Karmacoda Video Mix Contest

From Karmacoda

Winner

 

Finalists

 

Prizes

Vegas+DVD software.
Four Vision Series video libraries.
Merchandise from Karmacoda.

There is also a Karmacoda Remix Contest

About the Video Mix Contest

For Karmacoda, music is a way to render human issues through electronic medium. Karamcoda's recordings and shows are an astounding blend of new technologies. The band has always relied on computers (and Sony Pictures Digital Media software!) and has developed their own computer generated videos. Everything comes together in a Karamcoda show. And in this contest. So if you're looking for something beyond a standard remix contest, read on.

ACIDplanet.com is offering you the chance to create a video mix of Karmacoda's "Reaching". Download both the audio loops and the video clips. Remix the music track, and make a video to go along with your remix. Karmacoda has provided concert footage, backstage antics, and abstract visuals for you to use.

Tools? Try the new Vegas 5 software for your video mix. The trial version is fully functional for thirty (30) days. You'll be amazed at what you can do in Vegas.

Here are two approaches to making your video mix:

1. Create your remix of the music track first. If you don't already have ACID software, download our free ACID XPress application. When you're finished with your remix, save it out and bring it into Vegas 5 software along with some of the video clips. Once it's all in the Vegas application, you'll be free to create a video that follows your remix.

2. Create your video first. Download Vegas 5 software and some video clips, and create your video. When your finished, save out your video and bring it into ACID software along with some of the music loops. Then score your music remix to match your video. If you take this approach, you'll need a version of ACID that can handle a video track, such as Screenblast ACID Music. The trial version of Screenblast ACID Music will stop operating after thirty days, and cannot be reinstalled.

Tips:

• While using Vegas software, make sure to check out the Media Generators. You'll be able to create your own visuals to go along with the effects in the video clips.


• Video files are quite large, and the ACIDplanet site has a 20MB file size limit on uploads. If your video mix is 5 minutes long and you encode it at a 500kbps bit rate using the Windows Media 9 codec, your file will be in the range of 20MB. To make your video mix file smaller, either make it shorter or encode it at a lower bit rate.


• Due to the large size of the video files, please leave yourself plenty of time to encode your file in the proper format and upload it. In addition, if you do not have experience with uploading large files, please upload your file well in advance of the deadline so as to allow yourself plenty of time to work out any difficulties.

Credits: Performance video by Paul Johnson

About the Artist

Karmacoda was launched as a collective effort between two musicians in search of a new way to achieve their artistic and musical vision. It began over drinks in a San Francisco tiki bar when Heather Pierce and Brett "B." Crockett realized their mutual electronica/trip-hop obsession.

B. immediately asked Heather to check out the electronic music project he was working on. Heather was enthralled with what she heard, and recorded her vocal ideas in B's home studio. The result was the track "Frail," featured on their first album "Reco mended". Karmacoda was officially underway.

The summer 2001 release of "Reco mended" garnered an overwhelming, positive response and Heather and B. started work on creating a live show. B. called upon friend and San Francisco bassist Brian Templeton. Brian, already a fan of the music, eagerly joined them in rehearsals. To maintain maximum sonic flexibility and remain true to their new sound, the band needed a DJ possessing strong musical sensibility and who was comfortable spinning alongside live musicians. It seemed almost karmic as B. soon met DJ Rafael Acevedo, also looking to become involved in a group like Karmacoda.

Karmacoda's live shows quickly became popular throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, grabbing the attention of local promoters and clubs and a burgeoning fan base. By integrating live VJ AJ, who creates real-time custom video projection, the band's musical vision is both heard and seen.

Karmacoda's evolutionary second disc "Evidence" was released to glowing reviews in August of 2003 and continued the growth of the band's attention and fan base.

Karmacoda's new album "Altered Evidence: Late Night Remixes", released May 3rd 2004, is a collection of remixed tracks inspired by songs from their second release, "Evidence", and features local, and internationally acclaimed DJs and Remixers DJ Polywog & Frogger, Tyler Stone, DJ Amber & Russ Arteaga, DJ Rafael Acevedo and Den Jones. The compilation was conceived by Karmacoda and the DJs as an exciting way to feature established and emerging musical talent in the San Francisco Bay Area, and to support the San Francisco Late Night Coalition (SFLNC) and their efforts to protect, preserve and promote San Francisco's late-night culture.

Expressing very human issues and emotions through very processed sound is what Karmacoda does best. The perfect aural escape from our ultra-commercialized planet.