Loading Files: Setting Up for a Successful PerformanceUpdated a month ago
Here are a few tips that will make your experience as a Muséik operator more enjoyable and ensure a successful performance. These tips all center on the idea that taking extra care when loading your show before the performance will pay big dividends.
LOADING FILES. When you open Muséik and load your files at the start of a session it is very important to actually PLAY each file for a second or two. It is not common, but we have seen files load incorrectly so that the sync is off by a beat or two when you hit play. Rarely the file will not play at all. Simply follow these steps every time you load a file to resolve all these issues:
- Load the Show File into a media bay
- Press Play; allow the file to play for a second or two
- Check to make sure the film, score and audio files are all playing correctly
- Press STOP
Load the next Show File and repeat the steps.
CHECK THE CONSOLE. After loading and playing a file it can be helpful to check the Max Console (Windows/Max Console). Look for any text shaded in red to indicate a bad load. If any errors appear it is best to close Muséik and restart.
FOR FILES LARGER THAN 8GB. After you load a large file it is very important to check the Console. Scan the Console readout for text resembling the sample below. If this text appears it is highly likely that your Show File will freeze midway through performance. Close Muséik, re-open it and re-load the file until this text does NOT appear. It is also advisable to play long files all the way from start to finish as part of your load-in procedure. This issue does not present with files smaller than about 8GB.
sfinfo~: can't find file /Users/ion5/Library/Caches/.fed7f5d6/flat/TestFile_20mn_120bpm.ion/audio.aif
mc.sfplay~: can't find file /Users/ion5/Library/Caches/.fed7f5d6/flat/TestFile_20mn_120bpm.ion/audio56.aif
mc.sfplay~: can't find file /Users/ion5/Library/Caches/.fed7f5d6/flat/TestFile_20mn_120bpm.ion/audio78.aif
mc.sfplay~: can't find file /Users/ion5/Library/Caches/.fed7f5d6/flat/TestFile_20mn_120bpm.ion/audio12.aif
mc.sfplay~: can't find file /Users/ion5/Library/Caches/.fed7f5d6/flat/TestFile_20mn_120bpm.ion/audio34.aif
MOVE SLOWLY AND METHODICALLY. While Muséik is easy and intuitive to operate, the software is doing some pretty heavy lifting under the hood. Because of this, the software like things to be done properly and in order. This can cause problems in performance when the operator is nervous and feeling rushed to open a new media file and be ready for the next entrance. DO NOT SKIP STEPS. Opening a new file properly only takes a couple of seconds, even if it feels like the entire hall is waiting on you.
USING THE QUICK SCRUBBER. The Quick Scrubber can be a very valuable tool in rehearsal. But it requires a lot of processing behind the scenes when you use it. To avoid unsyncing your files or crashing the system, only use the Quick Scrubber when the media file is in PAUSE mode. Avoid operating the Quick Scrubber while the media is in PLAY or STOP mode.
MONITOR YOUR CURSOR. In Muséik 3.0 your computer mouse has the ability to move off your display window and appear on the projected display. When this happens the audience will see your mouse. We recommend finding a spot inside the interface to "park" the mouse when not in use. If you always park it in the same spot it will be easier to verify its location when you need it. Most of us instinctively wiggle the mouse as a way to help our eyes locate it. If it is sitting in the middle of the projected display the audience will likely be quite distracted by your wiggling mouse.
WHEN IN DOUBT, RE-START. On the rare occasion when Muséik does act up and cause you issues always remember that re-starting the software is a helpful - and often important - remedy. Going a step further, rebooting your computer and then re-starting the software may sometimes be the trick needed to get past an issue.
Following these pre-show procedures will help ensure a flawless performance with the Muséik software.