The story of how I brought all my full-body tracking gear on a business trip to perform in a VRChat live show

Hello! I'm mokz.

Thank you so much for all your support for our unit "mokz×Vivi" in the Virtual Idol Contest 2024 feat. Sanrio Vfes qualifiers!
(Looking back at this rewritten article, that was quite a while ago... I still remember that wonderful stage so clearly!)

As a premise, most people who perform using their whole body in live shows held in metaverse spaces like VRChat
have a full-body tracking environment set up at home, but...

On the day of that "Sanrio Vdol" performance, I actuallyconnected to VR from my business trip location and stood on stage🤯
When I found out that my business trip and the performance would overlap, I searched a lot to see if anyone had actually experienced something like that, but there wasn't much information available.

This time, I've put together a record of this rare case, and also for those who might find themselves in a similar situation in the future, I've summarized how I managed to perform with full-body tracking from a business trip location and what it was actually like to do it.

About the equipment

First, I'll give a very rough introduction to what is needed for a VR environment and what I did to use it on a business trip!

・Gaming PC

Live shows are particularly prone to high loads! It's a battle of specs. I usually use a desktop PC, but since I was away, I borrowed a laptop from an acquaintance.

My acquaintance's PC was a bit special, but according to a follower, it seems like a laptop with a GPU around an RTX 4070 should be fine?👀

・HMD & Controllers

There are many types, and I think there are more Meta Quest series users, but
I was using a "Valve Index" at the time!

It's characterized by the ability to move fingers beyond just fixed shapes on the controller, and the use of "base stations" mentioned later is mandatory!🕶️
Controller operation differs slightly depending on the device, and if you suddenly grab a different one, it's easy to get confused because you don't know how to operate it🌀

I was worried that if my environment changed from the usual, the performance I had practiced so hard wouldn't go well, so I just brought everything as it was!

By the way, I've now changed my HMD to the Bigscreen Beyond 2e!
I've reviewed it in this article↓

・Base Stations

I have them installed in the corners of the room (2 to 4 locations), about 2m from the floor. Just by looking at them, they are sensors that look like cameras, and they recognize each coordinate. This method is sometimes called "Lighthouse"!
Of course, I brought 3 of these as well!

・VIVE Tracker 3.0

These are for moving parts other than the head and hands. I had 5 points attached: both feet, stomach, and both elbows. This is also an item that requires base stations!

・SYNCROOM app, microphone, interface

Since it's a music live show, of course, you need an environment where you can sing!
I use SYNCROOM to perform together remotely.

Usually, you need more software to stream audio to the world, but
since there was a PA person this time, this was all I needed!

By the way, for my usual routing, including resolving latency between Japan and Germany, I use project files supervised by SUSABI. The setup method and project files that generalized this are explained and sold on the SUSABI page, so as long as you have a compatible DAW,it's in a form that anyone can use!
If you're interested, please check it out🎶

1. Why would you do something so (insane)?

The live show that overlapped with my business trip... was
“Virtual Idol Contest feat. #SanrioVfes”
If you win, you get a spot in the Sanrio Vfes! The qualifiers for that were held over 3 days in July 2024.

I’ve always wanted to perform at Sanrio Vfes! But I was wondering how I could ever get invited... when I found this call for entries, I thought, I can't miss this opportunity! so I invited my partner VIVI, and we applied right away.

At the time of application, I was scheduled to be able to perform as usual, but after a while, a business trip came up that I absolutely couldn't miss and couldn't reschedule.

The dates right after that were also booked for a flight to Germany to see my partner Vivi during my main job's summer vacation...!
I was originally planning to go during the dates that overlapped with the business trip, or rather, that was the only time I could shift the schedule.

I thought about trying to do it while I was in Germany, but since the equipment, like the base stations, emits invisible light rays, it seems the procedures for taking them abroad are quite complicated. Something about military regulations... This isn't something you can just power through with sheer willpower.

We explained the situation to the organizers and decided together that if things looked impossible, we would give up, but in the end, we were able to perform in the best possible way. I am truly grateful to all the organizers who were so kind and accommodating to us🥹❤️‍🩹

2. Choosing Equipment and Location

Thinking realistically, I think options like switching the HMD to a Quest or changing the trackers to something that doesn't require base stations, like Haritora, would make it easier to carry, but this time, I brought everything as usual, except for the PC!

In VR performance, if the equipment changes, the way your body moves and how you switch expressions also change, so you need to practice for that...!
In FPS terms, it's like suddenly switching from keyboard and mouse to a controller.

