Live Events & Concerts

This guide covers a typical live music or festival workflow: multi-screen output, beat-synced visuals, and real-time cue triggering by an operator.

Typical Setup

Phase 1 — Pre-Production (Days/Weeks Before Show)

1.1 Gather and Transcode Media

Convert all video assets to HAP Q (for 4K) or HAP (for 1080p) for best performance:

# Using FFmpeg
ffmpeg -i input.mov -vcodec hap -format hap_q output.mov

Organise media into clearly named folders:

media/
├── backgrounds/
├── artists/
├── transitions/
└── branding/

1.2 Set Up Output Screens

1. Open Config → Outputs.
2. Add one output per physical screen/projector.
3. Verify resolution and refresh rate match the display.
4. If using VIOSO, load the .vwf calibration files.

1.3 Build Compositions

Create a composition for each screen. A typical concert might have:

• MAIN — full-stage content; 3–4 layers (background loop, artist video, overlay/logo, spare)
• LED_LEFT and LED_RIGHT — flanking screens with complementary or mirrored content
• FLOOR — floor projection (if applicable)

1.4 Import Media and Build the Playlist

For each song or show segment:

1. Drag the background loop to Track 1 (loop enabled).
2. Drag the artist-specific content to Track 2.
3. Drag the transition/sting to Track 3 (or add it as a crossfade).
4. Create a Cue in the Playlist:
   • Name: Song title (e.g. "Set 1 — Song 3")
   • Action: Go to timecode (or Play composition for separate comps)
   • Hot Key: F1–F12 for quick keyboard access

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Phase 2 — Day of Show (Venue Setup)

2.1 Load the Show

exaplay3.exe -f "C:\Shows\Festival2026\main.vpp" -ui

Or double-click the .vpp file (it's registered with Windows).

2.2 Verify Outputs

1. For each screen, use Config → Outputs → Show Test Pattern to confirm signal, resolution, and alignment.
2. Disable test patterns before doors open.

2.3 Calibrate Projectors (if applicable)

If using projection mapping:

1. Open the PLAN tab to verify projector placement.
2. Open the Warp Editor for each output and fine-tune control points on the actual surface.
3. Enable Edge Blend if projectors overlap.

2.4 Soundcheck

1. Start Exaplay playback on a test loop.
2. Confirm audio is routing correctly to the PA system.
3. If using LTC sync, verify TC: Locked appears in the Transport bar.

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Phase 3 — Show Operation

During the Show

The Operator Control View (/control) is the primary interface during performance:

• The operator uses Space or the Go button to step through cues.
• F1–F12 (if hot keys are assigned) let the operator fire cues without looking at the screen.
• The screen status grid gives an at-a-glance check of all outputs.

Emergency Procedures

Situation	Action
Wrong cue fired	Press Backspace to step back, then press Go for the correct cue
Blank output	Check DiagnosticsPanel for errors; press Stop, then Play to restart
Audio dropout	Check volume fader; verify ASIO buffer is not overrunning
System freeze	If Auto-Heal is enabled, the watchdog will restart Exaplay automatically (typically within 10 seconds)

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Phase 4 — After the Show

1. Press Stop to clear all outputs.
2. Save the project (Ctrl+S) with any last-minute changes.
3. Use Export Project to create a portable archive.
4. Review the engine log (Documents\Exaplay3\logs\) for any errors to investigate.