Vibe Buildathon ยท Edge City Track ยท Edge Esmeralda 2026
Open Source Stage
The complete playbook + AI agent for running live A/V and permissionless music jams at any pop-up city. Open-sourced. My gift to Edge City and every pop-up to come.
"Open source the tech. Open source the knowledge. Open source the music."
At Edge City Esmeralda, I gave the village a gift: showing up to support and document every talk in The Loft โ running the sound, capturing the moments, holding the space so the room could shine. It became my contribution to the community.
But I can't always magically appear. So now I'm open sourcing my entire process โ the gear, the signal chain, the recording rig, the whole flow โ as an AI agent and a forkable playbook. Yours to fork or run yourself, whether I'm in the room or not.
This is stewardship as a public good. Run a professional stage, host a permissionless music jam, document every talk โ and pass it on. No gatekeepers. No reinventing the wheel. Just the knowledge, set free. ๐บ
What you get
Everything to run your stage
๐๏ธ
The A/V Playbook
The complete runbook: power sequencing, mixer + mic mapping, projection, and live recording. Battle-tested across Zuzalu-inspired pop-up cities.
๐ค
The Assistant Agent
A calm, step-by-step AI guide (live on Notion) that walks anyone through running an event โ no experience needed. It knows the safe power order so you never blow a speaker.
๐ธ
The Jam Protocol
How to activate permissionless instruments and open-source music jams โ the tradition behind the Open Source Orchestra, born at Devcon.
๐
Copy It In One Click
Fork the whole setup into your own Notion. Swap the gear list for your space, and you're running. Yours to keep, yours to remix.
Open source ยท read it, fork it
The Playbook
This is the real thing โ the actual runbook the agent runs on. Open by default. Copy it, adapt it to your space, and run your own stage.
๐ง The System at a Glance
The Yamaha MG12XU is the brain โ it's both the main mixer and the audio interface to the recording computer. Everything audio flows through it.
AUDIO CHAIN:
Mics / inputs โ Yamaha MG12XU mixer โ (2ร XLR out) โ QSC Subwoofer โ QSC 15" powered speakers (Left + Right + extra Right at back of room)
โ ๏ธ Powering on in the right order prevents speaker pops and protects the gear.
Surge protector first. Hit the power button on the surge protector to the left of the mixer on the A/V desk. This powers up the mixer and everything on the table with one button.
Power on each speaker + sub individually via the power button on the back: QSC Subwoofer, QSC 15" Left, QSC 15" Right, and the QSC 15" extra Right at the back of the room.
Speakers come on AFTER the mixer is already running.
๐๏ธ Mixer Channel Map โ Yamaha MG12XU
Channel
Source
Notes
1
Mic 1
Shure PG58 wireless ยท ETH Chiang Mai sticker ยท shares receiver with Mic 2
2
Mic 2
Shure PG58 wireless ยท Edge Patagonia sticker ยท shares receiver with Mic 1
3
Mic 3
Shure SM58 ยท own receiver
4
Loop pedal
Shaka's loop pedal
5 & 6
Loft wireless mics
Edge dual wireless ยท Phenyx Pro
9/10
AUX
A/V computer (stereo)
11/12
AUX
Podium (stereo)
๐๏ธ Mic 1 + Mic 2 (PG58s) share one Shure receiver. Mic 3 (SM58) has its own receiver.
๐น Video & Recording
Projector: ViewSonic Luminos Premium.
Slide feed: podium HDMI + converter โ HDMI splitter โ projector + a video capture card on the desk.
Camera: Sony ZV-10 โ HDMI miniโHDMI โ video capture card โ computer.
Recording (StreamYard): audio from the MG12XU, video 1 from the ZV-10, video 2 from the slide splitter feed.
๐ Batteries
Mics use rechargeable batteries. Each night, remove them from the mics and leave them charging in the wall charger. Reinsert charged batteries before the next event.
๐ Power OFF โ Reverse Order
โ ๏ธ Always power off speakers FIRST to prevent a loud pop that can damage gear and ears.
Power off all speakers + sub first (the QSC units, via back power buttons).
Then power off the mixer / A/V table (the surge protector).
The exact opposite of the power-on sequence.
๐จ Troubleshooting
No sound from speakers? โพ
Is the surge protector / mixer powered on?
Are the speakers + sub individually powered on (back buttons)?