And as for the location, it's a real challenge! While many rental spaces come up when you search online, you need to be mindful of the following conditions:

・It must have an internet connection, preferably a fixed line.
There are few examples where the line speed is public, but if there are facilities where you can do streaming, you can predict, "I wonder if the line speed is good enough for proper streaming."

・It must not be mirrored.
This is the reason why most dance studios were excluded from the candidates!
Reflective objects, especially mirrors, are strictly forbidden in a LightHouse environment. If you used such a room, your tracking would go haywire and your body would fly off in impossible directions.

・It must be okay to make loud noises at night.
"Be quiet after 10 PM!" ← This is almost impossible for VR live shows held at night. In the first place, some places close at late hours!

No, no~ is there really a place that fits such niche conditions... There was. It existed, but it has already closed down now😭

It seems they originally ran a live house and had opened this temporarily for their relocation.
A serious environment that gear geeks would drool over... was mostly ignored this time. We were allowed to use a space of about 2.2m x 2m in front of the DJ table! The big, nice-sounding speakers were actually used as a base station stand.

The staff were also super kind, and even though it's usually an unmanned rental, they came to help with the initial setup, saying, "Are you doing something in VR? That sounds interesting!"🥰

It seems they are currently running their new location!

3. Packing and Transport

・Packing

Since I was going from Okinawa to Germany via Tokyo after the business trip, I had a two-bag setup: a suitcase with general luggage and one just for VR.
And after the live show ended, the flow was to pack the equipment and work tools into one, send it home, and have a friend pick it up.

The entire VR set fit into a carry-on suitcase!
It's a good idea to consider whether you can carry it safely and easily in a hand-held bag.

I stuffed it with bubble wrap that came from various online orders to keep the contents from shaking. If you trust the durability of your suitcase, you can get by with a messy packing job if it's packed tight, but you should definitely pack the base stations carefully. Apparently, they are fragile.

・Checking Luggage on Airplanes

Well, as expected, this is an extra charge situation. The larger general luggage suitcase was 32kg, including souvenirs and work tools. You should be selective about what you bring.

Considering the luggage limit, it might be cheaper to send it in advance. However, this time, considering I was on a remote island in Okinawa, I had no choice but to bring it with me. Better safe than sorry...

Also, while airplanes have various standards for carry-on and checked luggage, the airline staff probably isn't used to seeing such niche equipment... Just in case, I explained the contents at the "Special Luggage" counter and showed them, and had them attach a fragile tag to it.

Domestic flights have automatic check-in machines, but if you're even a little worried, I recommend consulting with nearby staff or checking it in at a manned counter.

・Means of Transportation ～Rental Car Recommended～

It's just plain tough to ride a train with two suitcases. It's hard to walk except on lines directly connected to the airport, and the heat makes heatstroke unavoidable... (Who was the one who thought of having business in Okinawa in the summer...)
Furthermore, the casters on the larger suitcase were in bad shape.
A summer day when I thought for the first time that I should have gotten a driver's license, while expensing the taxi fare.

・Tripods are huge, so I don't want to bring them along~

It is standard to place base stations about 2m from the floor. When it comes to mounting them on tripods or walls... it makes setting them up on a business trip tricky.

If you have just this, you can usually manage in most situations! You can wrap it around pillars, just set it down, and use it in various ways. Even at home, I use it by wrapping it around curtain rails or tension rods.
What's especially good is that it's about the size of a folded selfie stick. Since the legs are flexible, you can even fold them up!

This time, there was a large speaker, so I placed it on top of that. I think the speaker was probably surprised to be used as a stand.

That said, I did borrow a tripod for one unit due to placement issues, so if you need to request things in advance, it's smoother to borrow a few. You never know about the placement or stability of things until you actually see them...

・Other

Definitely don't forget your tracker dongles and charging cables! I forgot about the dongles until the morning of my departure. That was close.
Also, since many laptops only support Mini DisplayPort,make sure to bring at least two conversion plugs.

Even if you only use one, bring at least two...

4. The arrival of the "performance demon"

The "performance demon"—trouble always accompanies irregular situations.
I usually prepare as many spare parts as possible, including HMDs, controllers, and base stations, but there is little I can do in a remote location with limited luggage. At worst, I had steeled myself to buy something like a Quest locally if anything happened!

Also, the most important thing is your mental state. Before a performance, there are times when I think, "Let's do this!", but when trouble occurs or when doing things I don't usually do, it's easy to get nervous.

Here is an incident that happened during that time.

