Vegas
Pro 8 includes Vegas Pro 8 video capturing/editing software, DVD
Architect Pro (version 4.5) DVD authoring software, and Dolby Digital
AC-3 Encoding software. Similar to Vegas 7 I was very impressed with the
overall stability of the Vegas Pro 8 tool suite when working on highly
complex video projects involving a dozen or so audio and video tracks. I
also tested Sony Cinescore 1.0 soundtrack creation software with 2
newly released theme packs. Sony is offering a Vegas Pro 8 bundle that
includes Cinescore and 2 theme packs through Oct 31.
INSTALLATION
Out of the securely packaged box are the Sony Vegas Pro 8 and DVD Architect Pro installation discs, wire bound QuickStart manuals, and keyboard command reference cards.
The installation is professionally done and is a breeze taking about 25 minutes. A serial number card is included for convenience during the install. The installation requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 which is provided on disc. Media Manager 2.3 is also installed which uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition also provided on disc. And finally, there’s the Thought Equity Motion Search plug-in with an offer for 15 free video clips, providing stock video footage from Sony Pictures, NBC News, HBO Archives, and National Geographic. There’s also a full version of the user manuals on the installation discs.
VEGAS PRO 8 FEATURES
The first task I tried was backwards compatibility, opening a Vegas 7 project file with Vegas Pro 8, not a problem! I also tried the same thing with DVD Architect Pro and as expected version 4.5 had no problem working with version 4.0 project files.
A change since version 7 is that Sony now mimics Adobe Premier Pro’s layout by having the default setting with the timeline along the bottom of the screen and the media resources and preview window along the top of the screen. In version 7 this was reversed. You can also change it back if you prefer it the other way.
Media generators include credit rolls, text, solid colors, test patterns, noise texture, checkerboard, and color gradient. A new feature in Vegas Pro 8 is the ProType Titler tool which is a very powerful feature. This tool can be used with phrases, words, and even at the character level. Some of the animations include character fly-ins, advanced curves, shadows, glows, blurs, and gradients. You can also adjust line and character spacing, and X/Y coordinate axis positioning with precision. It’s easy to sample media generators and video effects by mousing over the selection. This is a great time-saving feature as I was able to get an idea of an effect’s behavior very quickly.
An interesting movie theater type effect is the fly through effect which uses multiple levels of 3D motion on 4 video tracks.
It’s great to see that one of the features I had suggested be added in my Vegas Pro 7 review has been added to Vegas Pro 8–full screen preview. You can press ALT Shift 4 to view full screen or use the “Preview on External Monitor” button if you just have one display. If you have an external display you can configure it to work with this button. Well done, Sony!
Interactive tutorials are available on the Help menu and are helpful for completing various tasks such as adding a title to your project timeline. Some of the tutorial categories include basics, audio, video and still images, text and backdrops, and projects.
Scripting is handy for automating repetitive tasks and can be run from the Tools menu. Vegas extensions are actually compiled scripts that use the .NET Framework and can be written in Javascript or Visual Basic .NET. Created scripts can also be accessed via the Edit, View, and Tools extensions menus.
In both Vegas Pro 8 and DVD Architect Pro you can access additional media using “File->Get Media from the Web”. This accesses the Sony website which serves as your content connection to Sony partners including Artbeats, Sony Media Software, Shockwavesound.com, ActionBacks, Sounddogs.com, and iamusic.com.
AUDIO FEATURES
Sony has added an Audio mixing console in Vegas Pro 8 which provides a hardware-like audio mixer with buttons for assigning effects, routing, and automation control. To access use “View->Mixing Console” and the mixing console displays all of your audio tracks vertically with buttons for noise gate, EQ, compressor, adding new insert effects (Fx), input source, output master, and PAN sliders. With my audio background Sony had me feeling right at home and it’s a snap to add audio effects with the mixing console. For example, on a particular track select the Insert Fx button and then the effect type/manufacturer/effect (Chorus->Sony->Sony ExpressFX Delay). It’s that easy!
PERFORMANCE
A PC configured with 1GB RAM is sufficient for running one tool at a time but if you plan to run multiple tools concurrently then I suggest you upgrade your setup to 2GB RAM (you’ll be glad you did).
DVD ARCHITECT PRO
Sony has added additional themes (now totaling 44) in DVD Architect Pro and these can be customized and saved as new themes for use in future projects. A handy feature is “Reapply theme layout” which works well when you’ve selected a theme and then rearranged and added buttons on the screen. “Edit->Reapply Theme Layout” will automatically realign the buttons using the theme style structure. This is a very cool feature indeed! I also used object order to layer graphics moving items forward/backward or to the Top/Bottom.
