Live Coding Visuals: An Introduction to Hydra with Diego Chavez

A hands-on introduction to live coding your own visuals

🗓️ Sunday, September 20th, 2026 | 1pm - 3:30pm
📍 IRL @ dadaLab| Austin, TX
🎟️ $45 ($35 early bird, first 4 signups!)
🤖 One workshop session + opportunity to exhibit your work at dadaLab on September 25th, 2026!
👍 Level: BEGINNER

Howdy, dadageeks 💙

We're glad you're here! dadageek is excited to offer this in-person workshop to the Austin, TX dadageek community. You can learn more about the workshop below. Feel free to reach out with any questions to kyle@dadageek.com

dadageek is a non-profit community of immersive artists and electronic musicians. Our mission is to offer education and community to those creating at the intersection of art, interactive media, and tech. Our community is filled with talented and creative technologists with a passion for sharing their expertise with others.

What is this workshop about?

We're excited to offer a hands-on workshop on Hydra, the free, open-source video synthesizer that runs right in your browser, led by multidisciplinary artist Diego Chavez, whose work spans generative visuals, live coding, and audiovisual performance with the group A.M. Architect.
In this session, Diego will walk through Hydra from the ground up, using live coding to build and manipulate visuals in real time, a flexible approach for VJing and live performance. This workshop functions as a hands-on technical class, building step by step from simple lines of code to layered, audio-reactive visuals.

Plus, all workshop participants will have the opportunity to show their work at the next dadageek Student Exhibition on September 25th, 2026!

What will I learn?

The class starts with simple lines of code and builds up from there, adding patterns, color, movement, and layers along the way. You'll also explore audio-reactive visuals using your laptop's microphone. Topics covered include:

• Writing and running simple code to make generative live visuals
• Building images from different sources, including noise, oscillators, and basic shapes
• Exploring geometry: rotate, mirror, tile, scale, and scroll, and how the order of operations changes the image
• Using the laptop camera as a visual source
• Creating audio-reactive visuals using the laptop's microphone
• An introduction to video feedback

Who is this course for?

• Anyone curious about live coding or generative visuals, no prior coding experience required
• VJs and live performers looking to add visuals to their sets
• Visual artists and designers interested in code-based tools
• Musicians and sound artists interested in audio-reactive visuals
• Anyone inspired by Diego's work or live audiovisual performance in general

What is the class like?

This workshop will meet at dadaLab; our headquarters in East Austin. The class is capped at 18 students so you will have plenty of opportunities to connect with your instructor and ask questions. Your fellow students in the class will be an eclectic mix of dadageeks from artists, musicians, programmers, and creative humans excited to learn, create, and connect! You can expect:

• A step-by-step build, from your first line of code to a full visual patch
• Live demonstration alongside guided, follow-along coding
• Interactive Q&A throughout
• A welcoming environment for artists, musicians, and technologists at any skill level

Are there any requirements?

• A Windows or Mac laptop

Meet your instructor!

Diego Chavez is a multidisciplinary artist creating immersive experiences with sound, light, and technology. His work spans ambient soundscapes, generative visuals, live coding, and interactive installations, exploring memory, identity, and digital culture. He is a member of the electronic music and visual art group A.M. Architect, where he develops live audiovisual performances and experimental installations.

FYI

Refund Policy: Students can receive refunds up to 7 days before the class start date.

Class Minimums: If the class minimum has not been met, the class will be canceled or rescheduled. Those who have pre-paid will be notified in advance and will have the option to receive a class credit or a full refund.

Media Release: Please note that some events may be photographed or video recorded. Registering for this event hereby authorizes dadageek and Art Club to use said photos or videos on social media or in future promotional materials.