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Adding video to DAW recording

I've been trying to improve my recordings lately by plugging into the computer and using multiple tracks (and multiple takes). That way I can get the guitar part down, then sing undistracted over that, and then add any simple effects like reverb and equalizer at the end.

All of which, I think, has resulted in improvements to my sound. Not professional quality by any stretch, but better nonetheless.

Then when the recording is completed, I'd like to be able to make a video of my actually playing the song--not just a series of pictures with the music in the background.

So, how does one do this and actually sync the video to the music? These seem to be my options:

1. Make a lip sync video.

2. Make a video while I'm playing or singing the various parts and then piece it together. (This probably requires some good video editing software and probably an actual video camera.)

Idunno...suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by The Thump on September 11, 2019 at 6:48am

Traditionally, this is done by using a click track or with a slate (the clapper thingy you see in movies).

I'd recommend using a click track, since you're already using multiple tracks. Here's how:

1. Add a couple of measures of silence to the beginning of your project, this is called a count-off and gives you time to get ready to start playing.

2. Add a new track to your song, and place a click, cowbell or some other very obvious noise on each quarter note. Make sure this click track starts at 0:00, NOT where the music actually starts.

3. Film yourself playing along with the click track. Don't worry about the audio on this take, you won't be keeping it.

4. Insert the video footage, using the click track to keep things time-aligned.

I've used this method to sync up a five-camera shoot with audio that had been recorded during the previous year, with great results. Always record everything with a click track!

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Permalink Reply by Road Rash Roy on September 11, 2019 at 1:32pm

Thanks Thump.

I had previously watched a youtube video about the concept of a click track. The basic idea seemed to be to overlay (click and drag) the soundwave display of the video on to the soundwave of the audio file (or vise/versa) using the "clapper thing" or click wave signature as the basepoint.

I get it, but my free video editor app doesn't display the soundwave display. It's kind of a nightmare of trial and error to get the audio and video to line up in my current state. Do I need to buy Microsoft Movie Maker or some other software which displays the soundwave?

It seems that my biggest problem is that I have to click the mouse to start the audio, then reach over to click on the video camera. This little lag seems to throw off the whole deal.

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Permalink Reply by The Thump on September 12, 2019 at 7:37am

You should be able to find free NLE (non-linear editing) software pretty easily. One I found for you is here: https://www.openshot.org

I have no experience with it, myself, but on paper it looks like it will meet your needs. Otherwise Vegas Movie Studio is pretty cheap and powerful: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/vegas-movie-studio/product...

In the interest of full disclosure, I used to work for the company that originally made Vegas, so my opinion of it is probably a little suspect ;)

As far as the lag between starting playing and video recording—add a bit of silence to the audio's beginning so you have time to get the camera rolling and yourself in position before playback starts.

Hope this helps you!