First, if you want to improve your programming skills, then get busy with programming. Don’t bog yourself down creating a perfectly designed rig, developing a visualizer file, and drawing a cool set piece. Instead, utilize a tutorial file or shared files that already include the completed visualizer and plot data. This way, you can simply jump in and start programming. If you want to take on a bigger, full circle project, that is okay too. Start with a concept of a show and then draw your plots, visualizer files, patch and other essential items. Keep it real and assign yourself a budget. This way, you don’t make that small club gig look like a rig from EDC with thousands of lights. Remember to take into account other staging items such as screens, speakers and audience members.
-Brad Schiller, from “Feeding the Machines,” PLSN, May 2020, page 42