Editing tools include the selection, sizing, navigation, and keyframe tools which can be accessed from the Edit menu or by clicking on the corresponding button in the workspace panel.
DVD Architect Pro integrates with Cinescore as you can insert soundtracks directly within DVD Architect Pro. Selecting “Insert->Generated Music” launches Cinescore and selecting a track results in it being inserted in your DVD Architect Pro audio timeline. Very slick and Sony even allows you to import Adobe Photoshop files!
Video workspace overlays are very useful for checking your project prior to mastering. For example to ensure your production adheres to title and action safe areas you can enable these overlays by using “View->Workspace Overlays” and enabling “Show Title Safe Area” and “Show Action Safe Area”.
CINESCORE
Cinescore is a loop-based audio soundtrack creation tool that has some very interesting sound styles, themes, and variations, and you run Cinescore right from Vegas Pro 8 or DVD Architect Pro.
The Cinescore timeline includes 4 main tracks for video, audio, generated music (i.e. theme pack music), and sound effect style audio transitions (i.e. whoosh, breaking glass).
Themes represent a collection of related musical ideas, are typically loop-based, and include a variety of variation presets. Theme variation presets share characteristics such as key, tempo, and melody. Each theme has one or more sections and moods, and for each mood you can select from a variety of arrangements. Advanced parameter controls include section, mood, arrangement, intensity, tempo. You can also set the ending as normal, fade out (gradual), loop, or abrupt. Theme variation presets include starting section (i.e. intro, verse, chorus, bridge, interlude), mood, arrangement, tempo, and intensity. You should also note that the sections and moods available to select from vary by theme.
Intensity setting reflects the density of the music (i.e. loudness of the mix and number of instruments/sounds used). A setting of 100% uses all instruments. Tempo variations vary from one theme to another and typically range between 96-106% where 100% represents the original tempo setting. This is to prevent drastic tempo changes that will distort the overall sound. Hints are markers that indicate change (i.e. tempo, mood, intensity). To add a hint double click the location on the hints bar above the timeline in the Generated Music dialog.
Sony also has a variety of theme packs available for use with Cinescore and I test drove 2 of the newly released (Sep 2007) editions, “Hyperculture: New Media Soundtracks” and “Urban 24/7: City Soundmaps”. Each of these theme packs includes 10 themes. A breeze to install each of these theme packs installed in about 5 minutes each. I didn’t even have to restart Cinescore to detect the newly installed theme packs. Using the “Theme Chooser” dialog I was able to sort themes by title, package type, genre, and tempo.
Hyperculture: New Media Soundtracks
Hyperculture is representative of new media, jazz/symphonic, rock, pop, and cinematic backdrops. Some interesting themes and variations listed below:
UK Seoul (electronic piano, percussive, brassy, and funky) variations:
Windy city horns
Slow trip groove
Sax delay
Horns, brass & Drums
Drums & Bass
and more…
Urban 24/7: City Soundmaps
Urban 24/7 is representative of inner city diversity, night club atmosphere, percussive and abstract backdrops. Some interesting themes and variations listed below:
Only in America (mid-western rock feel) variations:
Soft rock trio
Power rock
It gets thicker
Blast off
Diva sings
Triumphant
Full harmonics
and more…
Cinescore themes are ideal for film-scoring as most film scores are thematic and don’t require a lot of different themes. Film composers often use repetition (with variation) of musical ideas to establish familiarity with the listener.
EXTRAS
Sony Cinescore Theme Packs retail for US$89.95 each. Sony also has a number of user forums for specific programs such as Vegas audio, Vegas video, DVD Architect, and Cinescore. A Vegas Pro 8 Script Development Kit (SDK) is also available at Sony’s Development Kits download page.
PRICING
Available from Sony Creative Software Sony Vegas Pro 8 (which includes DVD Architect Pro) retails for US$699 with a street price of US$585. Sony is also bundling Cinescore and 2 theme packs with the Vegas Pro 8 suite for US$650 (offer valid through Oct 31 2007). Cinescore is also available as a stand alone product retailing for US$175 with a street price of US$160. Individual theme packs retail for US$99 with a street price of US$79.
ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
As I mentioned in the V7 review the boxed set includes hard copies of only the QuickStart manuals. I would also like to see hard copies of the PDF user manuals included in the boxed set as well. In the future I’d also like to see DVD Architect add DVD case artwork design/print capability (i.e. DVD cover, insert, booklet).
While I really like Cinescore’s theme and variations preview feature, I’d like to also see this capability expanded to allow previewing of audio transitions as well.