Is the channel fader up + the main mix fader up on the MG12XU?
Is the mic on + battery charged?
Check XLR cables: mixer โ sub โ speakers.
Mic not working? โพ
Battery charged + inserted?
Mic powered on?
Correct receiver on + channel fader up?
Remember: Mic 1 & 2 share a receiver.
No projector image? โพ
HDMI plugged in at podium + converter seated?
HDMI splitter powered/connected?
Projector on + correct input source?
Recording has no audio? โพ
USB-C dongle connected from mixer to computer?
StreamYard audio source set to MG12XU?
Still stuck? โพ
Ask the agent โ it troubleshoots with you, one step at a time.
Still stuck? Text Shaka. You did everything right. ๐บ
Live now
๐ค The Assistant Agent
The A/V guide is a calm, friendly assistant that walks anyone through powering up, running an event, and shutting down safely. It's just two text files โ a soul (instructions) and a brain (the runbook) โ so it can live on any model, any platform. This page open-sources both, so any pop-up can raise their own.
Want it for your village?
You don't need to ask anyone โ just take it. Scroll down to Raise Your Own Stage Agent โ pick any perch (Taurus, Notion, Claude, ChatGPT, self-host), copy two text blocks, and it's yours.
A gift, freely given. ๐ค
Do it yourself ยท two files ยท any model
๐ Raise Your Own Stage Agent โ Anywhere
This agent is two text files: File 1 (the instructions โ its soul) and File 2 (the runbook โ its brain). Paste them into any model on any platform and your stage agent is alive. Here's the honest map of every perch we know โ pick yours:
๐ Taurus
The home field โ where our สปohana lives
Full disclosure: this is where our whole agent family actually lives, and Serge is our friend โ so we're biased, honestly. What you get: a persistent agent with memory that accumulates across runs, schedules, dashboards, and multi-model routing (28+ models via OpenRouter, free tiers included).
Where this agent was first deployed. Custom Agents with a connected knowledge page โ perfect if your village already lives in Notion.
How: follow Path A below, step by step.
๐๏ธ Claude Projects
Great for long runbooks
Create a Project, paste File 1 into the custom instructions, add File 2 to the project knowledge. Done โ ask it how to power everything on.
๐ฌ ChatGPT
Custom GPT or Project
Create a Custom GPT (or a Project), paste File 1 as the instructions, upload File 2 as a knowledge file. Same two blocks, same agent.
๐ ๏ธ Self-host / OpenRouter
For devs ยท any model, your stack
Call any model through OpenRouter (or run a local one), set File 1 as the system prompt, put File 2 in context. Wrap it in a Telegram bot, a terminal script, a festival kiosk โ whatever your village needs.
โก Any chat, in a pinch
Zero setup
Open any LLM chat, paste File 1 then File 2 at the start of the conversation. It forgets when the chat ends โ but on playa at 2am with a dead speaker, it works.
Whichever perch you choose, the two files below are the whole agent. The pattern โ a soul document plus a knowledge base, memory doing the heavy lifting โ is how our whole family is raised: the สปohana pattern, open-sourced. Fork it for your own agents, your own friends, your own village. ๐บ
Path A ยท Notion โ the original 5-minute walkthrough
1
Make a new Notion page
Open Notion and create a fresh page. Name it something like A/V Stage Guide. This page becomes your agent's home + knowledge base.
2
Paste in the Runbook
Copy File 2 โ The A/V Runbook below and paste it onto your page. Notion auto-formats the Markdown into clean headings, tables, and lists. This is everything the agent knows.
3
Customize the gear for your space
Swap the mixer, mics, speakers, and channel map for whatever your venue uses. The structure stays โ just change the details. (Or keep it as a reference template.)
4
Create the agent
In Notion, go to your workspace and create a Custom Agent (Notion AI โ Agents โ New). In its instructions / system prompt, paste File 1 โ Agent Instructions below.
5
Connect its knowledge + go live
Give the agent access to your A/V Stage Guide page (add it as connected knowledge / context). Then message it: How do I power everything on? โ and watch it walk you through, step by step. ๐บ
# The A/V Stage Guide โ Agent Instructions
## Who You Are
You are the A/V Stage Guide โ a calm, friendly assistant that helps anyone power up, run, and shut down a live audio/visual system. Your job is to make it so ANYONE can run the room, not just the resident expert. Open source the knowledge.
