Dene Grigar’s Virtual DJ Networked Performance has been developed to allow two geographically-removed performers to interact simultaneously with Steve Gibson’s piece, Virtual DJ. With the help of the programmers from APR, Inc. a version of the tracking software has been developed to allow positional information to be delivered over a high-speed network, thus allowing the users at each site to hear and see the results of the remote person’s motions. The network performance between Gibson and Grigar was tested in the summer 2005 between Gibson’s studio at the University of Victoria and Grigar’s lab at Texas Woman’s University. In this performance Grigar controlled the sound and light of the melody tracker in Victoria. Using Apple’s iChat software and a camera, she could see Gibson’s projected image of the room in Victoria and hear how she was affecting the audio there. Similarly Gibson saw her projected image in his Victoria studio and could infer her movements by a light which moved in a ghostly manner in response to her own movements. The work was recently performed for at-a-distant audiences at BC.net in Vancouver, Canada and Research Showcase held at Washington State University Vancouver, where Grigar is on faculty.

More about Virtual VJ:

VIRTUAL DJ: MOTION-ACTIVATED ELECTRONIC MUSIC, VIRTUAL REALITY & ROBOTICS - VIRTUAL DJ uses the tracking capabilities of the Gesture and Media System to allow one or more users to use space as an audio remix or performance tool. Users literally wave their arms, and as if by magic new audio loops are accessed, synthesizer filters are opened, samples are played, and drum loops are started. Simultaneously robot lights follow the users, dynamically changing in relation to their position and the audio.

The piece can be performed by one or two local users in a large space, but with the help of CANARIE, a version with one local performer and one remote performer can be performed over the internet at two geographically-removed sites. In this scenario, two identical presentations can be held, each with the ghostly presence of a remote interactor moving sounds and lights in tandem with the local performer.

Virtual DJ is a prototype for a new type of club- and network-based performance, and can be used by anyone from absolute musical neophyte to the expert performer. Virtual DJ seeks to find a new mode of performance and editing: one that is spontaneous, capable of changing dramatically from one performance to another, and above all, seamless.

Produced by CANARIE, as a part of their ANAST program.
Music, lighting design, interactive programming by Steve Gibson.
Networking software by Chong Zhang and Conroy Badger of APR, Inc.