Kid Chameleon’s Helmet

If you were at Phoenix on January 6th and stuck around until Kid Chameleon‘s set, you were lucky enough to witness the debut of our new visualizer helmet. What started as a project for my sculpture class at Chico State University has now become a part of Kid Chameleon’s DJ set and a way for us to showcase our visuals in a new way during live performances.

Essentially, I purchased a Macintosh Plus on ebay, removed the inner parts, cut a hole in the bottom of the case, inserted the inner padding of a bicycle helmet (cut to fit), and cut a slot for the iPad to slide in. The iPad’s thinness allows for plenty of room for the user’s head and the inner helmet keeps the Macintosh situated properly. Kid Chameleon then provided me with a sound activated LED electroluminescent patch he had which we attached to the front of the helmet.

Helmet sans iPad

For this specific performance, we used an iMac connected to several projectors and televisions around the room and above the bar. The iMac was running Resolume Avenue and the video was triggered using a MIDI keyboard and a Wiimote. The iPad was connected to a bluetooth keyboard which allowed me to press play on the iPad video and press the B button on the Wiimote at the same time Kid Chameleon started his set.

This is the first of many performances and we will be continuing to experiment with new methods to create unique visual experiences. In fact, we will be performing again at Phoenix tonight with DJ Chris Patrick & DJ Moon. We will also be performing at LA Art Mix on Friday, January 14th at the Gallery Godo in Glendale, CA where our own Curtis Scoville will be exhibiting his paintings, some of which were painted live during our visual performances. Kid Chameleon will also be DJ’ing and wearing the helmet if you want to check it out in person. If you are interested in more of my work, visit my portfolio.

Update: By request, here is Kid Chameleon’s track from the set in the video:

Rampage by Kid Chameleon

Book Us For Your Event

Kid Chameleon
Kid Chameleon 1
Kid Chameleon 2
Kid Chameleon 3
LA Art Mix

Posted: January 13th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Kid Chameleon | 30 Comments »

30 Comments on “Kid Chameleon’s Helmet”

  1. 1 Tweets that mention Afterglow VP » Blog Archive » Kid Chameleon’s Helmet -- Topsy.com said at 4:02 am on January 14th, 2011:

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Oliver Reichenstein, Francisco Kemeny, Francisco Kemeny, Mary Lojkine, Roger G and others. Roger G said: DJ with a Retro Macintosh helmet, lights up to the music a la Daft Punk – Mega Cool – http://j.mp/ife3eT [...]

  2. 2 Driver Helps Abused Children | Tri-City Motors said at 5:43 am on January 14th, 2011:

    [...] f&#959r Diversity finalist classMore Video: Next-Gen Helmet-Mounted Cuing System | Defense TechAfterglow VP » Blog Archive » Kid Chameleon's Helmet Tagged abused, Children, Driver, HelpsComments are closed.Copyright © 2011. All Rights [...]

  3. 3 Macintosh Pro DJ Helmet with an ipad - Hack a Day said at 7:06 am on January 14th, 2011:

    [...] such as Daft Punk and Deadmau5 using them for stage shows. For a sculpture class, [Terrence] fashioned his own out of the body of a Macintosh Pro and an iPad conveniently sourced from eBay. After gutting the [...]

  4. 4 Macintosh Plus + iPad = Daft Punk alternative helmet [Video] - SlashGear said at 7:55 am on January 14th, 2011:

    [...] but that’s not to say a keen DIYer with an iPad and a hot-glue gun can’t compete. DJ Kid Chameleon has given up face recognition in favor of a home-made helmet that mixes a classic Macintosh Plus [...]

  5. 5 Don said at 8:26 am on January 14th, 2011:

    Cool!:) Great work guys! Wow, things have changed allot, even since 98, when DJ’s still used 2 Turn Tables and a Mixer…

    Don

  6. 6 Kalle said at 9:01 am on January 14th, 2011:

    So great. Do you mind me stealing your idea and creating one of my own?

  7. 7 duald said at 10:57 am on January 14th, 2011:

    Must perform at next Def Con. It’s mandated!

  8. 8 matt said at 11:21 am on January 14th, 2011:

    Kalle, feel free, please send links so we can check it out!

  9. 9 shitmonkey said at 1:24 pm on January 14th, 2011:

    Rocking 3 year old beats.. fuck yea.

