. The aspect ratio of the media is maintained.
  • Letterbox - This adds only horizontal black bars to the media. Cropping may occur at the top and bottom of the screen. The aspect ratio of the media is maintained.
  • Zoom - This will scale the media so that the entire output screen is filled. Cropping may occur at the edges of the screen. The aspect ratio of the media is maintained.
  • Stretch - This stretches the media to fit into the dimensions of the output screen. The aspect ratio of the media is not maintained.

Arrangement - Controls the arrangement of panels on the output window.

  • Mix - This option is the default and will display the mixed output of both channels.
  • Left, Right - This option displays the left and right channel beside each other in the output.
  • Left, Mix, Right - This option displays the left, mix and right channels horizontally beside each other in the output.

Enable Frame Blending - The option enables frame blending for videos, resulting in smoother video when scratching at slower speeds.

Enter full screen on startup - This option automatically activates full screen mode when the application launches. This will only occur when an external monitor is detected.

Flip Horizontal - Flips the output image along the horizontal axis.

Flip Vertical - Flips the output image along the vertical axis.

Enable Color Correction - Enables basic brightness, saturation and contrast controls for the output.

Brightness - Controls the brightness of the output.

Saturation - Controls the saturation of the output.

Contrast - Controls the contrast of the output.

Preview

Aspect Ratio - This sets the aspect ratio of the preview views. You can choose either None, 4:3 or 16:9.

Update Rate - The update rate of the preview views can be lowered using this control.

Updates

Click the "check now" button to check if you have the latest version of the software. This function requires that your computer is connected to the Internet.

Advanced

The settings on the Advanced preference panel are recommended for more advanced users.

Cache

The main slider in this window controls the amount of memory MixEmergency will allocate for caching video frames. Please note that MixEmergency will automatically decrease the size of the buffer if there is not enough memory available.

Display debug buffer views - This option will cause small buffer displays to be rendered above the channel preview views. These can be useful for viewing how well your computer is decoding video if you experience poor performance.

External Control

The pop-up menu allows you to select the default action when an unlinked audio file is loaded.

Lower full screen window level - This option lowers the window level of the output when full screen. This can allow other windows to display on top of MixEmergency. This is not recommended for general use.

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Info Window

The Info Window displays information about the current output performance and the loaded media sources. This window can be shown/hidden from the Window menu, or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-0.

  • Display - This lists information about the output display. Of most interest is the Output FPS display (FPS is Frames Per Second). You can check this number to check the performance of your system (higher values are better). Note that the optimum value will be one close to the Refresh Rate.
  • Media 1/2 - This lists information about the current media source and may be useful for identifying incompatible files or problems with your system.

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Messages Window

The Messages Window displays any warnings encountered when loading and playing media that may make the media unsuitable for complex mixing and scratching.

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Recording and Exporting

MixEmergency allows you to record and export your performance. Only a small amount of data is recorded during the recording stage so that your system's CPU is not put under unnecessary stress.

Recording

Recording your performance couldn't be easier. MixEmergency records the minimum amount of performance data needed to reconstruct your performance. If selected, MixEmergency will also record an audio stream to an uncompressed file.

To record your performance:

  1. Select "New Recording..." from the Recording menu.
  2. Select a file to record to.
  3. Select whether to also record the audio.
  4. Begin recording by clicking the button labelled "Record".

You can then use MixEmergency as you would normally.

To stop recording, simply push the "Stop" button on the Recording window.

Exporting

Previously recorded performances can be exported from MixEmergency. Exporting can take quite a while to complete depending on the length of your recording and the compression format you have chosen to export to.

Before exporting a performance make sure that all external drives that contain media used during the performance are connected to your computer.

To export your performance:

  1. Select "Export a Recording..." from the Recording menu.
  2. Select the recording file to export.
  3. Choose the export options. You can choose the rendering pipeline dimensions, the scaling method, whether frame blending is enabled, the output format (e.g. QuickTime, DV, etc) and the options for the output format.
  4. Begin exporting by clicking the button labelled "Export".

Note: When choosing a custom format, be sure to you select an appropriate frame rate (i.e. not "current"), as a MixEmergency recording has no concept of frame rate.

A window will appear while exporting that allows you to preview the progress of the export and to cancel the export if necessary.

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Video Compression Guidelines

It is impossible to give a compression setting that satisfies all users, as factors such as computer performance, desired output dimensions and the desired level of compression artefacts are different for each user. Finding an optimal compression setting for your videos may initially involve some experimentation using different formats and compressions presets to determine the optimal settings for your computer.

A few key areas of compression will help with the performance of MixEmergency. Video should be compressed with keyframes every 12 to 25 frames. Longer distances between keyframes will result in a lot of unnecessary decoding, and can degrade the performance of MixEmergency.

The dimensions of the compressed image will depend on the performance of your computer and the output device that you intend on displaying to. For most situations 640 x 480 (or 640 x 360 for wide-screen) will be sufficient. If your experience poor performance, you may need to recompress your video at decreased dimensions.