CONCLUSION AND RATINGS DEFENSE
I gave Sony Vegas Pro 8 high marks for quality. It’s a professional tool suite that’s packed with features and improved integration and should certainly have a place in your multimedia project studio. I recommend this product to anyone who is serious about multimedia productions and audio video entertainment applications. Vegas Pro 8 is more than capable of editing and producing your next large complex multimedia video project and should definitely be on your short list to consider.
INSTALLATION
Out of the securely packaged box are the Sony Vegas Pro 8 and DVD Architect Pro installation discs, wire bound QuickStart manuals, and keyboard command reference cards.
The installation is professionally done and is a breeze taking about 25 minutes. A serial number card is included for convenience during the install. The installation requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 which is provided on disc. Media Manager 2.3 is also installed which uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition also provided on disc. And finally, there’s the Thought Equity Motion Search plug-in with an offer for 15 free video clips, providing stock video footage from Sony Pictures, NBC News, HBO Archives, and National Geographic. There’s also a full version of the user manuals on the installation discs.
VEGAS PRO 8 FEATURES
The first task I tried was backwards compatibility, opening a Vegas 7 project file with Vegas Pro 8, not a problem! I also tried the same thing with DVD Architect Pro and as expected version 4.5 had no problem working with version 4.0 project files.
A change since version 7 is that Sony now mimics Adobe Premier Pro’s layout by having the default setting with the timeline along the bottom of the screen and the media resources and preview window along the top of the screen. In version 7 this was reversed. You can also change it back if you prefer it the other way.
Media generators include credit rolls, text, solid colors, test patterns, noise texture, checkerboard, and color gradient. A new feature in Vegas Pro 8 is the ProType Titler tool which is a very powerful feature. This tool can be used with phrases, words, and even at the character level. Some of the animations include character fly-ins, advanced curves, shadows, glows, blurs, and gradients. You can also adjust line and character spacing, and X/Y coordinate axis positioning with precision. It’s easy to sample media generators and video effects by mousing over the selection. This is a great time-saving feature as I was able to get an idea of an effect’s behavior very quickly.
An interesting movie theater type effect is the fly through effect which uses multiple levels of 3D motion on 4 video tracks.
It’s great to see that one of the features I had suggested be added in my Vegas Pro 7 review has been added to Vegas Pro 8–full screen preview. You can press ALT Shift 4 to view full screen or use the “Preview on External Monitor” button if you just have one display. If you have an external display you can configure it to work with this button. Well done, Sony!
Interactive tutorials are available on the Help menu and are helpful for completing various tasks such as adding a title to your project timeline. Some of the tutorial categories include basics, audio, video and still images, text and backdrops, and projects.
Scripting is handy for automating repetitive tasks and can be run from the Tools menu. Vegas extensions are actually compiled scripts that use the .NET Framework and can be written in Javascript or Visual Basic .NET. Created scripts can also be accessed via the Edit, View, and Tools extensions menus.
In both Vegas Pro 8 and DVD Architect Pro you can access additional media using “File->Get Media from the Web”. This accesses the Sony website which serves as your content connection to Sony partners including Artbeats, Sony Media Software, Shockwavesound.com, ActionBacks, Sounddogs.com, and iamusic.com.
AUDIO FEATURES
Sony has added an Audio mixing console in Vegas Pro 8 which provides a hardware-like audio mixer with buttons for assigning effects, routing, and automation control. To access use “View->Mixing Console” and the mixing console displays all of your audio tracks vertically with buttons for noise gate, EQ, compressor, adding new insert effects (Fx), input source, output master, and PAN sliders. With my audio background Sony had me feeling right at home and it’s a snap to add audio effects with the mixing console. For example, on a particular track select the Insert Fx button and then the effect type/manufacturer/effect (Chorus->Sony->Sony ExpressFX Delay). It’s that easy!
PERFORMANCE
A PC configured with 1GB RAM is sufficient for running one tool at a time but if you plan to run multiple tools concurrently then I suggest you upgrade your setup to 2GB RAM (you’ll be glad you did).
DVD ARCHITECT PRO
Sony has added additional themes (now totaling 44) in DVD Architect Pro and these can be customized and saved as new themes for use in future projects. A handy feature is “Reapply theme layout” which works well when you’ve selected a theme and then rearranged and added buttons on the screen. “Edit->Reapply Theme Layout” will automatically realign the buttons using the theme style structure. This is a very cool feature indeed! I also used object order to layer graphics moving items forward/backward or to the Top/Bottom.
Editing tools include the selection, sizing, navigation, and keyframe tools which can be accessed from the Edit menu or by clicking on the corresponding button in the workspace panel.