The Mini DisplayPort terminal snapped

The laptop this time didn't have a DisplayPort, so I converted it to Mini DisplayPort.

However, Mini DisplayPort itself is a somewhat niche standard, so conversion cables aren't always at electronics stores, or even if they are, there might only be one!

But during setup on the day, the protruding part of the terminalsuddenly snapped in two...(At the time, I was using a type without a cable, not the one shown above)

I had only used it once at home to check it after buying it, so maybe it was put under stress during transport, but regardless, it was unrecoverable. While I was stunned,

Studio Owner: "Let's go to the nearby Dospara! I'll drive."
🐱: "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I had arrived at the studio 2 hours before the call time, so I had relatively plenty of time, but if I had been alone... I was so grateful...
I had called Dospara to check stock before going, and they seemed to have sensed it was an emergency lol

Okinawa, you're so warm~~~~! Well, it was actually hot!

Relying on those around you

Honestly, I still think the voice from the harsh part of myself was much tougher to deal with than the technical trouble itself.
The whisper: "Are you really worth the value you provide to go out under such selfish conditions just because you want to, and cause trouble for those around you?"...

But touching everyone's kindness, I felt like I could finally think, "Maybe this is okay." Even now, some time later, I'm still the same person who blames myself when something happens and is afraid to lean on others, feeling sorry for it.
When I take on a new challenge again, I strongly felt (rewriting this and remembering it) that I want to try to muster the courage to reach out to those around me, and I want to be able to do so.

5. Costs incurred this time

Well, for the sake of anyone who might have the same opportunity, I'll give you some realistic numbers... Sorry for ruining the mood.

Travel and transport expenses
・Taxi to the station along the airport line: 10,000 yen
・Round-trip taxi between hotel and studio: 5,000 yen
・Excess baggage on the flight there: 5,000 yen
・Shipping cost for luggage sent home: 3,000 yen (Okinawa to Kanto)
　*Thanks to the friend who received it!
・Round-trip between studio and Dospara: Thanks to the studio!

Studio and equipment costs
・Studio fee: 10,000 yen (6 hours! That's super cheap, right)
・Studio tripod rental: 1,000 yen
・Mini DisplayPort conversion cable: 1,000 yen x 2
・PC rental: Thanks to my friend!
・Interface: Thanks to my friend!

Thankfully, in my case, thanks to the support I receive from YouTube, FANBOX, and music sales, my financial burden has been significantly reduced...! Thank you all, as always.
Oh, business trip allowances tend to disappear on food and souvenirs, so it's dangerous to count on them. Especially in Okinawa, food was expensive everywhere I went~~😵‍💫 Tourist prices...

6. Summary: For those who actually end up in this situation

・Use it for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

It ended up costing a fair amount, so I'd rather not do it again if I can help it... I decided to turn a blind eye to the cost this time because it was an "audition for an event I absolutely had to perform in," but generally speaking, VR live shows don't pay a performance fee, and the expenses reached a level where I thought, "I could have commissioned an illustration with this much money..."
Maybe I could have saved a bit more if I had a driver's license or previous experience?
If it's a rare opportunity that you absolutely want to perform in no matter the cost, please use this article as a reference and give it a try (maybe?)

・Let people around you know

Even something like "Lol, I have to perform in a live show from my business trip location" is fine, so make sure to tell your friends. If something happens, it might be easier for them to help if they already know the situation.

・It might not work in the middle of nowhere

This time, I was in a bustling area around Naha, but in the real countryside, there aren't always studios or Dospara stores nearby...

・Arrive at least 2 hours before the call time

With this trouble, I managed to make it just in time. It was the right call.Don't skimp on studio costs, absolutely not.
Depending on the location, there might be packs that make it cheaper for longer hours, so the price difference might not be that big. Also, booking early is essential.

・If possible, get a driver's license

If your parents are willing to pay for it, definitely get your license while you're a student!
Even if you're paying for it yourself or aren't a student, try to get it as soon as possible!
For those of us who aren't cut out for driving in the first place! Let's earn that much instead... let's do our best...

Finally

If there is anyone around you who actually ends up in this situation, please be sure to introduce this article to them.

I feel like there are very, very few people who work hard on their VR activities while also going on many business trips for work. You might be a little surprised if a time comes when this is directly useful...! But if there is someone in that situation, please feel free to contact me! I'll give you as much advice as I can!

Related Articles

Here is an article that explains what kind of person mokz is!

My recent singing is here.

The Sanrio Vdol footage from that time no longer exists, but there is an archive of Mokubibi's live show!