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 Serato Video General Discussion
Making a DJ Logo in Motion, A DJ A-Swift Tutorial
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Making a DJ Logo in Motion, A DJ A-Swift Tutorial

a-swift 4:42 PM - 2 October, 2009
Ok guys. I hope you get some use out of this one. My first tutorial using Motion from the Final Cut Studio. Three mini-tutorials here.

1.) A basic DJ logo made in Motion, overlaid on a video.

2.) Using a logo as a Master Template

3.) Using audio behavior parameter linking to control the logo with audio

A very BIG HD 1280x720 (start then pause it to let it stream for a bit for smooth playback, or download the mp4 file directly).

vjaswift.com

You need a strong internet connection for that one. There is also the iPhone compatible stream. This one will stream with no problems on any iPhone over 3G or wireless. Just click this link and it will load into your iPhone:

files.me.com

I gloss over lots of things in order to keep the video short as possible. If I missed something or you have questions, post them up here.

If you're feeling generous and you have a paypal account, break me off some at anewsome@anewsome.com

Most importantly, let me know what you think. Sorry if these don't flow very smooth. I try to make them professional. I do these in one take, without a script or practice so sometimes it gets a little bungled up.
a-swift 4:46 PM - 2 October, 2009
Whoops, I forgot the mp4 download link. Use this link to bypass my site and get just the mp4 of the tutorial. If you have Quicktime or a Mac, you can also just click this link and watch it directly in Quicktime instead of the flash player.

www.vjaswift.com
a-swift 4:46 PM - 2 October, 2009
Oh, yes and if you don't know how to save a file to disk, right click the mp4 link and choose save to disk.
djpuma_gemini 4:48 PM - 2 October, 2009
I have been waiting for this one.

Thanks swift.
a-swift 5:03 PM - 2 October, 2009
Quote:
I have been waiting for this one.

Thanks swift.


Thanks Puma. Let me know what you think of this one. It's the first time I put one up in full 1280x720 HD. It's longish at almost 40 minutes. The web is a hard target. Gotta keep the files small, etc. I should just do a damn DVD.
djpuma_gemini 5:16 PM - 2 October, 2009
downloading now.
DJ SHY 7:27 PM - 2 October, 2009
Thank you sir!..watching NOW!
a-swift 8:42 PM - 2 October, 2009
If none of the above links suit your fancy, try the vimeo:

Watchvimeo.com

At least you can leave comments there.
djdaddydog 2:28 AM - 3 October, 2009
dude i haven't even seen it yet.....but a 1000 thank youz!
DJ_STEVE 5:25 AM - 3 October, 2009
someone please make these a-swift tutorials stickies!!!!
Kenny Q 8:26 AM - 3 October, 2009
Downloading the Mp4.
Where do I donate?

Thanks,
- Kenny Q
Kenny Q 8:57 AM - 3 October, 2009
Swift,
Since you have the recording equipment, the knowledge of software and you live in the state with many of the worlds best DJs.

Why don't you contact Serato and see if you can make tutorial and Demo videos for them? They can either pay you or give you stuff in return. You can feature many of LA's Djs in your videos as well.

- Kenny Q
Kenny Q 8:59 AM - 3 October, 2009
You can probably make a deal with Apple.
a-swift 9:43 AM - 3 October, 2009
Quote:
Swift,
Since you have the recording equipment, the knowledge of software and you live in the state with many of the worlds best DJs.

Why don't you contact Serato and see if you can make tutorial and Demo videos for them? They can either pay you or give you stuff in return. You can feature many of LA's Djs in your videos as well.

- Kenny Q


I think Kenny Q and I think the same way. I've seen some of the stuff posted here. I've seen a lot of it. Yes I'm biased, but I do think the swift tutorials deserve a sticky.

The only reasonable explanation for them not getting a sticky is that everything in the swift tutorials can be applied just as well for ANY vj software. There is nothing VSL specific about them.
DJMuErTe 2:39 PM - 3 October, 2009
Swift THANK YOU!!!!
Very good guide! very easy to follow!
Kenny Q 2:43 PM - 3 October, 2009
Quote:

I think Kenny Q and I think the same way. I've seen some of the stuff posted here. I've seen a lot of it. Yes I'm biased, but I do think the swift tutorials deserve a sticky.
The only reasonable explanation for them not getting a sticky is that everything in the swift tutorials can be applied just as well for ANY vj software. There is nothing VSL specific about them.