## Your Vibe
- Calm and reassuring. People often come to you stressed โ something's not working, an event is about to start, or they've never touched A/V gear. Lower their heart rate: "You've got this. Let's go step by step."
- Never condescending. Assume zero prior knowledge but never make anyone feel dumb. Everyone's a first-timer once.
- Concise and sequential. Give ONE step at a time when troubleshooting. Don't dump the whole manual unless asked.
- Heart first. Warm, a little aloha energy. Use emojis sparingly (๐บ๐ค๐).
## How You Operate
### Step 1: Figure out what they need
When someone messages you, first ask (if it's not obvious):
"What are you trying to do?
1. ๐ Powering everything ON
2. ๐ค Running an event (talk / music / projection / recording)
3. ๐ Powering everything OFF
4. ๐จ Troubleshooting something that's not working"
### Step 2: Give only the relevant steps
- Pull the matching section from the Runbook (your connected knowledge page).
- Give steps one at a time for power on/off and troubleshooting.
- Confirm each step is done before moving to the next.
### Step 3: Always have an escape hatch
If they're still stuck after troubleshooting:
"No worries โ this one's tricky. Reach out to your A/V lead and they'll jump in. You did everything right."
## Critical Safety Rules (NEVER skip these)
1. Power ON order: surge protector / mixer FIRST, then speakers + sub individually. Always.
2. Power OFF order: speakers + sub FIRST, then mixer / surge protector. Always. This prevents a loud pop that can damage gear and ears.
3. If someone powered off the mixer before the speakers, reassure them, then remind them of the correct order next time.
## What NOT To Do
- Don't invent gear or steps that aren't in the Runbook.
- Don't give electrical/repair advice beyond power sequencing and cable checks.
- Don't let someone skip the power-off order (speakers first!).
- If you don't know, say so and point them to the A/V lead.
## Your Reference
Everything you know comes from the A/V Runbook (your connected knowledge page). When in doubt, quote it directly. If the Runbook doesn't cover something, say "That's not in my runbook yet โ check with your A/V lead and we'll add it."
Open source the knowledge, not just the music. ๐บ
๐๏ธ File 2 โ The A/V Runbook av-runbook.md
# The A/V Runbook
The self-host guide for running a live audio/visual system. Written so anyone can power it up, run an event, and shut it down safely.
## The System at a Glance
The Yamaha MG12XU is the brain. It's both the main mixer AND the audio interface to the recording computer. Everything audio flows through it.
Audio signal chain:
Mics / inputs -> Yamaha MG12XU mixer -> (2x XLR out) -> QSC Subwoofer -> QSC 15" powered speakers (Left + Right + extra Right at back of room)
Recording signal chain:
MG12XU -> USB-C dongle -> Computer (StreamYard)
Sony ZV-10 camera -> HDMI mini to HDMI -> video capture card -> Computer
Podium HDMI -> converter -> HDMI splitter -> Projector + 2nd video capture card -> Computer
## POWER ON โ Do This In Order
WARNING: Order matters. Powering on in the right order prevents speaker pops and protects the gear.
1. Surge protector first. Hit the power button on the surge protector to the LEFT of the mixer on the A/V desk. This powers up the mixer and everything on the table with one button.
2. Power on each speaker + sub individually using the power button on the BACK of: QSC Subwoofer, QSC 15" Left, QSC 15" Right, QSC 15" extra Right (back of room).
(Speakers come on AFTER the mixer is already running.)
## Mixer Channel Map โ Yamaha MG12XU
| Channel | Source | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Mic 1 | Shure PG58 wireless, ETH Chiang Mai sticker, shares receiver with Mic 2 |
| 2 | Mic 2 | Shure PG58 wireless, Edge Patagonia sticker, shares receiver with Mic 1 |
| 3 | Mic 3 | Shure SM58, own receiver |
| 4 | Loop pedal | |
| 5 & 6 | Loft wireless mics | Edge dual wireless, Phenyx Pro |
| 9/10 | AUX | A/V computer (stereo) |
| 11/12 | AUX | Podium (stereo) |
Wireless receivers: Mic 1 + Mic 2 (PG58s) share ONE Shure receiver. Mic 3 (SM58) has its OWN receiver.
## Video & Recording
- Projector: ViewSonic Luminos Premium.
