Digital Dallas will be hosting its 50th event, Surround Sound, Wednesday night at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum.

It will be a music technology experience, unlike a typical concert where the band kills the lights and plays their set, Pratt told Dallas Innovates in a recent interview.

Side Project – DJ and Drummer will be one of the musical acts at Surround Sound and will be performing their 3D Mapping show, “FOCUS3D.” 

The FOCUS3D team will perform at Gaylord Texan’s Glass Cactus night club on select Saturdays through March 2017.

FOCUS3D brings to life inanimate objects by leveraging their 3D projections in such a way that the visuals operate in sync to the music.

Jonathan Archer is the producer and drummer for Side Project. We spoke with Archer to find out more about the show they’ll be performing at Surround Sound.

Side Project – DJ and Drummer

How would you define your group?

FOCUS3D is a video mapping show that is performed by DJ and Drummer. We have created a facade that wraps around us while we perform by using the 3D video mapping graphics. In short, video mapping is when you make an inanimate object look like it’s alive and moving. Since starting the show, we’ve always been merging technology with our equipment.

What sets you apart from others in your field?

Creativity. Other groups come in knowing their set and they stick to their set. We actually look at the audience and adjust the music depending on their responsiveness.

We actually look at the audience and adjust the music depending on their responsiveness.

Responsiveness is really the key. Especially when you have a diverse range of age groups and styles, you immediately know what they’re reacting to. And depending on what they respond to, we know which direction to take.

We’re one of the best in the country for reading an audience and keeping the energy going through the night.

Really for us, it’s something we can figure out in two seconds.

Tell us about the technology you’ll be using at Surround Sound.

For video mapping what we do is we have a media server that runs to a projector which then shoots onto our set piece which is why it looks like our set piece is moving.

The active video mapping makes it look like the structure is moving, and the key to that is creating the content prior to the set. The hardest thing about video mapping technology is designing the content. Creatively designing the content to ensure the movement visuals takes a lot of work.

How will your technology influence the music and live performances?

3D video mapping is the biggest factor. When you’re in the audience and this visual is happening, it enhances and skyrockets the experience. It also enables the audience to feel more lost in it, and even for those who aren’t as involved, it gives them something to talk about.

For example, you’ll hear the buildup of the song and once the drop happens, smoke starts coming out, and that visual element just takes it over the top.

Nowadays, everyone has seen everything. What we realize is that many people have seen video mapping online, but to actually get a chance to see it in person is unique …

Nowadays, everyone has seen everything. What we realize is that many people have seen video mapping online, but to actually get a chance to see it in person is unique and not very common.

What major changes do you foresee in the future?

Newer and enhanced content design. We’re always adding new content and changes in technology help us out a lot. When it comes to rendering new files with features such as new textures and layers, the design is upgraded. So we’re constantly making new scenes for our walls to go with our music.

What do you hope attendees take away from your contribution to Surround Sound?

I really hope it helps enhance their experience at Techweek Dallas, and so that it provides the environment to have a great time that night. We want people to enjoy their time while we’re there, so they enjoy meeting new people and having fun with their friends.

Is there anything else people should know about Surround Sound or your company? Ask for photos that will help illustrate what they will be doing at Surround Sound

We consider Dallas a second home to us. We have a monthly residency at the Glass Cactus at the Gaylord and we really love to keep coming back to Dallas. So, if you dig it and like it, come out to see us. We want to be part of the community and keep this thing going.

Additional Reading

BlinkFX to Light Up Night at Surround Sound

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