Digital Video - January 2009 - (Page 12)

IN REVIEW SMARTSOUND SONICFIRE PRO 5 MUSIC TO OUR EARS CUSTOMIZE ROYALTY-FREE TRACKS FOR YOUR FOOTAGE. BY NED SOLTZ D SCORE espite the evolution of Sonicfire Pro over the past decade, the core of the application remains the same. It consists of an application that creates musical tracks from actually performed pieces. These performed pieces are divided into musical blocks that the application assembles into a complete arrangement, which can then be exported to your NLE or even exported as a WAV or AIFF file. Each piece can be previewed and exported in multiple arrangements. The software automatically rearranges and regroups blocks to create those different arrangements. In reality, there are two Sonicfire applications: Sonicfire Pro Express Track Edition is free with the purchase of any SmartSound music CD. It essentially catalogs and categorizes all music you have purchased, with options to log onto SmartSound’s Web site to preview of that clip along with any audio already associated with the browse, preview and purchase individual tracks or entire CDs. clip. Scrubbing the timeline will scrub the clip in the preview window Pick a selection, specify a length, choose a variation, or, if the and display the clip’s timecode. song is a multi-layer music clip, choose a mood. The Info window Whether you’re previewing a video clip or working without visudescribes the source CD and tempo. Then hit export. You al in the timeline, you’re now ready to begin customizing will have the option of exporting in WAV or AIFF format. AWARD OF your track. Change arrangement or mood (if multi-layered For another $99, upgrade to the Sonicfire Pro Scoring music) in the properties window. Is your music bed too long Edition. Here’s where the fun takes place. The Scoring or too short? Just grab the end of the clip and adjust. The EXCELLENCE composition automatically reconforms the underlying comEdition starts with the the basic Express Track interface but adds a timeline, movie preview window, properties winponent blocks to your new duration. dow, VU meters, and bin/spotting window. In my sample clip, I have footage of some frisky sea lions on There are multiple workflows for scoring your sequence or clip. Fisherman’s Wharf. It would really be great to add a little hit where The most basic is to decide the length of the clip, style, tempo their heads flop down on each other. It’s simple in Sonicfire Pro. Just and, finally, the musical bed you desire, whether it’s a piece you own position the playhead, click Add Hit File and, from the dialog box that or one you will download and purchase. You may preview and set a appears, choose the type of hit you want. mood in this Express Track window, but instead of a button labeled Level changes can be achieved by simply double clicking on the Export, you will see a button labeled Insert. Choosing Insert will place audio level in the timeline to create a keyframe and then raising or the clip in the timeline at the position of the playhead. lowering as appropriate. It is also possible to add markers, naming Most likely, though, you would want to score while previewing a those as well. video clip. Either using the Choose Video command or by right clickThe true power of Sonicfire Pro, though, is achieved through ing in the video window, choose your clip. Sonicfire Pro will import a using the multi-level music tracks, introduced with Sonicfire Pro 4 and now numbering some 60 CDs. Twirling down the arrow left of the timeline reveals each of the instruments used in the track. These can be adjusted individually, adjusted by means of selecting a preset SONICFIRE PRO 5 mood in the Properties window, or tweaked once the preset has been applied. PROS: There is nothing like it for quick music bed creation Within any given clip, we might want to duck the music when that sounds like you commissioned the piece. CONS: At $99 there is dialogue, add or subtract instruments, or play a fully orcheseach, the cost of individual CDs can really add up. trated or a lightly orchestrated version. This is easily accomplished by BOTTOM LINE: An essential part of my production toolkit. DV MSRP: Scoring version $99 upgrade. Express Track version free with CD purchase. Individual music CDs $99. (continued on page 35) CONTACT: www.smartsound.com You’ll find an extended version of this review on our site. Visit DV online. 12 dv january 2009 www.dv.com http://www.dv.com http://www.smartsound.com http://www.dv.com

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Digital Video - January 2009 Contents First Look: D90 Camera Sonicfire Pro 5 You Pod Instant Expert Muse 2.0 FXFactory Pro 2.0.5 Motype Fxpack DV Product Directory All Powered Up Creating Your Own Sun DV101 Production Diary

Digital Video - January 2009

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