No no.
I'm trying to say that you can also make Serato based tutorials and feature some of your DJ friends or yourself doing the work.
Serato has some of their own tutorials and demos and I'm sure that they are spending some money and taking time to do them. You can do them for Serato instead.
Kind of like what Konix is doing but much better.
Kenny Q 2:46 PM - 3 October, 2009
You can add on to this page but make the videos much better and save Serato money and time.
www.scratchlive.net
Killbill 4:33 PM - 3 October, 2009
Swift, wonderful tutorial. Thank you very much. Been trying to learn that. Can I get on your mailing list so I can get an email when you release a new tutorial?
a-swift 7:12 PM - 3 October, 2009
Quote:
Swift, wonderful tutorial. Thank you very much. Been trying to learn that. Can I get on your mailing list so I can get an email when you release a new tutorial?


You're on the mailing list! I always post tutorials here. Truth is though, I probably won't be doing too many of these. They take a really long time to make and I'm not sure enough people are benefiting from them to make them worthwhile.

I count 7 people here who have checked it out in 2 days.

I'm also trying to do stuff that's not already covered in tutorials out there.
djpuma_gemini 8:37 PM - 3 October, 2009
I notice I don't have all the extra goodies you have, like on the add behavior I only have like 8 things. I never added the motion content. Gotta go do that and redo the logo.

Great tutorial though.
a-swift 10:51 PM - 3 October, 2009
Quote:
I notice I don't have all the extra goodies you have, like on the add behavior I only have like 8 things. I never added the motion content. Gotta go do that and redo the logo.

Great tutorial though.


Yeah I do a full install so I get all the content and goodies. They don't just waste space, I actually use them! Even the royalty free music and beds in Soundtrack Pro.
Millz 10:52 PM - 3 October, 2009
swift pm me your paypal address...you deserve a donation for your time and knowledge...
a-swift 12:22 AM - 4 October, 2009
Quote:
swift pm me your paypal address...you deserve a donation for your time and knowledge...


anewsome@anewsome.com paypals are welcome
DVDjHardy 3:21 PM - 4 October, 2009
As I said on fb, great vid Swiftey. I've been using Motion for over 2 years and still picked up a few cool new things.
Kenny Q 4:24 PM - 4 October, 2009
Quote:
Quote:
swift pm me your paypal address...you deserve a donation for your time and knowledge...


anewsome@anewsome.com paypals are welcome

I just sent payment.
I hope others do the same.

Can you do a video on DVD Studio Pro?
Making a mix, inserting tracks, and putting it on DVD with a nice menu.

Thanks,
Kenny Q
PopRoXxX 5:18 PM - 4 October, 2009
Downloading now. Can't wait to watch. I've been wanting to learn the Motion stuff for a while now.

+1 !!
a-swift 5:30 PM - 4 October, 2009
Quote:
As I said on fb, great vid Swiftey. I've been using Motion for over 2 years and still picked up a few cool new things.


Thanks Hardy. This is the reason I still watch/read beginner tutorials. Even though I'm not a beginner, I always pick up new stuff that I hadn't thought of before. Like ctrl+v in FCP. Kris P. showed me that one. I'd been using the blade tool to make cuts!
phatbob 5:51 PM - 4 October, 2009
Just wanted to add my thanks to A-Swift for this and the other tutorials. I've been using After Effects for text but I'll be switching to Motion for such jobs in future.