It is recommended that you compress your video as h.264 video in a mov or mp4 container. For lower performance computers it is recommended that you compress video as either Motion JPEG A or Motion JPEG B at 320 x 240 pixels.

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Quartz Compositions

There are currently eighteen published inputs that are supported by MixEmergency. These can be used to allow your Quartz Composition to react to your controller (e.g. record velocity when controlled via Scratch LIVE).

  • Deck - The video deck number (1 or 2)
  • AudioLevel1 - The audio level of the current channel's media (a number, 0..1)1
  • AudioLevel2 - The audio level of the opposite channel's media (a number, 0..1)1
  • AudioSpectrum1 - The audio spectrum of the current channel's media (a structure)1
  • AudioSpectrum2 - The audio spectrum of the opposite channel's media (a structure)1
  • Image1 - The output of the current channel's media (an image)2
  • Image2 - The output of the opposite channel's media (an image)2
  • MediaTitle1 - The title of the current channel's media (a string)1
  • MediaTitle2 - The title of the opposite channel's media (a string)1
  • MediaAlbum1 - The album title of the current channel's media (a string)1
  • MediaAlbum2 - The album title of the opposite channel's media (a string)1
  • MediaArtist1 - The artist of the current channel's media (a string)1
  • MediaArtist2 - The artist of the opposite channel's media (a string)1
  • Mix - The crossfader position (a number between 0 and 1)
  • Position1 - The play position of the current channel's media (a number, in seconds)
  • Position2 - The play position of the opposite channel's media (a number, in seconds)
  • Velocity1 - The velocity of the current channel's media (a number, can be positive or negative)
  • Velocity2 - The velocity of the opposite channel's media (a number, can be positive or negative)

Quartz Compositions are loaded at the current dimensions of the output display. If you experience low frame rates when playing Quartz Compositions, try lowering the Quality setting on the Display preference panel and then re-loading the Quartz Composition.

1 Only available when controlled by Scratch Live
2 Only available to Quartz Composition overlays

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Parameter Window

The Parameter Window allows you to edit published inputs of Quartz Compositions. There are two Parameter Windows - one for media 1, and one for media 2. These can be shown/hidden from the Window menu or by using the keyboard shortcut apple-6 and apple-7.

  1. Title - Text title of the parameter.
  2. Control - Control for the parameter.
  3. Control Mapping - Displays the mapped control.

Published inputs that have the type Number and a valid minimum and maximum value are assigned slider controls. Published inputs that have the type Boolean are assigned check-box controls. Any control that is a slider or button can be controlled via MIDI using the Control Mapping element. To map a MIDI control to a published input, follow the MIDI assignment instructions in the MIDI section of the manual.

Other published inputs, such as those of type Image, String, Index or Color, are also supported in the Parameter Window.

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Performance Tuning

A number of factors can influence the performance of MixEmergency. The following is a rough guide to some of the features that can influence MixEmergency's performance.

Memory

MixEmergency uses your computer's memory to store video frames in an attempt to optimise video decoding performance. If the memory on your computer becomes low, this can cause MixEmergency's performance to deteriorate. The level of memory used can be set in the Advanced panel of the preferences. It is recommended that you set this level to a value approximately 50% to 80% of your computer's free memory. You can check the level of your computer's free memory using the Activity Monitor application on Mac OS X.

Quality

The quality slider in the Output panel of the preferences can be used to tune performance. For example, if you were to output MixEmergency to an external screen of size 1280 x 720, and your videos are of size 640 x 480, then setting the Quality slider to medium would be appropriate. This would cause MixEmergency to render internally (transitions and effects) at 640 x 480 instead of 1280 x 720, and should improve performance while maintaining the quality of your videos. You can use the Info window to determine the output dimensions, and the quality adjusted dimensions (i.e. the render pipeline dimensions).

Transitions/Effects

Some more complex transitions and effects can have an effect on performance. You should test your system with all the effects and transitions that you plan to use in a live situation beforehand.

The effects menu is roughly sorted from simple effects to more complex effects. On some systems you may only be able to use one more complex effect before performance of MixEmergency deteriorates.

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Trouble Shooting

Low output frame rates and poor performance

  1. Close any un-used applications.
  2. Try reducing the size of the output window.
  3. Try disabling any effects.
  4. Try disabling frame blending in the Output panel of the preferences.
  5. Try lowering the Quality slider in the Display panel of the preferences.
  6. Lower the cache size in the Cache section of the Advanced panel of the preferences if your computer's free memory is running low.
  7. Re-encode your video at a lower resolution.

Low frame rates when full-screen on secondary monitor

  1. Try decreasing the size of your secondary screen.
  2. Try lowering the Quality slider in the Display panel of the preferences.

For help with any other problems, please visit the Inklen support forum: http://www.inklen.com/forum/

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