What software and recording device should I use?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chiuy
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Chiuy

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Hi,

I'm a complete newbie here and I want to create a music video. So, I guess the question is what should I buy to get started? I guess I want my end product to be similar to Kurt Hugo Schnedier's video on youtube.
I really want to make a video that would wow somebody because I'm doing it for a special person.

I have a Canon 60D if that would help recording. I also have a custom computer.
I also have the software Music Creator 6 and Sony Vegas Pro 8.
My budget is $500.
Any tips would be welcome.
 
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Why don't you just pay someone the $500.00 and save yourself a lot of time and trouble? Post ads at some of the colleges. I'm sure someone would probably take you up on the offer.
 
XploZiveToyz said:
Why don't you just pay someone the $500.00 and save yourself a lot of time and trouble? Post ads at some of the colleges. I'm sure someone would probably take you up on the offer.
Click to expand...

Uhh... no. I will never feel accomplish or learn anything if I just pay someone to do it for me.
 
…. but isn't that like looking at your camera gear - not just the camera, but all the other stuff you have, and thinking that you could take great pictures without the camera, the tripods, the extra lenses, the matte boxes, the focus gizmos etc etc?

You say make a pop video - if you have the recording, and they mime, it's great - if you start having to buy equipment that can record, then a recorder and a few mics will easily gobble up twice your budget? What exactly do you want to record? Audio can be nearly as expensive as a decent camera, once you start looking at 'the whole'. So - what do you want to do?
 
Microphone, audio interface, headphones, monitors, DAW, you can get all that for your budget. How much time do you have to learn how to use it all?
 
The first thing that you need to get is a set of expectations. Creating a 'music video' requires some talent, a lot of learning, and some artistic skills. That being said, I'm lacking in all of the above, but it does not keep me from making music and/or videos. Just understand that your quality will suck until you develop your skills. This is not easy and it does not happen fast.

There are two parts, the music and the video. Music Creator 6 is probably a good place to start with the music portion of your goal. If you are a keyboard player then all you might need to get the music portion going is a MIDI keyboard (About $100 US) and your Music Creator (MC6). If you are going to have vocals or other instruments you will need an audio interface and a microphone (I suggest an Alesis IO|2 and a Sure SM58 to start with $180 US).

Video editing really takes a different set of tools than audio. The best beginner video editing program that I have ran across is CyberLink PowerDirector 12. I think it costs in the neighborhood of $100 US.

Then it is time to learn. Are you creating a video then writing a soundtrack for it or are you creating a song and then making video images to go with the sound? This determines which portion you need to work on first.

It can be done. You already have much of what you need to start. Just don't expect the process to be easy to learn or that it happens overnight.

Glen
 
I still say hire someone else to do it for you. By the time you learn to do what you say you want to learn, that "someone special" will have gained 80 pounds and have gray hair! LOL! And you'll be needing ED medicine!
 
to XploZiveToyz point... Even if you are exceptionally bright and have a good technical/engineering background, you should plan on it taking two years before you can do anything as polished and professional as Schnedier's videos. You might be better off just hiring someone to do the work. Need music? Check out Dave Nachmanoff (ht tps://ww w.facebo ok.co m/customsongsfromnachville). Great songwrighter reasonable rates.
 
My point exactly! I'm just trying to save you time, energy, aggravation, and money.
 
Not to be rude, but I didn't post here only to be told that I should spend $500 on hiring someone to do the job for me. If I wanted to do it, I would have took that route long time ago. This isn't just a one time thing, maybe I'll like it and continue to produce more music videos. I am an experienced director in terms of film and video editing, so I know what I am doing. I'm just trying to learn how to capture audio and make it sound professional. No, I don't plan on magically become a pro at this in the next week, I have 6 months to do his project. All I want to know is what do I need to get in order to produce a cover music that sounds good.
(No, I don't want to create an original piece of music, I just want to do a cover of a song then make a video about it)
 
If you're going to record your own song, you will need:

A nice place to record and mix - A spare room or basement, etc.
Room treatment for the recording and mixing room - more so for mixing. You need to hear what is actually being mixed.
Monitors - Just as important as the room.
Microphones - How many? depends on how many and/or different types of people/instruments you are recording.
Mic pres - Can be built into your audio interface
Audio Interface - Which one is open for discussion. USB units have gotten a lot better. You will need to determine which unit to get based on how you want to record. ie, numbers of channels. For a one-man band, two channels are adequate.
Software - if you're planning to do computer-based recording. There is the main DAW. There are also plugs which you might find desirable to get a better quality. Most DAW's supply basic processors to get you started. If you plan to use soft-synths or VSTi's, you'll need those.
Instruments - Music is mostly comprised of instruments. :D
A song - I hate covers, but that's what you want to do.
Talent -
Time/Knowledge/Experience - you'll get that along the way.

I'll add I have probably over $3000 invested and my results are average.

Cheers,
 
Chili said:
If you're going to record your own song, you will need:

A nice place to record and mix - A spare room or basement, etc.
Room treatment for that record and mixing room - more so for mixing. You need to hear what is actually being mixed.
Monitors - Just as important as the room.
Microphones - How many? depends on how many and/or different types of people/instruments you are recording.
Mic pres - Can be built into your audio interface
Audio Interface - Which one is open for discussion. USB units have gotten a lot better. You will need to determine which unit to get based on how you want to record. ie, numbers of channels. For a one-man band, two channels are adequate.
Software - if you're planning to do computer-based recording. There is the main DAW. There are also plugs which you might find desirable to get a better quality. Most DAW's supply basic processors to get you started. If you plan to use soft-synths or VSTi's, you'll need those.
Instruments - Music is mostly comprised of instruments. :D
A song - I hate covers, but that's what you want to do.
Talent -
Time/Knowledge/Experience - you'll get that along the way.

I'll add I have probably over $3000 invested and my results are average.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

Thank you. A post that was actually really helpful.
 
All we are saying is that the learning curve to what you want is pretty steep, and can literally take years to get to the point of making something that sounds professional, or even semi professional.

That being said, folks here are more than willing to help, we're just trying to help you have realistic short term expectations.

The questions you are asking have been asked, and the answers given hundreds of times over in this and other forums here on this board. Your question and goal are too wide ranging to give you the specific A will get you to B which will get you to C kind of answer in one post.

So when the advice to pay someone to do it for you is given, it is given with the idea that you gave in your first post that made it sound like this is a one time thing. You also didn't mention if you were a musician or what instruments you play or how well, which plays a huge part into the process.

Chili's post is helpful in that it gives you an idea of what you need, but still doesn't mention the skills required that are only gained by lots and lots of experience recording.
 
I'm fully aware of how steep the learning curve is when it comes to these things. I have practiced filming video for 7 years, photography 9 years, and learning computer code for 6 years. I can safely say after all those years, I still have much to learn and master. I assume this is no different.
I just needed a general idea where to start. Thanks to Chili for listing the equipments that I will need, now I know where to actually start and start researching on how to use those tools.
You can't get skills or experience if you don't start somewhere. I'm sure in terms of making a music video, my filming skills will come in handle. Now, I need to learn the other half on how to record it.
 
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