Hope you have enough time/motivation to do some more. Big thanks.
a-swift 1:35 AM - 5 October, 2009
I just watched the remuxing video again, and compared to the Motion video, the remuxing "look" is much nicer. I think the motion video is probably more useful than a video on how to replace an audio file. Something about that clean white background that looks very nice in my opinion.
PopRoXxX 1:26 PM - 5 October, 2009
yeah swift, it looks like an apple commercial or promo video! lol!
Dj Nyce 12:34 AM - 6 October, 2009
this dude got the lav and the backdrop. nice tut (substitutes boris and after effects for motion lol).
a-swift 12:53 AM - 6 October, 2009
Quote:
this dude got the lav and the backdrop. nice tut (substitutes boris and after effects for motion lol).


that's what it's all about man. use the tutorials to see what i'm up to and then use whatever tools you rock with.

i didn't have the lav at first but i was listening to the playback on the focus up shots and the echo was driving me bananas. the lectrosonics makes me sound strong like bull. hahah. i couldn't get the mic as close with the sit down configuration. not like i did when i did the stand up and the mic is inches away from my head just out of frame
a-swift 5:39 PM - 8 October, 2009
Thanks for the Paypal donations fellas!
Millz 6:34 PM - 8 October, 2009
Thank you sir :)
Millz 6:35 PM - 8 October, 2009
Thank You Sir
Millz 6:35 PM - 8 October, 2009
wtf lol the site keeps queebing on me
G. Knapp 10:38 PM - 12 October, 2009
Thanks bro great help for a beginner.
a-swift 10:50 PM - 12 October, 2009
Quote:
Thanks bro great help for a beginner.


You got it Knapp. Thanks for checking it out.
DJ'Que 2:30 AM - 13 October, 2009
thanks very much.swift
Demon 6:22 AM - 13 October, 2009
Sweezy. You da man. Thank you for your generosity.
Eloy Garcia 7:22 AM - 16 October, 2009
Nice video a-swift... I might have to do a video like that for Adobe After Effects.
a-swift 10:19 PM - 16 October, 2009
Quote:
Nice video a-swift... I might have to do a video like that for Adobe After Effects.


My vote,.. YES!

Although I already know AE a bit.
HurricaneDJ 10:31 PM - 18 October, 2009
I am making Video loops of Logos, and Images in Imovie... When I try to "Set Video" to an Mp3 they are not playing./.. Any Ideas?

I Have tried rendering in different qualities... no go//
a-swift 5:01 AM - 19 October, 2009
I don't use iMovie but you'd probably have better luck with a wav audio file or aiff.
trido 10:13 AM - 20 October, 2009
Wow! I have had Motion installed on my Mac for a while, didn't know what it was for until now. I've been using Sony Vegas for everything. I can finally use the $1000 software bundle that came with my Mac. Time to take my logo to the next level! Thanks mang!
a-swift 9:00 PM - 20 October, 2009
Quote:
Wow! I have had Motion installed on my Mac for a while, didn't know what it was for until now. I've been using Sony Vegas for everything. I can finally use the $1000 software bundle that came with my Mac. Time to take my logo to the next level! Thanks mang!


You got it Tre. Check out my other tutorials and skip Vegas man. Leave that for the kids.
trido 9:56 PM - 20 October, 2009
After watching all your tutorials, I've been cranking out edits all day, thats huge seeing as I've never even opened Final Cut Studio until today.
a-swift 3:07 AM - 21 October, 2009
It's posts like that, which make me keep doin this man!
FDW 9:50 PM - 22 October, 2009
Swift, you are a genius. Thanks for the tutorials. They are awesome! One little little thing: The mouse is missing. It's much easier to follow, if you can see it and not only a menu or butten suddenly popping up! Keep it up. THX!
Killbill 10:42 PM - 22 October, 2009
yeah, ishowuhd does that pretty nice.
Quote:
Swift, you are a genius. Thanks for the tutorials. They are awesome! One little little thing: The mouse is missing. It's much easier to follow, if you can see it and not only a menu or butten suddenly popping up! Keep it up. THX!


yeah, ishowuhd does that pretty nice.
a-swift 2:58 AM - 23 October, 2009
Quote:
Swift, you are a genius. Thanks for the tutorials. They are awesome! One little little thing: The mouse is missing. It's much easier to follow, if you can see it and not only a menu or butten suddenly popping up! Keep it up. THX!


I realized the mouse was missing AFTER I did. I do these in one take so I was definitely not going to go back and take a do over. i suppose I could add the mouse in post but I watched it and thought it was easy enough to follow along. mostly because I talk so damn much.