# Concert Visuals Software

> What to look for in software that puts visuals behind live music, how the main options differ, and who Visibox is and isn't for.

Concert visuals software puts video, images, and live effects on the screens behind a band, timed to the music. Plenty of apps can play a video on a projector. What separates them for a live show is who runs it once the show starts.

Some are built for a VJ sitting at the computer all night. Others, like Visibox, are built for the performer to fire from the stage. Decide that first, and the rest of the list gets short.

## What to look for

These are the questions that decide whether a visuals app survives a real gig. Here's how Visibox answers each one.

| | Visibox | Why it matters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who runs it during the show | The performer, from a footswitch, Stream Deck, or MIDI controller | Most bands have nobody spare to sit at a computer mid-set. |
| Triggering | Keyboard, mouse, MIDI, Stream Deck, plus an HTTP and WebSocket API | Visuals that hit on the downbeat need a trigger you can reach while playing. |
| Backing tracks | Stereo and multichannel backing tracks, stems merged into one file | If you already run tracks, one app for sound and picture is one less thing to sync. |
| Audio-reactive visuals | ISF shaders and MilkDrop presets, built in | Visuals that move with the music, without editing a video for every song. |
| Effects | Stackable effects with a live editor | One clip can look different from song to song. |
| Cameras | Webcams and HDMI capture as clips | Put the band on the screen behind the band. |
| Screens | Multi-screen output and spanning; no projection mapping | Mapping onto sets, stages, or buildings needs a dedicated tool. |
| Learning curve | Performing the same day | Rehearsal time is better spent rehearsing. |
| Platforms | macOS 12+ and Windows 10+ | Your show laptop often decides this for you. |
| Price | Free Plan; Pro $11.99/mo, $83.88/yr, or $299 once | Subscriptions spread the cost; one-time licenses are usually per computer. |

## How the main options differ

**Resolume** is the standard for club VJs, installations, and projection mapping. It expects a dedicated operator mixing the visuals live, and Arena handles warping, edge blending, and big LED walls. See [Visibox vs Resolume](/visibox-vs-resolume).

**ProPresenter** is built around lyrics, scripture, and slides for services and events, with years of song-library tooling. See [Visibox vs ProPresenter](/visibox-vs-propresenter).

**QLab** runs scripted shows as an ordered cue list on macOS, with deep audio routing, timecode, and lighting cues. See [Visibox vs QLab](/visibox-vs-qlab).

**Visibox** is a visual sample player for live music. You load clips, images, cameras, and audio-reactive visualizers into songs, then trigger them hands-free while you play, alongside your backing tracks.

Starting with no budget? Our guide to [free VJ software](/free-vj-software) covers what you can do for free.

### Visibox is for you if

- You are on stage and want to run the visuals yourself, hands-free, while you play.
- You already run backing tracks and want the visuals to follow the same songs.
- You want visuals that react to your music and effects you will actually use, without learning a VJ app first.
- You play bars, churches, theaters, or festivals on a band budget.

### Visibox isn't for you if

- You do projection mapping, edge blending, or large LED walls. Resolume Arena is built for that.
- You run scripted theater where every cue fires in a set order from one operator seat. QLab is built for that.
- Words on screen drive your show: lyrics, scripture, and slides for the audience. ProPresenter is built for that.
- You want to build generative systems from nodes. TouchDesigner is the tool for that.

## Make visuals before you buy anything

You don't need a library of stock footage to start. Visualizers generate visuals on their own, and AI tools can make clips that fit your songs. Our [AI music visualizer](/ai-music-visualizer) page shows how Visibox works with AI, and [How to Make Concert Visuals With AI](/news/creating-concert-visuals-with-ai) walks through the video tools.

## Common questions

### What is concert visuals software?

Software that plays video, images, and live effects on the screens behind a performance, in time with the music. Some is built for a dedicated VJ at a computer; Visibox is built for the performer to run from the stage.

### Do I need a VJ to run concert visuals?

No. With Visibox you trigger visuals from a footswitch, Stream Deck, or MIDI controller, and run the show yourself while you perform.

### Can concert visuals react to the music?

Yes. Visibox visualizers react to audio playing in Visibox, to another app on your computer, or to a mic or line input.

### What computer do I need?

Visibox runs on macOS 12 (Monterey) or later and Windows 10 or later.

### How much does concert visuals software cost?

Visibox has a Free Plan. Pro is $11.99 a month, $83.88 a year, or $299 once for Perpetual, which includes two years of updates. As of July 2026, Resolume is a one-time purchase of €299 (about $340, Avenue) or €799 (about $910, Arena) per computer.