Mojaxx reviews Inklen's MixEmergency 3.1, a third-party plugin for Serato DJ and Scratch Live that takes DJ visuals to the next level. Learn more about MixEm. MixEmergency 3 is the result of many months of work, testing, and optimisation – and the results are truly impressive. The optimisation of a number of areas, including the addition of further GPU-accelerated decoding of video, brings significant improvements with regards to CPU, GPU, and RAM usage on compatible Apple Mac hardware. When the Serato DJ software was released, the MixEmergency software plugin that allows Serato users to DJ with video was left out in the cold as it was incompatible with the newest form of their.
As DJ techniques evolve, so does software to enable them. But when you’re dealing with video, things get a little more complicated. Undaunted by arbitrary things like limitations, Inklen has embraced DJ workflows in a big way and added a sample player to MixEmergency 2.7, and has done it in style.
Inklen say it best:
Inklen releases MixEmergency 2.7 – adds new Sample Player
Inklen is excited to announce the release of MixEmergency 2.7 – adding a new Sample Player and GPU-accelerated video playback of Hap encoded videos.
MixEmergency’s new Sample Player features 8 Samples, 4 Banks, and 72 Preset Sample Player Sets. An advanced editing panel also allows users to edit how the media is composited and animated. It can be used for adding One-Shot Samples, Logos, Loops, and Lower Thirds over the video output. As the Sample Player is a fully independent video sample player, it’s possible to use other audio applications (e.g. Ableton Live) to play the audio portion of any sample.
The introduction of GPU-accelerated playback of Hap encoded videos is particularly useful when combined with the new Sample Player feature, as it allows for a significant reduction in the level of CPU use when playing short samples – especially for videos requiring Alpha channels. For example, encoding videos with the Hap Alpha codec produced files that use 50% less CPU, and 60% less disk space than videos encoded using the Animation codec.
What’s new in MixEmergency 2.7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGvfYBS10Y0
New in MixEmergency 2.7:
- Added new Sample Player feature.
- Added support for GPU-accelerated playback of Hap encoded movies.
- Added support for animated GIF files (for both decks and in the Image Overlay).
- Added a Rate control to the Transport view.
- Added right-click menu to the Quartz Composition and Image Overlay file-drop areas.
- Added Blend modes for Quartz Composition Overlays.
- Quartz Composition and Image Overlay file-drop areas can now display a preview image.
- Updated Syphon to the latest version (fixes some issues with Channel 1 and 2 output).
- Optimised RGB Delay effect.
- Fixed issues syncing beats when playing short video loops over longer audio tracks.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the FX Sequencer to fail to trigger when using the One-shot (synced) mode.
- Fixed bug where the window close buttons were not working on the split preview windows.
- Fixed file path issues when using Serato DJ 1.7 or higher.
- Fixed memory deallocation bugs.
Download MixEmergency 2.7 here: http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/download
MixEmergency can be purchased online for $149. Users who own a MixEmergency 1 license are eligible to upgrade to MixEmergency 2 for $49. For more information, visit: http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/upgrade
An eight slot four bank MIDI mappable sample player with a load of presets and a lot editing abilities is a lot to take in all at once. It’ll most probably do the same for MixEmergency users as it did for audio DJs when such things first hit too. Usually features are added in bit by bit, but this implementation is pretty balls-out. How long before a Flip-like workflow is added?
Hap support is interesting. Peter Kirn over at CreateDigitalMusic did a detailed piece a while ago that I certainly learned a lot from. The only update I can give to Peter’s article is that Hap now has a PC version to match the Mac one. Not much help for PC users interested in MixEmergency of course because it’s Mac only. But it makes me happy to see people optimising video workflows for VJs.
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Mesmerising right? All I can hear is “Energy Flash”.
Call me sad, but I love the support for animated GIFs. In a world that is dominated by social media and memes, it must be awesome to be able to drop that incredibly cool/annoying GIF right there into your performance to immediately engage with the crowd.
Hats off to Inklen for continuing to push the boundaries of VJing forward. This is very good work Nick.
MixEmergency‘s existence within the Serato ecosystem has always been more tolerated than approved. And with recent changes to Serato’s software menu, MixEmergency’s continued appearance as a Serato add-on has been very much in the balance. But it does seem that the New Zealand companies have come to some form of agreement, one that see MixEmergency 2.4 released as being “officially compatible”.
Here’s the word from Nick at Inklen:
MixEmergency 2.4: Serato DJ compatible!
February 19, 2014: Inklen is proud to announce official compatibility with Serato DJ in version 2.4 of MixEmergency – Inklen’s industry-leading Video DJing software.
It’s the news many Video DJs have been waiting for. The release allows Video DJs migrating to Serato DJ to maintain the high level of video performance they get using MixEmergency.
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It also gives DJs using Serato DJ controllers their first opportunity to officially use MixEmergency, the Video DJing software of choice for professional Video DJs. MixEmergency is compatible with the full range of Serato DJ’s controllers.
Users who own a MixEmergency 1 license code are still eligible to upgrade to MixEmergency 2 for only $99. For more information, visit: http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/upgrade
Download MixEmergency 2.4 here: http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/download
What’s new in MixEmergency 2.4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9BVjefa7S8
New in MixEmergency 2.4:
- Serato DJ Compatibility
- Minor bug-fixes
About MixEmergency:
MixEmergency is the most advanced Video DJing software available for Scratch Live and Serato DJ. Over 120 built-in and add-on effects and transitions are included to allow DJs/VJs to manipulate their visuals in exciting new ways.
The full version of MixEmergency is available for US$199 from the Inklen website. A time-limited demo of MixEmergency is available for download from http://www.inklen.com/mixemergency/.
This is big news for a handful of reasons. Firstly, the very vocal and loyal MixEmergency users who have been feeling a little uneasy at the state of affairs can now rest easy and get back to working their magic with their favourite video product, albeit if they upgrade to Serato DJ.
But it’s also an interesting move from Serato too. While it doesn’t bear any kind of official “Serato Approved” badge of honour, the fact that Inklen are able to put “official” in the PR is a huge thing. The reasoning is unclear — while Serato would prefer for users to pick up Serato Video, there’s already a large and established user base, who Serato would be wise not to alienate. Perhaps in a market where video is still only making pigeon steps progress, Serato is perfectly happy to allow such a professional package as MixEmergency to operate alongside their own Serato Video offering, thus reinforcing the platform as the premium video software for DJs.
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The really big thing is that MixEmergency now works with Serato DJ controllers and supported Rane hardware too. MixEmergency had previously missed the ITCH bus, but now it works with Serato DJ, the entire Serato supported hardware range is officially available, so in theory you’ll be able to hook up a 4 channel Serato DJ controller and use 2 channels with audio and 2 with video. It’ll possibly take some fancy mapping, but the future is interesting for the video powerhouse that could be Serato DJ and MixEmergency.
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To recap — MixEmergency 2 owners can upgrade for free, and v1 owners can upgrade for $99. Otherwise, it’ll be $199.