DVD Architect Pro integrates with Cinescore as you can insert soundtracks directly within DVD Architect Pro. Selecting “Insert->Generated Music” launches Cinescore and selecting a track results in it being inserted in your DVD Architect Pro audio timeline. Very slick and Sony even allows you to import Adobe Photoshop files!
Video workspace overlays are very useful for checking your project prior to mastering. For example to ensure your production adheres to title and action safe areas you can enable these overlays by using “View->Workspace Overlays” and enabling “Show Title Safe Area” and “Show Action Safe Area”.
CINESCORE
Cinescore is a loop-based audio soundtrack creation tool that has some very interesting sound styles, themes, and variations, and you run Cinescore right from Vegas Pro 8 or DVD Architect Pro.
The Cinescore timeline includes 4 main tracks for video, audio, generated music (i.e. theme pack music), and sound effect style audio transitions (i.e. whoosh, breaking glass).
Themes represent a collection of related musical ideas, are typically loop-based, and include a variety of variation presets. Theme variation presets share characteristics such as key, tempo, and melody. Each theme has one or more sections and moods, and for each mood you can select from a variety of arrangements. Advanced parameter controls include section, mood, arrangement, intensity, tempo. You can also set the ending as normal, fade out (gradual), loop, or abrupt. Theme variation presets include starting section (i.e. intro, verse, chorus, bridge, interlude), mood, arrangement, tempo, and intensity. You should also note that the sections and moods available to select from vary by theme.
Intensity setting reflects the density of the music (i.e. loudness of the mix and number of instruments/sounds used). A setting of 100% uses all instruments. Tempo variations vary from one theme to another and typically range between 96-106% where 100% represents the original tempo setting. This is to prevent drastic tempo changes that will distort the overall sound. Hints are markers that indicate change (i.e. tempo, mood, intensity). To add a hint double click the location on the hints bar above the timeline in the Generated Music dialog.
Sony also has a variety of theme packs available for use with Cinescore and I test drove 2 of the newly released (Sep 2007) editions, “Hyperculture: New Media Soundtracks” and “Urban 24/7: City Soundmaps”. Each of these theme packs includes 10 themes. A breeze to install each of these theme packs installed in about 5 minutes each. I didn’t even have to restart Cinescore to detect the newly installed theme packs. Using the “Theme Chooser” dialog I was able to sort themes by title, package type, genre, and tempo.
Hyperculture: New Media Soundtracks
Hyperculture is representative of new media, jazz/symphonic, rock, pop, and cinematic backdrops. Some interesting themes and variations listed below:
UK Seoul (electronic piano, percussive, brassy, and funky) variations:
Windy city horns
Slow trip groove
Sax delay
Horns, brass & Drums
Drums & Bass
and more…
Urban 24/7: City Soundmaps
Urban 24/7 is representative of inner city diversity, night club atmosphere, percussive and abstract backdrops. Some interesting themes and variations listed below:
Only in America (mid-western rock feel) variations:
Soft rock trio
Power rock
It gets thicker
Blast off
Diva sings
Triumphant
Full harmonics
and more…
Cinescore themes are ideal for film-scoring as most film scores are thematic and don’t require a lot of different themes. Film composers often use repetition (with variation) of musical ideas to establish familiarity with the listener.
EXTRAS
Sony Cinescore Theme Packs retail for US$89.95 each. Sony also has a number of user forums for specific programs such as Vegas audio, Vegas video, DVD Architect, and Cinescore. A Vegas Pro 8 Script Development Kit (SDK) is also available at Sony’s Development Kits download page.
PRICING
Available from Sony Creative Software Sony Vegas Pro 8 (which includes DVD Architect Pro) retails for US$699 with a street price of US$585. Sony is also bundling Cinescore and 2 theme packs with the Vegas Pro 8 suite for US$650 (offer valid through Oct 31 2007). Cinescore is also available as a stand alone product retailing for US$175 with a street price of US$160. Individual theme packs retail for US$99 with a street price of US$79.
ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
As I mentioned in the V7 review the boxed set includes hard copies of only the QuickStart manuals. I would also like to see hard copies of the PDF user manuals included in the boxed set as well. In the future I’d also like to see DVD Architect add DVD case artwork design/print capability (i.e. DVD cover, insert, booklet).
While I really like Cinescore’s theme and variations preview feature, I’d like to also see this capability expanded to allow previewing of audio transitions as well.
CONCLUSION AND RATINGS DEFENSE
I gave Sony Vegas Pro 8 high marks for quality. It’s a professional tool suite that’s packed with features and improved integration and should certainly have a place in your multimedia project studio. I recommend this product to anyone who is serious about multimedia productions and audio video entertainment applications. Vegas Pro 8 is more than capable of editing and producing your next large complex multimedia video project and should definitely be on your short list to consider.
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