  10. 10 matt said at 1:36 pm on January 14th, 2011:

    @shitmonkey… almost 4 years old, but I think you’re missing the point. Its not when a track was released that is important when decided whether or not to include it in the mix, its the way it is portrayed within the mix. It seemed to fit perfectly with the intro we prepared, so I chose it as the track to open my set with. The next track in the mix is actually a brand new original track by me, and the track that follows was released late last year. Please stop being so cynical and enjoy it for what it is.

  11. 11 harry said at 8:14 pm on January 14th, 2011:

    outfit isn’t geeky enough for the helmet, needs an electrical repairmans outfit, with pen protector and pens to match!

  12. 12 Thinkyhead said at 2:30 am on January 15th, 2011:

    Nice! Of course next you need to make a “scramble suit” out of 6 dozen iPod Touches!

  13. 13 Indy Griffiths said at 3:11 am on January 15th, 2011:

    Looks like a souped up Daft Punk helmet :)

  14. 14 iDude said at 3:42 am on January 15th, 2011:

    Me thinks you look silly…

  15. 15 Ross said at 3:50 am on January 15th, 2011:

    This is fucking ridiculously lame.

  16. 16 Floris said at 5:32 am on January 15th, 2011:

    I love you, that’s just awesome.

    People who get it … they show it.

  17. 17 djVirto said at 6:07 am on January 15th, 2011:

    Awesome.. but I’m pretty sure thats not a Mac Plus, which actually said ‘Macintosh Plus’ on the front, and did not have a square around the apple logo. That’s either a 512 are 128k Mac. : ) Ok, rock on now.

  18. 18 p3ngwin said at 7:40 am on January 15th, 2011:

    what is that awesome breaking track after the classical intro ?

  19. 19 Rzitex said at 8:16 am on January 15th, 2011:

    Awesome. Your next task. Make one that includes the recon android ski goggles inside (google them) and a small camera on the outside so you can see out.

  20. 20 Chris said at 8:16 am on January 15th, 2011:

    That thing must be REALLY heavy, even gutted. I can imagine it hurting after some time, too.

  21. 21 Chuck said at 11:08 am on January 15th, 2011:

    That was really awesome! But you left me hanging in that video… right as soon as he starts to play Josh Wink – Higher State of Consciousness the video abruptly ends… do you know where I can get a full-length recording of Kid Chameleon’s set?

  22. 22 Roxanne said at 12:22 am on January 16th, 2011:

    Can you see out of the “helmet?”
    It looked as if you were trying to do something on the computer

    thanks
    it was a really awesome project and turned out pretty darn cool

  23. 23 p3ngwin said at 10:05 am on January 17th, 2011:

    what’s the track after the Genesis intro, and BEFORE KId’s own “RAMPAGE” track ?

  24. 24 D said at 8:30 am on January 19th, 2011:

    I would also like to know the track you played after your intro. I know wich one it is.. just cant recollect te name. (ps. what program do you use to play on your mac) greetings

  25. 25 matt said at 4:57 pm on January 21st, 2011:

    Hey D, the tracklisting is as follows:
    Short Sample of Young Buck, The Game and Ludacris – Stomp (Ratatat Remix)
    Daft Punk – Son of Flynn
    Richard Strauss – Also Sprach Zarathustra
    Justice – Genesis
    Kid Chameleon – Rampage
    Cold Blank – Raver Booty

  26. 26 matt said at 5:12 pm on January 21st, 2011:

    @P3NGWIN it is “Son of Flynn” by Daft Punk off of the Tron Legacy soundtrack

  27. 27 matt said at 2:12 am on January 22nd, 2011:

    @Roxanne Yeah, there were vents in the bottom that I could see my equipment through.

  28. 28 jackonapsp938 said at 12:36 am on January 23rd, 2011:

    please what is the song name or download link for the song at the start

  29. 29 iPad News : Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mac Plus with a crazy helmet said at 6:59 am on February 12th, 2011:

    [...] For a mere pittance, you can pick up a Mac Plus on eBay or at a garage sale. And, if you’re Terrence Scoville, you’ll use your ingenuity to turn that Mac Plus into an amazing helmet for DJ Kid Chameleon. [...]

  30. 30 Macintosh Plus celebrates 25 years by becoming ultimate DJ headgear (video) | e-Smart Tech Gadgets said at 9:36 pm on June 1st, 2011:

    [...]  |  Afterglow Visual Productions  | Email this | Comments  Share New [...]

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