OnKue Productions - Programming Services

Prior to 2008, programming your MidiLite show required that you either wait until your setup was completed then rush to complete your show before opening night, or you would construct a physical simulator for off-site pre-programming. The physical simulators were not only time consuming to build and difficult to maintain, but often they required power transformers to operate correctly. OnKue Productions was only able to provide remote programming services if the customer's matrix setup matched an existing physical simulator that was available for use at Castle Studios Productions.

But in August of 2008, all of that changed when Jon Daggett and Castle Studios unveiled the ML Sim software for Mac OS X. Now, remote MidiLite programming can be accomplished from literally anywhere in the world, and at any time of the year.

Of course, OKP will be glad to program your entire production, but what proved most popular with customers in the past two years was having us program just the more complex portions of your show (3 to 5 songs). This way, you can still experience the hands-on feeling of MidiLite programing by concentrating on the sections you're comfortable with, but still "wow-ing" your audience on the larger numbers by outsourcing that responsibility to us. So, how does this work?

The Process:

Once we've discussed the specifics of how we can best assist you in your production, we'll need you to send us your music. If you've asked OKP to program your entire show, the easiest thing to do is just send us the accompaniment tracks. We'll import the music, setup the DP file, and ship your original discs back to you immediately for use in rehearsals, etc. However, if you've made your own edits to the music, you've already recorded your vocal ensembles, or we're only programming a portion of your production, it is better for you to send us a data disc of your DP file so that we're both working in the same "workspace."

It's important that you also include printed copies of the music (which will be returned) with any and all directions, requests, etc. clearly marked. For example, sometimes what was intended to be a ensemble or choral portion of a song is actually going to be sung as a solo. It is important that we know this while programming, since solos are typically less flashy than ensemble sections in an effort not to distract attention. Any specific requests such as "nice and calm here" or "big and over-the-top for this part" should also be noted. Of course, changes to the score needs to be outlined in cases where you've made edits to the track. Remember, we're here to enhance your production, so your input is very important. Feel free to make any request or notes so that we can best program for you.

Throughout the process of programming your show, screen-capture videos will regularly be made available to you on our download site. This enables you to review our progress and make any change requests before programming has been completed.

Beginning with 2009, we also started making single DP files available via a download section of our website as songs were completed. This method of programming delivery has been overwhelmingly popular and eliminated the need to wait until the entire project is completed to see and playback the results.

Once all of the programming has been completed, we'll ask that you review the videos once more and make any change requests at that time. If everything meets your approval, we will make a data DVD that includes the entire Digital Performer project and all superpages, colorpages, and snapshot data to be uploaded into your system via ML Design. We will then package the data disc, music, and any other materials you have sent and ship them to you via your preferred shipping carrier.

Upon receiving the package from us, you will need to first upload all ML Design data. In order to avoid overwriting any of your existing ML Design files, we design pages on bank 1 (the default and most frequently used bank is 0). You will need to notify us in advance if bank 1 will not work for you.

If we programmed your whole production, you need only copy the entire DP project to your computer's hard drive and open it. If we programmed sections of your production, you will need to "Load" those chunks into your existing DP file. Be sure to only load the data, and not the soundbites. Since our projects were identical from the beginning, loading just the data should match-up perfectly with your existing soundbites.

Also remember that we are here to help and will guide you through the remote programming process every step of the way. If a question ever arises, we're merely an email (or in extreme emergencies, a phone call) away.

Costs for programming services are typically $125 per song. However, this price will fluxuate some depending on the difficulty of programming required. Simpler and slower slongs that need merely a few fades in color require less time to program and the charge for that song will be lower. Likewise, songs that require complex or "outrageous" programming will be more. A good way to obtain an estimate in pricing is to provide us with listening copies of your music as well as any ideas or requests you may have. Estimates are not exact quotes, and no obligation is implied by obtaining one.

In addition to the programming fee, you may be assessed hourly charges for any activities that require more than 1 hour of our time to complete (per project, not per activity). This includes, but is not limited to, creating/adjusting tempo maps ($35 per hour), audio editing ($60 per hour), and project creation/setup in Digital Performer ($25 flat rate). You can save us time and you money by completing these activities prior to sending us your digital performer file.

Note: We are currently planning to increase our rates for 2011. Therefore, our current charging schedule is only still valid for the 2010 Christmas season.