Peter Says: VJs in the mainstream? It’s happening, as VJs pick up gigs at huge headline events, tour with big-name acts, and even receive recognition from MTV. (You know, music television, remember them? They’re the folks that created the term VJ, only it meant something entirely different, and now they show neither music nor visuals, so whatever.)

Resolume have posted DJMag’s list for Top 20 VJs 2006. I’m sure the Resolume guys are proud as their software is wielded by ever more of the world’s favourite VJs. CDMo are proud of Holly Daggers for making it back in there again.

1. Addictive TV
2. Vello Virkhaus
3. VJ Anyone
4. Coldcut
5. VJ Culture
6. Inside Us All
7. Hexstatic
8. D-Fuse
9. Eyesupply
10. Alex et Jeremy
11. Dubassy
12. Eclectic Method
13. Ben Sheppee
14. 4youreye
15. Punkvert
16. Love Mushroom
17. Pfadfinderei
18. Holly Daggers
19. VJamm Allstars
20. Unu

Take a look and let us know: any favorites? Any omissions you would want included? The results were democratic, based on a poll, so we can be equally democratic here on CDMo.

DJ Mag have posted their Tech Awards 2006, and while it’s not exactly bursting with surprises - They’re liking the Allen & Heath Xone:3D, Ableton Live is a good thing, Sennheiser ‘phones are great… - it’s great to see CDM favorites Resolume and the BCD2000 getting some recognition.

Resolume takes out the Beginner’s VJ Product award, which rankled me initially but: DJMag, so they can call it what they like really as I’m sure the DJs are too busy tweaking asses across crossfades to review Intermediate or Advanced VJ products. I don’t know about “glorious lap lightshow!”, that sounds like something a pervy Jedi Master would get up to, but the featured quotes are bang on:

Eclectic Method: For this category, Resolume is the most versatile and interesting piece of software.

Eserin: For £130 you get an expandable set-up, loads of effects to keep interest going and easily assignable clip banks, plus DMX control for lighting shows.

VJ Anyone: It also memorises setting, works in high definition (HD) and VJs can control clip speed by music beats.

Halliwell: There’s a vast differrence in the price and I think VJs will get bored quickly with the other software.

WestEnd DJ: Even after buying a controller it’s still better value for money than the rest and it’s a lot more versatile and well designed.

Slightly more interesting is the choice of the BCD2000 as Best Midi Controller. I definitely agree that it’s a great device, but its quirky non-customizable midi assignments, jog-wheel difficulties and complete lack of Mac support preclude this from best midi anything for me. It’s a great device, it could be brilliant, but Behringer need to put in the work first to finish it off.