- Slide feed: podium HDMI + converter -> HDMI splitter -> projector + a video capture card on the desk.
- Camera: Sony ZV-10 -> HDMI mini to HDMI -> video capture card -> computer.
- Recording (StreamYard): audio from the MG12XU, video 1 from the ZV-10, video 2 from the slide splitter feed.
## Batteries
Mics use rechargeable batteries. Each night, remove them from the mics and leave them charging in the wall charger. Reinsert charged batteries before the next event.
## POWER OFF โ Reverse Order
WARNING: Always power off speakers FIRST to prevent a loud pop that can damage gear and ears.
1. Power off all speakers + sub first (the QSC units, via back power buttons).
2. Then power off the mixer / A/V table (the surge protector).
(The exact opposite of the power-on sequence.)
## Troubleshooting
No sound from speakers?
1. Is the surge protector / mixer powered on?
2. Are the speakers + sub individually powered on (back buttons)?
3. Is the channel fader up + the main mix fader up on the MG12XU?
4. Is the mic on + battery charged?
5. Check XLR cables: mixer -> sub -> speakers.
Mic not working?
1. Battery charged + inserted?
2. Mic powered on?
3. Correct receiver on + channel fader up?
4. Remember: Mic 1 & 2 share a receiver.
No projector image?
1. HDMI plugged in at podium + converter seated?
2. HDMI splitter powered / connected?
3. Projector on + correct input source?
Recording has no audio?
1. USB-C dongle connected from mixer to computer?
2. StreamYard audio source set to MG12XU?
Still stuck? Reach out to your A/V lead. You did everything right.
Open source the knowledge, not just the music. ๐บ
Where this goes
A Knowledge Transponder
Open Source Stage isn't just a playbook โ it's a knowledge transponder. It receives what one community learns and transmits it to the next. We open source three layers at once: the tech, the knowledge, and the music.
๐ ๏ธ
Open Source the Tech
The full A/V rig โ mixer maps, signal chains, recording setups โ documented and forkable. No black boxes. Any village can run a pro stage.
๐ก
Open Source the Knowledge
The agent carries the playbook from one pop-up to the next. What we learn at Edge Esmeralda transmits to Edge City India, and onward.
๐ถ
Open Source the Music
Permissionless instruments, shared spotlight, copyleft jams โ every improvisation belongs to the commons. The music itself is a public good.
๐ฎ๐ณ๐ธ๐ฅ๐ค๐ช
Next Stop: Edge City India + Devcon Mumbai
An Open Source Stage built for Edge City India, paired with the return of our music activation to Devcon 8 Mumbai โ Ethereum musicians, local Indian artists, and spontaneous community jams.
A refined tradition โ from Prague's Municipal Palace to Cannes' Film Festival Palace, Denver, Bogotรก, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Edge City Patagonia, and now Mumbai. Years of activations, one protocol, now a transponder any community can receive.
Where it all began
The Open Source Orchestra
A stage isn't just gear โ it's an invitation. The Open Source Orchestra is the tradition of gathering a community's musicians, DJs, and digital artists to play and openly create together.
๐ธ How it came to be
It started as a simple idea at Ethereum gatherings: give people instruments, a stage, and permission โ then get out of the way. No auditions. No setlists. No gatekeepers. Just humans making music together, the way open-source software gets built.
Over three-plus years it became a beloved tradition, refined across six-plus countries โ a living metaphor for the values Ethereum runs on:
Permissionless participation โ anyone can join, just like open protocols welcome any contributor.
A base-layer protocol โ music as a universal language, shared and expanded collaboratively.
A copyleft approach โ every improvisation and creative moment belongs to the commons.
Network effects โ the magic grows exponentially with each new player.
Community-first โ creativity serves the whole room, not individual extraction.
Music is the heartbeat of community. When we play together, the vibrations strengthen and create profound connections โ a place to recharge between sessions, collaborate across cultures and skill levels, and build relationships outside the usual networking. The OSO space becomes a gathering's cultural heart, where decentralized philosophy meets human harmony.
๐ The road so far
Event
City / Venue
Moment
Devcon 6
Bogotรก '22
First official music stage
Devconnect
Amsterdam '22
Closing ceremony performance
ETHPrague
Prague '22 โ present
A returning home โ first time in the Municipal Palace of Prague