Chapter 7 - Working with Video

Abstract

When working with video you can use either linear or non-linear media and devices. Linear devices are less flexible since they always require additional time to locate a specific point on the media, while nonlinear devices can easily adapt to any situation and they are much easier to synchronize. Synchronization of linear to no-linear machine is achieved through the use of SMPTE code. Since your DAW is anon linear device it is easier and more common to work with vide4o in a non-linear media such as QuickTime. When dealing with non-linear video I recommend always following these steps in order to have ensure that your project is accurately synced up with the QT video: 1) import the QT movie, 2) set the correct frame rate, 3) synchronize beginning of the movie with Bar 1 of the sequence, 4) place markers, 5) set the tempo of the sequence, 6) add a 2 bar count-off, 7) transfer movie's audio track to sequence. Markers (both Beat Based Markers and Time Based Markers) are like bookmarks that can be easily inserted (or “dropped”) at any given position in your sequence and they can be used to quickly jump to a specific location. In a typical scoring to picture project you will deliver your music along with the video. To do so you need to mixdown your music along with the video using the “bounce-to-movie” function. The use of “stems” allows you to combine (or sub-mixes) several tracks together. These tracks usually (but not always) share similar sonic characteristics.