Creating Python tools to optimize live rendering
Visuals with care.
The MIC Kit is a custom tool I built to let live video performances emotionally synchronize with the music on stage. It gives full dynamic control to match a variety of rhythms, percussion, and melodies with specific visual elements. Whether it’s highlighting strings, percussion hits, or ambient swells, the MIC Kit makes visuals feel like a true extension of the music.
Nu Deco Ensemble is a symphony orchestra in Miami known for blending classical, electronic, and contemporary music. I wanted to create live visuals for them, so I applied for a Creative Video Intern position. I got in, but instead of working on visuals, I was assigned to edit promotional videos.
At my second show, I asked my boss if I could display some visuals I had made in TouchDesigner. I got permission, but immediately ran into technical issues. The visuals didn’t run properly, and I had no way to control them efficiently. Five minutes before the show, my boss shut it down.
I kept editing videos while developing a plan to make my visuals show-ready. I took a Python course at my university, then completed an online Python for TouchDesigner class. In a month, I built an interface that could quickly load visuals, stop inactive ones, and integrate preloaded media like sponsor ads. I mapped everything to a MIDI launchpad, making performance control smooth and reliable.
My next show went flawlessly. Since then, I’ve performed many live shows for Nu Deco, creating nine new visual worlds for each performance. My custom-built MIC Kit has become an essential part of my workflow.
The following photos and videos showcase the MIC Kit in action.
From earlier, this is a demo of the button logic within a single visual world
