Livid Instruments is the leading producer of multimedia performance instruments. With the world's first line of Video Instruments and Video Performer Software, Livid strives to empower artists with innovative tools for creative expression. Livid is committed to cutting-edge innovation of the most powerful, easy-to-use tools that allow for greater flexibility, cost efficiency and artistic freedom.

Founded by multimedia artist Jay Smith in 2003, Livid aims to reshape the video performance field and the tools that shape it. Livid's patented technology removes the limits on the the video, film, music, and multimedia industries with innovative, portable, real-time video performance instruments. Livid's mission is to revolutionize how the world thinks about multimedia authoring by empowering artists to create with a new liberated sense of inventiveness and experimentation.

Management Team

Jay Smith - Founder and President

Jay Smith is the Founder of Livid, directing all software and hardware development, and acts as Creative Director for Livid’s touring productions. As an innovator in interactive video performance, Smith has performed and exhibited in thousands concerts, festivals, galleries, and events worldwide, paving the way for new medium of live video mixing. He introduced the world’s first video instrument the Viditar, (video guitar) which he performs as part of the rock band Sinch. The Viditar is the original instrument that sparked the concepts behind Livid’s products. Smith has designed and produced tours for a number of artists including; Juanes, Chayanne, Hilary Duff, Ja Rule, MTV, and the Source Awards. Smith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of The Arts in Philadelphia and enjoys Kurt Vonnegut, Fluxus Art, Pranks, and being a Father.


Peter Nyboer - Director of Software

Peter is Director of Software at Livid and manages all software programming, design, and production. After years of audio manipulation, Peter started to dive into the world of real-time video manipulation in 1999 when he designed a four screen video sampler for San Francisco's Recombinant Media Labs to be used in that year's Ars Electronica performance showcase. He has continued to create real-time interactive software for audio and video manipulation, and has independently produced a number of programs prior to working with Livid, including of the first hybrid DJ/VJ software called Yowstar. He has also assisted in a number of custom softwares, installations, and performances for a number of artists, including Mix Master Mike, Ikue Mori, Thomas Dolby, DJ Sasha, and Bob Ostertag. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Applied Mathematics and has continued to apply them in code, performance, and daily life.


Travis Redding - Director of Hardware

An inventor, craftsman, and instrument builder over the past decade, Travis has developed a refined skill as a luthier and instrument controls designer. Responsible for the design and manufacturing of all Livid’s cutting edge instrument bodies such as the Tactic, Hybrid Guitar, and Viditar, Travis operates our development and manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas which incorporates sophisticated computer controlled machining, CAD design, and electronic engineering.


Jason Senk - Manager of Touring Productions

Jason is the Manager of Touring Production and is in charge of designing, directing, and managing Livid’s tour and event productions. Senk received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of The Arts in Multimedia in the spring of 2001, concentrating on interactive video installations. Prior to joining Livid, Senk produced promotional music videos and visual reels for clients including Toyota Scion, the Resfest digital film festival, and internationally respected DJ and producer King Britt. In early 2005, Senk joined Livid Instruments and was brought on to design, manage and direct Livid’s concert productions and events.

The technological basis for Livid's instruments was born from multimedia artist Jay Smith's years of creative experimentation and innovation . With a need for a more responsive physical interface Smith sought for new ways to mix performance with media creation. Inspired by improvisational jazz and conceptual artists like Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono, Smith created an instrument that would allow for real-time video expression. Realizing that hardware based video editing solutions had serious performance and portability limitations, Smith set out to create an entirely new computer-based hybrid instrument that could be played with physical expression.

In 1999 Smith invented and patented the Viditar, which he performs with regularly as a member of the Multimedia Rock band Sinch. His work has been featured in publications such as Wired, Apple's Hot News and covered on stations like MTV and Tech TV. Smith sees his revolutionary technology as a way to take multimedia out of the art galleries and studios and to the masses by way of instrumentation and real-time control. Livid is a company founded by imaginative business minds with years of creative and technical development experience, dedicated to paving the way for a creative revolution by bringing their products to the marketplace with a commitment to ease of use and intuitive design.

For customer support please go to the Livid Support Forums

Contact

Livid Instruments
Office
27 Monmouth St
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(718) 577-1205

Livid Instruments
Austin, Texas - Shop
(512) 879-9903

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